Chapter 31 – Zhao Han’s Probe

Early in the morning, Zhao Han came over carrying several large bags.

“Yashu, are you home?” Zhao Han knocked on the door.

“Aunt Zhao, come in, come in! I just got back from taking Lingling home,” Liang Xiao said, holding her waist and looking at Zhao Han with surprise. Why did she bring so many things?

“Grandma Zhao, did you come here to see me?” He Yashu had just changed her little one’s clothes. After a morning run that felt more like a brawl, she was a mess from head to toe. Little Zhong Ling ran out excitedly upon hearing a familiar voice.

“Yes, Grandma Zhao came to play with you, okay? Grandma Zhao feels so lonely at home.” Knowing the little one was her biological granddaughter made Zhao Han adore her even more. She desperately wanted to make up for her daughter’s lost childhood through little Zhong Ling.

“What’s all this, Aunt Zhao?” He Yashu handed her a cup of tea and looked puzzled at the many bags Zhao Han had brought.

“These are all for you and Lingling. There’s just too much—we can’t finish it all, so I brought some over for you. Xiao Xiao, take some back for your kids too,” Zhao Han said, her eyes filled with emotion as she looked at her daughter.

“There’s no need, Aunt Zhao. Take them back and enjoy them slowly. These don’t spoil easily anyway.” In times like this, food was precious, and He Yashu didn’t want to accept it. One glance showed that the bags were full of canned fruit and nuts—rare goods.

“Yes, Aunt Zhao. You two enjoy them. My boys have plenty of food too,” Liang Xiao smiled and gently declined. She felt something odd in Zhao Han’s gaze toward He Yashu, but since the two hadn’t interacted much before, she brushed it off and shook her head.

“If none of you want it, I’ll give it to Lingling,” Zhao Han said quickly when they refused.

“Grandma Zhao, you keep it. If I want to eat something, my dad will buy it for me. Hee hee.” Little Zhong Ling wasn’t tempted at all, even though there were things she hadn’t seen before. Her dad had told her he’d get her anything she wanted, and she was content.

“But if you don’t accept it, Grandma Zhao will be sad. Do you want to see Grandma Zhao sad?” Zhao Han teased, happy to see how sensible the child was.

“But how could you be sad when you have so much yummy stuff?” Zhong Ling looked at her in disbelief. Grownups sure were weird—having so many treats and still not satisfied.

Everyone burst out laughing at Zhong Ling’s words.

“Auntie Liang, the brothers aren’t at school today. Let’s go play with them!” Zhong Ling hugged Liang Xiao’s leg and looked at her expectantly.

“Alright, the boys are at home waiting for you.” Liang Xiao looked at her lovingly. If only the baby in her belly were a girl too.

“Aunt Zhao, Yashu, I’m taking Lingling to my wild boys.” Liang Xiao laughed cheerfully.

“Go on, but Lingling, don’t disturb your Aunt Liang, alright? She has a baby in her tummy—no running around.” He Yashu reminded her daughter.

“Got it, Mama,” Zhong Ling replied in her soft little voice.

“Xiao Xiao, bring the kids over for lunch at my place,” He Yashu offered.

“Sure, I won’t be polite,” Liang Xiao replied happily. The two families were close and often shared meals. With that, she took the bouncing Zhong Ling and left.

“Yashu, do you know your adoptive parents were arrested for child abduction?” Now that they were alone, Zhao Han finally asked the question she’d been holding in.

“I know, Youliang told me yesterday. Is there something wrong, Aunt Zhao?” He Yashu thought of how He Yuandong had sent the couple to prison. Zhao Han probably knew more than she did.

“The child they abducted… was you.”

“What? I was picked up in a trench during the war.” He Yashu was stunned. Why would anyone pick up a girl during such hard times?

“We’ve already sent people to investigate. You were definitely the one they abducted. Yashu… do you want to find your real parents?” Zhao Han’s throat tightened, afraid of hearing her refusal.