Zhouzhou’s words were clear, and Ye Lingfeng had no objections. Lan Tian, following their instructions, piloted the plane back to their home country.
After landing, Zhouzhou handed the talisman she used to store the submarine to Ye Lingfeng before heading home.
By the time she arrived, the Qin family had already returned, as well. They’d lost interest in staying out, now that Zhouzhou wasn’t around.
Grandma Qin was seated on the sofa, glancing nervously outside every now and then, anxiety written all over her face. She wasn’t sure what Zhouzhou was up to, but her sudden disappearance had happened many times over the years. This time, she was convinced that there was something they weren’t telling her.
Grandpa Qin, noticing her restlessness, said, "Come sit down. Zhouzhou told you she’d be back soon."
Grandma Qin shot him a fierce look, ignoring his suggestion.
Seeing her reaction, Grandpa Qin put down the magazine in his hands and asked, "What’s with the stare? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Grandma Qin crossed her arms and snapped, "Do you know what Zhouzhou’s been doing? Where did she go? What’s really going on?"
Grandpa Qin, unperturbed, replied calmly, "A’ Lie said she went abroad for a trip, and a few of her classmates are with her."
Grandma Qin scowled, "That’s a load of nonsense! You actually believe that? What kind of excuse is that?"
"I don’t believe Zhouzhou would suddenly leave to hang out with someone else. Doesn’t she have us? What’s so special about her classmates?"
She stared at him sharply, "You tell me the name of this classmate, I’ll give them a call right now!"
Does he think she is a fool?
Grandma Qin was so angry that she called Grandpa Qin by name, "Qin Qiankun, do you still remember what you have promised me when we got married? You said you would never lie to me! And what did you just do? Lie to my face! Are you no longer keep your words because you are old now?"
"I’m leaving you! I want a divorce!"
Grandpa Qin was taken aback by her words.
"Stop messing around!" he said sternly.
Hearing this, Grandma Qin widened her eyes, and those pair of eyes reddened immediately.
"How dare you talk to me like that?"
Her voice trembled with frustration as she continued, "That’s it! We’re getting a divorce! I won’t take anything—I’ll just take my granddaughter with me! I’ve had enough of this! My poor Zhouzhou, where have you been sold off to?!"
She collapsed dramatically onto the floor, clutching her chest as if the weight of the world had crushed her, her cries echoing through the house. Yet, despite her loud wails, there were no tears to be seen.
"Why is my life so miserable?" she wailed. "I finally have a granddaughter, but now I can never find her! What if she’s been mistreated? What if she’s not eating properly?"
She continued her emotional outburst, lamenting how she’d never get to see Zhouzhou again. "When you come back, Grandma will take you away! We’ll live on the streets, begging for food, but I won’t stay in this miserable house any longer!"
Her voice was so loud that the other members of the Qin family, hearing the commotion, rushed out to see what was going on.
Qin Bei stood frozen, staring at the scene in disbelief. Even Qin Yan, usually unflappable, was stunned by the sight. His mother, though not known for her elegance, had never acted this way before. What had happened to her?
Zhouzhou, just returning, walked in and was immediately struck by the sight of Grandma Qin on the floor. She hurried over to help her up.
"Grandma, what’s wrong? Who’s been bothering you? Tell me, I’ll go beat them up!"
To her surprise, Grandma Qin pointed directly at Grandpa Qin. "Him!" she cried.
Zhouzhou blinked in confusion. "Grandpa?" She couldn’t believe it—how could her grandfather, who had always treated Grandma Qin so well, have upset her?
But Grandma Qin’s sorrow seemed real enough. Although there were no visible tears, Zhouzhou knew that the pain in her heart must have been unbearable.
Turning to her grandfather, she saw him rubbing his temples in distress.
"Your grandma said she wants a divorce," he said, his voice a little strained.
Zhouzhou’s eyes widened in shock. "A divorce?"
Grandma Qin nodded vigorously. "Yes! I want a divorce! I can’t take it anymore!"
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Zhouzhou, though still confused, felt a little worried about the situation. She knew her grandparents were very close, so hearing about their possible separation was surprising.
She looked at her grandmother with a serious expression and said, "Grandma, Grandpa... are you really going to get a divorce? What about me?"
Her voice quivered with sadness. "If you get divorced, then who will take care of me? I don’t want to be an orphan, with no one to care for me. All my classmates will laugh at me, saying I have no family left."
She pouted and wiped at her eyes dramatically. "I knew it... everything was a lie. My life is so miserable..."
Zhouzhou’s sudden outburst made Grandma Qin freeze. It was as though she was seeing the same dramatic tears and acting she’d often used herself. She let out an exasperated sigh, half-laughing and half-crying. "You’re such a drama queen!"
Zhouzhou exaggerated her reaction, feigning pain. "Ouch, that hurt, Grandma!"
Grandma Qin chuckled despite herself, her fingers gently caressing Zhouzhou’s face. "Does it still hurt?"
"No, it doesn’t," Zhouzhou said with a mischievous grin, throwing her arms around Grandma Qin. She leaned her head on Grandma Qin’s shoulder and whispered, "Grandma, why are you so upset? What’s really bothering you?"
As Grandma Qin settled down on the couch, her expression shifted to something more serious. "Zhouzhou, where have you been these past few days? And why do you keep disappearing every now and then?"
Her tone was heavy with suspicion. "Stop trying to trick me! If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll really go through with this divorce!"
Zhouzhou looked at her grandfather, and though she could sense that he’d probably figured things out, he hadn’t said anything. He was always the quiet type, only observing, never asking too many questions. But now, with Grandma Qin pressing her, she had no choice but to respond.
"I’m sorry, Grandma," she said, trying to sound calm. "Please give me a moment. I need to make a quick call."
With that, Zhouzhou hurriedly left the room.
She knew she couldn’t keep her secret from Grandma Qin forever, especially since the older woman had suspected something for years. But revealing the truth was complicated. This wasn’t the sort of thing you could just explain in a casual conversation.
Zhouzhou quickly dialed Zhao Xinghua’s number, seeking his advice.
A few minutes later, she returned and approached Grandma Qin.
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"Grandma, Grandpa, let’s go to the study," Zhouzhou said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "It’s time for you to know the truth."
Grandma Qin looked puzzled but nodded, following her into the study. Grandpa Qin and Qin Lie trailed behind them.
Before entering, Zhouzhou quickly placed a Sound-Proof Talisman on the door, ensuring their conversation would remain private.
"I have some documents for you to sign," Zhouzhou said, producing two sheets of paper and walking over to her grandparents.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I need you to sign a confidentiality agreement first," she said.
The tension in the air was thick as they prepared to finally confront the truth.