Chapter 238 Unbelievable

Chapter 238 Unbelievable

Afternoon.

At the Industrial and Commercial Bureau of a district in Beijing, Li Changsheng sorted out the documents on his desk and prepared to leave for the day.

He had been assigned to work here after graduating from university earlier this year. The Industrial and Commercial Bureau was a prestigious unit, both now and in the future. Given his background, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to land such a position, but he had married a college girlfriend whose family held considerable influence.

With his father-in-law's help, Li Changsheng had secured this enviable job.

He was content with his current life. His wife was educated, sensible, and came from a well-connected family. The only thing she lacked was striking beauty, but that was a minor flaw in the grand scheme of things.

As he thought about appearances, Li Changsheng's mind drifted to a girl he had dated years ago while working in the countryside in Baise, Guangxi.

Though she was a village girl, she had been the most beautiful in her village, with a figure and charm that had captivated him. Despite his parents' objections, he had been determined to marry her.

But life had other plans. Just as he resolved to marry her, the country announced the resumption of the college entrance exams.

No educated youth could resist the allure of a university education and the guaranteed job placement that came with it. Li Changsheng was no exception. He took the exam, passed, and was admitted to university.

The moment he received his acceptance letter, Li Changsheng knew his relationship with the village girl was over.

To this day, he remembered her heartbroken tears when he told her of his decision to break up.

Though he felt a pang of guilt, Li Changsheng never regretted his choice.

Had he married her, he would have been trapped in that remote village for the rest of his life, with little chance of achieving anything significant.

Now, he was in the bustling capital, with a prestigious job that countless people envied. His future was bright.

Given the stark contrast between his current life and what might have been, it was no wonder he felt no regret.

Still, a small part of him couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of loss.

...

Three minutes later.

Li Changsheng pushed his bicycle out of the office gate, chatting with his colleagues as they prepared to head home.

Just as his colleague rode off and Li Changsheng was about to do the same, a voice from his past called out to him from the left: "Brother Changsheng!"

Li Changsheng turned toward the voice and saw a woman in patched clothes, her face weathered by time. Though her appearance had changed significantly, he recognized her instantly.

After all, she was his first love. Whether man or woman, it's hard to forget one's first love.

Stunned, Li Changsheng asked, "Xiaoxue? What are you doing here?"

Jiang Xiaoxue looked at the confident, mature man before her, her heart in turmoil. She replied bitterly, "Brother Changsheng, I came here to see you."

Though shocked, Li Changsheng quickly composed himself. "Xiaoxue, this isn't the place to talk. Come with me."

Jiang Xiaoxue nodded. She hadn't come to disrupt his life but to seek a better future for their son. She pointed to a grocery store across the street. "I'll wait for you there. Come find me."

With that, she hurried across the road.

The entire exchange had taken mere seconds, and no one around them seemed to notice.

After Jiang Xiaoxue crossed the street, Li Changsheng followed on his bicycle, his emotions in turmoil.

He never expected to see Jiang Xiaoxue again. After leaving the village, he had cut all ties with her. Logically, she shouldn't have known where he was.

Yet here she was. Someone must have told her his whereabouts—likely one of the educated youths who had worked alongside him in the village.

Why had she come all this way to find him?

Did she want to rekindle their relationship?

Was she in some kind of trouble and needed his help?

Or had someone sent her to disrupt his life?

These thoughts swirled in his mind as he approached the grocery store.

Just as he was about to ask her why she had come, a little boy ran up to Jiang Xiaoxue, calling out, "Mom!"

Seeing Jiang Xiaoxue hug the boy, Li Changsheng felt a mix of relief and discomfort. Judging by the boy's age, it seemed she had married soon after their breakup.

But then he noticed the middle-aged man sitting on a sack nearby and wondered why she had married someone so much older.

As Li Changsheng's emotions churned, Jiang Xiaoxue said to her son, "Xiaofeng, this is your father."

The boy looked at Li Changsheng and timidly called out, "Dad… Dad!"

Li Changsheng was so shocked he nearly fell off his bicycle. He stared at Jiang Xiaoxue, recalling the intimate moments they had shared before their breakup. Considering the boy's age, a thought he could hardly believe formed in his mind.

"He… he's…"

Jiang Xiaoxue nodded, confirming his suspicion. "Brother Changsheng, his name is Li Feng. He's our son."

Hearing her confirmation, Li Changsheng's shock gave way to a mix of emotions. He studied the boy closely and saw his own childhood reflection in the child's features. There was no doubt—this was his son.

At that moment, Li Changsheng didn't know whether to feel joy or dread.

Seeing that Jiang Xiaoxue had found the person she was looking for, Deng Shirong stood up, hoisted his sack, and said, "Xiao Jiang, since you've found him, I'll leave you to your family reunion. I have my own matters to attend to."

Jiang Xiaoxue quickly said, "Uncle Deng, you've helped us so much. I don't know how to thank you. It's getting late—let me treat you to a meal."

Deng Shirong shook his head. "No need. Focus on your family matters first."

He then turned to Li Changsheng and said sternly, "Young man, I understand your situation. If it weren't a last resort, I doubt Xiao Jiang would have traveled so far to find you.

This is your son. As a man, you must take responsibility for your actions. That's all I have to say. If fate allows, we'll meet again."

Li Changsheng realized he had misunderstood Deng Shirong's relationship with Jiang Xiaoxue. From their conversation, it was clear the older man had been a great help to her. He nodded respectfully. "I understand. Thank you, Uncle Deng."

Jiang Xiaoxue urged her son, "Xiaofeng, thank Grandpa Deng."

The boy obediently said, "Thank you, Grandpa Deng!"

Deng Shirong smiled. "You're welcome, Xiaofeng. Listen to your mother. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Grandpa Deng!"

As Deng Shirong walked away, Jiang Xiaoxue said with gratitude, "Uncle Deng is a good man. He's also from Guangxi. Knowing it was my first time traveling so far, he kindly escorted us here."

Li Changsheng, however, was too preoccupied to dwell on Deng Shirong's kindness. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and he needed answers. He checked the time and said, "Xiaoxue, let's find a place to eat. Then you can tell me everything about Xiaofeng."

Jiang Xiaoxue nodded. "Alright."

...

Half an hour later.

In a state-owned restaurant, Li Changsheng treated Jiang Xiaoxue and their son, Li Feng, to a meal.

Four dishes and a soup, featuring fish and meat, made for a feast that Jiang Xiaoxue and her son rarely enjoyed, even during the New Year.

Once they had eaten their fill, Li Changsheng said with mixed emotions, "Xiaoxue, I wronged you back then. But why were you so foolish? I had already left and wasn't coming back. Why did you choose to keep the child when you found out you were pregnant?"

Jiang Xiaoxue was silent for a moment before replying, "He's our flesh and blood. No matter what, I couldn't abandon him. But I was too young and naive. I didn't expect…"

She then detailed her decision to keep the child and the hardships she had endured in the village over the years.

Finally, she said, "Brother Changsheng, I know you're married and have your own family. I didn't come here to disrupt your life. I just want to give Xiaofeng a better environment. I can't let him grow up being bullied and ridiculed in the village."

Li Changsheng could imagine the difficulties Jiang Xiaoxue and their son had faced. In this era, having a child out of wedlock was a heavy burden, and the stigma would have been unbearable.

The thought of his son being ostracized and bullied pained him deeply. He agreed with Jiang Xiaoxue's desire to change their son's circumstances.

"Xiaoxue, if you have any ideas, just say them."

Jiang Xiaoxue gathered her courage. "Brother Changsheng, I want to stay in Beijing with Xiaofeng. I hope you can help us find a place to live. I'll take any job and support us on my own."

Li Changsheng was silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Stay at a guesthouse for the next two days. I'll find a place for you to live. As for work, I can't help much—I've only just started my job."

He was torn. Letting Jiang Xiaoxue and their son stay in Beijing was a risk, a potential time bomb for his current life.

But if he turned them away, his son's future would be bleak, and he couldn't bear that thought.

After much deliberation, he made the difficult decision.

Jiang Xiaoxue breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Brother Changsheng. Just having a place to live is enough. I'll find work on my own and won't trouble you further."

End of Chapter.