Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The moment An An asked this question, little Ji Chi’s eyes also turned to one of perplexity. He looked at Pei Ge and asked, “Where is Auntie Jingwan? Why don’t I see her?”
Pei Ge suddenly stopped in her tracks. They did not tell Qu Jingwan that their whole family was coming to America, nor did she tell little Ji Chi that Qu Jingwan would not be joining them. Looking at little Ji Chi in front of her, she suddenly choked.
“Ping An, do you trust mommy?”
“Mhm.”
Little Ji Chi nodded. His innocent eyes were tinged with a hint of hope.
“Ping An, since you trust mommy, then do you trust grandma? Your auntie can’t come over now, but she may be here in a few days’ time.”
Zhang Manhua wiped her hand on the apron before continuing with a smile. “I won’t lie to you. You trust your mommy, right?”
“Mommy, is grandma saying the truth?”
He turned to look at his mother.
“Mhm.”
Pei Ge hummed under her breath. She could not tell the boy that Qu Jingwan would not be coming here for now. Before he received proper treatment and was under medical care, she could not agitate him.
“Okay, then.”
Ji Chi finally relaxed.
When the two children were finally out of the kitchen, Zhang Manhua pulled up her daughter, who was crouching on the floor, and asked softly, “How is Ping An’s illness now?”
“It’s much better than before. At least, he is already willing to call me mommy.”
Pei Ge felt a little tired and helpless, but she could not pinpoint the reason for it.
“How about you bring him to see a doctor this afternoon? Their father should know quite a few skilled doctors here in the US. You two can bring your son to one of them while I take care of my other grandkids here at home.”
Zhang Manhua felt heartache for her daughter. When the latter finally found her third child from back then, the boy refused to acknowledge her. Any mother would be unable to take it, especially when her child was more affectionate with another woman.
“Mom, I understand; don’t worry. I’m already thinking of visiting a hospital this afternoon with Ziming to make an appointment with a doctor. The children had a long flight, so I want them to rest for today. I will bring Ping An to a doctor tomorrow. Aside from making an appointment with one this afternoon, I also plan to go to Xiaoyu’s place.”
She stood beside her mother and carefully prepared the vegetables. Her long fingers shone like white jade amid the green leaves.
“Don’t tell me that Gu Zhengrong hasn’t contacted his girlfriend ever since she went missing?”
The older woman finally asked the biggest question in her heart. Ever since she learned about that young lady’s disappearance, she had been calling the young man. However, no one answered any of her calls. She did not know if he was too busy with work or he was just not answering on purpose.
“I already gave him a call, but he’s also unable to contact my best friend at present.”
Pei Ge felt sorrowful inside. She could not imagine why her best friend would disappear without a word. In the past, whenever she needed her best friend, the latter would always come find her to give her strength regardless of what she was doing; now…
She could not find her at all.
“What do you think caused her to leave home without a word? She didn’t even give us a call. I went to her house, but she wasn’t there.”
The older woman continued voicing her queries and did not notice the disbelief and confusion in her daughter’s eyes.
“I think that she’ll be fine. Perhaps, she’s just unhappy and needs some time alone.”
“It’d better be like that. Otherwise, if I find out that this involves her boyfriend, I won’t let him off. Xiaoyu is half my daughter. It was her who accompanied me while you were in China. She went shopping with me, chatted with me, and even accompanied me to the supermarket sometimes. I am already such an old lady, so having such a good daughter other than you is my blessing.”
“Mom, who called you old? You are not old.”
She could sense the concern her daughter had for her and quickly explained, “You are not the judge if I am old. Time has made its mark on my face, so I can’t deny getting age.”
Her mother had indeed aged quite a bit and become more haggard after her father’s passing. However, after coming to the US with Pei Ge and changing her environment, she became much more jovial and regained her vigor and confidence.
Still, she knew that her mother would not get a good night’s sleep as long as the truth of her father’s death was not out. This had already become a thorn in her and her mother’s hearts.
“How are you and Ziming now? I didn’t ask you in front of him earlier. Why don’t I see Ran Ran this time?”
Zhang Manhua was still most concerned about the relationship between her daughter and that man. She could see that he was sincere toward her daughter, so she could not understand her daughter.
“We are alright. As for your grandkid, she’ll only come live with us tomorrow because she is mad at her father.”
“Then, where is she now?”
She cut the fresh chicken and placed the pieces on a plate. The dishes she was cooking today were the ones her two grandsons loved.
“She’s with Ziming’s mother.”
“Madam Ji is also here?” she asked. All the people were present except for Xiaoyu.
“Mhm, but we didn’t tell Qu Jingwan that we’re flying over here. She’s probably only learning about it now.”
Pei Ge had just finished peeling, washing, and cutting the potatoes evenly. She was very satisfied with her work.
“Then, is she still bothering you two? Will she still be messing with the both of you?”
Her mother took the vegetables beside her and washed them under the running tap before continuing her inquiries. “How are things between you and Madam Ji now?”
“Not bad. Before, because Ji Chi only acknowledged Qu Jingwan, we agreed to let her stay in the Ji house, but afterward, Ziming also brought me and the other children to live there.”
“Then, wouldn’t the two of you start fighting?”
Zhang Manhua jokingly said. The wrinkles on the corner of her eyes creased.
“That actually didn’t happen. It was at most a smokeless war. There will always be some competition among women of the same age. I don’t mind it. For Ping An’s sake, I am fine with anything.”
“Then, where is that lady now? Is she still at the Ji family’s house?”
She shook her head. “At the Ji Group’s headquarters, but she is probably in hot waters there right now.”
“What do you mean?”
Her mother did not understand immediately why that lady would be in hot waters in the Ji Group.
“Ziming made her work as an entry-level employee in the company. According to my understanding of her, while she agreed to it, she actually didn’t want that kind of job.”