Chapter 96
◎If You Make a Scene Again, Get Out of the Lu Family◎
Guests came to the dormitory. Chen Xiaohui’s parents had taken a day’s train from the provincial capital to the capital to see their daughter. They had also brought many local specialties, zongzi, and fruit from their hometown.
Chen Xiaohui’s father was a teacher at a regional normal college. He was in his forties or fifties and a little overweight. Her mother had a pair of black-framed glasses on her nose, long black curly hair, and was wearing a blue polyester shirt with black trousers, a very common image of a middle school teacher.
Chen Xiaohui hadn’t expected her parents to come to the capital to see her. She was overjoyed, hugging them and crying and laughing.
Among the fruits that Chen’s father and mother had brought was a box of strawberries packed in a cardboard box. Each one was wrapped in soft cotton paper. When the box was opened, there were just over a dozen strawberries inside, all plump and round, with fresh green leaves on the stems. The color was as bright as red agate. Even though Chen Xiaohui’s family was well-off, she couldn’t help but say, “These strawberries are so expensive now. One strawberry is worth two or three meals. Why spend this unnecessary money?”
Strawberries were a fruit that required high planting technology, had a very low yield, and were not resistant to transportation and storage, so the price was very high. One catty could be sold for fifteen or twenty yuan, which was equivalent to half of her father’s monthly allowance.
Chen’s mother gave her a playful look. “I know it’s expensive, but I was thinking that you’re studying hard in the capital, so I wanted to bring some for you and your roommates to taste.”
Chen’s father added from the side, “I bought them at a fruit store in the capital. Your mother queued for a long time. She said to let you have a taste. How can we have such good strawberries in our hometown?”
He said with a cheerful smile, “Share them with your roommates. They’re all girls, they’ll definitely love to eat them.”
“Tangtang, Shuqing, Sister Cuixia, Sister Yanmei, Li Ping, my parents bought these strawberries at a fruit store. You should all have a taste.” Chen Xiaohui stuffed the strawberries into the hands of her dormitory sisters.
Tangtang was stuffed with an egg-sized strawberry. Chen Xiaohui wanted to give her another one, but she firmly refused.
Tangtang had only ever had strawberry-flavored fruit candy. She had never known that strawberries actually looked like this.
The red fruit was round, with green leaves on the stem. The skin was so thin it seemed as if water could be squeezed out with a pinch. The surface was embedded with a layer of small yellow seeds, like a handful of millet had been sprinkled on it.
She brought it to her nose and sniffed. A unique and fresh fruit fragrance hit her face. Tangtang held the strawberry and carefully took a small bite. The skin was so thin it was almost non-existent. As soon as her teeth touched the pulp, a clear and sweet juice gushed out, sour and sweet.
She couldn’t help but her eyes light up. This strawberry was so delicious.
…
Lu Junshan was gone for more than half a month. For several days, Sheng Ruiru was in a daze.
Old Mr. Lu and Lu Mingbai both thought that she was worried about Lu Youxin’s injury. They comforted her a few times but didn’t think too much about it.
On this day, she had just returned from school and felt very tired. She went upstairs without even eating. She had just lain down and hadn’t fallen asleep yet when she heard the maid come up and knock on the door, saying, “Madam, the master is back.”
Hearing this, Sheng Ruiru’s muddled brain hadn’t had time to think before her body had already reacted. She put on her clothes and shoes and ran downstairs.
Lu Junshan was wearing a black set of clothes, with a lot of dust and mud on them. He had clearly rushed back from a long journey. His features were cold and sharp, he was unshaven, and his eyes were red from lack of sleep. He met his wife’s tear-filled eyes, his Adam’s apple rolled heavily, and he nodded with an indescribable fatigue and gloom.
Sheng Ruiru felt her legs go weak, and she almost fell down the stairs.
The couple returned to the bedroom and locked the door.
“I’ve found out.” Lu Junshan took out a precious document from his pocket.
Sheng Ruiru’s heart felt as if it were hanging on a single-plank bridge. She looked at the kraft paper bag of documents in her husband’s hand, her upper and lower lips trembling like a sieve.
She was afraid, and tears uncontrollably streamed down.
“Is our daughter still alive? Why didn’t you bring her back?” Sheng Ruiru clutched his sleeve.
“Aru, don’t cry first. Things are not as bad as we imagined.” As Lu Junshan spoke, a trace of excitement flashed in his eyes.
“What do you mean…?”
Lu Junshan took a deep breath and took out the documents from the kraft paper bag. “The hospital where you gave birth back then was called Hongqi Commune Hospital. On the day you gave birth, a total of five children were born in the hospital. One of them was Youxin. In addition, there were three boys and one girl. I investigated the information and confirmed that those three boys were not our children.”
“The remaining girl, her biological father is named Wang Shijin, a lazy good-for-nothing. Her mother is named Su Yandi, a stout and domineering woman. Originally, rural women rarely went to the hospital to give birth. Most of them gave birth on the kang at home. On the day of Su Yandi’s delivery, she accidentally went into labor early and could only be sent to the commune hospital. After a day and a night of struggle, she gave birth to a daughter. Su Yandi had already suffered serious damage to her body due to heavy bleeding and was not supposed to get out of bed. But Su Yandi left the hospital in a hurry the next day, and the child was also taken back to Waguan Village by her.”
“That girl was called Sanya. She had three older brothers. The Wang family was seriously biased towards boys over girls. Su Yandi would either beat or scold this daughter, and she would throw all the dirty and tiring work at home to a girl who was as thin as a bean sprout. In 1964, when the heavy snow sealed the mountains and every family was short of grain, Su Yandi took a thorny rattan cane and chased and beat Sanya around the courtyard before throwing her to her brother, Su Laosan, like a piece of trash. Sanya was then taken back to the old Su family’s house by Su Laosan. This old Su family had a total of four branches of brothers, and a large family was squeezed together to live. The family’s life was not well-off.”
“Su Laosan’s wife was from Wangxiang Village. The couple already had three sons. Su Laosan was a teacher at Yuhuai Village Primary School and had a formal job. Although Su Laosan’s wife had some complaints, she still took on the burden of Sanya. From then on, Sanya became a daughter of the old Su family. The couple were both rare good people. Although Sanya was not their biological child, they still treated her as their own daughter. When she reached the age of primary school, they sent her to primary school. In the second year of Sanya’s primary school, Su Laosan was arrested and detained for half a month for being suspected of spreading reactionary propaganda and incitement. After he was released, he broke his leg while repairing the roof. The third branch’s family was forced to separate from the old Su family. When they first separated, the family went through a very difficult period.”
“After about two or three months, Su Laosan’s name was cleared of the charge of spreading reactionary propaganda and incitement, and he was assigned to be an education specialist at the commune. The life of the Su family’s third branch also became better and better. They built a very magnificent and bright brick and tile house in the village. When Sanya was twelve, she graduated from primary school, and the Su Laosan couple sent her to junior high and high school. This child was very talented and hardworking, and she was always the first in every exam. In 1976, Sanya graduated from high school and returned to the countryside to participate in labor production. In October 1977, the college entrance examination was restored, and Sanya successfully got into Capital University.”
“Capital University?” Sheng Ruiru was originally wiping her tears while listening. Hearing these few words, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes.
Sheng Ruiru’s hand gripped her husband’s arm fiercely, not even noticing that her nails had dug in. She couldn’t believe that there was such a coincidence in the world and urgently confirmed, “You’re saying… our daughter is at Capital University?”
“After Sanya was taken home by Su Laosan, the Su Laosan couple didn’t let her continue to use the name Wang Sanya. They gave her a new name, called…”
Sheng Ruiru’s grip on her husband’s arm tightened, her knuckles turning white. “What’s her name?”
“Her name is Su Xintang.” After Lu Junshan finished speaking, he also couldn’t help but be amazed and impressed by the coincidence of fate. He couldn’t believe that there was such a heavenly fate in this world. It turned out that fate had long since sent their daughter back to their side!
“Su Xintang?! You’re saying… Tangtang is our biological daughter?!” Sheng Ruiru only felt a “buzz” in her head, as if a clap of thunder had exploded.
“Yes.”
“No wonder, no wonder I feel a sense of familiarity every time I see her…” Sheng Ruiru murmured, her voice trembling, and tears falling like broken strings of pearls.
“No wonder Dad likes this girl so much…”
Sheng Ruiru remembered the first time she had seen Tangtang at the lecture. She had a radiant smile on her face when she spoke, gentle, quiet, and well-behaved. Scene after scene flashed through her mind. The moments that had once felt inexplicably familiar now had an answer.
“This child, in the countryside, how much hardship must she have endured all these years…” Sheng Ruiru covered her face and squatted down, her shoulders trembling violently, her cries filled with a mixture of immense joy and heartache.
She was both happy that her daughter had gotten into Capital University through her own efforts despite being in such a barren soil, and she was heartbroken for the hardships she had endured along the way.
“I had never thought of it that way before. Now it seems that this girl Tangtang’s appearance is simply a carbon copy of you, as beautiful as you were when you were young.”
Lu Junshan bent down and supported his wife, his throat also very tight.
“Don’t cry anymore.” He patted his wife’s back with a hoarse voice. “We’ve found her. We’ve found our daughter. We should be happy.”
Sheng Ruiru wiped her tears and snot, her steps staggering as she walked towards the door. “Happy… I’m so happy… I’ll go and find her right now. I’ll go and find her right now…”
There was only one thought in her mind now. She wanted to hug her daughter.
…
Tangtang was walking towards the school gate when she saw Lu Junshan and Sheng Ruiru get out of a small car. Before she could react, Sheng Ruiru had already rushed over and hugged her without even taking her bag.
“Tangtang, my good child, you’ve suffered all these years…”
Tangtang was taken aback, a little confused.
Sheng Ruiru had a unique fragrance of magnolia on her. Her embrace was very warm and tight, as if she were using all her strength. Tangtang was so squeezed that she could barely breathe. She struggled a little, but Sheng Ruiru didn’t react at all to let go.
“Cough, cough… Teacher Sheng, what’s wrong with you?”
“Don’t scare the child. This is not a place to talk with so many people around. Let’s find a suitable place to talk and then tell the child the whole story.” Lu Junshan rescued Tangtang from Sheng Ruiru’s hands.
Sheng Ruiru came back to her senses. She wiped the tears from her face and gave Tangtang an embarrassed smile. “I was too excited.”
“And this is?” Sheng Ruiru saw the young man in the blue polyester shirt next to her.
A sparkling smile appeared on Tangtang’s face. “Uncle Lu, Teacher Sheng, let me introduce you. This is my third brother, Su Juesheng. He’s a student at Capital University of Transportation.”
Su Juesheng and Lu Junshan had met once. It was Lu Junshan who had saved Tangtang on the train back then.
The usually carefree Su Juesheng was now uncharacteristically putting on an adult’s demeanor. He nodded slightly. “Hello, I’m Su Juesheng. I’ve heard from Tangtang that your family has been very good to her. Thank you for taking care of my sister.”
“Hello, hello.”
Sheng Ruiru and her husband looked at each other. She took a deep breath and said, “Tangtang, since your brother is also here, then please let him come with us for a cup of coffee. I have something very important to tell you.”
…
In the coffee shop, the air was filled with the fragrance of coffee. A romantic French song was playing on the gramophone, creating a unique atmosphere.
Tangtang was not used to drinking coffee, so Sheng Ruiru ordered a caramel latte for the brother and sister.
“Here’s what happened. At your Grandpa Lu’s birthday party last month, Youxin fell down the stairs and lost too much blood. We accidentally discovered that Youxin’s blood type did not match ours…” Lu Junshan told them the truth. As he spoke, his bright eyes were always on Tangtang.
“Tangtang, my daughter…” Sheng Ruiru murmured with teary eyes. She pulled Tangtang to sit next to her and gently stroked her face. “My good child, you’ve suffered. No wonder I feel a sense of familiarity every time I see you. It turns out we are biological mother and daughter.”
Hearing their words, Tangtang couldn’t help but widen her eyes. “You’re saying, I’m actually your and Teacher Sheng’s daughter…?”
She swallowed hard.
“It’s true.”
“You mean, I’m your daughter, and Lu Youxin is Wang Shijin and Su Yandi’s daughter? How is that possible? This is too ridiculous…” Although Tangtang had a good impression of the Lu family, to suddenly be told that Uncle Lu was her biological father and Teacher Sheng was her biological mother was too ridiculous.
Not to mention Tangtang, even Su Juesheng couldn’t help but his mouth drop open in shock.
But on second thought, it seemed to have a certain rationality. Tangtang’s appearance had no resemblance to the Wang family at all. And a closer look at Lu Youxin, her flat nose and triangular eyes were similar to Wang Shijin’s.
Lu Junshan said seriously, “Tangtang, I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is true. You are indeed my and your Teacher Sheng’s biological daughter.”
Sheng Ruiru asked, “Tangtang, are your parents available? I’d like to invite them to the capital to thank them for raising you all these years. Or let your father and I go to your hometown to thank them in person…”
“It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been living outside and suffered so much. Tangtang, are you unwilling to acknowledge me and your father?” Sheng Ruiru asked nervously.
Tangtang looked up at Sheng Ruiru’s red eyes. “This news is too sudden for both me and my family.”
She took a long time to digest this news. She took a deep breath. “Uncle Lu, Teacher Sheng, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I think we can go to the hospital for a blood type test first. If the results show that I am indeed your daughter, I will write to my parents and ask them if they are willing to come to the capital. As for whether to acknowledge you… I haven’t made a decision yet. I think I will follow my parents’ opinion.”
“They have raised me for more than a decade and have put in countless efforts and energy. If it weren’t for them, I would have been eaten by wild wolves long ago.”
Tangtang’s words were light, but for Lu Junshan and Sheng Ruiru, they were undoubtedly a huge stone thrown into their hearts, so heavy that their internal organs ached.
Sheng Ruiru was about to say that she was sure that Tangtang was her biological daughter and that there was no need for another blood type test, but her husband gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to respect the child’s thoughts.
She quickly wiped the corners of her eyes and said with a trembling voice, “Alright, we’ll listen to you. We’ll go to the hospital for a test.”
…
Coming down from the Lu family’s small car, Tangtang refused Lu Junshan and his wife’s offer to take them to the dormitory building. The brother and sister walked on the school road lined with sycamore trees.
The evening wind blew the fallen leaves, and the moon hung quietly on the treetops.
The brother and sister had always had a good relationship, always playing and fighting. It was rare for them to be so silent.
“Brother,” Tangtang called out softly, her voice a little tight.
Su Juesheng’s eyes lit up, and then he quickly lowered his eyelids and said “mhm.”
“Brother Juesheng, why aren’t you talking?”
After a long while, he sighed. “Uncle Lu should be telling the truth. You didn’t see the way you and Teacher Sheng were sitting together just now. You and her are simply a carbon copy of each other.”
“That way, everything makes sense. Why Su Yandi hated you so viciously, wishing she could eat you alive. It’s not because she favored boys over girls, but because you’re not her biological child at all.”
“Tangtang, in the future, when you acknowledge your biological parents, then… are you still my sister?” Su Juesheng asked with some reluctance.
The brother and sister were real when they played and fought, but their relationship was also the best.
Tangtang frowned. “Brother Juesheng, what nonsense are you talking about? Of course I’m your sister. I’m a daughter of the Su family. Su Huimin and Yu Juanfang are my parents. This will never change.”
Su Juesheng was taken aback for a moment, but the worry in his heart quickly dissipated like a fog blown away by the wind.
He quickly caught up with Tangtang, scratched his head, and smiled embarrassedly. “Tangtang, I knew you wouldn’t change.”
“I won’t change either. I’ll always be your brother.”
Seeing her brother’s silly look, Tangtang couldn’t help but smile.
…
The Lu family’s dinner was basically six dishes and one soup, mainly light. Old Mr. Lu was old and usually just ate some simple coarse grains.
“Dad, Mingbai, Youxin.” Lu Junshan put down his chopsticks and exchanged a look with his wife. “I have something to tell you.”
“This matter was originally supposed to be said on the day the investigation results came out, but Youxin’s head injury had not yet healed, so it was delayed for a few days.”
“What’s the matter?” Old Mr. Lu asked with confusion. It was rare to see Lu Junshan with such a serious expression at home.
Lu Youxin was picking up a piece of beef. A bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart, and her face turned pale. Could it be that Lu Junshan had discovered the truth about his daughter being swapped?
She said in a deliberately sweet voice, “Dad, can’t we talk about it after dinner?”
Lu Junshan looked at the daughter he had doted on for twenty years, his eyes filled with a complicated emotion. “Youxin, this matter is about you, and it’s very important.”
“Actually, Youxin is not our family’s biological daughter. The two children were swapped back then. Tangtang is our family’s biological daughter.”
“Swapped?” Old Mr. Lu felt his head buzz. “What do you mean?”
Sheng Ruiru’s voice was filled with an imperceptible sob. “Back then, I went to the army to visit my family. I didn’t expect to go into labor early on the way and was sent to a local commune hospital to give birth. The daughter I gave birth to was swapped by a rural woman with her daughter… I didn’t expect this mistake to last for twenty years. Last month, when Youxin had surgery at the hospital and lost too much blood, the doctor asked the family to donate blood. It turned out that… Youxin’s blood type did not match mine and Junshan’s.”
Lu Mingbai was also stunned. He looked at the pale-faced Lu Youxin, then at his parents’ serious expressions. He opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word for a long time.
Lu Youxin’s chest was filled with anger. She was like a drowning person, her face an unnatural deathly white.
“Why, why…” she murmured with difficulty. Why was it that even though she had worked so hard, she still couldn’t change the plot and could only watch as everything she had was snatched away by Su Xintang?!
She didn’t want to go back to the countryside! She didn’t want to be a farmer! She was the young lady of the Lu family! The young lady with a wealthy family background and envied by everyone!
“Impossible!” Lu Youxin stood up abruptly, and the legs of the chair scraped harshly on the floor. She glared at Sheng Ruiru with resentful eyes, and tears instantly welled up. “Mom, what nonsense are you talking about! I’m your daughter! I grew up in the Lu family. How could I not be your daughter! Don’t be deceived by Su Xintang!”
Sheng Ruiru looked at the hysterical Lu Youxin calmly. “Youxin, although you are not Mom and Dad’s biological child, we have raised you for twenty years. If you are willing, you can continue to be Mom and Dad’s daughter.”
“Continue to be your daughter? Tell me, how can I continue to be your daughter? By watching you and Su Xintang be a loving mother and a filial daughter, by watching you give the best of everything to Su Xintang?!”
She shrieked, “I don’t believe it. This is all fake! You’re lying to me! It’s that Su Xintang! She’s trying to steal my things!”
Lu Youxin angrily overturned the table. With a loud crash, the mahogany dining table’s four legs were in the air, and the cups, plates, and bowls on the table were instantly shattered.
The millet congee in the white porcelain bowl was spilled all over the floor, and all kinds of dishes and soup were a mess.
Lu Mingbai subconsciously protected his grandfather next to him. A porcelain shard splashed onto the back of his hand, cutting a small opening. He didn’t even notice the blood oozing out.
After smashing the dining table, Lu Youxin wanted to smash other things. Old Mr. Lu’s hand, which was holding his cane, trembled slightly. He roared angrily, “Have you made enough of a scene?!”
“If you make a scene again, get out of the Lu family. I, Lu Chuanhuai, don’t have you as a granddaughter!”