Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Xu Huaian’s Story

She had once thought her child should be as outstanding as this. But when the day finally came and someone told her that such an exceptional child was actually her own biological son, she felt nothing but deep, overwhelming pain.

Because she knew all too well: without the support of a powerful family, to have such a flawless record meant that child must have endured unimaginable hardship, shed countless tears and sweat, and even risked his life time and again, living on the edge.

She would rather he had been like Yun Nianzhou, adopted by a kind family—even if they couldn’t give him perfect love, at least he would have grown up with no worries about food or clothing, carefree, living an easy life.

Perhaps this is the contradiction of being a mother: hoping your son will grow up to be a strong, upright man, yet wishing he would never have to suffer, that he could live a safe and peaceful life.

Especially after the two of them finished reading about Xu Huaian’s general experiences in Xujia Village over the years, their hearts twisted in pain. The couple held each other and wept bitterly, wishing they could have taken his place.

Liang Zhiqiu felt as if her heart was being cut by knives. She pressed her chest hard, tears streaming down her face in big drops, her heart feeling as if it was being slowly tortured, cut a thousand times over.

Yun Runtong rarely shed tears in his life. When their son was lost back then, he was heartbroken, but still held onto a sliver of hope.

Maybe, he thought, there would be someone kind out there, just as they had adopted Yun Nianzhou, who would take their son in and give him a good life.

But at this moment, all those years of hope and fantasy were shattered.

His heart hurt even more than when his child first went missing, as if a sharp knife was being twisted in it again and again, making it hard to breathe.

“A man does not easily shed tears—unless he’s truly heartbroken.”

He had considered that his son’s life in an adoptive family might not be good, but he never imagined it would be this hard.

From a young age, Xu Huaian was invisible at home. He never got the good food or clothes; all the chores fell to him, serving the family like a hired hand, and he was often beaten and scolded.

As a child, in order to please his parents, he worked hard to take care of his younger siblings, did housework, earned work points, yet was always hungry, wearing hand-me-downs from his older brother and younger siblings. Still, he stayed focused and worked hard to improve himself.

But no matter how hard he tried, he never received a shred of care or pity from his parents.

Because he was always hungry, he learned to hunt from the old hunter in the village.

He paid for his own schooling, always ranked at the top of his class, earning praise from teachers and classmates alike, only for Liu Guifang to tear up his books and say he didn’t deserve to study.

Rather than saying those heartless parents adopted him, it would be more accurate to say he was desperately struggling to survive on his own.

At sixteen, when the family didn’t have enough food and he nearly starved to death, he was forced to join the army.

Every month, aside from his own basic living expenses, he sent all his money home for his parents and siblings. Even his demobilization pay was tricked away by Liu Guifang, leaving him penniless.

Especially when they saw those two missing years on his record, and what Xu Huaian had endured in Xujia Village, the couple wished they could tear Xu’s adoptive parents to pieces.

It’s one thing not to love him, but why hurt him like this? After raising him for so many years, was there really not even a trace of affection? Even in death, shouldn’t he have been given some dignity? How could they… how could they!

How desperate must that child have been, tied up and left to die!

He was so kind—he could have chosen to be selfish and hurt others, but instead, he willingly let himself be bound, trading his own suffering for everyone else’s peace. No one stood up for him; instead, they trampled all over him.

If Gu Qinghuan hadn’t happened to appear at that moment, if that kind-hearted girl hadn’t refused to give up on him, helping him recover bit by bit, warming his heart—

Maybe they would never have seen their son again for the rest of their lives. Maybe he would have died alone in the wilderness, and the Xu family wouldn’t even have bought him a coffin…

The couple shuddered at the thought, chills running through their bodies.

They didn’t know that this was exactly what had happened in a previous life.

“Runtong, I’m truly grateful we didn’t insist on Nianzhou marrying Qinghuan back then. Otherwise, our son might have…”

Although saying this was a bit cruel to Qinghuan, I’m truly grateful she went to the countryside, grateful she saved our Zhouzhou, grateful to Zhong Zijun for raising such a good daughter—grateful for everything.

But gratitude can’t just stay at words.

Now that the political situation is basically clear, no matter what it takes, we must bring the Zhong family back as soon as possible—otherwise, we’d have no face to meet our in-laws.”

“You’re right. Without Qinghuan, we wouldn’t have our son. We owe them too much. No matter what it takes, we have to bring them back quickly.”

They both wanted to acknowledge their son right away, but Yun Runtong felt it would be too abrupt. He didn’t know how to say it, afraid Xu Huaian wouldn’t be able to accept it all at once. They would have to take it slow.

He also planned to make a trip to Xujia Village, to question Aunt Chun and those heartless parents, to get to the bottom of everything. His son couldn’t have been lost for so many years for nothing.

Liang Zhiqiu didn’t care about any of that—she just wanted to see her son, right now!

With his wife’s orders, Yun Runtong had to find a way.

Fortunately, he had already found out which department Xu Huaian was in, and after checking which classroom he’d be in that afternoon, the two of them went straight to the school.

It was just after classes had ended. They waited for a while at the entrance of the cafeteria near Xu Huaian’s department, and soon spotted him standing out from the crowd.

He had a crew cut, stood tall and straight, with sharp, handsome features and an air of integrity. There was an unmistakable look of determination in his eyes.

Perhaps it was the years of military training—his bearing was completely different from those around him. He didn’t look like a boy from the countryside, but rather like a well-educated young gentleman. Every movement was pleasing to the eye.

Like all parents, the couple felt proud and delighted for their child. He had made his way step by step from a small village in the northeast to the best university in the capital.

Hardship hadn’t broken him; it had only made him stronger. He truly was their son.

No wonder people say, “Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and the child of a rat will dig holes.” Some things are just in the blood—something that imposter at home could never learn.

Even though Yun’s mother had hired all kinds of famous teachers for him, he was still a poor imitation.

Yun Nianzhou was just hopeless, short-sighted, and in every way inferior to Xu Huaian.

After admiring him for a while, Yun Runtong quickly waved at him.

It took two tries before Xu Huaian noticed them—mainly because the couple were both in plain clothes today, so he didn’t recognize them at first.

He jogged over, almost saluting, but managed to hold back.

“Commander, do you have any instructions?” Xu Huaian hadn’t expected Yun Runtong to actually come looking for him, and even brought his wife.

“Don’t call me Commander—call us… Uncle and Auntie. We’re here in a personal capacity, no need for so much formality. Don’t be so polite in the future.” Though he wanted nothing more than to hear “Dad, Mom” right away, he managed to restrain himself.

Taking advantage of Xu Huaian’s lack of wariness toward them, they needed to build a good relationship with him as soon as possible—hopefully, so he would accept them in his heart. That way, when the truth finally came out, it wouldn’t be so awkward.

Liang Zhiqiu couldn’t even speak. Looking at her son before her, tears started streaming down her face again.

Yun Runtong quietly pinched her behind her back.

Liang Zhiqiu wiped her tears and forced a bright smile. “The wind got in my eyes. You must be Huaian, right? Such a fine young man—Qinghuan has great taste!”

A smile immediately lit up Xu Huaian’s face.

This auntie really knew how to talk—she managed to praise both him and Gu Qinghuan at the same time. He was delighted.

“Hello, Auntie!”

“Good, good!” Liang Zhiqiu saw the light in her son’s eyes and knew instantly—this guy was a hopeless romantic. Just the mention of his wife, and he couldn’t hide his smile.

But then, Qinghuan really was worth it.

Just the fact that she didn’t mind Xu Huaian’s illness and insisted on helping him get treatment showed she was a good girl.

Not to mention she worked hard without complaint, raising two children, giving Xu Huaian the chance to work, go to university, and change his life.

This new life was built on her shoulders—no amount of gratitude would ever be enough."