During the filming of "Ancient Records of Strange Events," Zhu Zhu heard a piece of news.
Qin Yuerong and Zhong Peihan were rumored to be a couple.
The news was deliberately fed to her by someone, likely expecting her to react. However, their expectations were disappointed; Zhu Zhu showed no expression and went about her business as usual.
Not only those who intentionally stirred up trouble, but even Zhou Lu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the news.
Because she remembered something.
She wanted to say it, but seeing how genuinely indifferent Zhu Zhu seemed, speaking out might be counterproductive. So, she kept it to herself.
This secret was held until the end of the year.
"Ancient Records of Strange Events" had been filming for nearly half a year, and most of the shooting was completed. What remained was post-production, which required nothing from Zhong Yan, the lead actor, nor from Zhu Zhu, the director. The two happily went home for the New Year.
On the eve of New Year's Eve, Zhong Yan received a call from his maternal uncle.
His gambling-addicted mother had returned home and had angered the elderly grandmother into hospitalization. With the New Year approaching, they didn't know how to handle the situation, especially concerning Zhong Yan's mother. Thus, they called him.
Hearing news of her again, Zhong Yan didn't display any fear, dread, or other emotions. He was more composed than he had imagined.
"Which hospital is Grandma in? I'll book a ticket back today."
"No need, your Grandma is fine. It's your mother. Your Grandma told her not to look for you, and she said she couldn't find you, couldn't see you. What's going on?"
Zhong Yan certainly didn't know.
In fact, this was the first time in many years he had heard any news of that woman.
He suspected it was Zhu Zhu.
"I don't live in the old place anymore, and we haven't been in touch for years. Maybe she couldn't find me. I'll handle my mother. Uncle, if Grandma's health deteriorates, you must tell me." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Don't worry, she's fine, just upset."
After confirming multiple times that his grandmother was indeed alright, Zhong Yan hung up the phone with peace of mind.
Zhu Zhu was on the phone with Yao Chong, discussing their family's travel plans after the New Year.
Seeing Zhong Yan's expression turn grim after taking a call, she quickly ended her own call and asked, "What's wrong?"
"My mother returned to our hometown," Zhong Yan said. "My uncle called saying she angered my grandmother into the hospital."
Zhu Zhu's first concern was for the elderly woman: "Is Grandma's health alright?"
"My uncle said she's fine."
"That's good."
Zhong Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "He said my mother came looking for me but couldn't find me."
Zhu Zhu didn't react immediately: "She came looking for you?"
Zhong Yan looked at her calmly. Zhu Zhu finally understood and said, "If I had really seen her, I certainly wouldn't have let her go back to disturb Grandma. It wasn't me."
Perhaps it was the main network again.
He was truly too idle.
Zhong Yan didn't think she needed to lie to him, so he didn't ask further, merely sitting on the sofa with a troubled look.
"Do you need my help?"
"Help me collect evidence of her abandonment of me when I was underage and her continuous gambling. I'll handle the rest myself."
He didn't want Zhu Zhu to meet that woman.
It wouldn't be a pleasant experience.
Zhu Zhu complied, "Okay."
Yao Chong's family travel dream was temporarily shattered. Zhu Zhu quickly gathered the evidence he needed. After spending the fifth day of the New Year at home, they returned to the Liang family.
After paying their respects, as soon as the police station resumed operations, he took his mother there to clarify their responsibilities and obligations.
His mother had failed to fulfill her maternal duties back then, neglecting him for several years. Furthermore, she had not yet reached the legal retirement age, was not incapacitated, had no mental illnesses affecting her ability to work, and had not reached a point where her children were obligated to support her.
The outcome of this "lawsuit" was a foregone conclusion. Due to various failings, Zhong Yan's mother had not fulfilled her obligations as a mother. Zhong Yan was not required to provide her with financial support at that moment, but he was to give her 1,500 yuan per month for living expenses starting when she turned sixty, until her death.
Upon leaving the courthouse, his mother furiously threatened to hit him. Zhong Yan grabbed her, staring intently at her. The fear in her eyes made her lower her hand first.
Zhong Yan looked at the woman before him, feeling no sadness or any other emotion. He calmly said, "I heard you were looking for me, wanting money? Now our rights and obligations are clearly defined. In 19 years, when you turn sixty, I will pay you monthly support. Alternatively, you can become disabled prematurely and lose your ability to work. Don't think about faking mental illness; I will genuinely send you to a psychiatric hospital."
His mother was so angry she wanted to rush forward and bite him.
"Don't even think about sabotaging my career. If I can't become a star, I won't do anything else and will just live like a parasite. Then, your 1,500 will be gone too."
Mother Zhong: "..."
"I'm leaving now. Live well, don't gamble anymore. If you truly want to become disabled prematurely, then forget I said anything."
Mother Zhong had a severe gambling addiction. Sometimes, when she lost her mind at the casino, she gambled excessively, which was why she had lost their house.
Zhong Yan was not obligated to pay her gambling debts, so if she incurred more debt, her limbs could genuinely be broken.
Then she would start receiving her "pension" early.
Zhong Yan didn't particularly care.
He got into the car, and Zhu Zhu sat quietly in the passenger seat.
"Are you alright?"
"It's all resolved," Zhong Yan shook his head.
"Are you feeling sad?"
"No." He even smiled, "I thought I might hate her, but after seeing her, I felt nothing. It was as if she were just an insignificant stranger."
This feeling was quite peculiar.
Zhu Zhu understood the reason for his reaction and breathed a sigh of relief.
The influence of the original Zhong Yan was diminishing, and it would likely disappear soon, leaving behind the true Zhong Yan.
At that point, he would probably discover the anomalies within himself.
"This is for the best. Let's go home."
"Okay."
The two visited the elderly grandmother. Seeing Zhong Yan, the illness caused by his mother's anger immediately improved by more than half. Upon hearing that their matters had been resolved, she was completely relieved.
They stayed with her for a day, and the next day, they returned home.