Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C300. Meeting Again.

Chapter 300: Meeting Again

The meeting point was set, and the group wasted no time heading straight for the Hua family’s estate.

Hua Zhi, perched on her horse, couldn’t help but press her legs slightly against its sides, urging it to pick up speed. Yet her grip on the reins remained tight, a tug of indecision that left the animal faltering—breaking into hesitant steps only to slow again. She wanted to go faster, to close the distance, but something held her back.

The destination was near.

Then, in the distance, her eyes caught movement—five figures walking ahead. Their postures were upright, their frames lean and resolute. Hua Zhi instinctively tightened her grip on the reins, and the horse neighed sharply, unsure whether to charge forward or hold back. It shuffled awkwardly, mirroring her inner tension.

As the group came closer, Hua Pingyang, walking alongside Hua Zhi, glanced over his shoulder. His gaze locked onto her, and his entire demeanor shifted. His steps faltered, and his expression morphed into a blend of disbelief and joy. Turning fully, his voice cracked as he called out, trembling, “Zhi’er!”

The others in his group stopped abruptly. Four pairs of eyes turned in unison, scanning, searching. And then they found her. Their expressions hardened with emotion, fists clenching unconsciously as they stared at the figure approaching on horseback.

Hua Zhi slid off her horse with practiced grace and dropped into a deep bow, her voice ringing clear and strong: “Zhi’er greets grandfather, father, second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle on behalf of the Hua family in the capital.”

Hua Yizheng, her grandfather, trembled as he stepped forward, his hands reaching to help her rise. “You… child… how…” His voice wavered, unable to finish the sentence. He wanted to ask why she had come, but the words caught in his throat. The truth was, he had been waiting—waiting and hoping that this granddaughter of his, the one who always managed to surprise him, would show up again. Would tell him, face-to-face, that all was well back home.

And here she was.

Her father, Hua Pingyu, stood nearby, his fist tightly clenched behind his back. His other hand covered his mouth as he coughed, masking his emotions poorly. His face betrayed a mix of pride and awkwardness. “Why are you dressed like this? It’s… ugly,” he muttered stiffly, the words tumbling out almost involuntarily.

Hua Yizheng snapped his head toward his son, his glare sharp. “What nonsense are you spouting? Zhi’er looks good no matter what she wears!”

Hua Zhi's eyes were slightly red, but her face carried a calm, practiced smile as she spoke up to excuse her father's irritable mood. "Dad's just worried about me. The north is windy and full of sand, so dressing like this is more comfortable," she explained, brushing off his sharp remarks. Her voice was steady, but there was no mistaking the underlying tension in her words.

Her attire was far from tidy. Beneath a loose, sun-bleached black-and-white shawl, she wore tight, practical clothing that hinted at her constant movement. The shawl was clearly an afterthought—more for shielding herself from the harsh northern elements than for style. After an entire day of travel, she didn’t look like much of the polished young lady her family remembered. But Hua Zhi didn’t care about appearances, not anymore.

She understood her father’s moodiness. She saw the worry behind his harsh tone. After spending years in isolation, she’d come to realize how much she had missed—missed moments, missed people, missed the subtle weight of familial concern.

“Patriarch Hua, is the young lady of the Hua family here again?” The question came from a familiar voice—someone they’d encountered just a few days ago in town.