Chapter 352 – Zhou Qingling’s Identity II
"Five to six years ago, Xiaoling's adoptive mother was finally ready to appear. Only then did I know the name of the child and what happened after she was born. I heard that she learned oil painting and drew it very well. Unfortunately, when I knew all of this, she went missing. Even her foster mother was unable to find any trace of her."
Senior Zhou took out an old photo from his pocket. It was a picture of Zhou Qingling when she was a teenager. She looked lively and youthful with a smile on her face.
"They said that my daughter had known herself as Zhou since she was little. She knew about her family, her mother and me but she never said that she wanted to see me, her father. I knew that this child hated me, did not want to see me, did not want to acknowledge me, but I wanted to make it up to her. Unfortunately, it's already too late."
"I still have this knot in my heart. If I can't see this daughter of mine and if I don't do anything for her, I'll never be able to rest in peace."
"Xiaoling's adoptive mother once said that her character is very stubborn and smart. She learns everything very quickly and she has the courage like a boy in her bones. When provoked, she is like a hedgehog. However, there are many good sides to her character. When she became soft, it made someone's bones hurt."
Senior Zhou suddenly turned around and looked at Jiang Ruolan. "Miss Jiang, you are too similar to her."
Jiang Ruolan opened her mouth, but no sound came out. It was as if a big hole had suddenly appeared in her heart.
She had always known that her mother's life might be unusual, that her mother was someone with a story, but she had never thought of it as such a complicated story.
"I have a good relationship with Jiang Guanyu and he has a lot of respect for me. Since you are Jiang Guanyu's daughter, I once asked him about your mother, but he did not say a word about it, including his wife Zhan Lian. After all, this is a personal problem between the people of the Jiang Family and although I would like to ask about it, I have no reason to force it too much."
"I only have a few pictures of Xiaoling here, and I see them a few times every day. At first, I didn't notice them, but last time, when Zhou Shufen's wrist was injured, you stood very close to me, so I could see your face clearly. You look very similar to my daughter. Maybe at first, I was also a bit confused, and when I wanted to ask you about some things, you always avoided talking about it, which made me angry. And because of what happened between Zhou Shufen and Zihao, I started to dislike you more and more."
Only then did Jiang Ruolan calm down. She sneered, "Senior Zhou, you used to have a high position in the country. I am just a common citizen without any status, so I should be satisfied with just a few glances from you. How could I ask you to like me?"
Hearing the sarcasm in her words, Senior Zhou first frowned, then walked back to her bed. He squinted his eyes as if he was more sure of who she was.
"You're Xiaoling's daughter?" he asked, not in doubt, but in affirmation.
Senior Zhou wouldn't have said so much to her if he hadn't been sure.
At this moment, if Jiang Ruolan didn't reveal the truth, she would definitely fight against Senior Zhou. After all, she had listened to the secrets that he had hidden for 40 years, so how could he let her go?
The thought that she might have some relationship with Senior Zhou put her heart in turmoil. Her lips moved a few times, then she tightly pursed her lips without saying anything.
Jiang Ruolan suddenly felt confused. If her mother knew her background, why did she not reveal it when she was in dire straits? Why did she not reveal it when Jiang Guanyu had abandoned her? If only Jiang Guanyu knew her identity…
Since she wasn't forced by the pressure of life, since there was clearly a turning point in things, why would she commit suicide? And why forge that fake crystal necklace? Just what was she going to do?
"If you don't want to say it now, I won't force you." Seeing her silence, Senior Zhou looked at her for a moment and then said, "I can give you time, but Miss Jiang… If you are really my granddaughter, I hope we can change our attitude and get along in a different way. Once, I only had Zhou Shufen on my knees but if you were my granddaughter, I –"
"Senior Zhou, I'm sorry, I was hit on the head a few days ago. It might have left some side effects. Now my head is hurting. Can I trouble you to call a doctor for me?" Jiang Ruolan's expression was stiff and her tone was flat, as she maintained her distance and politeness.
Senior Zhou was stunned. Seeing that her face was indeed a bit pale, he immediately left the ward and called for a doctor.
Half an hour later …
Xian Zihao immediately rushed to the hospital when he heard this. As soon as he entered the ward, he saw Jiang Ruolan sitting on the bed by herself, curled up into a ball and looking out the window. She didn't move at all.
"Ruolan?" Xian Zihao walked towards her bed and put his hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry I was late. I was at the branch office, listening to the report. Do you still have a headache? Do you want me to take you to see a doctor?"
Jiang Ruolan's eyes were empty until she felt his warm palm grab her arm and pull her into his embrace. She didn't run away, nor did she resist, nor did she have the usual playful thoughts. She just obediently leaned into his embrace, silently burying her face in his chest.
Seeing that she had suddenly become as obedient as a helpless little kitten, Xian Zihao was startled. He lowered his head and asked softly with a smile, "What's wrong?"
As he said that, he raised his hand to cover her shoulder, but his hand suddenly froze in midair. Xian Zihao immediately looked at the quiet girl in his embrace. He felt that his chest had become wet.
Jiang Ruolan didn't speak or move. She didn't want to disturb Xian Zihao, but the doctor called him after she said she had a headache. She didn't know what to say or do right now.
When he neared her, she subconsciously wanted to stay in his embrace. She only wanted to hide in his embrace. She wanted to be quiet …
"Ruolan." Xian Zihao's voice was gentle and patient as he put his hands on her shoulders and hugged her tightly. He only called out her name softly and accompanied her.
Only after Jiang Ruolan had cried for a while and was almost done with her outburst did he let her sit up.
Xian Zihao looked at her with calm eyes and said gently, "What happened? Tell me, don't make me worry."