Chapter 12: Auntie Xiuhua Arrived

The security guard quickly caught up with Zhao Jiaying and said: “Young Miss, don’t rush. Your auntie is still waiting outside and won’t leave!”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

The security guard accompanied Zhao Jiaying to the main gate and opened the large entrance.

The moment the gate opened, Zhao Jiaying saw Yang Xiuhua and immediately shouted: “Auntie! I’m over here!”

Yang Xiuhua saw Zhao Jiaying and finally let go of the anxiety she had been holding onto. She walked up to her and said: “Yingbao, as long as I see you safe and sound, Auntie can rest assured!”

“Auntie, Yingbao already told you I’m at Daddy’s house! How could anything happen to me? Come on, I’ll take you inside to meet my Great-grandma!”

Zhao Jiaying held Yang Xiuhua’s hand and led her toward the villa.  

Along the way, Yang Xiuhua looked around in amazement. She had never seen such a large and beautiful place before. She turned to Zhao Jiaying and asked,  

“Yingbao, is this where your Daddy lives? It’s so big and so beautiful!”  

“Yes! This is my Daddy’s house. It’s even more beautiful inside! I’ll take you to see it!”  

Hand in hand, the two quickly arrived at the entrance of the villa, where Lin Zhenzhu was still waiting.  

“Great-grandma, this is my Auntie Xiuhua!”  

Then, turning to Yang Xiuhua, Zhao Jiaying said: “Auntie, this is my Great-grandma!”  

Yang Xiuhua nodded at Lin Zhenzhu, unsure of how to address her, so she simply said: “Madam, hello!”  

Lin Zhenzhu smiled and said: “Hello, Auntie Xiuhua! Come, come, please come inside and have a seat!”  

Zhao Jiaying held Yang Xiuhua’s hand and led her inside. As soon as Yang Xiuhua saw the luxurious and elegant decor of the villa, she was stunned. This place was even more magnificent than a palace!  

Reaching the living room sofa, Zhao Jiaying urged: “Auntie, sit down!”  

Yang Xiuhua glanced at the sofa, then patted the dust off her clothes before carefully sitting down. She was afraid that her dirty clothes might stain the expensive furniture.  

Soon, the maid, Xiaolan, brought over tea and snacks for Yang Xiuhua.  

“Auntie Xiuhua, please have some tea!” Lin Zhenzhu said.  

“Thank you, Madam!”  

Yang Xiuhua politely thanked her, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. Sitting there, she felt a little uneasy. The overwhelming luxury of the place gave her a sense of pressure.  

For a moment, the atmosphere became awkward. Eventually, Lin Zhenzhu broke the silence.  

“I heard Yingbao call you Auntie Xiuhua, so I will call you Xiuhua from now on. And you don’t need to call me Madam. Just call me Grandma Zhenzhu!”  

Lin Zhenzhu preferred being called Grandma—it felt much warmer and closer.  

“Alright, Grandma Zhenzhu!”

Yang Xiuhua had always thought that wealthy people were difficult to get along with, but she was surprised to find Lin Zhenzhu so kind and approachable. The fear and nervousness in her heart instantly diminished by more than half.

“These past few days, Yingbao has been staying at your home. We truly appreciate everything you’ve done for her. On behalf of my whole family, I want to thank you for taking such good care of our Yingbao!”

This was Lin Zhenzhu’s sincere gratitude—she was genuinely thankful to Yang Xiuhua and her family.

“Grandma Zhenzhu, you’re being too polite. Taking care of Yingbao was just a small effort on our part. Compared to the kindness Yingbao’s Mommy has shown our family, what we have done is nothing! Besides, Yingbao is such a well-behaved and thoughtful child. She never gave us any trouble. In fact, she often helped us with chores. I should be the one thanking her!”

Zhao Yunxi was a benefactor to Yang Xiuhua’s family. Back when Yang Xiuhua’s son had collapsed at home due to leukemia, it was Zhao Yunxi who had discovered him in time and rushed him to the hospital. She not only took care of everything but also helped financially, covering the expenses for his surgery. In the end, her son successfully underwent a bone marrow transplant. However, he had not fully recovered yet and still needed to stay in the hospital for further treatment. It would be a few more months before he could be discharged.

Knowing that Yang Xiuhua’s family was struggling financially—and since she herself was often busy with work—Zhao Yunxi had asked Yang Xiuhua to help take care of Zhao Jiaying. This arrangement not only provided some financial support for Yang Xiuhua’s family but also allowed Zhao Yunxi to focus on her job without worry.

This time, as Zhao Yunxi had to go abroad for work, she had completely entrusted Zhao Jiaying to Yang Xiuhua’s care. She believed that they would take good care of Yingbao and never mistreat her.

Hearing someone praise her little great-granddaughter, Lin Zhenzhu felt immense joy in her heart.

“Yes, Yingbao truly is a wonderful child!”

After spending just one evening with Zhao Jiaying, she could already tell from the girl’s words and actions that she was indeed an exceptional child.

Yang Xiuhua thought to herself that now that Zhao Jiaying had found her biological father, she naturally wouldn’t be going back with her. Besides, with such a wealthy family, they would surely treat Zhao Jiaying well. It was far better for her to stay here than to go back and endure a life of hardship.

She had specifically taken a taxi here today just to confirm that Zhao Jiaying was safe and sound. Now that she saw the child was doing well, she could finally relax. Standing up, she expressed her intention to leave. The taxi fare in the morning had cost her over a hundred yuan, which pained her deeply. She couldn’t afford to take a taxi back, so she needed to leave early to find a bus route home. After all, the bus fare was much cheaper—only a few yuan.

“Grandma Zhenzhu, now that I’ve seen Yingbao safe and sound, I’ll be heading back first.”

“Auntie, are you leaving so soon?”

Zhao Jiaying held onto Yang Xiuhua’s hand, reluctant to let her go.

“Yes, Xiuhua, you’ve just arrived. You haven’t even had time to warm your seat, and now you’re leaving? At least stay and have lunch before you go!”

This was not how Lin Zhenzhu treated her guests. Someone had come all this way to visit—how could she let them leave without sharing a meal?

“Grandma Zhenzhu, that really isn’t necessary. I live quite far away, so I want to leave early and catch a bus home. If I leave too late, I might miss the last bus.”

“Oh, so that’s what you’re worried about? That’s an easy fix. After lunch, I’ll have my driver take you home!”

Yang Xiuhua initially wanted to refuse, not wanting to trouble them. However, Zhao Jiaying held onto her hand tightly, looking at her with eager eyes.

“Yes, Auntie! Please stay and have lunch before you go. It won’t take much time, and you haven’t even seen the place where I’ll be living from now on!”

“But…”

“No ‘buts,’ Xiuhua. It’s decided—you’re staying for lunch. If you refuse, you’ll be treating me, an old woman, like a stranger and not as your grandmother!”

Lin Zhenzhu did her best to persuade her, determined to have her stay for a meal.

“Grandma Zhenzhu, please don’t say that. Since you insist, I won’t refuse your hospitality.”

Since the host had been so sincere in asking her to stay, refusing any further would make her seem impolite.

“Haha… that’s more like it! There’s no need to be so formal with family! You and Yingbao can chat for a while—I’ll go inform the kitchen to prepare lunch.”