He Xiyan felt her heart clench in pain. She looked at Yuan Yuan and she blinked rapidly at him as though she couldnât believe what she had just heard.
She pulled him into her embrace and opened her eyes wide.
Yuan Yuan wrapped his arms around his motherâs slender legs tightly and repeated to himself, âMom, I want to live with dad.â
Yuan Yuanâs voice was louder and he sounded more determined than before. He was too young to understand the anguish that his words brought to his mother.
He Xiyan turned pale and under the lamplight, she looked even more ashen and weak.
She froze in stunned silence for a long time and did not speak.
âMomâ¦â Yuan Yuan said when he saw that his mother was not responding and tugged at her clothes.
He Xiyan slowly looked down at her son and her tears fell from her eyes and landed on his shoulders.
Yuan Yuan froze and he suddenly shrugged his tiny shoulders. He couldnât see his motherâs face, but he knew his mother was crying.
He Xiyan took a deep breath and felt as though a gust of wind had entered her lungs. She suddenly felt extremely ill and started coughing violently.
âYuan Yuanâ¦â She slowly crouched down after she finished coughing. It was only a few days since she had had her surgery, so it hurt when she crouched down and her wound hurt when she did so.
However, she still crouched down to look at her son, Yuan Yuan.
She looked at Yuan Yuanâs upset face, reached out, and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. âYuan Yuan, whatâs wrong?â She asked hoarsely.
Yuan Yuanâs heart hurt when he saw that his mother was still crying and quickly pulled out a packet of tissue from his pocket, took out a piece of tissue, and wiped her tears away.
âMom, Iâm sorry,â Yuan Yuan said sadly. Then, he burst into tears as well.
He Xiyan gently stroked Yuan Yuanâs back and she eked out hoarsely, âYuan Yuan, could you let me know why you made this decision?â
He Xiyan couldnât figure out why her son suddenly wanted to live with her father. She had done her best over the past year to raise her child and the thought that her child would one day ask to move away had never crossed her mind, so she was left reeling from this blow that she didnât see coming at all.
Yuan Yuan sniffed and he cried so hard that his eyes were red and swollen.
He looked at his mother and said after a short pause, âPlease donât be upset, mom. I just want to head over to spend time with my dad. I find it so sad that heâs living all alone. All the maids have left, so there isnât anyone looking after him and keeping him company. I want to live with my dad but Iâll come back often to visit. Mom, please donât cry.â
Yuan Yuanâs heart ached for his mother. He bit his thin lips and looked at his motherâs tear-streaked face. He wanted his father and mother to reconcile and to live happily with them but he knew that his mother would not return to his dadâs side. She didnât like his father and had always found him a nuisance.
He Xiyanâs heart constricted and tears rolled down her cheeks.
She didnât respond to his request but she slowly used the wall to support herself as she rose back to her feet. Then, she took his hand and led him to the third floor.