Having just witnessed Jiang Wanwan's life from childhood and her complex emotions, my head throbbed painfully. Xu Lan's crying felt unbearably sharp to my ears.
I held my head and slowly sat up, reaching out to wipe the tears from Xu Lan's eyes. I gave her a weak smile. "Mom, I'm okay."
Within Jiang Wanwan's memories, I had seen the tragic life of this poor woman, trapped by a man for half her lifetime.
She was a lot like me, both of us stuck in the past, unable to move on. The difference was, I had finally seen the light, while she was still struggling desperately in the mire.
A significant reason Jiang Wanwan ultimately took her own life was related to Xu Lan's weakness.
It was her weakness that allowed the 'other woman' and her family to grow more audacious, turning Jiang Wanwan into a tragedy.
Of course, I couldn't blame a victim.
The ones who deserved to die were clearly the perpetrators!
Xu Lan pulled me tightly into her embrace. "Wanwan, Mom only has you left. If I lost you too, how could I go on living?"
She was a traditional woman, gentle and kind, without a trace of sharpness.
Yet misfortune always seems to target those already suffering.
I hugged Xu Lan back, gently patting her back. "Don't worry, Mom. From now on, I'll pull myself together properly. I won't make you worry anymore."
I would live well, carrying Jiang Wanwan's share with me.
Xu Lan observed me for a long while, seeing that I seemed mentally sound.
The doctor examined me and said that aside from the wound on my hand needing time to heal, there was nothing seriously wrong with me. Only then did she relax.
However, afraid that I might faint again at any moment, she insisted I stay in the hospital for a few more days.
I really couldn't argue with her, so I readily agreed.
I leaned my head against her chest, acting spoiled. "As long as I can be with Mom, it doesn't matter where I stay. I want to sleep with Mom tonight too."
Xu Lan dried her tears, a soft smile touching her lips as she gently stroked my head. "Silly child, still acting spoiled at your age."
She stared at me for a long moment. "Sweetheart, it's been so long since you've acted like this with Mom."
"From now on, I'll act spoiled with Mom every day, as long as you don't find me annoying."
In that moment, I cast aside all my past burdens, seeming like just a happy child nestling in my mother's arms.
Xu Lan was overjoyed and personally fed me.
This body had been unconscious for nearly a day and was truly starving.
I didn't refuse, eating bite by bite.
I didn't understand. Xu Lan was beautiful, gentle, and from a good family. That Jiang Qing was simply blind and stupid.
To abandon such a wonderful wife from a good family, and instead be so enamored with an outsider who came from a dance hall background... it was truly disgusting.
Before, Jiang Wanwan, desperate for her father's attention, had always been timid and cautious around him, carefully trying to please.
Jiang Qing's constant refrain was that she was 'unpresentable,' not as good as the 'bastard' outside.
But he never considered that from the moment Jiang Wanwan was born, he had never once looked at her properly.
Jiang Wanwan was dead, but I would not let that scumbag father and the 'other woman's' family be happy!
Being well-behaved in front of Mom put her at ease. When she went home to fetch some daily necessities, I seized the chance to slip out of the ward.
Grandma!
I had to tell Grandma the good news.
Tonight, everyone knew of my death. Surely, the watch over Grandma would be more relaxed.
Grandma's hospital room was just upstairs. But how to get into Grandma's room without exposing my identity became a problem.
After the orchid incident, Mom Wang had been watching very tightly, absolutely not allowing anyone near Grandma.
I hadn't been by Grandma's side for days. She must be terribly worried, right?
After thinking it over, I still went upstairs.
This time, I didn't hide my face.
When I appeared at the doorway of the hospital room, Mom Wang noticed me immediately.
"Miss Wan!"
"Are you calling me?" I pretended not to know her.
When Mom Wang saw the cinnabar dot between my eyebrows, she froze on the spot. "You... who are you? So alike... you're just too alike."
"My name is Jiang Wanwan. Auntie, do you know me?"
"No... it's just that you look too much like my young mistress. I mistook you for her just now. My apologies."
I smiled at her. "Really? That much alike?"
"Alike? You could be stamped from the same mold! Especially the eyes and brows. The only difference is this red dot between your eyebrows." Mom Wang sighed. "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else just now. If only it really were her coming back..."
"It's alright. What happened to your young mistress?"
"It's a long story. She was the old madam's most beloved child. The old madam misses her terribly..." Mom Wang accidentally let the truth slip, which suited me perfectly.
I smiled. "I see. Then, could I visit the old madam on behalf of your young mistress? I'm bored anyway. Having someone to talk to pass the time would make it go faster."
"Miss, you're injured?"
I lifted my sleeve. "Yes, I almost died."
While she was still looking shocked, I walked in.
I looked at Grandma lying on the hospital bed, my heart pounding wildly. How I wanted to throw myself over and hug her.
I wanted to tell her I had come back to life, that I had a body again. Grandma, you don't need to worry about me anymore.
But reason told me I couldn't act recklessly. My identity absolutely must not be exposed!
Not even to the loyal Mom Wang could I reveal it.
I could only forcibly suppress my emotions, not letting others see the slightest clue.
"Auntie, what illness does the old madam have?"
"She's old, had a fall, injured her head. Still hasn't regained the ability to move." Mom Wang looked at me with pity. "But Miss, you're so young... how could you... be so desperate?"
The wound clearly looked like it was from a suicide attempt. I smiled dismissively. "There were some things I couldn't see past before. Having died once, I see things differently now."
"That's true. A poor life is better than a good death."
Middle-aged people like Mom Wang loved to lecture, so she treated me like a neighbor's child and chatted a bit more.
I wasn't the least bit annoyed. During my time as a spirit, I had nearly gone crazy from loneliness.
Mom Wang's chattering voice reminded me of my childhood, when she was still young.
She was often following behind me, cleaning up my messes, grumbling as she did, "My young mistress, slow down! Don't fall!"
When I returned home after monthly exams, Mom Wang would also prepare a table of good food. "Tell the kitchen to make more seafood. The young mistress likes it."
Before I got married, Mom Wang also shed tears for me. "Young mistress, soon you'll be a married woman. You must be well from now on."
It had been so long since I'd heard Mom Wang's nagging. I actually missed it.
This touch of mundane life warmed my heart.
Even if this world was dark as hell,
There were still people like this, mending and patching, striving to light the path through hell.
Being alive is truly wonderful.
The human world is worth it.
I listened to her scolding with a smile. Mom Wang finally realized she had been talking too much.
"Sorry, you look too much like my young mistress. I got carried away just now."
"It's fine. I listened to everything you said, Auntie. I won't seek death again."
"That's good. You must live well."
I nodded at her. "Mm. Auntie, I'm a bit thirsty. Are there any fruits?"
"Yes! Wait here, I'll go wash some for you."
Mom Wang enthusiastically selected some fruits and went to the nearby sink to wash them.
Our voices had already attracted Grandma's attention. When I approached the bedside, Grandma's eyes were fixed intently on me.
I leaned down and whispered softly in her ear, "Don't be afraid, Grandma. It's me, Su Wan. I'm back!"