Shi Nian hurriedly embraced Xu Xinzhen: "Mom, I'm here. Take a good look at me, I'm alright."
Xu Xinzhen grabbed Shi Nian, looking intently up and down, and after a moment burst into tears: "Nian Nian, they said they want to kidnap you. It's all Mom's fault, Mom couldn't protect you, watched helplessly as they took you into the car, and then just drove away, drove away…"
"They want your dad to exchange for you, they said if your dad doesn't die, then you must…"
Shi Nian quickly hugged her mother tightly, "Mom, I'm fine now. I'm here, I'm alright."
Mrs. Liu hurried to get the doctor, a group of doctors and nurses rushed in, giving Xu Xinzhen an injection. Xu Xinzhen finally fell into a deep sleep, still clutching Shi Nian's hand, refusing to let go: "Nian Nian, you must not get into trouble... and your dad, don't get into trouble either."
Shi Nian covered her mouth tightly, dared not cry out. Mrs. Liu came and held her shoulder, while the doctor approached sympathetically and said: "Better let her have a good sleep. You should go back; don't let her get excited again."
Shi Nian could only solemnly entrust Mrs. Liu and the doctor, dragging heavy steps as she walked out.
Every time she came to see Mom, it was like this; once Mom saw her, she would think of Dad and become this agitated. So, for four years, she didn't dare to keep Mom at home to care for her, could only painfully leave her alone in the nursing home. She really couldn't bear it, yet had no other choice.
The hallway was so long, so quiet, with patients accompanied by caregivers passing by, smiling at her innocently like children.
Shi Nian held back her tears and tried to return the smile to the patient.
When people are ill, their mind might return to a childlike simplicity; thinking this way, Mom is actually fortunate, able to immerse in her own world, isolated from this cruel reality.
Walking toward her car, a voice called out from beside: "Shi Nian."
Shi Nian frowned upon hearing, looked up, and saw Xiang Yuan stepping out of the car, walking towards her.
He was a tall and slender man, dressed in a silver-gray tailored suit, most elegant and handsome. His serene and peaceful brows and eyes seemed as if intricately drawn.
He had always been a handsome man, living abroad, yet remarkably maintaining the demeanor of an Eastern gentleman, always reminding her of "humble gentleman."
Unfortunately—truly humble gentlemen seemingly should not be with other women outside.
.
Xiang Yuan approached, gazing down at Shi Nian. She dried the tears on her face, but her eyes were still red and swollen, her lips trembling slightly.
"I know, when you've been wronged, you'll definitely come to Deep Valley… How is Mom?"
Shi Nian tried to calm herself: "She's alright." then turned her head away.
Xiang Yuan lowered his head: "I just came from Mom's place…"
"No need to ask to know." Shi Nian flashed a bitter smile, could entirely guess what Guo Zhengmei would say: "Look at the daughter-in-law you brought home, really blinded you, hasn't she?"
Xiang Yuan frowned: "Don't talk about Mom like that. You know Mom has a heart condition."
Shi Nian's grievances surged: "Your mom has a heart condition, so she can freely insult my mom? Xiang Yuan, your mom is a mom, isn't my mom a mom?"
Blocking the car door, Shi Nian stretched out her leg and kicked him in the calf. Xiang Yuan winced in pain, bending over. Shi Nian opened the car door, started the car, and drove away.
She couldn't hit his mom, a kick to him should be fair!