Perhaps it was because they had long harbored suspicions in their hearts that, at the moment Jiang Si handed over the portrait, Father Huo and Mother Huo didn’t feel as heartbroken as one might expect. Instead, they experienced a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
The portrait was opened, revealing the youthful face of a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old.
At first glance, the portrait didn’t seem remarkable. However, when compared side by side with Yang Zhiqi’s portrait, the truth became glaringly obvious.
Even so, after raising the boy for over twenty years, Father Huo and Mother Huo couldn’t stop their eyes from reddening when the truth came to light.
Mother Huo, in particular, was overwhelmed by the thought that she had raised someone else’s child for two decades, while her own child’s whereabouts were still unknown. She abruptly stood up.
“No, this won’t do. I have to go find her!”
“I need to ask her face-to-face—where is my son now?”
Jiang Si quickly reached out and pulled her back. Although she had no fondness for Aunt Huo, this matter was not something to be handled impulsively.
“Mom, calm down. I suspect Aunt Huo might not even know the truth.”
“What?”
“She doesn’t know?”
Mother Huo was momentarily stunned. “But she truly adores Tingtao. She treats him better than her own three daughters.”
Seeing this, Jiang Si explained, “Mom, you know Aunt Huo’s personality better than I do. She’s not someone who can keep a secret. If she knew, she wouldn’t have been able to stay calm about it. Remember, she even argued with us over the property division.”
“Also, I tested her earlier this morning.”
“If she were aware of this or involved, her reaction wouldn’t have been so composed.”
Grandma Huo shared the same thought as Jiang Si. She pulled Mother Huo closer to her side.
“Si girl is right. Lihua doesn’t have the cunning for something like this. I’d bet this is the Yang family’s doing.”
“They must be holding a grudge against us.”
Mother Huo, reminded by Grandma Huo, suddenly recalled something.
Years ago, Yang Zhiqi had indeed come to the Huo Family with a request. However, it wasn’t for himself—it was for his younger brother.
But Father Huo, being a man of principle, would never tolerate misconduct, even from his own children, let alone a subordinate.
Because of this, Yang Zhiqi’s younger brother was punished and later even expelled from the military.
“If this was his doing, and Lihua wasn’t aware, then it must have happened during Lihua’s postpartum confinement. He must have secretly swapped the two children.”
The two children were born just a month and a half apart.
Newborns grow quickly, changing noticeably in just a few days.
The thought of what the Yang family had done made Mother Huo’s gaze turn icy. “So, the child they lost is actually mine.”
Seeing her mother-in-law like this, Jiang Si couldn’t help but feel sorrowful.
Before she could say anything to comfort her, Mother Huo placed her hand on Jiang Si’s reassuringly.
“Don’t worry about me, Si. I’m fine. If it weren’t for you, our Huo Family might have been fooled for who knows how much longer.”
“Your husband is lucky to have married you, and we Huo Family are lucky to have you as our daughter-in-law.”
Looking at the redness in Mother Huo’s eyes, Jiang Si felt a surge of emotion.
“Mom, we’re family. There’s no need to thank me—it’s too formal.”
Mother Huo nodded.
She turned to look at Father Huo.
Years of marriage had made them so attuned to each other that Mother Huo didn’t need to say a word—just one glance was enough for Father Huo to understand her meaning.
“Don’t worry, I’ll look into this.”
If this matter really had something to do with the Yang family, Father Huo suspected that their biological child might not have been truly lost after all.
However, at the moment, there was no evidence in hand, so he refrained from drawing any conclusions.
Over the next few days, Father and Mother Huo left early and returned late, busy investigating the events of years past.
Meanwhile, Jiang Si was dragged around the entirety of Beijing by Grandpa Huo and Grandma Huo.
According to the two elders, the matter had already happened, and worrying about it wouldn’t change anything. Life still had to move forward.
But Jiang Si had been preoccupied with one particular matter, so even while out and about, her mind often wandered.
Seeing her glum expression, Grandma Huo couldn’t help but feel troubled.
Grandpa Huo thought for a moment and suggested, “The house for Little Zhou is almost ready. Why don’t you take her out to pick out furniture and decorations?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Grandma Huo, being a spirited and energetic woman, immediately went downstairs to find Jiang Si once she realized this was a good plan.
“Si, come on, I’ll take you shopping.”
“Afterwards, we’ll go to the ‘Minzu Restaurant’ for some hot pot lamb.”
The Minzu Restaurant, also known as Donglaishun, was famous for its lamb dishes, which were especially nourishing during this season.
Jiang Si had no objections. The weather in Beijing these days was sunny and pleasant—not too hot or cold. But once the chilly northwest winds started blowing in a few weeks, she wouldn’t step foot outside even if someone paid her.
It wasn’t until they were out the door that Jiang Si realized it was just the two of them.
“Grandma, isn’t Grandpa coming?”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to come; Grandma Huo simply didn’t want to bring him along.
Every time they went shopping together, no matter what she asked him, his response was always the same: “Whatever.”
He wouldn’t participate in the decision-making process and offered no opinions. Apart from footing the bill, he contributed nothing but frustration.
Of course, that’s not how Grandma Huo phrased it. Instead, she said thoughtfully, “Your grandpa wore himself out climbing the Great Wall the other day. Let him rest for a couple of days.”
“People his age really shouldn’t push themselves too hard.”
Jiang Si nodded in understanding. Grandpa Huo was nearly eighty years old and had been accompanying her everywhere these past few days. He must be exhausted.
When they returned home later that evening, she resolved to give him more of the spring water to help replenish his energy.
Having made their plans, the grandmother-granddaughter duo cheerfully set off.
Poor Grandpa Huo, who had only gone upstairs to change clothes, came back down to find the house completely empty.
Upon arriving at Wangfujing Department Store, Grandma Huo, with practiced ease, led Jiang Si straight to the fourth floor, where large furniture items were sold.
Little Zhou hadn’t lived at home for years, so his room lacked any decent furnishings. Now that he was finally getting married, it was time to properly furnish it.
Grandma Huo patted her bulging wallet. “Pick whatever you like. Don’t worry about the cost.”
From the sound of it, Grandma was footing the bill?
“Grandma, I have money,” Jiang Si said. “When Mom went to Qiongzhou Island, she already gave me the money gifts and the settlement allowance. Plus, the savings account you and Grandpa gave me—she brought that along too.”
At the time, when Jiang Si received the savings account, she hadn’t even opened it.
Jiang Si only found out after returning to Jing City that the bankbook her grandparents had given her actually contained 3,000 yuan.
Grandma Huo shook her head firmly, like a rattle drum. "Your money is your money. Now that we’re renovating your marital home, how can we let you two spend your own money?"
Unable to argue with her, Jiang Si could only shift her focus to the furniture. "Alright, I'll take a look first."
However, after circling the store once, Jiang Si still hadn't found anything she liked.
"What's wrong? Nothing you fancy?" Grandma Huo asked.
Jiang Si nodded. "No, nothing."
"That's okay. If you can’t find anything suitable here, we can check other places," Grandma Huo reassured her.
As soon as Grandma Huo finished speaking, the salesperson at the furniture counter snorted.
"The department store here in Jing City has the most comprehensive stock. If you can’t find what you want here, it’s pointless going elsewhere."
While the salesperson’s words weren’t pleasant to hear, they weren’t entirely wrong.
But Jiang Si had her own ideas.
The furniture she had bought previously on Qiongzhou Island was only for daily use, so she had chosen simple and practical pieces.
This time, however, Jiang Si wanted to select items with a better sense of quality.
In fact, she had quite a few pieces of furniture in her private collection—each one priceless.
But those couldn’t be taken out just yet; she’d have to wait for the right moment.
After some thought, Jiang Si leaned over and whispered to Grandma Huo, "Grandma, I’d like to check out the state-owned consignment stores nearby."
Grandma Huo frowned at this. "But those places only sell second-hand furniture."
"That’s okay, Grandma," Jiang Si replied, unconcerned.
In this era, all timber was allocated by the state. Precious woods like rosewood, huanghuali, and golden nanmu weren’t available for public sale.
If you wanted to buy such items, the only option was to visit state-owned consignment stores.
These were similar to the "Huai Guo Jiu" stores in Shanghai, where everything was second-hand but affordable and didn’t require ration tickets.
Most importantly, after the recent political campaigns, a significant portion of confiscated goods had ended up in these stores.
Having grown up surrounded by fine items, Jiang Si had developed an eye for treasure over time.
She could easily tell whether something was genuine with just a glance.
Seeing her insistence, Grandma Huo relented. "Alright, let’s go. But we must buy a new bed."
Newlyweds sleeping on a new bed was a tradition passed down for generations.
Even during the movement to abolish old customs, Grandma Huo wasn’t about to break this one.
Jiang Si nodded in agreement.
That morning, the two of them visited several nearby state-owned consignment stores.
After enjoying a hot pot lunch, Jiang Si headed to the sales department of the hardwood furniture factory in Jing City in the afternoon.
Before the public-private partnership, the factory, called "Tong Xing He," was a long-established brand specializing in imperial-style furniture in Jing City.
After spending the entire afternoon browsing, Jiang Si finally found furniture she was satisfied with.
Although not as exquisite as the pieces in her private collection, they were still top-quality items. In addition, she managed to pick up quite a few cups, bowls, and plates.
She left her address and arranged for a delivery time.
The two of them returned home happily.
As soon as they stepped through the door, they heard the old man’s excited voice.
"Si Si, quick, quick, quick! There’s a phone call for you—"
[Don’t worry, the truth will be revealed tomorrow—]
