“Chen, are you still upset with me?” Bai Hua asked again.
“Nope,” Nan Chen answered simply.
Bai Hua tried to carry on the conversation, but the awkwardness was too energy-draining.
“Why are you not asking about our life in Tokyo? You dad and I have been away from the country for so many years, shouldn’t you show some concern for our situation abroad?” There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Bai Hua’s voice.
Nan Chen kept quiet.
It was not true that he was not interested in their well-being at all. He had sent people to check out his parents’ situation a few times and got confirmation that they were living comfortably in Tokyo.
However, he did not feel a need to explain himself.
When Bai Hua realized her son was not interested in conversing with her, she stopped talking and looked out of the window.
Flower City had changed a lot over these years when she wasn’t around. Many places looked entirely different from the time when she had left.
Nanshi Corporation’s logo could be seen everywhere, which signified the corporation’s unshakable position in the city.
A wave of depression suddenly hit Bai Hua, as she noted that she was already an outsider to all these. She was no longer a part of the Nanshi Corporation’s success.
The woman was not resigned to her fate.
Since she was back to the country now, she had to do something to recover what she had lost a few years ago.
Even though it would not be an easy feat, she was determined to try.
Silence ensued in the car all the way until they reached their destination.
Bai Hua noticed that they were not at the Nan family’s Commoner Residence.
“Where’s this place?” She asked.
“You’ll be staying here temporarily,” Nan Chen answered.
When Bai Hua got out of the car, she saw the sign on the building with the words ‘Red Star Nursing Home’.
“What? You want me to stay in a nursing home?” Bai Hua shrieked.
“Yup, you’re only back here for treatment. I’ve already arranged for the best medical team to have the first consultation with you tomorrow,” Nan Chen answered.
“Even if I can’t stay at the Nan residence, you should have at least arranged for me to stay at a hotel. Why should I stay at this place which is in the middle of nowhere?”
Bai Hua felt that this was an insult to her, and her eyes reddened in frustration.
“It’s not possible for you to stay in a hotel.”
“Why? I don’t even have the right to stay in a hotel anymore? Is it a crime for me to spend my own money to stay in a hotel?” Bai Hua yelled.
“You can’t do that.”
“Why? Are you oppressing me?”
“There will be a lot of people in the hotel. We can’t guarantee that no one would recognize you. This place is quiet and well-equipped. It’s more suitable for you to rest and nurse your illness,” Nan Chen said indifferently.
“I’m not staying here! I don’t want to stay in such a place! I don’t consent to this!” Bai Hua screamed.
“Grandpa has only allowed you to come back because I have promised him that I’ll make sure no one knows about it. If you’re not willing to cooperate and someone finds out about it, you will be sent away immediately. And if that happens, it would be even more difficult for you to return again. So, I hope you understand the situation you’re in and calm down. Just stay here for the time being and focus on your recovery. That’s the most important thing right now.”
After hearing what Nan Chen said, Bai Hua stopped kicking up a fuss.
The woman knew that she had committed a heinous act which had almost annihilated the Nan family from Flower City.
She only regained her composure after Nan Chen’s reminder.
“Ok then, I’ll just stay here for now.”
The nursing home wasn’t bad at all. It might even be better than the average hotel.
There were activity spaces, a library, as well as areas designated for therapy purposes; it was very well-equipped indeed.
“Get some rest first. I’ve engaged a private chef to serve you. If there’s anything you feel like eating, just let him know directly. He is pretty well-versed in Japanese cuisine,” Nan Chen said.
“I would prefer Chinese cuisine actually. I’m already sick of Japanese food after staying in Japan for so long.”
“You can order that too. Just let me know if there’s any specific food you would like to have. If this chef doesn’t know how to prepare it, I can get someone else to make it for you. You just have to promise me that you will stay within the compounds of the nursing home and not go anywhere else.”
Bai Hua, who had already calmed down, started to get agitated again. “Are you putting me under house arrest now? Am I a criminal? How can you treat me like that? Do you even still remember that I’m your mom?”
“Of course I remember, otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“If you know I’m your mom, why are you confining me?”
“You should know very well that you will land Nanshi Corporation in trouble if others know of your return. Grandpa has promised everyone that you and dad will never appear in Flower City again!”
“It has already been so many years. Besides, Nanshi Corporation is doing so well now. Why can’t people forgive us? We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. Do you mean that your dad and I are the only people who had committed wrongdoings? Everyone else are saints?”
Even though Bai Hua was shouting at Nan Chen, the man remained expressionless. He did not display any signs of emotion.
“But that was not the first time you’ve done something wrong. Grandpa did give you a second chance, but not only did you not learn from your mistake, but you’ve also even gotten worse. Your misconduct had almost destroyed the entire family. Let’s not even go into that. Anyway, I’ve promised Grandpa that no one would know of your return. So, I really need your help to stay out of trouble. This is the best course of action for all parties,” Nan Chen said.
Nan Chen turned to leave as he had an important meeting to attend.
“Chen, are you really not staying to have dinner with me?” Bai Hua was still not giving up.
“I’ll come by when I’m free. Rest well here, just let them know if there’s anything you need.”
Nan Chen left in large strides after finishing his sentence.
Qiao Zhan was already waiting at the gate. After Nan Chen got into the car, he instructed Qiao Zhan, “Get two men to keep a lookout. Make sure no one enters or leaves this place.”
“Young Master Chen, I’m afraid it may not be a good idea, Madam… “
“Just do as I say.”
“Ok, I understand,” Qiao Zhan replied.
Bai Hua took out her phone and made a call once her son left.
“Aunt, are you back already?” Ouyang Qing’s voice sounded on the other side of the phone.
“That’s right, Ms. Ouyang. I’ve arrived not too long ago. I thought I should inform you and also thank you for your help.”
“Aunt, please stop addressing me as Ms. Ouyang, I’ll feel like you’re regarding me as an outsider. I’ve already said you can call me Qing, that’s what my family calls me too,” Ouyang Qing said.
“Sure then, I’ll call you Qing from now onward.”
“That’s so much better. Aunt, where are you staying at now? Did Chen pick you up?” Ouyang Qing asked.
“Yup, he came to pick me up. He wanted to stay for dinner but I told him to go back to work as I am too tired from travelling and have a weak appetite.”
“I knew Chen is the most filial son. Aunt, are you staying with the Nan family now?”
“Errr, nope. Nan Chen did ask me to stay at the Nan residence, but I felt that it would be too noisy with so many people living together, so I requested to stay at a nursing home instead. I’m staying at the Red Star Nursing Home now.”
“Oh! I’ve heard of that place. It’s one of the best nursing homes in the city. Aunt, you made a good choice. I’ll come and visit you now. It’s been quite some time since we last met and I miss you so much, Aunt.”
Bai Hua was elated to know that she was missed and that there was someone who was excited at her return.
“Sounds great! Aunt will be waiting for you then. Let’s have a nice chat.”
“When will Chen be going there?” That was the only thing Ouyang Qing was concerned about.
“Oh, maybe a bit later. He seemed to be quite busy today.”
“I see. Aunt, my dad’s calling me. Let me answer his call first. If he needs me around, I may go over a bit later yeah?”
“Sure, no problem. I’ll just rest for a while first.”
