After returning home with the child, her ex-husband knelt down and gently coaxed her.

Late June, the summer month, is the season in Jinghai when there is no shortage of sunshine.

Anning sat blankly on the stone bench outside the hospital, letting the sunlight shine on her, but she felt very cold.

Two dirty stray dogs, one big and one small, passed by the door.

Its original fur was white, but it had turned grayish-brown during its days as a stray.

The larger one was probably the female dog. She had half a ham in her mouth and tossed it to the puppy next to her. The puppy didn't bite it, but just watched the puppy eat it with its tongue hanging out.

The half-ham was gone in no time.

After the puppy finished eating, the big dog led the puppy away.

Anning watched the two dogs, one big and one small, slowly walk away, her eyes stinging with tears.

When she was a child, her family was very poor, and she often went with Li Chunfang to collect mineral water bottles near the airport.

She would collect bottles and sell them for money, earning a few dozen yuan a day. When she went home, Li Chunfang would buy her a bottle of milk and occasionally a fairy tale book.

At that time, she loved following Li Chunfang everywhere.

Despite being poor, I was very happy.

Later, Li Chunfang gave birth to Yu Can, and she had a younger brother.

Although Li Chunfang was biased, she never showed favoritism in such trivial matters before Yu Can fell ill.

The milk was still hers, and Yu-chan had some too.

The fairy tale book was hers; she would read it first and then give it to Yu Can.

Actually, when you think about it, she did have a happy childhood.

This fleeting happiness was given to her by Li Chunfang.

As the sun was gradually obscured by the approaching clouds, Anning's tears fell silently onto the phone screen.

If Li Chunfang dies, she won't even have someone to call "Mom" anymore.

She swiped the screen, took a deep breath, and dialed the number pinned to the top.

The call was answered quickly.

An Ning's breath hitched for a second before she whispered, "Feed..."

She had just finished speaking when the other person hung up the phone the next second after hearing her voice.

An Ning stared at the disconnected call, her heart clenching.

Does he hate her so much that he won't even listen to her say another word?

Anning dialed the number again.

The ringing bell was cut off as soon as it started.

An Ning's heart gradually grew cold.

With trembling fingers, she dialed the number again.

This time, the call wasn't cut off; instead, it was unexpectedly connected.

An Ning gripped her phone tightly, her heart pounding in her throat. "Mr...Mr. Lu..."

"peaceful?"

Cheng Wanwan's voice came from the phone, and An Ning stopped abruptly from saying what she was about to say.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her trousers as Cheng Wanwan answered his call.

He used to not let anyone touch his phone except her.

That's true, they're about to get engaged.

"Is that you, An Ning?" Cheng Wanwan continued, "Do you need to see west Yan about something?"

An Ning opened her mouth, "Um, is it convenient?"

"It might not be convenient right now," Cheng Wanwan said gently, with a sweet smile. "We're at the old house right now. Xiyan is discussing our engagement with Grandpa. Anning, what do you need Xiyan for?"

What do you want with him?

An Ning gave a bitter smile. Should she tell Cheng Wanwan to ask him to spare her mother's life?

"Let's wait until he's finished."

Just as An Ning was about to hang up, an ambulance sped past the hospital entrance, which Cheng Wanwan overheard.

"Anning, is it because of your mother's illness?" Cheng Wanwan said generously, "It's the same whether you ask Xiyan or me. Don't hesitate to ask me for help if you need it."

"Also," Cheng Wanwan continued, "if your mother wants to go abroad for treatment, just let me know anytime, and I'll arrange it for you."

Anning whispered "thank you" and then hung up the phone.

......

A black Rolls-Royce was parked outside the Lu Clan Ancestral Hall.

Cheng Wanwan sat in the car, her fingertips gripping her phone tightly.

The call log just now showed a number "7".

She stared at the large "7" on the screen, so jealous she almost smashed her phone.

west Yan still has An Ning's phone number!

With both of them in this state, how could Anning still shamelessly call her fiancé!

An Ning, this woman, has been forced to this point, yet she still refuses to take her mother abroad for medical treatment. Is she trying to shamelessly cling to Xi Yan?

Cheng Wanwan's eyes flashed with anger as she decisively deleted the call log.

......

Inside the ancestral hall, a slow sound of footsteps echoed behind.

The man kneeling before the memorial tablet did not move upon hearing the sound. His cold eyes stared at the incense burning slowly until the ashes fell into the incense burner.

"You're back?"

Lu Lixiao stood behind him, staring at his straight back. "After you offer incense to your father, take Wanwan out for dinner. Your uncle and the others are waiting for you."

The cigarette burned to its end, and the scarlet embers went out.

Lu Xiyan then slowly stood up. "I'm not eating anymore. I'll just come back to see my parents for a moment and then leave."

He bowed deeply to Lu Ling's memorial tablet, then turned and left.

He walked past Lu Lixiao without stopping.

"Western Banquet!"

Lu Lixiao called out to him, "You rarely come back, won't you sit down and have a proper meal with Grandpa?"

Lu Xiyan said calmly, "I still have things to do at the company."

His cold and distant attitude made Lu Lixiao feel uneasy.

Looking at his left hand hanging at his side, Lu Lixiao asked with concern, "How's your hand lately? Are you okay driving?"

"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa." Lu Xiyan put his left hand back into his pocket, his tone indifferent. "I'm fine."

Lu Lixiao stared at his tall, straight back and sighed. "Xi Yan, these past few years, have you been angry with Grandpa, or with yourself?"

Since what happened four years ago, his grandson, who used to be good-tempered, cheerful, and playful, has become a completely different person, now cold and devoid of any human warmth.

Lu Xiyan clenched his left hand tightly in his pocket, his face stubborn, and remained silent.

"Let bygones be bygones. Why trap yourself in that narrow world?" Lu Lixiao walked up to him, staring at his cold face. "Xi Yan, your father in heaven wouldn't want to see you so unhappy."

"Happiness?" Lu Xiyan looked at Lu Lixiao, his eyes indifferent. "From beginning to end, what Grandpa wanted was just an obedient successor. Isn't the word 'happiness' too much of a luxury for me?"

He slightly curled the corners of his lips and asked in return, "Grandpa, how can someone who has lost their father, whose mother is in a coma, and whose left hand is also useless, be happy?"