Chapter 12 Parents Return to Their Homeland

When they arrived home, Jiang Zao didn't notice anything unusual until Zhou Li Chuan took her hand and led her to the door of an empty room.

Jiang Zao asked suspiciously, "Wasn't this room supposed to be your study?"

Zhou Li Chuan patted her hand. "Open it and see for yourself."

She gently pushed open the door, and what she saw inside left her speechless.

In the clean, tidy center of the room stood a tall easel, holding a stretched canvas. On the nearby shelves, all sorts of oil paints were neatly arranged, along with brushes of various sizes, palettes, and turpentine.

Plaster models and assorted objects sat on display racks against the wall, while a collection of professional books lined the shelves.

At dusk, the warm golden sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shining directly onto the canvas and filling the whole studio with a gentle warmth.

"This... Is this for me?"

Jiang Zao asked Zhou Li Chuan in disbelief.

Standing at the doorway, Zhou Li Chuan replied, "Yes. I can't see, so I don't know how well Hui and Du Bin prepared things, but everything was bought top quality. If you're not comfortable with anything, Du Bin can take you to pick out whatever you like."

Jiang Zao was overwhelmed. "No, no, it's wonderful as it is. I love it! I really do! I want to go in and take a look..."

"Go ahead, it's all for you, feel free to use it," Zhou Li Chuan said.

Jiang Zao rushed forward and gently touched the blank canvas on the easel. It was a double-sized linen oil canvas, and as she felt its familiar texture, her heart swelled, tangled with emotion, and tears streamed from her eyes.

"Are you crying?"

Zhou Li Chuan heard her sobbing and hurried forward, wanting to comfort her.

Jiang Zao wiped her tears. "No—I'm just so happy. You know, no one has ever cared so much about my interests. You must've remembered me mentioning wanting to paint a few days ago and prepared all this."

Zhou Li Chuan followed her voice and softly comforted her, "You've helped me so much along the way. This is just a studio—compared to what you've done for me, it's nothing."

Jiang Zao shook her head. "No, it's different. I know you care about me."

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and hugged Zhou Li Chuan's strong waist. "Zhou Li Chuan... Thank you. I really, really love it. Thank you for keeping my words in your heart."

Zhou Li Chuan bent down to embrace her. "As long as you like it, my efforts weren't wasted."

Jiang Zao leaned her head against Zhou Li Chuan's chest. "Not wasted at all, not in the slightest."

"Ahem."

Du Bin cleared his throat at the door, prompting the two inside to reluctantly let go of each other.

"What is it?" Zhou Li Chuan's expression darkened. Du Bin had better have a reason, or he could forget about his bonus this month.

Du Bin felt a chill for no reason. "Um... I just got a call from abroad. The old master and madam will arrive at the airport tomorrow morning."

"My parents are coming back?"

"Yes. The young master is coming too. He’s reportedly been invited back by the Central Medical Academy as a professor."

"Young master?" Jiang Zao asked, confused. "Is he your cousin?"

Zhou Li Chuan nodded. "Yes. My uncle's son. He's a remarkable doctor—you'll meet him tomorrow."

Jiang Zao cautiously confirmed, "Am I going with you tomorrow?"

Zhou Li Chuan stroked her hair. "What’s wrong? Are you thinking of skipping work?"

Jiang Zao grumbled, "You don’t even pay me. Skipping work isn’t illegal."

"Du Bin, tomorrow go to HR and put Jiang Zao’s name down as executive assistant. Thirty thousand a month. Her documents are back; take care of everything and bring them to her."

Du Bin responded enthusiastically, "Got it, boss."

Jiang Zao beamed, "Thank you, boss!"

Zhou Li Chuan patted her head. "Come, let’s eat."

...

The next morning, Zhou Li Chuan, Jiang Zao, and Du Bin waited in the VIP corridor at the airport for the flight from country M to land.

The timing of Zhou Li Chuan's parents' return was perfect. He’d settled all company matters, and finally, there were no distractions—he could spend time with his parents without other concerns.

Soon, a group entered their line of sight.

A tall man in a long trench coat pushed a luggage cart, flanked by a middle-aged couple whose dignified bearing and upright posture radiated aristocratic grace even from afar.

This was Zhou family's former head—Zhou Huai.

Zhou Huai’s heart had never been strong, and in recent years, he was rarely without his medication. At the start of the year, they'd heard a professor in country M might help, so he and his wife went abroad for treatment. It had already been over half a year.

From a distance, Jiang Zao felt awe rising within her. The woman beside him was equally impressive—elegant, noble, and somewhat resembling Zhou Li Chuan. Dressed in a beige coat, she exuded warmth and grandeur.

As they came closer, Shen Xiao Nan saw her son sitting in a wheelchair and rushed to his side, dropping her bag to grab his arm. "Xiao Chuan, what happened? Why are you in a wheelchair? What’s wrong with your eyes? What happened? Tell me, did someone bully you? How did you end up like this?"

She was nearly in tears.

Zhou Huai frowned and comforted her, "Don’t cry yet. Let’s talk at home—this isn’t the place."

Shen Xiao Nan wiped her eyes and nodded quickly. "Alright."

The group returned to the Zhou family’s old residence, which was not far from the villa where Zhou Li Chuan had previously lived. As they drove along that road, Jiang Zao nervously grasped Zhou Li Chuan’s sleeve.

Sensing her anxiety, Zhou Li Chuan reached out to hold her hand, offering reassurance.

Their subtle gestures did not escape the elders' notice, and the atmosphere inside the family car grew awkward.

At home, Jiang Zao had just wheeled Zhou Li Chuan into the living room when Shen Xiao Nan sat on the sofa, repeatedly checking her son's condition.

Zhou Li Chuan stood up to explain, "Mom, my legs are fine. I’m only in the wheelchair because my eyes make it inconvenient, so I don’t trouble others."

Shen Xiao Nan asked urgently, "What happened to your eyes? Was it illness or an accident? Where is Lin Rui? He was always with you—is he not taking good care of you?"

At the mention of Lin Rui, Zhou Li Chuan's expression shifted. "Mom, sit down first. Dad, you too. Let me explain slowly."

Once everyone was settled, Zhou Li Chuan recounted his ordeal—being attacked, monitored and controlled, escaping with Jiang Zao’s help, and bringing Lin Rui to justice.

Shen Xiao Nan listened, tears streaming in distress for her child.

Jiang Zao handed her tissues in time, but nothing could ease a mother's pain.

Having heard everything, Zhou Huai's expression grew grave. He had spent decades navigating the business world, seen countless ups and downs, and his thoughts were far more comprehensive than most.

"This time, Zhou Kuan got away scot-free?"

Zhou Li Chuan nodded. "Yes. There’s no direct evidence linking him, and neither Lin Rui nor Jiang Jing Yuan implicated him. He must have prepared a backup plan."

Zhou Huai pondered aloud, "Jiang Jing Yuan has a wife and child—easy to control. Lin Rui is an orphan; for him to take the fall for Zhou Kuan, either Zhou Kuan promised him something, or Lin Rui truly hates you and the Zhou family so much that he’d rather go to prison himself and leave someone behind to keep targeting you."