Chapter 58: She Has a Home Again

Tongtong noticed her mother’s gaze and jumped down from her mother’s arms. She toddled over to the bicycle on her short little legs.

Proudly patting the bicycle seat, her small, milky voice rang out loud and full of delight: “Mom! This is Tongtong’s gift to you for starting your new job! Now you can ride the bike to work and won’t have to walk so much—it’s so tiring!”

Yu Wanqin stared at her daughter in shock, then looked at the clearly expensive bicycle.

“Tongtong, where did you get the money… and this requires an Industrial Coupon, right? Those aren’t easy to come by.”

“I bought it with my prize money!” Tongtong puffed out her little chest, extremely proud. “I helped an uncle solve a problem and got a reward!”

She didn’t forget to boost Dad Gu’s image: “The Industrial Coupon was something Godfather helped find, and he even picked out the bike himself! It’s the latest model and super pretty!”

Yu Wanqin’s eyes flickered slightly, and she looked somewhat embarrassed as she turned to Gu Yanbin. “Commander Gu, I’m really sorry to have troubled you so much.”

Gu Yanbin felt his heart race under her gaze. He rubbed his nose to hide the emotion in his eyes.

“No trouble at all, it was just a small thing. This bike… is really nice. It’ll be perfect for your commute.”

“Mom! Ride the bike and take me home!” Tongtong tugged impatiently at her sleeve.

Yu Wanqin quietly let out a sigh of relief. Looking at the sapphire-blue bicycle, she couldn’t help but like it too.

She smiled brightly and agreed, “Alright!”

Tongtong huffed and puffed as she climbed onto the little cushion on the back seat that Godfather had specially prepared for her, her eyes sparkling like little stars.

“Mom! Let’s go!”

Mother and daughter, with nearly identical expressions and movements, got on the bicycle. Their laughter echoed melodiously as they leisurely pedaled home.

Gu Yanbin followed slowly behind, unable to stop a smile from spreading across his lips.

The pale evening sun cast a warm glow into his deep, dark eyes.

The three of them chatted and laughed all the way back to the family compound.

The bicycle was light and steady, making Yu Wanqin even more satisfied, her heart feeling warm.

She had originally planned to invite Gu Yanbin and the two children over for dinner, but as soon as they reached the doorstep, she was surprised to find Commander Liu waiting there.

Gu Jingnan and Si Muchen were also there, the two little ones standing at the door, their gazes toward Gu Yanbin filled with resentment.

“Dad! Why didn’t you take us when you went to pick up Aunt Yu from work!” Gu Jingnan pouted angrily.

Si Muchen frowned, his little expression cold.

Tongtong shrank her neck and leaned closer to her mother, feeling a bit guilty.

Hmm… she had been so eager to give her mother the bicycle that she’d forgotten about her two brothers.

Gu Yanbin cleared his throat lightly, choosing to ignore the children’s resentment, and looked curiously at Liu Zhenjun. “Here to see me?”

Liu Zhenjun gave him a disdainful glance, completely ignoring him, and instead turned with a cheerful smile toward Yu Wanqin.

“Sister Wanqin, I’m here to see you!”

“Me?” Yu Wanqin was bewildered.

“Uncle!” Tongtong happily jumped off the bicycle and called out obediently.

Hearing Tongtong joyfully call him “uncle,” Yu Wanqin froze completely and looked at her daughter.

Tongtong stuck out her tongue, a little embarrassed. “Mom… I forgot to tell you. Grandma He and Uncle Liu really like Tongtong and want to recognize me as their god-granddaughter and you as their daughter! I took the liberty of agreeing for you!”

After saying this, she proudly lifted her round little chin.

Yu Wanqin: “…”

Commander Liu also spoke with a smile, “It’s a long story, but I think today is a perfect day. My mother has prepared a table full of delicious dishes and wants to invite you over to formally recognize this god-kin relationship. Come on, come on… we’ve been waiting for you!”

Yu Wanqin was still dazed, not fully processing the overwhelming amount of information, when the enthusiastic Liu Zhenjun half-guided, half-pushed her into the small courtyard of his home.

Along the way, she managed to piece together the whole story.

Seeing her unease, Gu Yanbin explained gently, “You and Tongtong are their family’s great benefactors. Recognizing this god-kin relationship is only natural.”

Yu Wanqin nodded hesitantly, holding her chubby little daughter in her arms, her emotions a tangled mess.

As soon as they stepped inside, the aroma of food filled the air.

Tongtong wriggled out of her mother’s arms and dashed forward like a little bird.

“God-grandmother! I’m here!”

Sure enough, a lavish feast was spread across the table at home. Xinxin had been quietly sitting on the sofa drawing, but upon hearing her voice, his eyes lit up.

The two little ones huddled together, but before Tongtong could take Brother Xinxin’s hand, Muchen grabbed her little hand instead. Frowning slightly, he said coolly, “Slow down, don’t fall.”

Tongtong stuck out her little tongue, her cheeks flushed, and her bright, dark eyes darted toward the table.

There was her favorite braised small gold bars!

So happy!

She obediently climbed onto her own special high chair and waved to her mother, “Mom! Come quickly! God-grandmother prepared so many delicious things!”

Seeing Yu Wanqin still somewhat reserved, He Xiulan took her hand warmly, her smile kind. “Good child, don’t feel pressured. We genuinely adore Tongtong and are grateful she helped Xinxin. Besides, you’re also my old woman’s lifesaver!”

“From now on, this will be your maternal home. If you ever need anything, just talk to me or your brother! I hope you won’t mind having an old woman like me.”

Yu Wanqin quickly waved her hands. “Not at all.”

Held by the old lady’s hand, her eyes reddened.

Her own mother had passed away when she was three, so long ago that she could hardly remember what she looked like.

Now, thinking about it, if her mother were still alive, she would probably have been just as kind and gentle.

Liu Zhenjun also spoke earnestly, “That’s right! Wanqin, from now on, you’re my own sister. If anyone dares to bully you or your daughter, I’ll be the first to stand up for you!”

Seeing both of them speak so sincerely, Yu Wanqin no longer hesitated. Blushing, she addressed them, “God-mother, Brother!”

“Yes!”

Both responded with beaming smiles.

The kinship recognition ceremony was simple.

Yu Wanqin served tea to He Xiulan, formally changing her address, with Gu Yanbin serving as the witness.

He Xiulan gave her a thick red envelope, and even Tongtong received one.

Thus, a simple yet heartwarming kinship recognition ceremony was completed.

Yu Wanqin looked at the kindly smiling old lady, then at her own happily beaming little daughter, and warmth filled her heart.

She had a family again—she was no longer alone.

It was her daughter who had earned this home for her!

Everyone sat down to eat amid lively chatter, the atmosphere harmonious and warm.

Just then, a limping figure gradually approached outside the courtyard gate.

Lin Zhiguo knocked on the commander’s door.

He was starving at home, his stomach practically touching his back. Shen Wei was in a bad mood and had gone straight to bed after returning.

The stove was cold, and the two children were nowhere to be found.

Frustrated and angry, he had originally planned to go to Yu Wanqin’s place, expecting her to take care of him and cook for him.

But when he arrived at her door, he found the iron general guarding the door.

Just as Li Xue passed by, she said to him sarcastically, “Stop waiting. Yu Wanqin is now the dry daughter of the Army Commander’s family. She’s currently at the commander’s house recognizing her new relatives, enjoying fine food and drink. How could she still remember you, her husband?”

Lin Zhiguo felt as if struck by lightning!

He simply couldn’t believe his ears!

The Army Commander’s family? Dry daughter?

Yu Wanqin? She’s an illiterate rural woman—how could she possibly?