Chapter 481: Chapter 481: Her Heartache and Hostility

Once Hua Yusen promised he would apply for a nanny, Sun Haoran dropped the subject.

It was already five in the afternoon by the time they returned from Immortal Grass Hall. Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen took their previously packed belongings and headed straight for the Huajia Old Mansion.

Of course, the holiday gifts she had prepared for her parents-in-law were no less generous than the ones for Sun Haoran, a clear sign of how seriously Zhao Nuanyue took the occasion.

Back at the beginning of the last lunar month, Xia Yingyu had already sent them New Year’s gifts from the Northeast, all local specialties. Although there was no expensive ginseng and deer antler, it was a huge package full of various mountain delicacies, cured meats, and more.

With the New Year fast approaching, Zhao Nuanyue was worried her gifts wouldn’t reach Xia Yingyu in time. So, she and Hua Yusen had already sent a package of New Year’s presents to Xia Yingyu and Zhao Jinghai, who were far away in the Northeast.

After all, this was the first year of their marriage, so giving holiday gifts was essential.

At the same time, both Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuanyang held certain hopes for Xia Yingyu deep in their hearts.

In the car, Zhao Nuanyue nestled in Hua Yusen’s arms, feeling the steady warmth of his chest. It felt as if only in his embrace could she truly relax and enjoy the feeling of being cherished and secure.

Hua Yusen gently patted Zhao Nuanyue’s back. He looked at her resting with her eyes closed and smiled to himself.

’A beautiful wife in his arms, a rising career, a harmonious family, and a life of peace and safety.’

These were Hua Yusen’s hopes for the new year, and they were also the goals he strived for.

By the time Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue arrived at the Huajia Old Mansion, they could hear peals of laughter coming from a window before they even stepped inside.

It wasn’t just Hua Zhiqiang and Feng Wanru; they could hear other people laughing too.

’Do we have guests?’

Hua Yusen looked toward his younger brother, Hua Yulin, who came out to greet them, and asked, "Yulin, who’s visiting?"

Seeing his brother ask, Hua Yulin smiled. "It’s Mrs. Wu from the Wu family. She came over for a visit with her two daughters."

"The Wu family?" Hua Yusen asked in surprise. "Which Wu family?"

’Jincheng City is a huge place, and there are tons of people with the surname Wu. How am I supposed to know which family he means?’

"Wu Jianxiong’s family," Hua Yulin whispered to his brother. "Turns out Mother and Mrs. Wu used to be colleagues. Right now, they’re taking a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the old days."

’Wu Jianxiong?’

Hua Yusen was taken aback. An image of Wu Qiaoqiao from his time in Lizhou flashed through his mind—shrewd and cautious, yet enthusiastic and proactive. He couldn’t help but feel a little unnerved.

As Hua Yusen and Hua Yulin conversed up ahead, Zhao Nuanyue, who was walking behind them, felt her heart lurch with panic and apprehension when she heard the name "Wu Jianxiong."

’Wu Jianxiong is Wu Qiaoqiao’s father!’

’She was already married to Hua Yusen. Would Wu Qiaoqiao from her past life still get entangled with him?’

Zhao Nuanyue’s heart pounded with anxiety. She took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm her turbulent emotions.

’Tonight, I have to watch Wu Qiaoqiao’s every move. If I spot any ominous signs, I can take action early.’

Zhao Nuanyue trusted the deep bond she shared with Hua Yusen, but if someone with ulterior motives tried to sabotage them, their lives would be greatly affected, even if their marriage survived.

After her rebirth, Zhao Nuanyue had two goals: to save her brother’s life, and to marry Hua Yusen. She wanted to be with him, officially and rightfully, to love and cherish each other until they grew old and gray.

’I won’t let anyone destroy my happiness. Not Guo Dongmei before, not Wang Yuan, and not anyone in the future. That includes Wu Qiaoqiao. No one is allowed!’

With these complicated feelings swirling in her heart, Zhao Nuanyue followed Hua Yusen into the main hall of the Huajia Old Mansion.

When Feng Wanru saw Hua Yusen and Hua Yulin walk in, her face beamed with pride. "Yusen, this is your Aunt Wu. We used to be colleagues back in the day. She even held you when you were a baby!"

"Aunt Wu, it’s good to see you. I hope you’ve been well," Hua Yusen said, stepping forward to greet Mrs. Wu respectfully. ’After all, we lived in the same compound when I was a kid. It was normal for neighbors to hold each other’s children.’

"Yes, I’m very well. In the blink of an eye, all the children are so grown up!" Mrs. Wu exclaimed emotionally. "I don’t usually feel old, but seeing the children become adults... I have to admit my age."

Feng Wanru couldn’t agree more. "That’s true. But as long as we see our children grow up safe and build successful careers, we parents can be at ease, even when we get old and pass on."

"Isn’t that the truth!" Mrs. Wu said with a chuckle, then her gaze fell on Zhao Nuanyue, who was standing just behind Hua Yusen. "Oh, and this must be your eldest son’s wife! She’s absolutely lovely!"

"Yes, this is my eldest daughter-in-law, Zhao Nuanyue," Feng Wanru said with a smile. "Nuanyue, come and greet Aunt Wu."

With a pleasant smile, Zhao Nuanyue stepped forward and gave a slight bow. "Aunt Wu, I wish you well."

"What a lovely daughter-in-law!" Mrs. Wu said, smiling. She then slipped an Agate Bracelet from her wrist. It was a brilliant, beautiful red. "I can’t come empty-handed for our first meeting. This is a small gift. Please don’t refuse, you must accept it."

Zhao Nuanyue was stunned. ’Are Mrs. Wu and Feng Wanru really that close? To give such an expensive gift the very first time we meet?’

"This is too precious," Zhao Nuanyue said softly. She neither refused nor accepted it, looking instead to her mother-in-law for guidance.

’If my mother-in-law agrees, I’ll accept it. If she doesn’t, I’ll firmly refuse.’

Zhao Nuanyue felt a strong aversion toward the Wu family.

This aversion, coupled with a deep, suppressed loathing, made her heart pound with dread whenever she thought of the Wu family.

Perhaps it stemmed from jealousy, or from insecurity, or perhaps from the anger buried deep in her heart.

It was because, in her past life, Wu Qiaoqiao’s actions had hurt Hua Yusen—had hurt that sweet, foolish man who only knew how to silently bear his burdens and solve every problem on his own.

Others might not have cared, but her heart ached for him. Anyone who hurt Hua Yusen and her family was an enemy of Zhao Nuanyue.

This was a matter of etiquette between prominent families. Feng Wanru nodded, signaling that Zhao Nuanyue could accept the gift.

She had, after all, already given gifts to Wu Jingjing and Wu Qiaoqiao just moments before.

"Go ahead and accept it, Nuanyue," Feng Wanru said with a smile. "Sister-in-law Wu is just being too generous!"

"Look at you, being so formal with me now. I certainly wasn’t so polite when you gave my daughters their gifts," Mrs. Wu said. Seeing Zhao Nuanyue accept the bracelet, her expression relaxed into a benevolent smile.

At that moment, Zhao Nuanyue’s gaze fell upon the faces of Wu Jingjing and Wu Qiaoqiao.

When she saw Wu Jingjing, Zhao Nuanyue felt a wave of complex emotions, never having expected they would meet again under such circumstances.

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