As the car descended from the mountain, Tang Ning sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the mist-covered peaks slipping past. The winding road stretched on, and for the first time in a while, she let herself reflect on how far she had come. Her time with the Gu family, especially with Gu Yan, had left a deep mark on her. She had grown close to them, but even so, her heart always felt at home with Grandpa Tang.
The steady hum of the car and the soft rhythm of the passing trees lulled her into a quiet space of thought. She leaned her head against the window, the cool glass grounding her. For years, life had been about staying safe, keeping a low profile under her grandfather's watchful eye. But lately, things had changed. The Gu family had opened up something new in her—a curiosity, a sense of belonging somewhere else, too.
Yet, despite all of that, she knew one thing for sure: wherever Grandpa Tang was, that was home.
The familiar bend in the road made her think they were almost back to the house she grew up in, but something was off. The car didn't slow down like she expected. Instead, they kept driving, the road turning down a path she had never taken before.
"Grandpa, where are we going?" she asked, sitting up a little straighter, her voice edged with curiosity.
Her grandfather glanced at her from the front seat, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. "You'll see, Ning'er. It's a place I've been meaning to take you to for a long time."
Tang Ning furrowed her brow, confused but intrigued. Moments later, the dense trees opened up, revealing a grand estate ahead. The car rolled up a long, private driveway, and her breath caught at the sight before her. It was a mansion—elegant, sprawling, and surrounded by lush gardens. She hadn't even known this place existed.
"Grandpa… what is this?" she asked softly, her voice filled with awe as the car stopped at the front entrance.
"This," he said, turning to her with a look that held years of stories, "is Sheridan. The home where your mother grew up."
Tang Ning's heart skipped a beat. Her mother. The name of the estate felt distant, almost like something out of a memory she had never known she had. She stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the towering columns, the manicured lawns, and the old-world charm that clung to every corner of the mansion.
"We've never been here," she said, her voice soft with disbelief. "Why didn't you ever tell me about this place?"
Grandpa Tang gave a small sigh as he walked toward her, his expression thoughtful. "There are many things I haven't told you, Ning'er. Some things I thought would be better left in the past. But I realize now… you deserve to know."
Tang Ning didn't say anything at first, letting the weight of his words sink in. She had always known her grandfather kept certain things from her—secrets, choices he'd made for her protection. But now, standing here, she could feel the layers of those secrets, like the mansion itself, looming large and untold.
"Come," he said gently, motioning for her to follow him inside. "There's something I want to show you."
Tang Ning followed him, her steps a little slower as they entered the grand foyer. The place was beautiful, almost too perfect, like it had been frozen in time. The high ceilings, the chandeliers that glittered in the soft afternoon light, the polished floors—it all felt too pristine, as if the house had been waiting for them.
"Your mother loved this place," Grandpa Tang said, his voice softer now, more reflective. "This is where she spent her happiest days, before everything changed."
Tang Ning swallowed hard, her eyes trailing over the paintings on the walls, the photographs that lined the shelves. It was strange seeing glimpses of a life she had never known, yet was so deeply connected to. Her mother had been a mystery for so long, a presence that had always been just out of reach.
"She grew up here," Tang Ning repeated, almost to herself.
Her grandfather nodded. "Yes. And there's something you need to see. Follow me."
They climbed the staircase in silence, the weight of the moment hanging between them. As they reached the second floor, Grandpa Tang stopped in front of a door. He paused, his hand resting on the doorknob for a moment longer than usual, as if gathering himself.
"This was her room," he said quietly, pushing the door open.
Tang Ning stepped inside, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The room was exactly how it must have been all those years ago. The bed was neatly made, the curtains drawn to let in the soft, golden light of the afternoon. A desk sat by the window, stacked with old books and papers. It looked like her mother could walk in at any moment, like she had just stepped out for a little while.
Tang Ning walked slowly around the room, her fingers grazing the edges of the books and the frames on the walls. "I didn't know," she whispered. "I didn't know she left behind so much."
Grandpa Tang stood by the door, watching her, his eyes clouded with memory. "She didn't want to leave you behind, Ning'er. Not really. But life… it took her in a different direction."
Tang Ning felt a familiar pang in her chest, a mix of longing and sadness she hadn't let herself feel in a long time. "Where is she now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Grandpa Tang didn't answer right away. He crossed the room, standing beside her as they looked out the window together. "She's safe," he said finally. "And one day, when the time is right, you'll see her again."
Tang Ning nodded, though a part of her ached for more. More answers, more clarity. But she knew better than to press him now. There was a reason he had brought her here, to this place, after all these years.
Grandpa Tang placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "There's so much more you don't know," he said quietly. "But I promise, I'll tell you everything in time. I just need you to trust me, Ning'er."
Tang Ning opened her mouth, wanting to ask about the one thing he hadn't mentioned—her father. But before she could, Grandpa Tang turned toward the door, his face shadowed with something unreadable.
"There's something else I want to show you," he said, stepping aside. "Come with me."
Tang Ning hesitated for a moment, then followed him out of the room, down the staircase, and through the back door of the mansion. As they stepped outside, she was met with a breathtaking sight—a sprawling garden, filled with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and a small pond in the center. It was like something out of a dream.
"I've been working on this for you," Grandpa Tang said, his voice softer than before. "A place for you to think, to reflect. Your mother used to come here too, when she needed to find some peace."
Tang Ning stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the garden. It was stunning. Rows of delicate flowers in every shade imaginable stretched across the landscape, their petals swaying gently in the breeze. The air was filled with the fragrance of jasmine and lavender, the scent wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.
She walked slowly along the path, her fingers brushing against the soft petals of the flowers as she passed. "You made all of this… for me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Grandpa Tang smiled, a quiet pride shining in his eyes. "For years, I've been tending to it. I always thought you'd need a space like this one day—a place that's just yours. It's a connection to her, to the past, but also to your future."
Tang Ning turned to face him, her eyes searching his face for the answers she still didn't have. "Grandpa," she began, hesitating for a moment, "you've told me about Mother… but why haven't you ever said anything about my father? You never mention him."
The question hung between them, the air suddenly heavier with the weight of it. Grandpa Tang's expression faltered, his gaze dropping to the ground. Tang Ning felt her heart pound in her chest, the tension between them growing.