Kyoto, Tianhe Yuan residential area.
Lu Qian and his wife sat on a park bench in the residential area, watching their grandson Yang Zhengyuan play with a ball on the lawn, their faces beaming with smiles.
"Old Lu, why don't you quit your job at the construction site? You're so old, still working on the front lines. Not only is it physically demanding, but it's also unsafe. You hardly come home all year round."
Chen Lan looked at her husband's white hair with great concern. He had just arrived from Hancheng, and her grandson barely recognized him.
Lu Qian smiled, "I'm only in my fifties, and I can still work. Besides, I'm the chief engineer. Going to the construction site is just for inspection, not for laying out the lines. My body can handle it. Feng'er will be back in just over a year, and I need to earn some money for his wedding."
"Speaking of Feng'er, did you go to see him this time?"
"I did. He's been behaving very well inside and has matured a lot. He knows how to care about our health and lives. It seems that a few years in prison aren't entirely bad. If he had been out these past few years, he might have caused us a lot of worry."
"What are you saying? If he were out, I'd be willing to worry about him. It's so hard in there. I haven't seen him in over two years. Why don't we discuss it with Yaoyao? I'll go back with you this time to see Feng'er and visit relatives along the way."
Chen Lan had left Chengguan since her grandson was born. It had been two and a half years now, and she still wanted to go back and see. After all, she had lived in that small town for decades, and her relatives, friends, and colleagues all held her attention.
"If you go back, what about the child? Yaoyao is so busy with work; she doesn't have time to take care of the child."
"Let's take the child back. Zhengzheng is almost three years old and should go back to see his uncle. Your elder brother and sister-in-law also miss him and want to see him."
Lu Qian sighed, "It's not difficult to go back. The difficult part is how to explain this child's identity to people. And what if Yang Jian sees this child?"
"What's so difficult to say? Just say Yaoyao got married, and this is my grandson. As for Yang Jian, isn't he still on the run? How would he go to Chengguan?"
"Yang Jian is indeed on the run, but he has never forgotten Yaoyao. I don't know what he's doing outside, but he's made a lot of money and invested tens of millions to build a Yaochi Garden in his hometown. Rumor has it that this garden was built for Yaoyao."
"Alas, Yang Jian is a loyal and righteous child. It's a pity he went down the wrong path and didn't follow the right way. Ultimately, he and Yaoyao are fated but not meant to be. Remember, you must never mention this to Yaoyao. Yaoyao has almost cut off contact with Xinhe these past few years, except for occasional phone calls with Wei Xia. I've also told Wei Xia not to mention anything about Yang Jian."
"Alright, if you want to go back, then go back. But you can't stay there permanently. Yang Jian's sister lives too close to our house. If she sees Zhengzheng, she'll definitely suspect that this is Yang Jian's child. Zhengzheng looks too much like Yang Jian."
"So what if she sees him? Yang Jian is a wanted criminal and cannot afford to raise him. Can she still take Zhengzheng back to the Yang family?"
"That's what you say, but if Yang Jian finds out about this child, it will be a problem."
As the couple were chatting, they saw Yang Zhengyuan suddenly run towards the road.
"Mom."
"Zhengzheng."
Lu Yao, who had just returned from work, picked up her son, who was about to fall, her face beaming with happiness.
"Yaoyao is back."
Lu Qian and his wife also ran over.
"Dad, when did you get here? Why didn't you let me know in advance?"
Lu Yao was surprised to see her father. Apart from New Year's, he usually didn't visit.
"Company leaders are in Kyoto to inspect projects, so I took the opportunity to get a plane ticket."
"Then stay for a longer period this time. Mom is finding it a bit difficult to take care of Zhengzheng alone. This child is too naughty. Or why don't you just not go back? I feel sorry for you working on construction sites at your age."
"I have to go back the day after tomorrow. It's not time to retire yet. Your brother is coming out soon, and I need to prepare some assets for him."
"Alright, then let's go out for a big meal today."
Since her father finally came to visit, Lu Yao was in a good mood. She drove her child and parents out to eat Kyoto's specialty hot pot.
Lu Yao had been in Kyoto for three years. When she first arrived, her cousin Lu Wan took her in, gave her a house, and let her rest assured during her pregnancy. When the child was born, Chen Lan came to take care of her and the baby.
After the child was six months old, Lu Yao worked as a translator for a foreign trade company. This position was introduced by Lu Wan's husband, who specifically spoke to the company leaders, saying that Lu Yao needed to take care of her child and would not travel for business or abroad.
So, Lu Yao had a fulfilling life for the past two years. Besides work, her child was her everything.
"Yaoyao, your dad and I have discussed it. This time, I plan to take Zhengzheng and your dad back home. What do you think?"
At the dinner table, Chen Lan expressed her thoughts.
Lu Yao was a little surprised, "Mom, why do you suddenly want to go back?"
"I want to see your brother. I haven't seen him in over two years. Also, I want to visit relatives. Your aunt and uncle also want to see the child."
"Mom, I actually want to go back too. Why don't we go back together for New Year's? Our company is particularly busy during this period, and I can't get leave."
"If you're busy, then don't go back. Your dad and I will stay there for a while and then come back."
Chen Lan didn't want her daughter to go back. If she knew that Yang Jian had specially built a garden for her, she didn't know what earth-shattering things she would do.
Lu Yao pouted, "Okay, then you should come back soon. Zhengzheng has never left me. Not only is he unaccustomed to it, but I will also miss him."
"I know. By the way, Yaoyao, that Fang Yu your cousin Wan introduced you to last time, I think he's good. How are you getting along with him? Have you made any progress?"
"Mom, I already have a child. Fang Yu is a single returnee, a senior executive in the company, and his family conditions are also good. How could he possibly like me, a single mother with a child in tow?"
"What's wrong with being a single mother? You're so beautiful and have a good job. You're better than many single girls. Besides, I think Fang Yu is quite attentive to you and likes Zhengzheng too. I think you two can make it."
"Come on, Mom. No man can truly like someone else's son. I don't want Zhengzheng to be bullied by a stepfather. It's good like this now. I know it's hard for you to raise the child alone. Just hold on for a few more months. After New Year's, Zhengzheng can go to kindergarten, and you'll be more relaxed."
"Yaoyao, I'm not tired of taking care of the child. I'm mainly worried about you. You're only in your twenties, the best age for a woman. If you wait a few more years, no one will want you. You can't just live alone like this forever?"
Chen Lan was very worried about her daughter's marriage. Single mothers were always discriminated against in society. It was already difficult for someone to be interested in her, let alone someone with good conditions.
"Mom, I'm content with just Zhengzheng now. Don't worry. If there's fate in the future, I might get married."