Lin Xinyuan grew more and more dazed as she listened.
In truth, she had only ever known a rough outline of what had happened to her mom back then.
This was the first time she learned that her mom once had such a close friend.
After all, she had never heard her mom mention it before.
But thinking about it, it made sense. What happened back then had dealt her mom such a heavy blow.
It wasn’t unreasonable that she had shut herself off emotionally for a time.
Even now, although it seemed she had gradually come out of it, there were still many things she didn’t want to revisit, let alone talk about.
After hearing Xu Ou’s full account, Lin Xinyuan suddenly felt a deep ache for her mom.
To be honest…
All this time, she had more or less harbored some unexplainable resentment toward her mom.
Even though they had talked before and her mom had mentioned what happened back then, Lin Xinyuan wasn’t the one who went through it, so she couldn’t truly put herself in her mom’s place.
Besides, her mom hadn’t complained much at the time—she had mostly just stated the facts.
So although Lin Xinyuan had forgiven her and felt upset and indignant over what she had suffered, there was still a small knot in her heart.
After all, the cold treatment she had endured over the years was real.
But now, hearing Ou-jie—her mom’s old friend—describe everything, she was able to see things from a different perspective.
She could finally place herself in that situation, and she couldn’t help but feel a trace of heartache.
Back then, maybe her mom stayed simply because she was just trying to get by…
If it had been her, she might not have been able to endure it at all.
“How is your mom doing now… is she living well?”
Xu Ou’s emotions were complicated. Looking at the girl, her thoughts drifted back to half a year ago—to that poorly dressed little girl.
She didn’t know why her friend had suddenly had a daughter, but she figured maybe her memory was off, or perhaps there had been twins back then.
No matter what, there was no point thinking about it now. All she knew was that the girl was Tang Xin’s child, and that was enough.
Recalling the girl’s situation half a year ago, Xu Ou could guess that Tang Xin hadn’t treated her well at the time.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been wearing boys’ clothes like that.
Fortunately, judging from the present—and from their previous chats online—it seemed Tang Xin had slowly come out of it.
At the very least, she was no longer so harsh toward the child.
Even so, Xu Ou still felt a sense of guilt toward the girl on Tang Xin’s behalf.
No matter what, the past was the past. Since the child was a good kid, the sins of the previous generation shouldn’t be placed on her.
Now that Lin Xinyuan knew about Xu Ou’s relationship with her mom, she didn’t hide anything.
“Yes… my mom went back. She’s working in the town now.”
“That’s good…”
Hearing this, Xu Ou smiled—a smile of relief that her friend had finally stepped out of the darkness and embraced life again.
Even if it had taken far too long, and had nearly harmed an innocent child, at least the outcome now was good.
“Oh, right… what about those people? How are they doing?”
As if remembering something, Xu Ou’s expression darkened.
Back then, she had looked into things and even visited Tang Xin. She had also seen the Lin family—her impression of them had been terrible.
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan hesitated, but still briefly explained the situation.
Especially how that man had fallen out with his siblings over their grandfather’s debt, how her grandmother had passed away, and how after divorcing her mom half a year ago, the division of property—particularly the house in the county—had left him still burdened with significant debt.
A cold smile appeared on Xu Ou’s face.
“They got off easy,” she snorted. “And that old woman deserved it. She should’ve been gone long ago.”
As soon as she said it, she came back to her senses—and saw the girl’s suddenly downcast expression.
Only then did she realize she had said the wrong thing.
“…Xinyuan…”
“It’s okay… Ou-jie, I understand…”
Lin Xinyuan’s emotions were hard to describe, her voice low.
She should have known. Back then, when that man did those things to her mom, how could the elder possibly not have known?
It was just that she hadn’t wanted to think about it. She didn’t want to admit that the grandmother who had always treated her well could be that kind of person.
People… are ultimately selfish. She could understand that, but she didn’t want to accept such an ugly truth. She had never dared to think deeply about it.
But today, Xu Ou’s words completely exposed another side of her grandmother, forcing her to face reality.
For a moment, the girl fell silent. She didn’t even know what stance she should take.
Now, when she thought about how her grandmother might have condoned—or even possibly instigated—those actions, Lin Xinyuan felt like something inside her had been lost.
And yet, her grandmother’s kindness toward her in her memories was undeniable.
Even when that man and her mom had been indifferent toward her, even neglectful…
Her grandmother had always treated her gently. That sincerity and affection couldn’t have been faked. She couldn’t deny it.
On one side was her mother—someone she could now understand, but who had indeed treated her poorly in the past.
On the other side was her grandmother—someone whose actions she couldn’t accept, yet who had genuinely cared for her.
People say to judge actions, not intentions—but why did it hurt so much? Why was she hesitating?
Lin Xinyuan… you’re so useless…
At that moment, her expression was dazed. Tears had unknowingly gathered at the corners of her eyes.
She didn’t know who she was crying for, nor how she should feel.
Seeing Lin Xinyuan like this, Xu Ou wished she could slap herself.
How could she not understand what was going on?
In the girl’s heart, her grandmother must have held a very important place.
And now, learning that this important person was seen by others as someone evil, the beautiful image she had held shattered completely. Of course it would be a heavy blow.
But Xu Ou also knew that words wouldn’t help much now. The girl would have to work through it herself.
So she stepped forward and gently pulled the small girl into her arms, softly patting her thin back in silent comfort.
Lin Xinyuan didn’t resist. She simply closed her eyes quietly, her thoughts tangled like a mess.
After a long while, she sniffed softly and spoke.
“I’m sorry… Ou-jie… I just… can’t accept it…” Her eyes were already filled with tears as she murmured, “How could it be like this… why…”
Xu Ou lifted the girl’s tear-streaked face, looking at her features—so similar to Tang Xin’s, yet much younger—and spoke gently:
“You don’t have to force yourself… after all, to you, it was real. As long as you understand that, it’s enough.”
“There’s no need to dwell on it. Just like with your mom—follow your heart.”
As she spoke, she took out a pack of tissues from somewhere and gently wiped the girl’s tears.
Only then did Lin Xinyuan realize she had actually cried.
Lin Xinyuan… how did you become like this… You used to be a boy, and now you’re crying like this?
And even having an elder wipe your tears…
How embarrassing…
She felt a mix of shame and frustration, but she didn’t resist. She just nodded awkwardly, lowering her gaze.
Just as Ou-jie had said, no matter how others saw her grandmother, the fact remained that the old woman had treated her well. That was undeniable.
Everything had to be viewed from different angles.
Thinking this, although Lin Xinyuan still felt a bit down and unwilling, and her image of her grandmother had been shattered, she didn’t feel hatred.
After all, she had been the one who benefited from that kindness. What right did she have to judge?
Perhaps it was best to let her grandmother remain forever in her memories.
As long as she remembered that, in that dark childhood, there had been an old woman who treated her gently…
Just like her mother now, and those elders around her…
That was enough.