It was already past two in the afternoon when Xu Yanxia returned to the Lu family's mid-levels mansion.
Because he had to rush back for a meeting, Lu Jingming dropped her off at the gate and hurried back to the company without stopping, leaving her to walk inside with her bag.
The afternoon sun spilled over the lawn and the main building, and the distant sea shimmered with silver waves. Everything was so familiar.
Yet, it felt somewhat different from before.
Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Shen, had already come outside the living room to greet her. As soon as she approached and called out "Mom," the older woman immediately stepped forward, took her hand, and asked, "Have you eaten? Where is Jingming?"
Xu Yanxia replied, "We ate a little on the way back just now. He went back to the company to handle some matters."
"That is fine, we will have a proper meal tonight."
Her mother-in-law said as she led her into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, she added, "It just so happens they aren't around right now, so we can have a good chat."
Xu Yanxia nodded.
Just then, Aunt Zhang brought them fruit and tea. She thanked Aunt Zhang, and after she left, she said to her mother-in-law, "I am sorry, Mom. You worked so hard to prepare the dinner party for us for so long, but Jingming and I left early last night."
"We are all family now, why are you being so polite with me?"
Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Shen, smiled and comforted her instead, "Most of the people who came last night were acquaintances of your father and me. It was all about catching up anyway, so it is the same if we chat with them. Do not take it to heart."
She paused for a moment and then gently asked, "Do you feel better now? If you are still feeling upset, you can talk to me about it."
"Thank you, Mom,"
Xu Yanxia smiled slightly and said, "To be honest, we just met with my mother's stepson at noon today. We managed to learn some things we didn't know all these years. Although it is a bit cruel, knowing is better than not knowing."
Her mother-in-law nodded and told her, "To tell you the truth, I also had a chat with your mother last night."
"I can tell she is a very strong-willed person. After going through so much misfortune, she is still able to live so well, which is quite remarkable."
"Especially in an environment like Europe, being an Asian woman, some of her choices might truly have been out of her control. I think she initially went to Shencheng because she wanted to give you a better environment to grow up in."
"It is just that, step by step leading up to now, her values have diverged from yours."
As her voice fell, Xu Yanxia also nodded and said, "You are right."
"At first, I really couldn't understand why she had to marry again and again. Thinking about it now, for someone like her at that time, with no education, no background, and no family support, perhaps marrying was the only way she could change her fate."
Even including the time she married her father.
Perhaps for a young girl who was only twenty at the time, burdened by a deeply patriarchal family and living deep in the mountains, her kind and generous father was the one who could change her destiny. That was why she resolutely sneaked out of her home alone to seek refuge with her father thousands of miles away.
...
Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Shen, squeezed her hand and said, "Good girl, the fact that you can think this way shows you are very rational. After all, life is very complex. We weren't in her environment, so none of us has the right to easily judge whether she did right or wrong."
"Of course, no matter what, you children are innocent, and you and your brother were indeed hurt. Your mother missed out on the two of you growing up, which is truly a great pity."
"But it has already happened. No matter how much you resist, you can't change the past, so it is better to look forward. Life is like this, after all, with its ups and downs, highs and lows. Only when we can endure the bad times can we embrace the good."
Xu Yanxia knew her mother-in-law was afraid she still had a knot in her heart and was trying to comfort her. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Mom. Do not worry, my brother and I have basically figured it out. We will live our lives as we should from now on. We will just treat her as a distant relative. Having news is better than having no news."
"That makes perfect sense."
Her mother-in-law immediately smiled and nodded, sighing, "I have to say, although Jingming was a late bloomer, he has great taste. A wife as wise as you isn't easy for others to find."
Hearing this, Xu Yanxia couldn't help but laugh and quickly said, "You flatter me. You are my role model. Both he and I have to work hard to live our lives as wonderfully as you and Dad do."
To be honest, her mother-in-law not only had a great relationship with her husband but also raised three children very well, and managed both the internal and external affairs of the family perfectly. She was truly a remarkable society lady.
After she spoke, Mrs. Shen nodded immediately and said, "I am confident about that. As the eldest son, your father and I were quite strict with Jingming. At the very least, his values are absolutely fine. As for other things, if there is anything inappropriate in your life together in the future, just tell me, and I will sort him out for you."
Xu Yanxia couldn't help but be amused again. She nodded quickly and said, "Thank you, Mom. You and Dad really raised him well. So far, there are no problems, and I hope I won't have to come to you with complaints in the future."
"Good girl."
Her mother-in-law hugged her with a smile and said quite seriously, "Welcome to our family. Remember, no matter what happens in the future, the Lu family has your back."
Xu Yanxia smiled and nodded again, saying earnestly, "Thank you, Mom. I will remember that."
Mrs. Shen nodded. Then, she took out a box and handed it to her, saying, "This is a family heirloom exclusive to the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family. When your father and I got married, your grandmother gave it to me, and now it is time to pass it on to you."
Huh, there is a family heirloom?
Curious, Xu Yanxia took it and opened the box, only to find that the item inside was a pendant of a Qilin delivering a child.
It was about the size of an adult's palm. Judging by the material, it should be made of brass. Because it was old, the surface was already covered with a hazy layer of oxidation.
However, the craftsmanship was still very exquisite. The Qilin was lifelike, and even the patterns on its body were clearly visible. On its back rode a chubby, cheerful little baby, looking incredibly endearing.
Her mother-in-law told her very honestly, "Back then, the Lu family's conditions weren't that good, so this is made of brass. But it has indeed been passed down from generation to generation by our ancestors. You are the sixth generation to receive it. When it comes to blessing the family with flourishing offspring, it is actually quite effective."
Xu Yanxia, "..."
