Wei Yumeng thought that the matter involving Chang Xiuxiang's family was over.
Niu Chengzhi had also paid the price for his actions.
However, things were not that simple.
Wei Yumeng still visited Chang Xiuxiang frequently. Without Niu Chengzhi, it was not easy for Chang Xiuxiang to raise a child alone.
As Chang Xiuxiang's child was close in age to Wei Yumeng's two children, Wei Yumeng simply brought them along to visit Chang Xiuxiang.
"Sister, what's your name?" Zhan Shiqing looked at Chang Xiuxiang's daughter with a very happy expression.
"My name is... my name is Niu Qihuan." Niu Qihuan looked a bit timid, a stark contrast to Zhan Shiqing's liveliness.
She even dared not look Zhan Shiqing in the eye when speaking to her.
Due to her family circumstances, everyone knew she had a gambler for a father and had mocked her for it.
Over time, she had become this self-conscious.
"Then can I call you Sister Huanhuan?" Zhan Shiqing asked after some thought.
Niu Qihuan nodded obediently, "Okay."
Zhan Jinzhi, standing beside them, said nothing, but his eyes held only friendly emotions as he watched the two girls chat.
Seeing this scene, Wei Yumeng felt a sense of relief. She hoped that the two children could help Niu Qihuan overcome her past shadows.
"Yumeng, I didn't expect to trouble you again after everything that happened," Chang Xiuxiang sighed, "Actually, now that Chengzhi is gone, the family's situation has improved. I can guarantee that I can live with the child."
She said this, trying hard to flash Wei Yumeng a smile.
But Wei Yumeng could still see the forced nature of the smile. "Aunt, you don't have to pretend. If you have any difficulties, you can tell me."
"No, there really isn't," Chang Xiuxiang waved her hands quickly.
On the other side, Niu Qihuan watched the two adults talk, looking like she wanted to say something, but ultimately didn't.
Zhan Jinzhi caught her hesitation and gave Zhan Shiqing a look.
Zhan Shiqing immediately understood and suggested to Niu Qihuan, "Sister Huanhuan, Mom bought us a LEGO set. This place is too small, shall we go to another room to play?"
Niu Qihuan didn't think much of it. She just nodded, and then went to her own room with the two children.
Wei Yumeng looked at Chang Xiuxiang's demeanor and knew that things were not that simple. But if Chang Xiuxiang didn't say anything, how could she know what the problem was?
Perhaps it was still because of Niu Chengzhi?
Wei Yumeng quickly dismissed the thought. After all, Niu Chengzhi had been taken away by those loan sharks. Although she didn't know how he would repay his debts, he wouldn't be returning to this home anytime soon.
So, what else could be troubling Chang Xiuxiang?
The three children entered the room. Zhan Shiqing spread the building blocks on the floor and then pulled Niu Qihuan to build her favorite shapes together.
Zhan Jinzhi also joined them, playing with them.
"Sister Huanhuan, why do I feel like you're not happy at all?" Zhan Shiqing asked after a while.
Although Niu Qihuan had been playing with them, she seemed distracted, and even her smiles were forced.
Niu Qihuan just shook her head in response to Zhan Shiqing's words.
Zhan Jinzhi then spoke, "Actually, your family's situation hasn't been good recently, has it? Especially your mother?"
Niu Qihuan was startled. She looked at Zhan Jinzhi, unsure how he had figured it out.
However, since it had already been noticed, it wouldn't matter if she told the truth.
"Actually, Mom hasn't been happy at all lately. I've even seen her crying alone in the middle of the night many times," Niu Qihuan said, on the verge of tears herself. "Mom always tells me that everything will get better, but she's just hiding all the pain within herself."
"Why is that?" Zhan Shiqing asked, confused. "Isn't your bad dad gone? What else could make you sad?"
"I didn't understand before. Why did Mom tolerate him repeatedly when Dad did so many things that burdened the family? Later, I learned that this is love. Mom loves Dad very much."
Niu Qihuan said with her head down, "Sometimes I think, if I could just grow up a little faster, I could help Mom share everything, and she wouldn't have to suffer so much."
Zhan Jinzhi nodded. According to his understanding, that was indeed the case.
"And because Mom loves Dad so much, she's been so sad about him these past few days," Niu Qihuan added. "These past few days, Mom has been secretly looking for Dad, wanting to know how he is. Perhaps only knowing that Dad is safe will make her feel better."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Shiqing stood up, putting down her toy. "This is very simple. If we ask our dad to investigate, he'll definitely find him."
"Really?" Niu Qihuan sounded doubtful, as her mother had been searching for so many days.
"Of course it's true. My dad is very capable. He'll definitely find him," Zhan Shiqing said, turning to look at Zhan Jinzhi. "Right, brother?"
Zhan Jinzhi nodded slightly.
A glimmer of happiness appeared in Niu Qihuan's eyes. "Then I'll have to trouble you."
After returning home, the two children told Wei Yumeng about the situation.
This also answered one of Wei Yumeng's doubts. It turned out that Chang Xiuxiang's apparent low mood was indeed due to Niu Chengzhi.
Wei Yumeng sighed. Love, in itself, was neither right nor wrong.
But now, Chang Xiuxiang had made herself like this for such a man. She didn't know if it was right or wrong.
Perhaps, for Chang Xiuxiang, sacrificing for her husband was her responsibility as a wife.
But in Wei Yumeng's view, Niu Chengzhi would only hinder Chang Xiuxiang's normal life.
"Mom, can we help Sister Huanhuan find him? If it can bring them peace, it would be a good thing," Zhan Shiqing said, tugging at Wei Yumeng's sleeve playfully. "If Dad and Mom help, you'll definitely find him, right?"
Wei Yumeng and Zhan Mohan could indeed find him. Although they had handed Niu Chengzhi over to those people,
Niu Chengzhi was Wei Yumeng's uncle-in-law after all, so Zhan Mohan had people keeping an eye on him. It wasn't like those people would kill Niu Chengzhi.
However, if Chang Xiuxiang were told about Niu Chengzhi's whereabouts, what would she do?
Would she go find Niu Chengzhi? Or would she fall back under Niu Chengzhi's control?
The current situation was indeed a dilemma for Wei Yumeng. Although she believed that Chang Xiuxiang would eventually let go of this matter,
Would she truly be able to let go?