Keeping the promise

Chapter 263: Child, Suffering

Zheng Wancheng arrived at the school gate, the afterglow of the setting sun cast a long shadow on her. She paced back and forth, anxiously looking at the school gate, waiting for Zheng Zihui to finish school.

When the crisp bell for the end of get out of class rang, the campus suddenly became lively and the children ran out of the classroom happily like birds.

Zheng Zihui ran out happily, and his energetic steps were like jumping notes.

The moment he saw his mother, his face was filled with a happy smile, like a blooming flower. His eyes were shining with excitement, and he threw himself into Zheng Wancheng's arms.

Zheng Wancheng took Zheng Zihui's hand and said with a smile, "Baby, let's not eat at home today. Mom will take you to a restaurant." Her voice was gentle and kind, and her eyes were full of love for her son.

Zheng Zihui blinked curiously and nodded obediently. He held his mother's hand tightly, his heart full of anticipation.

Arriving at the restaurant, the warm lighting and light fragrance made people feel comfortable. After ordering the dishes, Zheng Wancheng looked at Zheng Zihui with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

She took a deep breath, slowly went into the topic and said, "Zihui, Mom has a question for you. Do you want to see your father?" Her voice trembled slightly, and her heart was filled with nervousness and worry, fearing that her son would give a negative answer.

The smile on Zheng Zihui's face disappeared instantly, and he answered without hesitation: "No, I just want my mother."

A hint of stubbornness and resistance flashed in his eyes. He thought of the days in the past when he didn't have his father by his side, and felt that he didn't need a strange father.

Zheng Wancheng sighed softly, reached out and touched Zheng Zihui's head and said, "Baby, actually his father did nothing wrong, he was just framed. Mom couldn't accept it at the time, and left in anger. Mom knows that in your heart, you are still looking forward to your father's company, right?" Her eyes were full of guilt and helplessness, and her voice became low.

Zheng Zihui lowered his head, fiddling with the chopsticks in his hand, and said nothing. He was very conflicted. On the one hand, he was curious and yearning for his father, with whom he had never really gotten along, but on the other hand, he was afraid that it would disrupt his peaceful and happy life with his mother.

Zheng Wancheng continued, "Mom did some wrong things before, but now I'm going to forgive him. How about we go and meet him, okay?" Her eyes were full of expectation and pleading, hoping that her son could understand her decision.

Zheng Zihui raised his head, his eyes full of hesitation and confusion. He bit his lip, thought for a moment and said, "Mom, I'll listen to you. As long as you think it's okay, I'm willing to go see him." Although his voice was not loud, it was full of trust and dependence on his mother.

Tears welled up in Zheng Wancheng's eyes. She hugged Zheng Zihui tightly and said, "Baby, you are so sensible. Mom will always be with you, no matter what happens." Her tears dripped onto Zheng Zihui's hair, and her heart was filled with emotion and relief.

At this time, the waiter began to serve the dishes, one delicious dish after another was placed on the table, steaming hot. The waiter's enthusiastic greeting interrupted this warm but slightly heavy atmosphere.

Zheng Wancheng let go of Zheng Zihui, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said, "Come, let's eat first, and then we can discuss it after dinner." She tried hard to force a smile to make the atmosphere more relaxed.

At the dinner table, Zheng Zihui secretly glanced at his mother from time to time. Although he was still a little nervous, when he saw his mother's determined eyes, he gradually put his worries aside.

He picked up a piece of his favorite dish and put it in his mother's bowl, saying, "Mom, you should eat more too."

After dinner, Zheng Wancheng held Zheng Zihui's hand, and the warm evening breeze blew their hair.

Arriving at the familiar yet unfamiliar villa, the villa still looked magnificent from the outside, but in Zheng Wancheng's eyes it looked a bit more vicissitudes of life.

As soon as I entered the door, Mrs. Zhang and Butler Li just came back from the old house.

The moment Mrs. Zhang saw Zheng Wancheng, her eyes widened and her face was full of disbelief, as if she had seen the most incredible scene in the world.

She staggered forward and grabbed Zheng Wancheng's hands, her hands shaking with excitement. She said in a trembling voice, "Wancheng, is that you? Child, you have suffered a lot these years." As she spoke, tears flowed uncontrollably like a flood that broke through a dam.

Her heart was filled with surprise and heartache, and all her longing and concern for Zheng Wancheng over the years burst out at this moment.

Butler Li quickly stepped forward and grabbed Mrs. Zhang, saying, "Old woman, stop talking and don't scare the child." Although his voice was stern, his eyes were full of excitement and surprise, and his heart was also in turmoil, but he tried hard to remain calm on the surface.

Zheng Wancheng looked at them, with a complex emotion welling up in his heart, including being touched, feeling guilty, and missing the past.

Zheng Wancheng said, "Mrs. Zhang, Butler Li, it's me. I'm back." Her voice was a little choked, as if her throat was blocked by something.