Chapter 300 – Returning Home
Xu Fanghua never thought that her aunt, who had been missing for so many years, would suddenly reappear like this.
Moreover, her aunt was now a big star in Hong Kong and the leading actress in Director Wang’s new film.
Xu Fanghua had heard about her aunt from her mother, but she didn’t hold much hope that her aunt could be found.
Even when they visited their grandmother, who always missed her aunt, they would comfort her, saying that her aunt would return one day.
But they knew the chances of Zhang Linglan coming back were slim, given so many years had passed.
But now, her aunt had truly returned.
Xu Fanghua thought, perhaps this was a miracle.
She looked at Ningning, who resembled her aunt so much, and somehow felt that her aunt’s return might be due to Ningning being a lucky star.
In fact, this was indeed the case.
Because Xu Jinning had come to attend classes at Beijing University, Director Wang happened to see her and mentioned her in front of Zhang Linglan, leading to Zhang Linglan’s arrival at Beijing University.
If Xu Jinning hadn’t been admitted to Beijing University and had died at home like the original storyline, none of this would have happened.
In the original plot, Zhang Linglan did find her way home later, but unfortunately, it was too late. By then, her grandmother, who had always missed her, had already passed away with regret.
But now, her grandmother was still alive and relatively healthy, and Zhang Linglan had found her family earlier.
President Jiang, Director Wang, and others were also happy that Zhang Linglan had found her family.
After calming down, Zhang Linglan, together with Xu Jinning and Xu Fanghua, recounted her experiences over the years and inquired about her family’s situation.
Zhang Linglan had guessed correctly; Xu Jinning and Xu Fanghua were indeed her sister’s children.
Seeing that her sister’s two children could attend Beijing University, Zhang Linglan knew that her sister must be doing well.
And indeed, this was the case.
“How are my parents?” Zhang Linglan was most concerned about her parents.
Xu Fanghua and Xu Jinning exchanged a glance and said, “Grandfather passed away more than ten years ago, but Grandmother is still alive. She has always been thinking of you and hoping for your return.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Linglan’s tears fell again.
She had not known that her father had already passed away.
Fortunately, her mother was still alive. Her mother had not forgotten her and had been waiting and hoping for her return all these years.
On their side, Xu Jinning and Xu Fanghua listened to Zhang Linglan recount her experiences in Hong Kong after being abd*cted.
It was heart-wrenching to hear.
Although their aunt was now a big star and movie actress in Hong Kong, seeming to live a glamorous life, her initial experience after being abd*cted was full of suffering and hardship, even nearly dying. Fortunately, she later met a benefactor, her manager Sister Haitang, who helped her.
After so many years, having finally found her family, Zhang Linglan’s lifelong wish was finally fulfilled. She felt that if she could just see her mother, brother, and sister-in-law, she would have no regrets even if she died right then.
The gloom that had hung over Zhang Linglan for so long finally dissipated at this moment.
She became bright and radiant.
Already a stunningly beautiful woman, she now appeared even more vibrant and attractive.
Zhang Linglan was eager to return to Dahe Production Brigade to see her mother; she couldn’t wait any longer.
“Teacher Zhang, you should go. We’ve already filmed a lot of your scenes. The remaining ones can wait until you return. Besides, I’m currently casting other roles, so there’s a break in filming anyway. It’s the perfect time for you to go home,” Director Wang understood Zhang Linglan’s feelings well. Given that the filming schedule wasn’t tight, he decided to let her go.
He knew that Zhang Linglan was eager to go home.
“Thank you, Director Wang,” Zhang Linglan said, truly grateful to him.
It wasn’t just because Director Wang was understanding; it was also because he had unexpectedly encountered Xu Jinning the day before, allowing her to find her family so quickly.
Director Wang was truly a benefactor to her.
On the day she reunited with her family, Zhang Linglan also made a phone call to share the good news with Sister Haitang in Hong Kong.
Sister Haitang was genuinely happy for Zhang Linglan over the phone.
“Congratulations, you finally found your family. From now on, our Linglan has a home and a family.”
Zhang Linglan was momentarily stunned, then her eyes reddened. “Sister Haitang, I need to thank you. Because of you, I was able to live with dignity and achieve what I have today. Now, I’ve also found my family.”
“Sister Haitang, in my heart, I’ve always considered you my sister. You are my family too.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Haitang spoke, “Alright, I know. You silly girl, since when did you become so sentimental? Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“But I’m serious.”
“Alright then. Since you’ve decided to go back, don’t delay. Go back and spend time with them, and then return to continue filming.”
“Yes, I know.”
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Linglan happily packed her luggage, planning to buy some special local products in Beijing to take to the Dahe Production Brigade.
What she didn’t know was that in Hong Kong, Sister Haitang, who always prided herself on being strong and fearless and never shedding tears no matter the situation, had red-rimmed eyes because of Zhang Linglan’s words that she was also her family.
Haitang swirled the red wine in her glass and then drank it all in one gulp. Looking out the window, a rare smile appeared on her lips.
As an orphan who had climbed her way up through mud and obstacles, she had long since become indomitable, seemingly not caring about anything or anyone.
But in reality, she had always yearned for a family she could trust, and now, she had been acknowledged as family by Zhang Linglan.
The feeling of being acknowledged as family was wonderful.
From now on, Haitang also had a family.
*
On her end, Zhang Linglan finished packing her luggage and said goodbye to Director Wang, Xu Jinning, Xu Fanghua, and the others.
Xu Jinning asked if they should call the Dahe Production Brigade in advance to inform her uncle and grandmother that her aunt had returned.
But Zhang Linglan thought about it and refused.
She wanted to surprise her mother, brother, and sister-in-law.
In fact, it didn’t matter if they called or not, as Zhang Linglan was already planning to take the train to the Dahe Production Brigade.
After bidding farewell to Xu Jinning and the others, she boarded the green train.
The green train chugged along, carrying her towards home.
*
At the Dahe Production Brigade.
Early in the morning, at dawn, Bai Xiuhe got up to go to the kitchen to start cooking, beginning her busy day.
She was always the first to wake up in the household.
But today, just as she stepped out of her room, she noticed that the courtyard gate, which was usually closed at this hour, was unexpectedly open.
There seemed to be someone sitting at the entrance. That silhouette looked so much like her mother-in-law.
She walked over and saw that it was indeed her mother-in-law!
“Mom, what are you doing sitting here so early in the morning?”
