When Chen Lan recounted Yang Jian's legendary experiences, Fang Yu felt his pursuit of Lu Yao had become even more challenging. He abandoned any thought of using underhanded tactics against Yang Jian, deeming him someone not to be provoked. Whether in terms of financial strength or brute force, Fang Yu knew he was no match for him.
His only remaining option was to sow discord between Yang Jian and Lu Yao. Fang Yu took several photos from his pocket and handed them to Chen Lan. Smartphones weren't fully widespread yet, and Chen Lan was still using an analog phone; otherwise, he could have sent the pictures directly to her.
"Who is this woman?" Chen Lan asked, surprised, as she looked at the photos. In one, a woman was feeding Yang Jian a bun, their actions intimate.
"I don't know. As soon as I entered Yang Jian's hospital room, I saw them being all clingy and affectionate. They seemed unusually close, so I snapped a few pictures," Fang Yu lied.
"Hmph, Yang Jian is truly fickle. With just these photos, I'll make sure Yao Yao cuts off all contact with him. Little Fang, when Yao Yao gets back, I'll convince her to get engaged to you."
"Thank you, Auntie. I'll await your good news."
Having achieved his goal, Fang Yu left in high spirits. Although Yang Jian's identity made him feel wary and envious, with Chen Lan, his potential mother-in-law, on his side, he was confident he could defeat Yang Jian and win the woman he loved.
Lu Yao, who was not scheduled for any business trips, was unexpectedly pulled out of the country by her manager due to a shortage of translators at the company. The trip lasted over a month.
Upon her return, she battled jet lag and slept for a full day and night. She finally woke up around noon the next day to find her mother had prepared lunch.
"Zheng Zheng, did you listen to Grandma while Mommy was away on her business trip?" Lu Yao asked, pulling her son onto her lap. She served him a bowl of braised pork ribs with lotus root, a traditional delicacy from her hometown of Xinhe that the whole family enjoyed.
Before Yang Zhengyuan could answer, Chen Lan chimed in with a complaint, "Listen? Not a bit! You have no idea how mischievous he is. None of the toys at home are intact; they're either taken apart or broken. He also likes to fight with the other kids in the neighborhood. We're supposed to send him to kindergarten in the second half of the year, and I don't know if the teachers will even accept him. He's such a handful."
"Grandma, what's a handful?" Little Zheng Yuan asked Chen Lan with a naive look.
"It means you take after your mom and dad, always eager to compete and fight."
"My dad? Where is he?"
Lu Yao, realizing the conversation had taken a wrong turn, quickly chided Chen Lan, "Mom, why are you talking about this with a child? Zheng Zheng, eat up quickly. After you finish eating, Mommy will take you to buy toys. You can pick whatever you want."
"Okay, okay! I also want to go to the amusement park and play on the slide!"
"If you finish this whole bowl, and then another bowl of rice, Mommy will take you to the amusement park, alright?"
"Okay, I can finish it all."
Although only three years old, Little Zheng Yuan was as robust as a four or five-year-old child and had a hearty appetite.
"Yao Yao, your brother will be released in three months. I'll have to go back then to help him arrange a marriage. But I'm worried about you. Why don't we finalize your engagement with Fang Yu? That way, I won't have to worry about both of you." Chen Lan said, serving her daughter rice and chattering incessantly.
"Mom, there's nothing between me and Fang Yu, and I'm not going to marry him. When your brother gets out, you can take Zheng Zheng back with you. The teaching quality in Chengguan is no worse than here. I'll fly back to see you whenever I have a holiday."
"Why aren't you listening to me, child? What's wrong with Fang Yu? He's a senior executive at a listed company, earns a million a year, is handsome, and comes from a good family. He doesn't even mind that you have a child. Where else will you find such an excellent person? And you still won't agree."
"Mom, please don't worry about my affairs. No matter what you say, I will never accept Fang Yu."
"You don't accept Fang Yu because you're still waiting for Yang Jian, aren't you? You've waited for him for years, but he's already forgotten you and found someone new."
Lu Yao put down her chopsticks. "Mom, what do you mean? Yang Jian is free? Do you have any news about him?"
"Take a look at this. See how close they are. He doesn't have you in his heart anymore." Chen Lan knew that she couldn't keep Yang Jian's job as a security guard in their residential complex a secret for long. She had to make Lu Yao give up on him as soon as possible, otherwise, they would surely meet. So, she directly presented the photos.
Lu Yao took the photos doubtfully and her body began to tremble. "Mom, where did these photos come from? Is Yang Jian sick or injured? Where is he hospitalized?"
"Yao Yao, I'm truly amazed by you. Shouldn't your focus be on this woman and their actions?"
"Mom, just tell me where these photos were taken and who gave them to you?"
"Don't ask where they were taken or who gave them to me. All you need to know is that Yang Jian has changed his mind. Waiting for him is meaningless. While you're still young, find someone and get married. I'll notify Fang Yu tomorrow to finalize your engagement, and then we'll arrange for both families to meet as soon as possible, aiming to have the wedding before the year ends."
Lu Yao didn't pay attention to her mother's nagging. She stared blankly at the photos, tears streaming down her face. She had waited painstakingly for nearly four years and finally saw Yang Jian's appearance, only to find him with someone else. This caused her heart immense pain. The countless nights of longing and care now transformed into resentment and unwillingness. She wanted to confront Yang Jian and ask him how he could treat her like this.
"Mom, why are you crying? Here are some tissues to wipe your eyes." Little Zheng Yuan, seeing his mother in tears, quickly stood on his stool and handed her two tissues.
"I can't scare the child," Lu Yao thought. She took the tissues, wiped her eyes, and steadied her emotions, preparing to take her son out for some fresh air after dinner.
However, Little Zheng Yuan's eyes were drawn to the photos in her hand. "Mom, this uncle is so cool, like Ultraman! He beat up all the bad guys." Little Zheng Yuan's words were startling. That day, Xu Jiao had set up a mourning hall for the golden retriever, and Chen Lan had taken him to watch, hiding in the crowd so Yang Jian wouldn't spot them. Three-year-old Xu Zhengyuan had a deep impression of Yang Jian.
Chen Lan was greatly surprised. "Zheng Zheng, Mommy isn't feeling well. Grandma will take you out to play on the slide."
Seeing his mother about to pick up her son, Lu Yao quickly pulled her son onto her lap. She sensed unusual information from her son's words. "Zheng Zheng, tell Mommy, where did you see this uncle?"
"In the park downstairs! I've seen him twice."
"When was that?"
"I don't know." A three-year-old child doesn't have a clear concept of time. The incident happened three days ago, and he didn't know how to express the passage of time.
"Mom, what's going on? Is Yang Jian in our residential complex? Did he get into a fight with someone?" Lu Yao felt her mother had hidden many things from her. It was no wonder she was so eager to matchmake her with Fang Yu. Yang Jian must have found his way here, and these photos were also suspicious.
Chen Lan glared fiercely at her grandson. This child's memory was truly good, remembering events from days ago so clearly and recognizing Yang Jian's appearance from such a distance. Could it be a connection through blood?