Chapter 10
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Ji Guoting said that staying behind does not necessarily mean belonging. Leaving this home and returning to a normal life path is the true way to look forward.
With a click, the door shut, leaving Ji Ning alone in the room.
In the study, Fu Mingya was still waiting. Upon seeing him, he nodded slightly, his brow relaxing a little.
“Zhuzhu’s current adoptive father is Zhao Wu. More than three years ago, he was working in the northern city.”
“At that time, among the group of servants responsible for taking care of Zhuzhu, there was an auntie named Xiao Deng who was…”
“An old flame.”
Fu Mingya’s face showed disdain at the mention of this term.
“Butler Jiang investigated and found out that Xiao Deng’s real name was Deng Xiumei.”
“Perhaps at first, it was an attempted kidnapping, but then the two fell out. For unknown reasons, the child was taken back to Zhao Wu’s hometown.”
“Deng Xiumei died in an accident three years ago. Zhao Wu is still in the northern city, working at construction sites.”
“He only returns home during holidays. The child is cared for by his partner Qin Meilan and his mother Ge Shucui.”
It could be almost certain that the Zhuzhu from Yongrui Village in the southern city was the child their family had lost.
“Ningning’s flight is at 10 a.m. two days from now,” Ji Guoting said.
After sending off Ji Ning, it would be time to bring Zhuzhu back.
No matter what fabricated identity or reason, it would not be difficult for the couple to raise and care for a child.
...
That night, Zhuzhu slept peacefully.
How strange, she did not dream; the terrifying scenes from the original plot no longer haunted her mind.
Perhaps it was because Zhuzhu had survived.
The little bundle had broken through the turning point of fate, protected herself, and preserved the chance to reunite with her mother in the future.
And her mother…
Though Zhuzhu’s little head was small, she was a clever baby. In one dream after another, the images became clearer. Even though she still couldn’t see her mother’s face clearly, the child in the “runaway with the ball” plot looked exactly like her own reflection.
Qin Meilan and Zhao Xiaojie were still awake. When the mother and son played together, they never considered that Zhuzhu was asleep.
No matter what her little brother did, he would never upset his mother. Even when he bumped his hard head against her nose just now, he immediately acted cute and called “Mom,” which made her laugh.
Zhuzhu always envied them.
As the playful voice of her brother filled her ears and the faint sounds of the mother and son’s interactions drifted through, Zhuzhu tightened her little blanket in her sleep.
“Mom…”
Zhuzhu murmured.
Zhao Xiaojie seemed to hear something amusing and lifted the curtain to peek out.
“Mom…”
This time, the voice was clearer.
Qin Meilan chuckled softly.
She vaguely remembered when this child first came to their home.
She was so small she couldn’t even speak yet, dressed in branded crawling clothes, with a heavy safety lock hanging from her neck.
After years of marriage, Qin Meilan had endured much scorn for being unable to bear children.
Zhao Wu had brought home a baby to slap her face, and the whole village was waiting to see her humiliation.
And she had to suffer through it.
People said times had changed, but Qin Meilan knew that any woman in Yongrui Village facing this situation could only swallow their pride.
“Still calling for ‘mom,’” Qin Meilan curled her lips and spoke harshly, “A child without a mother.”
“Mom?” Zhao Xiaojie asked, “Why doesn’t she have a mom?”
“Her mother abandoned her.”
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The sharp voice around her grew louder.
Zhuzhu’s whispered “Mom” became softer and softer.
The uneasy feeling pulled her back into the dream.
The terrifying original plot continued to unfold. Her mother was manipulated by the storyline but did not give up.
She was brave, trying every way to break free from the plot’s constraints.
Breaking the shackles, yet uncertain if she could reach Zhuzhu’s side.
...
Ji Ning brought back only a few pieces of luggage.
Most of the current servants in the Ji household were unfamiliar faces. As Ji Ning’s “assistant,” Fu Xiaoman knew her habits well and had helped organize her luggage early in the morning.
The two drivers, Fu Xiaoman’s father and Driver Li, had switched shifts, with Fu Xiaoman’s father personally taking his daughter to the airport.
Ji Ning got into the car first. Driver Fu helped the young lady put her suitcase in the trunk.
Fu Xiaoman worried about her father’s back and stayed nearby to assist.
“Xiaoman, be careful out there,” he reminded her, “If you feel unwell, remember to go to the hospital. Don’t tough it out just to save a little money. By the way, has your mom prepared your usual medicine?”
“All packed,” Fu Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh. “Dad, you sound just like you’re jinxing your own daughter to get sick.”
“And Mrs. also told me, don’t delay,” he added, “The madam’s family has done us favors. If it weren’t for them, you—”
“Dad!” Fu Xiaoman tugged at his sleeve and looked toward the closed car door. “I know.”
Driver Fu silently blamed himself for being so forgetful and followed Xiaoman’s gaze.
The car window was open, but Ji Ning was talking to her mother and hadn’t noticed the movement by their side.
“Mom,” Ji Ning said, “It’s not the first time I’ve been away. You and Dad don’t need to see me off every time.”
When she was little, traveling alone, sitting in the back of the car, growing farther from home, she had felt reluctant.
Now that she was grown, her parents were even more worried and personally sent her to the airport.
“Well, we don’t have anything to do today anyway,” Fu Mingya glanced out the window. “I don’t know where your dad went. He promised to see you off.”
“Probably busy tidying up his fishing gear again,” Ji Ning smiled.
Fu Mingya paused.
His daughter’s looks were what young people now called “strong features.”
When she smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons, softening her natural radiance.
This trip home had unexpected twists. Several times, Fu Mingya almost thought the situation was out of control, but thankfully it ended without incident.
Fu Mingya checked his watch and was about to call to urge someone when Ji Guoting walked across the courtyard.
Not far off, Butler Jiang wore a gentle smile as he watched the family leave.
Until the car started and drove away, the hand behind him clenched tightly.
In Butler Jiang’s hand was a dossier.
Many years ago, the young lady had been a bright and innocent child who, by chance, entered the entertainment industry and became a beloved child star.
Later, for unknown reasons, the madam had thrown a huge tantrum, and the child was taken back home.
In the early days, when the internet was not yet widespread, opportunities for Ningning to participate in drama performances were contacted via phone or mobile number, with home addresses registered as well. Later, Ji Guoting changed his number, and they moved.
Unexpectedly, after twenty years, someone from the industry found them through the old address.
Butler Jiang had been handling this matter these past two days.
The other party was very sincere, but Butler Jiang couldn’t decide alone, nor could the young lady.
Someone had to make a decision.
Following instructions, Butler Jiang put away the variety show proposal brought by the “Swap Lives” production team.
Like before, it would be forever sealed away.
...
Online, so-called insiders leaked rumors that the pilot episode of the second season of “Swap Lives” had begun filming.
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However, even the online tips were hesitant, evasive, and never revealed the guest’s identity, making the story feel unreliable.
No news of the recording or the final guest lineup had surfaced, but good deeds don’t wait.
The video exposing Zhuzhu’s miserable situation was still trending, and the hearts of netizens burned just as fiercely.
Kind-hearted people spontaneously organized efforts to help the child.
They carried supplies, crossing mountains.
Through the full live broadcast by Tiantianquan and the subsequent edited vlog, netizens already knew the road into the village was rough. Only now, trekking over mountains themselves, did they truly realize how hard it would have been for Zhuzhu to escape the mountains relying on her own strength.
Not only Zhuzhu, but many children faced the same plight.
“Is that Yongrui Village over there?”
“Ha, it looks close, but there’s still a mountain to cross…”
These netizens weren’t here for attention and didn’t know how to start a live stream.
However, some were forum regulars.
One girl named herself Warmhearted Moderator Xiao Zhou.
She opened a thread in the hottest discussion area.
[Has there been any news about Zhuzhu?]
[Hope the baby is doing well!]
[Waiting!]
...
Fu Mingya and Ji Guoting personally saw Ji Ning off at the boarding gate.
Everything should be over.
Before parting, Ji Guoting patted his daughter’s shoulder and reminded her to stay safe.
Around them, travelers and their seeing-off friends and relatives passed by.
Some eyes were red, some were already crying. They promised the next meeting and hugged deeply.
Ji Ning hugged her parents too.
As the daughter slipped into their embrace, Fu Mingya’s hand froze midair, unable to move.
“Mom, Dad, take care of yourselves too,” Ji Ning said, “I don’t know when I’ll be back this time.”
Suddenly, it was like when she was still little.
She stepped back, leaving the embrace, overlapping with childhood memories, smiling sweetly as she waved goodbye.
The couple watched as their daughter and Fu Xiaoman passed through security. From afar, Ji Ning looked back and smiled brightly.
Her figure gradually disappeared.
“Time to go,” Ji Guoting whispered, “Let’s head to the southern city.”
They finally turned and left.
Unbeknownst to them, at the security checkpoint, Ji Ning slowly walked out.
“Ji Ning!” Fu Xiaoman called from behind but received no response.
Panic rising, she hurried out.
She grabbed Ji Ning’s slender wrist tightly. “Where are you going? The flight is about to take off.”
Ji Ning’s obedient smile faded. Turning back, she looked at Fu Xiaoman coldly.
“Let go.”
Just like in her teenage years, secretly tattling to the madam, spoiled and indifferent noble daughter’s disdainful manner…
Fu Xiaoman’s expression stiffened, and she involuntarily released her grip.
Ji Ning left behind her luggage and Fu Xiaoman, walking out resolutely.