âWhat are you trying to say?â Li Qianxue still didnât turn around. Her voice was a little hoarse, sounding as if it was suppressed. âIf youâre trying to say something in Su Qingsangâs defense, you donât have to.â
After so many years, the fact that she had never dealt with her directly was already her biggest expression of tolerance.
If she were expected to treat Su Qingsang like her own biological daughter, sheâd be unable to do it. She was not an all-forgiving saint.
âMom. Iâm not trying to defend her. Iâm just asking you, do you trust me?â
âWhat are you trying to say?â Li Qianxue finally turned around. She looked at Su Yuxin, not knowing what he meant.
Su Yuxin stretched out a hand and placed it on Li Qianxueâs shoulder. âMom, there are certain things that I know youâll never believe even if I tell you. So, Iâll just skip that process.â
As he spoke, he plucked a strand of hair from Li Qianxueâs head.
âSu Yuxin, what are you doing?â Li Qianxueâs scalp stung a little. She couldnât help but give Su Yuxin a glare. âWhat are you trying to do?â
âNothing.â Su Yuxin held the two precious strands of hand in his palm. He stood. âMom, go get some rest. Iâm heading out for a bit.â
âItâs late. What are you going out for?â
âMom.â Su Yuxin took two steps back. He looked at Li Qianxue, his gaze expressing a little reluctance.
He knew that when the results were out, Li Qianxue might be the first one that wouldnât be able to accept it. She might even break down and go completely insane.
However, he was even more afraid that it would be too late when Li Qianxue finally knew the truth. He was afraid that it would be too late for her to make up for all those years when the time came.
Knowing Li Qianxueâs character, she wouldnât be able to take it.
âI have something to do. Donât worry. I know what Iâm doing.â
Itâs a shame that you donât, he thought.
Li Qianxue watched as her son walked out. Her scalp no longer stung. She stared at her hair, then shifted her gaze towards the direction Su Yuxin had left in.
What was Su Yuxin planning?
Now that there was something looming ahead, Li Qianxue didnât have the mood to enjoy herself with Su Peizhen the next day.
The two of them simply strolled around for a bit, then decided to book their flight home.
Before they left, Li Qianxue called Su Yuxin. He was not seen since he left last night. Now that they were about to head home, she wanted to ask if he would like to come along with them.
The call to Su Yuxinâs phone didnât get through. Li Qianxueâs brows furrowed. Su Peizhen took away the phone from her hands.
âMaybe he has already gone home. This Yuxin, I used to think that he was pretty thoughtful. His attitude is getting a little out of hand lately.â
Li Qianxue remained silent. It was very rare for her not to reply to Su Peizhen.
She had a strange feeling ever since the night Su Yuxin plucked a strand of hair from her head.
Something was about to happen, her instincts were nagging. Something that was related to her.
However, she simply had no idea what it could be.
âMom?â Su Peizhen linked her arm through hers. âLetâs just reserve three seats. If he wants to go back, heâll come with us. If he doesnât, weâll just go ahead and not wait for him. Heâs old enough to take care of himself, anyway.â
Li Qianxue glanced at her daughter and did not object.
She reserved three seats, ready to return to her home country. The tickets were reserved for tomorrow evening, so they still had the time to explore around some more.
Before they left, Li Qianxue finally got a hold on Su Yuxin. He said that he had something urgent to deal with, but would return with them.
Li Qianxue hung up without a lift in her spirits. She could feel it. Her son was all grown up. He had his own thoughts and opinions.
The only person left that was close to her was her daughter.
...
Lin City.
Su Qingsang placed the pillow behind Xiang Caipingâs back. âMom, how is it? Do you feel uncomfortable?â
âYouâre giving me such thick cushioning behind my back. How would I be uncomfortable?â
Throughout this entire stay in the hospital, Xiang Caiping doted on her daughter more the more time she spent with Su Qingsang.
âMom. You might not have any major problems doing simple actions involving your hip now, but you still have to be careful. You have to come to the hospital for routine check-ups in the future and undergo rehabilitation.â
âWe can discuss it in detail after going to Rong City.â
âHave you reserved the flight tickets?â Xiang Caiping felt a little relieved when she thought about returning to Rong City.
They went full circle. From Lin City to Rong City. Now, from Rong City back to Lin City.
âYeah. Jinyao got it all settled.â
She glanced at Huo Jinyao as she spoke. He smiled as he walked to the other side, helping Xiang Caiping get up.
âMom, donât worry about the flights. Theyâre taken care of already.
He got his assistant to book the flights. When the time came, there would be two doctors and two nursing assistants coming along. Xiang Caipingâs hip hasnât fully healed. There were still many things to look out for.
âSee? I came here to look after you guys, but now you two are looking after me instead.â
âMom, listen to yourself. I donât like hearing things like that.â
Su Qingsang sat her down in the wheelchair. âYouâre my mother. If I donât take care of you, who would?â
Xiang Caiping spoke no more, feeling the emotions creep up on her instead.
Huo Jinyao and Su Qingsang exchanged looks. They rolled Xiang Caiping out of the ward together.
When they reached home, they got Xiang Caiping settled in, allowing her to rest a little more.
Su Qingsang emerged from the room and looked at Huo Jinyao. âWhen did you book the flights? Why are you being so dodgy about it?â
âI didnât book any flights. I reserved the entire plane.â Huo Jinyao could finally tell Su Qingsang. âThe day after tomorrow.â
âThat soon?â
âItâs not that soon. â Huo Jinyao gave her an overview. âThe day after tomorrow is the thirteenth. Itâs not too early, itâs an afternoon flight, so Mom can sleep in a little. When we arrive, we still have to take Mom for a comprehensive check-up and get her settled in. After that, we can get some rest. Weâll make it just in time to celebrate with Grandfather on the fifteenth.â
Su Qingsang nodded. Since Huo Jinyao got it settled already, she had nothing to worry about.
Her expression was calm, but the look in her eyes revealed conflicted emotions. Huo Jinyao tugged on her arm and pulled her into an embrace.
âI heard that Su Yuxin also went to the States.â
âIs that so?â Thatâs great. Going on a trip together, the three of them.â
âDo you want to go?â If she wanted to, he could arrange for somebody to take Xiang Caiping back to Rong City, then bring Su Qingsang to the States to look for Li Qianxue.
âNo. What would happen if I did?â
Su Qingsang lifted her head and let out a gentle sigh. âHonestly, sheâll have an easier life if she doesnât know about it.â
That was true. Huo Jinyao agreed with her on this point. âWell, that only works on the condition that your father has given up seeking his revenge. That he guarantees he will not attempt to reveal the brutal truth again after so many years.â
Su Qingsangâs expression shifted. She looped her arms around Huo Jinyaoâs waist tightly and rubbed her face against his body. âHe wonât, right?â
âI donât know.â He was not Su Chenghui, so he couldnât predict the manâs future actions. However, he could tell that Su Chenghui was regretting his choices.
Su Qingsang didnât say anything. She hoped Su Chenghui would let things be. Her choice today would be justified only if Su Chenghui gave up seeking revenge forever.
If Su Chenghui was still hell-bent on seeking revenge, her actions today would be meaningless.
âI donât want to think about it anymore.â Su Qingsang lifted her head and looked at him. âI have the best husband in this world and the best mother in this world. Right?â
âYes.â Huo Jinyao nodded, giving her a gentle peck on the lips.
âHuo Jinyao.â Su Qingsang leaned over and looked at him. âYouâll always be by my side, right?â
âOf course.â Huo Jinyao rubbed his chin against the top of her head. âIâll always, always be by your side.â
Su Qingsang smiled, satisfied. She leaned her little face over and pressed it against Huo Jinyaoâs chest, listening to his heartbeat, and decided that things were perfect the way they were.
...
Wanting her daughter to be happy, Li Qianxue decided to lighten up. Along with Su Peizhen, the two of them battled through the throngs of the crowd and went shopping.
The mother and daughter pair came back with a huge haul that couldnât even fit into the luggage they brought. They bought another two suitcases, but it was still not enough.
Su Yuxin came back right at that moment. There was a stash of documents in his hand.
Noting that Su Peizhen was around, he calmly put the file into his luggage as if it was the most natural thing to do.
âYuxin, you came back at the right moment! Weâve got too much to fit in our luggage. Do you still have space?â
âYes.â Su Yuxin came there in a rush. He didnât bring many clothes.
He helped Su Peizhen and Li Qianxue with their baggage. It fitted perfectly.
The three of them had six suitcases in total. Su Yuxin didnât say a single word throughout the entire process. His silence was worrying.
Seeing how her son was acting strange, Li Qianxue decided to have a proper talk with him when they arrived home.
It was the thirteenth of the month. Li Qianxue and her children were on a flight that departed in the afternoon and landed the next day.
Now that she was back in Lin City, Su Peizhen felt nervous. Seated in a car hailed by Su Yuxin, she glanced at Li Qianxue shiftily. âMom, if Father knows Iâm back, will he be angry?â
âI donât care if heâs angry or not.â Li Qianxue now knew Su Chenghui to his core. If he didnât care about her, why should she care about what he thought?
âButââ
Su Peizhen wanted to say more. She knew that Su Chenghui doted on her, but he too had his own principles on certain matters.
âSister.â Su Yuxin suddenly said nonchalantly. âMaybe you can go and stay at a hotel for two days. Or maybe you could stay at your apartment in the suburbs. Why donât we head home first to see howâs Father doing and whether or not heâs angry, and you can come home after that?â
âYuxin.â Li Qianxue shot her son a look. A strange feeling surfaced within her heart as she listened to her sonâs proposal. âLetâs just all go home straightaway. With your grandfather around, letâs see if your father dares to say anything.â
âMom.â Su Yuxinâs voice was very flat. âGrandfather also supported the idea to send Sister to the States.â
Li Qianxue didnât say more. She had a somewhat ugly expression on her face as she stared intently at Su Peizhen. Su Peizhen, too, was wearing a contrary look as she pouted, fixing Su Yuxin with an unhappy look.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Eventually, she did go back to the apartment that was registered under her name in fear that Su Chenghui might be unhappy about her return.
After sending her off, Su Yuxin got into the car with Li Qianxue. He wound up the glass partition in the middle. Now, only the two of them were alone at the backseat. Mother and son.
âYuxin, you...â
Su Yuxin took out the documents from his suitcase and placed them in front of Li Qianxue.
âMom, have a look at this.â
âWhatâs this?â Li Qianxue noticed that the entire document was in English. She didnât take it.
âDNA maternity confirmation.â