Chapter 10 Welcome Back
The plane landed in Kenya after several transfers.
The sun was blinding, but I spotted Teacher Chen in the crowd immediately.
She had lost weight and tanned, with silver hair at her temples. Her eyes were still bright as fire.
She hugged me tightly without a word.
Teacher Chen knew how my marriage had drained me.
She didn't offer pity. She smiled and said, "Welcome back."
My eyes stung as I hugged her back.
On the way to camp, the hot wind smelled of grass and earth. It felt freeing.
Here, I wasn't the Qiao daughter or Mrs. Lu. I was just a photographer, Wen Ruotang.
The camp was basic but clean.
A man with bronze skin in a white tank top was cleaning a lens. He looked up lazily. "Senior sister?"
He eyed my pale arms and clean suitcase. "Can someone like you handle this place?"
He stepped closer. "This isn't a tourist bus. If you cry, no one's comforting you."
I smiled but said nothing.
In the days that followed, I proved him wrong.
I carried heavy gear alone and shot the wildebeest migration at dawn.
I waited in the hot vehicle for sunset elephants.
His doubt turned to surprise and respect.
I adapted quickly. My hands grew callused, skin darkened, but my eyes shone brighter.
News from home arrived. Lu Shijin and Qiao Yining were seen together often.
They took Lu Mingyu to the park and school interviews. They dined at the Qiao Family.
I was absent as the nominal Mrs. Lu.
Rumors spread. Some called Qiao Yining a homewrecker. The Lu Group announced she was Lu Mingyu's birth mother.
Opinion flipped. They were called the perfect match. I was the Fake Heiress who stepped down.
Talk of the families remarrying circulated.
Old acquaintances messaged me, some probing, some siding with Qiao Yining.
I ignored them.
Then Mrs. Qiao messaged. "Ruotang, Mom thanks you on behalf of the Qiao Family."
The words made my nose sting.
I replied. "Mrs. Qiao, our mother-daughter bond is over. I wish you well."
I deleted her contact after sending.