627: The past (2)

The past (2)

Jia heard Mrs. Zhang in silence. She was three at that time when her parents came home one night, carrying a crying baby in their arms. She was too young to remember much of it or question it at that time, but she knew that Lihua was just there one day. She just remembered seeing baby Lihua one day who had stepped into their lives and her mother saying, "Jia. She is your little sister, Lihua. You are a big sister now so make sure you always protect her."0

She remembered how she was thrilled to see her. Lihua was soft and cuddly and the moment their eyes met, Jia promised to herself that she would always take care of Lihua. She would always be a kind elder sister who would protect her little sister from all the harm.

Now that Jia thought about it, it was strange that she never questioned her and Lihua's blood relationship. As far as she recalled the time when she was three, she didn't see her mother pregnant at any time. Yet, there was baby Lihua one day and Song Lan and Song Wuyin told that she was her sister.

Cheng Ling wiped his aching eyes. "I am sorry, Lihua. It's really my fault. If I hadn't been so stubborn, then…we wouldn't have had to give up on you like this. I am really sorry. Because of my one careless mistake, this happened. I forced us to live separately from you. I am your and Mei's culprit…I know Mei never showed it, but her heart always ached for you. She missed you so much, and I-I couldn't do anything. She couldn't see you and raise you. She missed twenty-two years of your life only because of my stupidity. I have been a terrible husband and father…"

He broke down, releasing the years of sadness and grief that were locked in his heart. No matter how much Cheng Mei reassured him in all these years, he could never accept it and move on. He always blamed himself for this misery and the painful spell of twenty-two years of living without their daughter. His wife suffered because of him and as someone who loved her dearly, he couldn't bear the guilt of bringing sorrow to her.

Lihua trembled seeing his tears and got up to his side. "You…stop crying! You are not at fault."

Cheng Mei clenched her fists, tears threatening to escape her eyes as well. "Even after all this time, you still refuse to believe me, Ling. I see how little place I have in your heart."

Cheng Ling widened his eyes and shook his head hard. "No! Don't say that…My whole heart is filled with you!"

"Then why do you keep insisting that you are at fault?"

Lihua agreed and sniffled. "Yes. I know you only wanted my wellbeing. There was nothing wrong with that! You are not guilty of anything. I know how hard it must have been to live a life of hiding and being in lookout all the time. There is nothing wrong as a parent who wants his children to go outside and enjoy a free life. I am a mother too now. I would also never want my twins to live a restricted life like that."

"Yes…" Cheng Mei whispered, "I have also felt a lot of times to take Xinyue and Lihua outside. It's hard…living like this. Always alert and on guard. I never blamed you, Ling. In fact, I was happy that you finally took Lihua out that day. I always felt ashamed of myself that I couldn't show that courage. I was a coward."

Cheng Ling was horrified. "You are not a coward, Mei! How can you say that? I know it must have been hard holding back. But you still kept a strong heart and did it for everyone's safety whereas I…I only compromised all your efforts," he burst into tears.

Which made Bojing and Lihua burst into tears as well.

Mingshen and Xinyue - "..."

Wei anxiously walked over to her side and patted Lihua's head. "Don't cry."

Xinyue gritted his teeth. "Stop it with the tears already! Dad! You seriously need a brain check! How many times have Mom and I told you not to cry over what happened or keep blaming yourself?"

Cheng Ling cried. "I know. I am sorry. I always keep disappointing you and Mei…"

Mingshen sneered. "So Uncle Cheng, little chilly and my dear assistant. Time for you three to hit my lab. I was always curious about the ways your brains worked anyway."

"Boss…" Bojing cried.

Xinyue sneered back. "Yeah, gladly take them away and if possible, rewire their brain to normalcy."

Mingshen's eyes sparkled. "I like you! Are you really little chilly's brother? How about I do a DNA test too?"

"Sure. I want that answer to that myself as well."

"Xinyue! Mind your tongue," Mrs. Zhang scolded him.

He shrugged.

Yang Bingqing glared at her son. "Shut up, Mingshen! Can't you see how emotional time is for them…" saying that, she couldn't hold back her tears too.

Mingshen said in disdain, "Do you need a brain check too, Mom?"

She gritted her teeth. "You know, instead of them giving away Lihua, I should have given you away when I had the time!"

Yang Cheng nodded to that.

Jia's lips twitched and Mingshen only snorted. "Too late now."

Ruiling felt her heart clench with Cheng Ling's saddened expression. The Cheng family had taken good care of her and treated her as family until Jiang Zhen was in power. Now seeing them in distress made her uncomfortable. She wanted to help them but couldn't find any comforting words to soothe their pain.

Lihua wiped his and Cheng Mei's tears and patted their heads. "No more crying…" she hesitated a bit and nervously said in a low voice, "M-Mom and Dad…"

Their eyes slowly widened and the tears that had just dried up came out in full force once again.

Lihua - "..."

It wasn't their fault. After all, it was after years that they were listening to Lihua addressing them as Mom and Dad. After twenty-three long years, they finally saw this day and their heart couldn't be anymore overwhelmed with joy.

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