Cheng You didn't know what they discussed in the kitchen, but when Song Qinglan emerged, her eyes were red, and the atmosphere between mother and son had clearly softened.
Cheng Tianhua was so terrible, yet Cheng You had never considered severing ties with him, so she was naturally glad to see Qi Chengyan reconcile with his parents.
Qi Chengyan's safe return signified the arrival of peace.
Coupled with the Lunar New Year, the compound was enveloped in a festive and harmonious atmosphere.
Since Qi Chengyan had returned early, many military wives who missed their husbands would visit from time to time, hoping to glean some news.
Cheng You's mood was visibly improved, and she opened her doors wide, greeting them warmly.
Whether she knew anything or not, she invited them in for tea and snacks.
Days turned into weeks, and the holiday was fleeting. Soon, Qi Chengyan was to return to his post, resuming his early mornings and late nights as before.
In the blink of an eye, Cheng You officially became a sophomore.
After just one winter break, Feng Xue and Cheng Tao's friendship had rapidly deepened, and they were frequently in contact.
This struck Fang Yunbao as incredibly strange.
"How did these two become so close, like sisters?"
Cheng You placed her neatly organized notes in front of her. "There's a pop quiz this afternoon. You should focus on studying first."
The thought of it made Fang Yunbao's head ache.
She didn't share Cheng You and Cao Yanyan's lofty ambitions. After graduation, she just wanted her family to find her a cushy, idle job so she could sip tea and slack off every day.
She was quite content with her current life, where she could chat with friends about gossip.
Despite Cheng You's reminder, she continued to observe Cheng Tao's movements.
Soon, she saw Cheng Tao walking towards them, holding an apple that Feng Xue had given her.
"Cheng You, do you know Feng Xue?"
Cheng You nodded, her expression indifferent. "I do."
"That's right, she's such a campus goddess, it's hard not to know her," Cheng Tao said, as if talking to herself.
The other three: "..."
Fang Yunbao found it difficult to comment. Feng Xue's campus goddess image had long since collapsed.
"Cheng Tao, do you want to know what happened before?"
Her words went in one ear and out the other for Cheng Tao, who paid them no mind.
"You still don't know about Feng Xue and Qi Chengyan's relationship, do you? Cheng You, I'll tell you something honestly: if not for what happened back then, it might not be you marrying Qi Chengyan right now."
She acted as if she were a thief, whispering to Cheng You.
Cheng You's expression was even more complex than Fang Yunbao's. "Cheng Tao, have you considered looking into what Feng Xue has done?"
Cheng Tao waved her hand. "I don't need to look into it, I know everything."
All she needed to know was that Feng Xue was Qi Chengyan's "white moonlight."
"Cheng You, did you give the two hundred yuan for helping the poor this month?"
Cheng Tao quietly turned away, contemplating what else she could sell.
Two days later, a piece of news was circulating throughout the compound.
It was said that the Feng family's daughter, who had been lost decades ago, had been found!
Sister-in-law He sat in Cheng You's courtyard, munching on melon seeds, recounting the story vividly, as if she had witnessed it herself.
"So they only found the granddaughter, not the daughter?"
Sister-in-law He waved her hand. "I heard the granddaughter happened to be studying in Yancheng... Oh right, Cheng You, where is your hometown?"
"Yongcheng."
"Yes, Yongcheng! I heard this person is your fellow townsman!"
For some reason, a hint of foreboding suddenly stirred in Cheng You's heart.
"Sister-in-law, what's that person's name?"
Sister-in-law He thought for a moment, then realized they shared the same surname as Cheng You, and her gaze suddenly became meaningful.
"I was thinking, could it really be your fellow townsman? Her name sounds quite similar, Cheng Tao."
Cheng You: "..." This was too much of a coincidence.
If it truly was Cheng Tao, then Song Yulian was the Feng family's daughter?
If she remembered correctly, Song Yulian had been sentenced.
She just didn't know if she had faced the firing squad.
"Cheng You, do you really know her?"
Cheng You smiled wryly and shook her head without speaking.
When Qi Chengyan returned home, Cheng You eagerly ran to him.
She told him about Cheng Tao's situation.
"She's actually the Feng family's daughter? Do you think it's reliable?"
Qi Chengyan took off his coat and casually hung it on the rack.
"The old man might be old, but his mind isn't muddled."
If Cheng Tao was a fake, they would naturally investigate.
Cheng You rested her chin on her hand. "I'm just afraid they'll be deceived."
It would be truly pitiful for them to be deceived at their age.
As Song Qinglan had told her, they had been searching for this daughter for many years.
Giving them hope only to have it dashed, the resulting disappointment was something only they could understand.
Qi Chengyan didn't advise her to get involved, as it was the Feng family's private matter.
If she interfered, it would truly be meddling.
After hearing his words, Cheng You decided to put the matter aside for the time being.
As spring arrived, the mu xi grass in the vegetable patch began to sprout tender shoots, growing rapidly.
Before long, it formed a lush patch of green.
Putting aside the Feng family's affairs, Cheng You had plenty of her own to keep her busy.
She snipped a large bunch of mu xi grass stems from home, soaked them in condensation dew, and sent them to the medicinal herb garden for cuttings.
Spring was the season of rebirth, and various medicinal herbs were planted one after another.
Her medicinal herb garden in Yanjiao had already begun to take shape.
As time entered late March, with grass growing and orioles flying, Yancheng was experiencing a drizzle.
The heavy clothes that had been put away were brought out again.
This was the day of the Feng family's official recognition ceremony.
Cheng Tao held the token, which was said to be something the elders had left for their daughter many years ago.
With this token, Old Master Feng investigated Song Yulian's past.
He naturally learned about the things Song Yulian and Cheng Tao had done in Wujing Village.
Putting these matters aside for now, the more important revelation was that Song Yulian was indeed an adopted child of the Song family.
According to them, Song Yulian had been picked up while they were fleeing from famine.
Due to the passage of time and the lack of obvious distinguishing features on the Feng family's daughter, they could only rely on the token for recognition.
Old Mrs. Lin's heart was burning with anxiety, clutching her chest tightly.
Looking at the information they had uncovered, she despised Song Yulian and her daughter from the bottom of her heart.
Yet, this was most likely her biological daughter. Their straying from the path was largely due to their parents.
If Song Yulian had grown up by her side, she was certain she would never have let her end up in prison.
Especially seeing that Song Yulian had been Cheng You's stepmother, the old lady's head ached even more.
"What is all this!"
Old Master Feng, with his hands behind his back, felt no less melancholy.
He had lived a life of military service and had only three children.
When his two sons were born, he was busy with campaigns.
Even his wife had followed him on his journeys, and neither of them had time for their family.
They were born and then left to nannies to raise themselves.
Later, when his daughter was born, she was forced to be abandoned halfway.
Now, they had gone astray because of their parents' irresponsibility.
Whom could they blame? It had to be themselves!