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Fall of 1987, Greenfield, Alabama.

In the rebuilt old house, Mrs. Gan lay in bed, already very weak.

At seventy-eight years old, she was unable to sit in the rocking chair on the porch and watch the leaves fall this autumn, as she had done in previous years.

Suning and Fores have both returned.

Fores was with Jenny; they had married last year, and Jenny's belly was slightly protruding, indicating she was five months pregnant.

Brooke Shields also came; she took leave from Princeton to be with Su Ning.

She has now graduated with a degree in computer science and is working at Lemon Technology.

Old Tom, the family doctor, had just come out of the room and shook his head at the two brothers waiting outside: "It'll be in the next day or two. The organs are failing, but there's no pain; it's just natural aging."

Fores' eyes immediately reddened.

Su Ning patted her younger brother on the shoulder, took a deep breath, and went into the room.

Mrs. Gan leaned against the pillows, breathing very lightly.

When she saw her two sons come in, her cloudy eyes lit up.

“Suning, Fores…” Her voice was soft, but clear.

“Mom, we’re here.” Su Ning sat down by the bed and held her mother’s withered hand.

Fores sat down on the other side.

Where is Jenny?

“She’s resting next door; she’s pregnant and can’t overexert herself,” Fores said.

"Good...good, we're going to have a grandson." Mrs. Gan smiled with relief. "I'm afraid I won't be able to see it..."

"Mom, please don't say that." Fores said, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Silly child, everyone has to go through this.” Mrs. Gan said calmly, “I’ve lived for seventy-eight years, raised you two, and seen you both become successful… It was all worth it.”

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Su Ning, call that...that girl in too."

Suning went out to call Bo Ji.

Brooke walked in quietly, a little nervous. This was her first time meeting Mrs. Gan, especially at such a moment.

“Child, come here.” Mrs. Gan looked at her. “Your name is Brooke?”

“Yes, Mrs. Gan.” Brooke knelt down beside the bed.

“Good girl… Su Ning told me about you.” Mrs. Gan carefully examined her face.

"..."

“So beautiful!” Mrs. Gan raised her hand with difficulty, and Brooke quickly grasped it. “Su Ning… he’s cold-hearted and doesn’t talk much, but he has a warm heart. Please… be patient with him.”

“I will, Mrs. Gan.”

Mrs. Gan nodded and told Brooke to go out first.

She had something to say to her two sons alone.

Only the mother and her two children remained in the room.

Mrs. Gan looked at Forrest first: "Forrest, come here a little."

Fores leaned closer.

"After Mom leaves, you must listen to your brother." Mrs. Gan spoke slowly, but every word was clear. "You are honest and straightforward, and you are prone to being taken advantage of in business. For important matters, you must consult your brother."

“I know, Mom.”

"The shrimp company is doing well now, but don't be greedy. Things at sea are unpredictable. Listen to Bab and Lieutenant Dane; they're honest men."

"Yes, I'll listen to them."

“Jenny is a good girl, you must treat her well. After the child is born, you must raise it well, don’t end up like I was back then… raising a child alone is too hard.” Mrs. Gan’s eyes were filled with tears.

“Mom…” Foresh cried out.

"Don't cry." Mrs. Gan reached out and wiped away his tears. "You're the one I worry about the most. Your brother is very capable, so I don't need to worry about him. You... you have to take good care of yourself."

"I'll be fine, Mom, don't worry."

"And also," Mrs. Gan paused, "you must hold onto the money and shares your brother gave you. That's his good intention, and it's also your protection. Don't invest recklessly, and don't lend money to strangers. Put it in the bank, buy government bonds, that's safe and sound."

"I remember."

Mrs. Gan seemed tired and closed her eyes to rest for a few minutes.

When she opened her eyes again, she looked at Su Ning.

"Suning".

"Mom, I'm here."

"You are my proudest and most heartbroken mother." Mrs. Gan tightened her grip slightly. "You've always been strong since you were little, always shouldering everything on your own. You were already helping me with the accounts when you were ten, you were delivering newspapers when you were thirteen, and you got into university when you were sixteen... I know how hard you've worked."

Su Ning's throat tightened: "Mom, it's not bitter."

“I know it’s tough,” Mrs. Gan said, looking at him. “You’re a big shot now, the world’s richest man. But I still say the same thing—money is just an external thing; people are the most important.”

"I see."

“That Brooke girl… I think she’s quite nice. If you really like her, then marry her,” Mrs. Gan said. “Don’t follow your father’s example… I was only thirty-two when your father passed away. Raising a child alone is too difficult.”

Suning remained silent.

Forrest Gan's father died early, and Mrs. Gan remained a widow for over forty years.

“Having a home and children is something you’ll only realize how important when you’re old.” Mrs. Gan took a breath. “You think you’re busy now and that your career is important. But when I’m this age, looking back, no company or money is as real as having someone at home waiting for you to eat.”

"Mom, I'll think about it."

“It’s not about considering, it’s about doing.” Mrs. Gan’s tone was unusually firm. “You’re forty-five, not young anymore. Forrest already has children. As the older brother, you should set an example.”

"Okay, I promise you."

Mrs. Gan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Fores...you must take good care of him. He's not as quick-witted as you, but he has a kind heart. You must keep an eye on him and make sure no one bullies him."

"I will, Mom. Don't worry."

“And another thing,” Mrs. Gan’s voice softened, “you two brothers must support each other. In this world, you two are the closest people to each other. Now that Mom is gone, you will rely on each other.”

“We will,” Suning and Fores said at the same time.

"That's good..." Mrs. Gan seemed to have used up all her strength and closed her eyes.

For the next two days, Mrs. Gan spent most of her time in a deep sleep, and when she occasionally woke up, she could only say a few words.

Forrest stayed by the bedside without leaving for a moment.

Even though Jenny was pregnant, she insisted on coming to visit her for a while every day.

After dealing with the urgent work call, Suning returned to his room.

Brooke sat quietly beside him.

The following evening, Mrs. Gan suddenly felt better and said she wanted to eat something.

Fowles happily ran to heat up the porridge and fed it to his child spoonful by spoonful.

After eating half a bowl, Mrs. Gan shook her head and refused to eat anymore.

Looking at the sunset outside the window, she said softly, "Autumn in Greentown... is so beautiful."

That was the last thing she said.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Mrs. Gan passed away peacefully in her sleep.

The family doctor checked the brothers' heartbeats and breathing, and said, "They are peaceful and have not suffered."

Fores burst into tears, while Suning held his younger brother tightly, his eyes red, but he didn't cry out.

Brooke and Jenny were wiping away tears.

……

Mrs. Gan's funeral was simple and was held in the church in Greenfield Town.

Almost everyone in town came.

Mayor Charlie presided over the funeral, with Bab and Lieutenant Dane making a special trip back from the Gulf Coast. At the funeral, Bab said, "Mrs. Gan was the strongest woman I've ever met. She raised two sons single-handedly and taught them so well. Forrest saved my life, Mr. Suning Gan helped us start our company… all thanks to Mrs. Gan."

Lieutenant Dane, speaking from his wheelchair, said: “After I lost both my legs, I thought I was finished. It was Fores who got me started the company, and it was Mr. Suning Gan who supported us. Later I learned that it was Mrs. Gan who taught them—when you can help others, you must help them. She was a good person.”

Forrest was so distraught he couldn't speak, and Jenny read his eulogy for him.

Suning stood at the front, remaining calm throughout.

He only lowered his head slightly and his shoulders trembled gently when the pastor said, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes."

Brooke stood beside him and gently took his hand.

After the funeral, in accordance with Mrs. Gan's wishes, she was buried in the cemetery outside the town, alongside her husband.

The tombstone reads: "Mother Gan, born in 1909, passed away in 1987. She worked hard all her life and raised two sons who both became successful."

On the night after the funeral, the two brothers sat in the living room next to the rocking chair where their mother often sat.

Fores' eyes were still swollen: "Brother, Mom is really gone."

“Hmm.” Su Ning looked out the window. “But we must remember what she said.”

“I will,” Fores said. “I will run the company well, treat Jenny well, and raise the children well.”

"That's good."

After a moment of silence, Fores asked, "Brother, what about you? Mom wants you to get married..."

“I’m not in a hurry!” Su Ning said. “My marriage isn’t a big deal right now.”

“Borgie is a good girl,” Fores said. “Mom likes her too.”

"I know."

The two brothers sat there, just like when they were children.

At that time, their father had just passed away, and their mother had to work at night, so the two brothers would keep each other company.

“Brother,” Fores suddenly said, “thank you.”

"no need thank me?"

"Thank you for always taking care of me." Fores said earnestly, "From childhood to adulthood, you have always protected me. You stood up for me when I was fighting, you tutored me in school, you contributed money and effort to starting the company... Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

“You’re my brother,” Su Ning said simply. “It’s only right.”

“But I still want to thank you.” Fores stood up and gave his brother a tight hug. “Mom’s gone, and now we only have each other.”

Suning patted his younger brother on the back: "Don't worry, I'm here."

……

The lawyer arrived the next day.

Mrs. Gan has a will, which is very simple.

All the cash, approximately twelve million US dollars, was the living expenses that Suning had given her over the years, which she had saved up, and she left it all to Forrest.

"Your brother is rich, Mom knows that," the will read. "Fores, keep this money for emergencies. Don't tell your brother, Mom secretly saved it for you."

The two brothers divided the old house and its contents equally.

There are also some old photos and old letters left for the two brothers as keepsakes.

After reading the will, Fores cried again: "Mom was still thinking of me until the very end..."

"Just keep it," Su Ning said. "It's a token of my mother's affection."

"What about the old house? How will we divide it?"

“You can stay here for now,” Su Ning said. “I have a house by the lake, but I don’t come back often. You can stay as long as you want, and it can be left to your children later.”

"How about that..."

"Listen to me." Su Ning's tone left no room for negotiation.

A week later, Suning and Brooke were going back to California.

Before leaving, the two brothers bid farewell at their mother's grave.

"Take care, brother," Fores said. "Don't overwork yourself at the company."

"You too." Su Ning looked at her younger brother. "Be careful when working at sea. Jenny is about to give birth, spend more time with her."

"I know."

"If you don't have enough money, just let me know."

"That's enough, the company is making money now."

The two brothers hugged goodbye.

In the car, Brooke asked Suning, "Are you alright?"

"It's alright." Su Ning looked at the scenery rushing past the window. "It's just that... when I call in the future, no one will urge me to eat or sleep."

“I’ll urge you later.” Brooke took his hand.

……

In the spring of 1988, six months after Mrs. Gan passed away.

The atmosphere at Suning's private estate in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, was somewhat delicate.

Brooke Shields sat leisurely on the sofa, holding the latest industry analysis report in her hand.

Su Ning stood by the window, her back to her, and said nothing.

"Su?" Brooke put down the industry analysis report and walked over to Suning. "What are you thinking about?"

“Broki,” Suning turned around, her tone unusually calm, “I think we need to talk about…our relationship.”

Brooke paused, her smile slowly fading: "What do you want to talk about?"

"Sit down first."

The two sat down on the sofa again, separated by the coffee table, and suddenly it felt like a formal negotiation.

"I've thought about it for a long time," Su Ning said, her voice flat. "I don't want to get married."

Brooke's expression changed: "What do you mean?"

"It means exactly what it says. I don't plan to marry anyone, including you."

"Why?" Brooke's voice began to tremble. "Is it because of me? Or because...you think marriage is too restrictive?"

"Both," Su Ning said directly. "Mainly because it's too much trouble. Getting married involves paperwork, social obligations, balancing family and career, and potentially property division. It's all too complicated."

"Then what have we been all these years?"

"We get along very well. You're an excellent partner—smart, thoughtful, and not clingy. But that doesn't mean we have to get married."

Brooke's eyes reddened, but she held back her tears: "So...you want to break up?"

“It’s not a breakup.” Su Ning shook her head. “We can continue our current relationship. I’ll support you wherever you want to live and whatever you want to do. We just won’t get married.”

"What about later? What about when we're old? Without marriage, what are we?"

"Two independent people choosing to live together," Su Ning said. "It's more liberating that way. If you feel it's not right for you anymore, you can leave anytime. And I feel the same way."

Brooke stood up, paced a few steps around the office, then suddenly turned around: "Is it because of your mother's death? She wanted you to get married, so instead you..."

“No,” Su Ning interrupted her. “This is my own decision, and I’ve thought about it for a long time. It’s just that my mother’s passing has made me even more certain—I don’t want to live the traditional way.”

“What about the child?” Brooke stared at him. “You don’t want a child either?”

This question caused Suning to pause for a few seconds.

“Child,” he said slowly, “I want one. But not through marriage.”

"What do you mean?"

Suning walked to his desk, took out a folder, and handed it to Brooke.

Brooke opened the book, and the title on the first page made her gasp: "Global Premium Gene Screening and Natural Conception Program".

"What...what do you want to do?" Brooke's voice changed.

...(End of chapter)