RPAGF Chapter 440 The Truth
Chapter 440 The Truth
Qin Fang quickly stood up and bowed somewhat awkwardly, "What brings you two here?"
Seeing his expression, Chu Ruohan already understood seven or eight parts of the situation, but her face remained gentle: "No need for formalities. Yue Shu and I went out of the city on business today and happened to pass by this place. We heard that you were taking care of an elder here, so we came to visit you."
Hearing the noise, the old woman on the bed also struggled to get up.
Seeing this, Chu Yueshu quickly stepped forward and gently pressed her down: "Grandma, you are ill, please lie down and don't move."
Only then did the old woman clearly see Ruohan and Chu Yueshu's appearance and demeanor, which were not those of ordinary people. When she heard Qin Fang address them as "Madam" and "Second Miss," she began to suspect something and looked at Qin Fang with some unease.
Chu Ruohan walked to the bedside and said softly to the old woman, "Grandma, please rest well. We are Qin Fang's family. We apologize for our intrusion in coming today."
Upon hearing this, the old woman's eyes welled up with tears. She took Chu Ruohan's hand, her voice choked with emotion, "No, it's not my fault. Madam is a good person. Our Fang'er is so lucky to have a master like you."
As she spoke, she turned to Qin Fang, a hint of reproach in her voice, "Fang'er, why didn't you tell me sooner that Madam and the Second Miss were here?"
Qin Fang lowered his head, his face filled with shame: "Grandma, I..."
“It’s alright,” Chu Ruohan interrupted him, turning to the old woman and asking with concern, “Grandma, what’s wrong with you…”
The old woman sighed, tears streaming down her cheeks: "It's all old ailments. If it weren't for Fang'er taking such good care of this old woman all these years, I'm afraid I would have died long ago."
She held Chu Ruohan's hand tightly, her voice filled with endless gratitude and sorrow, "Madam, you don't know, Fang'er has a hard life, but he is honest and kind-hearted, one of the best children in the world!"
The old woman was emotional and recounted the whole story in fits and starts.
It turns out that she was not Qin Fang's relative, but his betrothed mother-in-law.
Back then, she and Qin Fang's mother, who was also Chu Ruohan's wet nurse, were close friends when they were young. They were even pregnant at the same time, so they arranged for their children to become in-laws.
Later, in order to make a living for her family, the wet nurse became a wet nurse herself.
After she gave birth to her daughter, her husband went fishing in the river that year and was swept away by the current. He cried so much that he became weak and sickly.
Her daughter, who was also Qin Fang's fiancée, had tragically passed away several years ago due to a sudden illness.
Before his fiancée passed away, her biggest worry was her own frail and sickly mother.
Qin Fang kept his promise. After his fiancée passed away, he took his mother-in-law into his life and cared for her like his own mother for many years without ever uttering a single complaint.
He spent almost all his savings to treat his mother-in-law's illness, and he lived frugally on his own.
Qin Fang's mother also supported him in doing so, and when the wet nurse was alive, she would occasionally come to visit her...
Chu Ruohan and Chu Yueshu listened quietly, both with moved expressions on their faces.
They originally thought Qin Fang had some unspeakable private matter or was being dragged down by someone in his family, but they never expected that it was such a poignant and admirable past.
Chu Yueshu's eyes were slightly red as she said softly, "Qin Fang, your loyalty is truly admirable."
Qin Fang gave a bitter smile and said in a low voice, "You flatter me, Miss."
“She… I grew up with her, and it’s only right that I do these things for her mother.”
He looked at the old woman on the bed, his eyes gentle yet firm, "As long as Grandma is alive, I will take care of her every day."
Chu Ruohan's admiration for Qin Fang's character grew stronger, and she finally understood why he had previously refused the marriage proposal on the grounds of being "busy with trivial matters."
Such a loyal and affectionate person is indeed rare.
In the past few days, Yu Ling had not been completely unaware of what was happening in the mansion.
The maids and servants would inevitably gossip about the managers of the various shops in private.
Because of his dignified appearance, steady demeanor, and unmarried status, Qin Fang was naturally a frequent topic of conversation.
After Chu Ruohan inquired about Qin Fang that day, a quick-tongued maid told her about it as an interesting anecdote to acquaintances. Over time, some scattered rumors about Qin Fang began to circulate.
Some say he has high standards and looks down on ordinary women; others say he has family difficulties that make it inconvenient for him to start a family.
Today, while Yuling was helping to sort the newly delivered fabrics in the laundry room, she overheard several maids in charge of purchasing whispering together.
"Have you heard? It seems like there's some progress on Manager Qin's matter."
"What's wrong? Tell me quickly!"
"I heard it from others, that Manager Qin isn't picky, nor does he have any brothers or sisters to help him out, but rather..."
"It seems she's been taking care of an elder relative of an old friend. I heard she's an elderly woman and isn't in good health!"
"Huh? Really? Doesn't that mean he's having a very hard time?"
"Who can disagree! He's usually so meticulous, I never expected him to have such a sentimental side. If that's true, then he's a truly rare and good person."
Upon hearing these words, Yu Ling paused slightly in her movements.
She recalled the fleeting melancholy in Qin Fang's eyes when he mentioned being "burdened with trivial matters" that day in the flower hall, and the slightly desolate figure of his departing back.
It turns out he had such a hidden story.
A strange emotion welled up inside her—sympathy, admiration, and a strange feeling that she couldn't quite explain.
She felt that Qin Fang, who was usually taciturn, suddenly seemed much more vivid and imposing.
After returning from Fengle Lane, Chu Ruohan made a decision.
She summoned Yuling to her room and dismissed everyone else.
“Yu Ling,” Chu Ruohan said gently, looking at the maid who had been by her side since childhood, “I would like to talk to you in detail about Qin Fang.”
Yu Ling's heart tightened, she lowered her head and said softly, "Please speak, Madam."
Chu Ruohan then told Yuling everything she had seen and heard in Fengle Lane that day, as well as what the old woman had said about Qin Fang's past.
She didn't hide anything or embellish anything; she simply stated the facts calmly.
Yu Ling listened quietly, her hands tightly twisting the hem of her clothes. Her face turned from white to red, then from red to white, and her eyes gradually filled with tears.
She never imagined that Qin Fang would carry such feelings and responsibilities.
"...That's how it is." After Chu Ruohan finished speaking, she looked at Yu Ling. "I trust Qin Fang's character. He is loyal and righteous, and a person I can entrust with my life."
"But he still has his mother-in-law to take care of, which is both a responsibility and a burden for him."
Chu Ruohan took Yu Ling's hand and said, "You're not young anymore. I was thinking of finding you an honest and reliable person, and that's how I came to like Qin Fang. But who knew?"