Chapter 4: The City Arrival and a Fateful Encounter

On the road, Old Lady Chen and her group were heading towards Qingjiang City.

Sister Wang cradled Xiang Chen in her arms. Beside them, Old Lady Chen repeatedly reached out, wanting to take the child and hold him herself.

Even as they walked, she would glance at the boy from time to time, muttering, “Oh, my grandma’s precious grandson…”

Xiang Chen huddled in the woman’s embrace, afraid to move. He always found the old lady’s gaze somewhat unnerving.

“Mother, are we sending the child to my brother today? Or should we keep him at my house for a couple of days first?” Sister Wang asked Old Lady Chen.

“We’re sending him today.” The old lady declared, her voice resolute. “The sooner he’s there, the better. After a few days, we’ll take him back to the village and show him off to those gossiping old women. Who dares to spread rumors again, saying our fourth son is barren and heirless? I’ll tear her mouth out!”

The old lady’s brows were furrowed in a fierce scowl, her demeanor quite imposing. Seeing this, Sister Wang quickly tried to soothe her.

“Mother, don’t be angry. They’re just jealous. Who in our village is as successful as my fourth brother? Their own sons are good-for-nothings, so they naturally say disgusting things to provoke you. Don’t fall into their trap.”

Upon hearing this, the old lady couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. “Exactly! Your fourth brother has been smart since he was a child. He was the best student in the village, the first middle schooler in our village. How could he not be successful?”

Yet, as she spoke, the old lady sighed. “It’s a pity he married a barren wife who couldn’t give him a son, causing my fourth son to be the subject of gossip.”

Xiang Chen listened silently, finally understanding that this old lady’s son had no children, which was why they bought him.

No wonder she kept calling him ‘precious grandson’. However, while the old lady complained about her daughter-in-law, at least she wasn’t thinking of doing anything drastic to her.

He had heard his maternal grandmother say that many daughters-in-law back then were tormented to death by cruel mothers-in-law.

But the very next minute, Xiang Chen heard Sister Wang’s words and realized his thoughts had been far too simple.

Sister Wang said, “Mother, do you think Sister-in-law might not agree? Her father is a leader in my brother’s unit. If we offend her, won’t my brother suffer and be bullied?”

“She wouldn’t dare!” The old lady’s eyes widened in fury.

“She’s been married into my Old Chen family for over a decade. Has she left a single heir for my fourth son? She agreed to adopt the fifth son’s third child, then turned around and reneged on the deal. She even dared to bring up her own mother, subtly warning me not to scheme with my other sons to take my fourth son’s family assets!”

“Bah!” Old Lady Chen was enraged just thinking about it. “Who doesn’t know I dote on my fourth son the most? If she weren’t infertile, would I have to do such an offensive thing?”

She looked at the boy in her daughter’s arms again.

“I’m telling you now, my fourth son has decided on this child. If she dares to object, then so be it—they can divorce.

I’ll go to her family and ask if this is how a cadre’s daughter behaves—unable to bear children yet forbidding adoption.

If that’s the case, I’ll make sure everyone knows. Her two brothers still have daughters at home; her sisters-in-law will tear her to shreds.”

Sister Wang was filled with admiration. “Mother, you always have a way.”

“Of course.” Old Lady Chen’s old face crinkled into a chrysanthemum-like smile of triumph. “Before, I spared her out of consideration for her family, but this time, even if she brings her mother into it, it’ll be useless. This child isn’t from Fourth Son’s brothers.

“Before I left, I had your second brother get the necessary papers ready. When we arrive, we must make a big show of it to intimidate her into agreeing.

She also needs to register my precious grandson’s household registration, and it must be urban. My precious grandson should be a city dweller.”

“Mother, you’ve thought of everything so thoroughly.” Upon hearing this, Sister Wang felt certain of success and was instantly filled with renewed vigor. She also thought that since her family had gone to such great lengths this time, her stingy sister-in-law should at least give her some benefits. After all, she was delivering a son to her.

The group walked and talked, accustomed to mountain paths. Their pace was quick, and they took a shortcut, entering the city in just over an hour.

Xiang Chen nestled in Sister Wang’s embrace, quietly observing this first city he had seen since his transmigration.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, but everyone appeared sallow and emaciated. Few had any flesh on their faces, and not a single stout person was visible.

Xiang Chen looked down at his own arms and legs, which resembled lotus roots. He fell silent, realizing that his plumpness might not be very safe here.

“This child is truly well-behaved.” Sister Wang had been talking with her mother for a long time. When she looked down, she found the little boy’s dark, bright eyes darting everywhere, but he wasn’t fussing or crying.

He was nothing like her own mischievous children and seemed utterly adorable.

Old Lady Chen, however, felt a jolt in her heart upon hearing this. ‘Could there be something wrong with this child? No, his eyes seem sharp, not like a fool.’

Old Lady Chen pulled her daughter and son-in-law to a street corner. She told her daughter, “Put the child down.”

Sister Wang was puzzled but obeyed her mother, placing Xiang Chen on the ground. Old Lady Chen took a piece of dried sweet potato from the bundle on her back, placed it in front of Xiang Chen, and coaxed, “Precious grandson, call me Grandma, and Grandma will give you something delicious.”

Xiang Chen glanced at the dark yellow dried sweet potato, not understanding what the old lady wanted. So, he remained silent and didn’t reach for it.

Seeing this, Old Lady Chen slapped her thigh. “Oh no! This child is a fool. We’ve been tricked! Quick, let’s go find those people!”

“Ah?! A fool?” Sister Wang couldn’t believe it. This child looked so clever; how could he be a fool?

“Isn’t he a fool?” Old Lady Chen pointed at the dried sweet potato in her hand, tears almost welling up. “Which child these days doesn’t shove food into their mouth when they see it? He doesn’t even know to ask for food. How is he not a fool?”

Xiang Chen was speechless.

‘So, not eating dried sweet potato means I’m a fool?’ If he didn’t speak now, Old Lady Chen would probably genuinely take him back to chase the human traffickers. Xiang Chen certainly didn’t want to fall into their hands again.

So, Xiang Chen stood on his tiptoes to tug at Old Lady Chen’s hand, whispering, “Hungry. Want to eat.”

Old Lady Chen was overjoyed. She quickly crouched down, holding the dried sweet potato out to Xiang Chen. “Precious grandson, what did you say? Say it again? If you do, Grandma will give you this.”

Xiang Chen, with a chubby, solemn face, piped up in a childish voice, “I’m not precious grandson. I’m Chen Chen. I want to eat.”

Old Lady Chen was even more delighted to hear him speak so clearly. She quickly stuffed the dried sweet potato into his hand, smiling, “Good, eat, eat. There’s more after you finish.”

Sister Wang also patted her chest, relieved. It had been a false alarm. If the child had problems, she, as the contact person, would have been blamed.

Now seeing the child was perfectly fine, she shamelessly sidled up to Old Lady Chen, smiling. “Mother, give me one too. We haven’t even had a sip of water on this journey.”

Old Lady Chen, who had been looking at Xiang Chen with loving eyes, immediately changed her expression. She slapped her daughter on the back, saying, “Eat what? These few things are all for your fourth brother. Is that enough for a few bites for you?”

Sister Wang shrank back, feeling a little indignant. Weren’t they running errands for her fourth brother? What was wrong with eating one dried sweet potato?

After scolding her daughter, Old Lady Chen turned her gaze back to Xiang Chen, seemingly waiting for him to finish before offering another piece.

Xiang Chen held the dried sweet potato, hesitated for a moment, then put it into his mouth. It was a bit hard, requiring his tiny teeth to slowly grind it, but it had a hint of sweetness.

It was much better than the black dumplings he had eaten at noon, no wonder the old lady called it ‘delicious’.

Old Lady Chen watched him nibble slowly, holding it with his chubby little hands, neither wolfing it down nor spitting saliva. She poked her daughter. “Look, how much like a city person he is.”

Sister Wang nodded, then secretly swallowed her saliva, urging, “Mother, let’s hurry. The sooner we get to my brother’s house, the sooner we can head back.”

She mused that if they went now, settled the child, she could at least snag a meal at her fourth brother’s house. Old Lady Chen agreed. She picked up Xiang Chen, and the group quickened their pace.

Soon, they stopped in front of a rather large iron gate. There was a guardhouse at the entrance. Old Lady Chen and her group spoke to the person inside the guardhouse and then went straight in.

Xiang Chen craned his neck to look. A sign hung beside the iron gate, seemingly reading ‘Foundry’.

Inside, the area was vast. Old Lady Chen led them through twists and turns until they reached what appeared to be a family residential area. The buildings, though not tall—only three stories—looked relatively new, likely recently constructed.

Seeing this, Sister Wang said to Old Lady Chen, “Mother, did Fourth Brother move? They’re living in an apartment building now, that’s wonderful.”

Old Lady Chen nodded, feigning indifference. “They moved last year. Your sister-in-law is somewhat useful; although they missed the first batch, they got their turn in the second round.”

Sister Wang understood immediately. This must have been Fourth Brother’s father-in-law pulling strings. Old Lady Chen led them into a building.

Sister Wang looked around, finding everything impressive, her envy indescribable. She wished she were a city person too, living in such an apartment building, preferably the highest floor.

Just as they reached the second floor, they encountered two women descending the stairs together. The older woman, seeing Old Lady Chen, quickly greeted her, “Isn’t this Guoliang’s mother? What brings you here today?”

As she spoke, she glanced at Sister Wang and her husband, her eyes lingering on Xiang Chen before a knowing smile appeared on her face.

Old Lady Chen also smiled and said, “Auntie Wu, what are you saying? I’ve come to see my son. We’re country folk; we’re never idle. We have to work for days to squeeze out some time.”

Auntie Wu nudged the seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl beside her. “Yan’er, quickly go upstairs and tell your Auntie Chen that we have visitors.”

The girl responded with a clear voice, then turned and went upstairs.

Old Lady Chen also began to ascend, saying, “It’s just a few steps, no need for the child to run again.” Auntie Wu, who had been about to go downstairs, now stopped and accompanied Old Lady Chen upstairs.

Just as they reached the stairwell, Chen Guoliang’s wife, Cai Zhen, had already received the news. She put down her work and came out to greet them.

Old Lady Chen and Auntie Wu walked side by side in front. Cai Zhen first helped the old lady up. “Mother, you came without saying anything. We would have picked you up.”

As she spoke, the old lady had already entered the corridor.

Behind them, Sister Wang and her husband also came up. Cai Zhen was about to greet her sister-in-law and her husband, but when she turned, she saw her sister-in-law holding a boy in her arms. Cai Zhen’s face instantly paled.