On a Stormy Night, the Campus Belle Knocked on My Door Seeking Shelter
Chapter 31: This Is Your Grandson’s Wife

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: This Is Your Grandson’s Wife

Observing the simple yet fulfilling lives of the people around her, Su Yuqing felt a stir in her heart.

In the old district, many of the residents’ children had moved away, leaving the elderly to manage their lives on their own.

They didn’t need someone by their side at all times to feel happy or find meaning in their lives.

Watching these elderly people, Su Yuqing gradually came to a realization.

’A person doesn’t have to be needed by others to live a good life.’

The walk should have been short, but it took a full half hour for Chen Mo and Su Yuqing to finally reach his grandparents’ house as they stopped to chat about daily trifles with familiar elders along the way.

His grandparents lived in a relatively new villa, which Chen Mo’s parents had built for them on the foundation of their original bungalow after making their fortune.

It was one of a kind in the neighborhood.

As a result, the old couple held their heads high whenever they were out and about.

Since everyone in the neighborhood had known each other for years, most people didn’t bother to close their doors during the day.

When Chen Mo arrived at his grandparents’ house, the courtyard gate was open.

In the courtyard, a yellow Chinese Rural Dog was tethered to a pomelo tree.

"ARF, WHINE, PANT PANT PANT~"

Upon seeing Chen Mo, the dog became so excited its four paws started pattering on the ground as if it were tap-dancing. Its tail was already wagging like a propeller, and it panted faster, its tongue lolling out, letting out low whines.

It was clearly thrilled to see its young master after so long.

When he was a child, his grandparents had a dog named Big Huang. It had passed away from old age two years prior, and the house suddenly felt empty without a canine companion. The old couple had a hard time adjusting, so Chen Mo bought them this new dog, Little Huang, two years ago.

He hoped it would offer them some emotional companionship.

"Little Huang, did you miss me?" Chen Mo smiled, squatting in front of the dog and reaching out to pet its head.

In response, Little Huang excitedly began to lick his hand furiously.

"Alright, stop licking." With a resigned sigh, Chen Mo ruffled Little Huang’s head a few times before turning on a nearby faucet to wash his hands.

The dog was just too enthusiastic; it was a bit much for him.

Watching how close Little Huang and Chen Mo were, Su Yuqing felt a pang in her heart.

Lacking love and companionship from her parents, she had once wanted to get a puppy.

But her mother and stepfather had refused, because her mother was pregnant at the time.

They said it wasn’t a good idea to have a pet around.

Although Su Yuqing didn’t really understand why, she was sensible enough not to bring it up again.

Later, for some reason, her mother had a miscarriage.

Su Yuqing was still young and didn’t understand what had happened. All she knew was that the baby in her mother’s belly seemed to be gone, which meant the reason she couldn’t have a pet had disappeared.

So, she found another opportunity to ask. But her parents, still upset and angry over the miscarriage, viciously scolded her for wanting a puppy. They even blamed the loss of the baby on her.

After that, she never dared to mention wanting a pet again.

Later, her mother became pregnant again, and a little brother was born.

When her brother was five and Su Yuqing was fifteen, he said he wanted a puppy, and soon enough, a puppy appeared in their home.

There was no debate. He got it simply because he wanted it.

But Su Yuqing, who had a perfectly good reason—to have a companion for when she was lonely because her parents were away—had been completely ignored.

In that moment, Su Yuqing finally understood. Her parents weren’t against getting a pet; it was just that the wrong person had been asking.

She suddenly realized that she was already an unwanted burden in this family. What right did she have to ask them to take on another one for her sake?

But it was different for him, the true-born son. He was a real part of the family, and their parents would compromise on anything he wanted to add to their home.

That was the first time she truly felt how little she was valued and understood her place in that home.

Heartbroken, she had stormed out of the house that day.

It had been a rainy day, too, just a light, misty drizzle.

It was as if the tears seeping from her own heart were falling from the sky.

It was on that same day, at her father’s house, that her half-sister had treated her with contempt.

She had gone to her father’s looking for a sense of belonging, because he had once told her that if she ever felt wronged or unhappy at her mother’s place, she could come to him to vent.

But when her father showed her the slightest bit of kindness, her half-sister saw her as an invader trying to steal his love and threw a tantrum, crying until she was driven away.

At first, her father had scolded his other daughter, but as soon as her stepmother came out, he immediately backed down.

Seeing that, Su Yuqing couldn’t bear to stay and ran out of that house, too.

That day, she found herself standing on a rooftop, heartbroken.

Sometimes, a person is just that fragile. When years of suppressed negative emotions erupt all at once, the mind can’t help but break in that instant.

That day, Su Yuqing let the light breeze and fine rain wash over her, feeling that in this vast world, there was no longer any place for her.

But just as she thought this, the image of the boy from her childhood suddenly appeared before her eyes, over and over. Like a film reel, the memories of the brief fifteen days they had spent together replayed feverishly in her mind.

"Then you can come to my house... We can be a family..."

Those two simple sentences echoed in her mind, over and over.

In that moment, she pulled back from the edge. She had found a new pillar of support, a reason to keep living.

And sometimes, a person is just that strong. As long as you can grasp even the tiniest, most insignificant sliver of hope in the depths of despair, it can be enough to help you persevere.

"Yuqing, Yuqing!"

"Huh?"

"What were you daydreaming about?"

A sudden cold sensation on her cheek snapped her out of it. Su Yuqing saw that Chen Mo, after washing his hands, had deliberately pressed the cool back of his hand against her face.

Seeing that Su Yuqing had snapped back to reality, Chen Mo smiled and pulled his hand away.

Su Yuqing looked at him, her gaze softening. A smile of relief and contentment spread across her face.

’Some memories are best left in the past.’

Hearing the noise in the courtyard, someone slowly walked out of the house.

"Oh, Momo’s here! Why didn’t you call your grandma ahead of time? Have you had lunch? I’ll go make you something right now." His grandmother’s eyes crinkled into a smile the moment she saw Chen Mo.

"We already ate, Grandma. I was in the area with a friend and thought I’d drop by to see you, so I didn’t call ahead," Chen Mo said with a smile.

Only then did his grandmother notice the very pretty young woman standing beside Chen Mo. She had a fresh, pristine look about her, radiating a bright and lovely aura.

"And this is...?" his grandmother asked, a little hesitant.

"Your future granddaughter-in-law," Chen Mo teased with a grin.

"Really!?" His grandmother was instantly overjoyed, her voice trembling with delight. "Come, come, step closer and let your grandma get a good look at you."

Su Yuqing’s face instantly flushed crimson. She shot Chen Mo a look that was both scolding and shy, then slowly walked toward his grandmother.