Second Chance Chapter 2144

“Feng’er, where did you see my mother?” Wang Zhi leaned forward, eagerly asking Mao Haifeng.
At this moment, Wang Zhi’s address for Mao Haifeng had shifted from Haifeng to Feng’er, the affection in his tone unmistakable.
The change in address alone showed how pleased Wang Zhi was with the earth-shattering news Mao Haifeng brought.
Though he couldn’t be absolutely certain the news was true, he already believed it seven or eight parts out of ten.
Now, he pressed Mao Haifeng for details to further confirm the news’ authenticity.
“Yes, Nephew Haifeng, since you saw the king’s mother, why didn’t you bring the old lady back to reunite with the king?” Xue Tao, spotting a flaw, quickly followed up.
You say you saw the king’s mother, so why didn’t you bring her back?! That would be a tremendous merit! Any pirate who saw the king’s mother would surely bring her to the king for a reward!
So, Haifeng, why didn’t you bring her? You wouldn’t want to keep the king from reuniting with his mother, would you?!
There’s only one answer!
You’re lying?!
Xue Tao felt his mind was razor-sharp, his logic impeccable, his reasoning airtight!
“I saw Grandmother in front of Zhu Ping’an’s camp,” Mao Haifeng replied.
“What?! You saw the old lady in front of Zhu Ping’an’s camp?” Xue Tao exclaimed, unable to hide his shock.
“In front of Zhu Ping’an’s camp?!” Wang Zhi froze.
Mao Haifeng said he saw her in front of Zhu Ping’an’s camp, and both Xue Tao and Wang Zhi knew exactly what that meant.
It meant Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and child were in Zhu Ping’an’s hands.
Of course.
That explains it. Mao Haifeng and Da You Zhenchuan had nearly twice Zhu Ping’an’s forces, and their pirates were battle-hardened veterans, while Zhu Ping’an’s Zhejiang army was mostly farmers recruited just months ago.
With such an advantage, Mao Haifeng and Da You Zhenchuan still suffered a crushing defeat to Zhu Ping’an. It must be because Zhu Ping’an held Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and child, forcing Mao Haifeng and Da You Zhenchuan to hold back, allowing Zhu Ping’an to seize the opportunity!
“Brother Haifeng, disregarding his own safety, met Zhu Ping’an at the wooden bridge in front of the camp, bringing only three attendants to see the old lady,” Da You Zhenchuan added timely, emphasising Mao Haifeng’s bravery in risking his life to meet her.
It was like Guan Gong attending a meeting alone with his blade.
“Feng’er, you did well,” Wang Zhi said approvingly, nodding at Mao Haifeng.
Hearing that Mao Haifeng, risking his life with only three attendants, went to the wooden bridge in front of Zhu Ping’an’s camp to meet his mother and confirm her identity, Wang Zhi was deeply impressed.
“You say you saw her, but we can’t just go to Zhu Ping’an’s camp to verify if you’re lying. How can you prove it?” Xue Tao, still unwilling to accept reality, clung to the possibility that Mao Haifeng was lying, making one last effort.
“Oh, thank you for the reminder, Uncle Xue,” Mao Haifeng suddenly smiled, clasping his fists in gratitude.
“Huh?” Xue Tao was stunned, looking at Mao Haifeng in confusion. What’s that supposed to mean? I’m questioning you, and you thank me? What are you up to?
“Adoptive father, Zhu Ping’an gave me letters from Grandmother and Mother to pass to you. Also, Mother had Zhu Ping’an retrieve a keepsake from the ancestral hall back home, and Zhu Ping’an asked me to bring it to you as well,” Mao Haifeng said, reaching into his robe, pulling out two letters and a small golden figurine, and handing them to Wang Zhi with both hands.
Upon seeing the small golden figurine, Wang Zhi’s face lit up with excitement. He snatched it, rubbing it emotionally, his eyes welling up with tears, glints of moisture shimmering at their corners.
This small golden figurine was a secret between him and his mother. Seeing it, he was absolutely certain Mao Haifeng’s words were true.
His mother was alive, truly alive.
One of life’s greatest regrets is wanting to care for a parent only to find them gone. Until today, this regret had tormented him. Now, he could cast it aside. His mother was alive, wonderful! He had made his fortune and could now properly care for her.
Seeing Wang Zhi’s emotional reaction to the figurine, Xue Tao’s heart sank completely. It seemed Mao Haifeng wasn’t lying, the Pirate King’s mother was indeed alive.
Damn it!
No!
Not that the king’s mother should be dead, but damn Mao Haifeng! Why, why did he get to deliver this monumental news?
If only it had been me!
“Old Xue, Feng’er, what do you think this is made of?” Wang Zhi, lost in memories, asked Xue Tao and Mao Haifeng.
“It’s gilded, isn’t it? Probably brass or iron,” Xue Tao said confidently after a glance.
“Brass, gilded,” Mao Haifeng said, able to tell the material by its weight.
“Correct, this figurine is indeed gilded brass,” Wang Zhi said, rubbing the figurine in his palm, lost in memories, deeply moved. “Back then, I was young and reckless, or rather, young and ignorant. Just starting to dabble in business, I stole one tael of silver from home as capital. Someone in town, thinking me naive, tricked me with this gilded figurine, passing it off as pure gold, leaving me with nothing. My father was against me doing business, hoping I’d study and pass the imperial exams. If he’d found out I stole a tael to try my hand at business and got swindled, he’d have broken my legs. My mother, learning of it, pawned the silver hairpin her mother gave her as part of her dowry to cover the loss, saving me from my father’s wrath. To avoid suspicion, my mother and I hid this figurine behind the ancestral hall’s plaque. This was a secret between me and my mother, known only to us. Before I left home, every year during ancestral worship, I’d secretly take out this figurine, reminding myself, ‘Have you forgotten being cheated? Learned your lesson?’”
“You know, that hairpin was the only keepsake my grandmother left my mother…”
“Mother, your son has been unfilial, letting you suffer,” Wang Zhi said, tears welling up as his emotions overflowed.
“Adoptive father, don’t be sad. Grandmother is doing well, eating well, sleeping well, in good health, and full of spirit,” Mao Haifeng comforted.
“What did my mother say?” Wang Zhi asked.
“The old lady said she’s fine and told you not to worry about her…” Mao Haifeng replied, choosing his words carefully.
“Did she call me a wretched son?” Wang Zhi interrupted.
“Huh? How did you know, adoptive father?” Mao Haifeng was stunned.
“Hahaha, no one knows a son better than his mother, and no one knows a mother better than her son. Don’t I know my own mother?” Wang Zhi chuckled.