Chapter 225

After reassuring Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan, Song Nianchu went to see Wu Zhenggui and explained Mu’s mother’s condition to him.

“Ah… Anyone would be unable to bear something like this, especially a mother. Tell Comrade Mu to take good care of her. I’ll keep an eye on things at the woodworking workshop,” Uncle Zhenggui said with a heavy sigh.

“Thank you, Uncle Zhenggui.”

“What are you thanking me for? You didn’t sleep last night, did you?” Uncle Zhenggui looked at the bloodshot veins in Song Nianchu’s eyes with concern. “Go home and get some rest first.”

“I’m fine. I’ll go check on the cannery later.”

“Just take a look and then go rest. Things there are already on the right track. Even if you’re gone for a day, nothing will go wrong,” Uncle Zhenggui reminded her.

“All right,” Song Nianchu agreed.

However, after she went to the cannery, she was held up by one matter after another. It was not until the workday ended that she finally returned home.

She packed some clothes for Mu Shi’an, then went to find Mu Deyi.

He had already finished packing. As soon as Song Nianchu arrived, Mu Deyi handed her the bundle.

“I’ll go to the hospital first, then. I’ll let you know if there’s any news.” Song Nianchu took the bundle and was about to leave, but Mu Deyi called out to her.

“Wait.”

“Is there something else?”

Mu Deyi took a handful of neatly sorted loose change from his pocket and held it out to her.

“There are a lot of expenses at the hospital. I know this little bit of money probably won’t be enough, but it’s all I have right now. I’ll pay you back for whatever I owe later.” Mu Deyi looked embarrassed as he said this.

As her elder, having to make Song Nianchu and the others pay for things was truly difficult for him to bring up.

“Dad, what are you doing? Keep this money. We have money.” Song Nianchu immediately pushed it back.

“Your money is yours. Take this.” Without another word, Mu Deyi stuffed the money into Song Nianchu’s hand.

Song Nianchu was about to say something more, but Mu Deyi had already begun ushering her out.

“Go on, hurry. It’ll be dark soon, and the road won’t be easy for you.”

Song Nianchu looked at the money in her hand, then at Mu Deyi. By now, she understood his temperament quite well.

He was even more stubborn than she was. If she returned the money, he probably would not be able to sleep all night.

“All right, then. I’ll be going,” Song Nianchu finally said, accepting it.

“Mm.” Mu Deyi nodded.

Song Nianchu put the money away and turned to leave.

Mu Deyi stood at the doorway until she had gone far into the distance. Only then did he slowly withdraw his gaze and turn back toward the house.

Yet his normally ramrod-straight back seemed slightly hunched at that moment.

Ever since learning that Mu Jingmei had been in trouble, he had not shown much emotion.

It was impossible to say that he was not upset.

She was his daughter, after all. Although he was a strict father and had always interacted with his children in silence, he had shared even fewer words with Mu Jingmei.

But he had always loved her in his own way.

Knowing that she was a girl who did not like studying, he had never forced her to do anything she was unwilling to do.

In families like theirs, daughters were often used to cement marriages. Many parents, for their own benefit, could send their daughters away without even blinking.

But he had never entertained such thoughts. He had never denied her anything in terms of food, clothing, shelter, or transportation.

He had even spent more on her than on his three sons, Mu Shi’an and the others.

When their family was sent down to the countryside, he felt that, as their father, he had dragged them into the situation. So even when Mu Jingmei was lazy and unwilling to work—or slacked off whenever she did go—he had never spoken harshly to her.

When she insisted on marrying that beast, Yang Dafu, he had been furious and even said he would sever ties with her.

But if she were dead…

How could he possibly feel nothing?

Yet Mu’s mother had already collapsed. He could not collapse as well.

Only when no one was around could he allow a little of his truest emotions to show.

…

By the time Song Nianchu reached the hospital, it was completely dark.

When she pushed open the ward door, Mu’s mother was already awake and eating.

She was eating very slowly, but at least she was able to keep food down.

It seemed that she had taken to heart the things Song Nianchu had said to her before.

Song Nianchu gave Mu Deyi’s money to Mu Shi’an. For the next few days, Mu Shi’an would stay at the hospital to care for his mother.

Once Song Nianchu saw that Mu’s mother’s emotions had stabilized, she did not return for the time being. She would simply wait until Mu’s mother was discharged before going to bring her home. After all, there were still many matters in the village that required her attention.

One afternoon, Mu Shi’an looked at his mother, whose complexion had clearly improved considerably.

“Mom, rest for a while. I’m going to get you some food.”

“All right. Get something light,” Mu’s mother said gently.

“Okay.”

After Mu Shi’an left, Mu’s mother’s gaze remained fixed on him.

For the past few days, it had been just the two of them in the hospital, and he had been the one caring for her every need.

It was almost laughable. They were mother and son, yet when she thought about it carefully, the amount of time they had spent alone together was pitifully small.

Especially after Mu Shi’an turned three, they had hardly ever been alone together.

But these past few days of being together seemed to have drawn them a little closer.

Perhaps it was because she was ill. Mu Shi’an had been very gentle with her.

That feeling suddenly brought her memories back to the time when she had been carrying him.

Mu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‍Shi’an had been her first child. How could she possibly not love him?

Back then, she had eagerly awaited his birth. After giving birth to him, she had guarded him constantly. Whenever she could not see him, her heart would fill with anxiety.

He had clearly called her “Mom” first. He had been so close to her as a child. Yet she did not know when it had happened, but the two of them had gradually become so distant.

Still, it did not matter. They had a long time ahead of them. She could still make it up to him properly.

Mu’s mother’s thoughts slowly drifted away when, suddenly, a noise came from outside the window.

She instinctively looked up. Someone wrapped from head to toe, with only a pair of eyes exposed, was clinging to the outside of the window.

Mu’s mother was startled. She was just about to call for help when the person suddenly removed the scarf covering her face, revealing her features.

The moment Mu’s mother saw who it was, the cry that had already risen to her throat instantly died there.

Because the person outside was…

Mu Jingmei.

“Mom, open the window.” Mu Jingmei, outside the window, anxiously pounded on the glass.

Mu’s mother finally came back to herself. She hurriedly threw off the covers, climbed out of bed, and rushed to the window to open it.

Her ward was on the first floor, with a courtyard directly behind it.

“Jingmei? Is that really you?” Mu’s mother stroked Mu Jingmei’s face, her eyes red and her voice choked with emotion.

“It’s me, Mom. I’ve finally found you.” Mu Jingmei looked even more agitated than her mother.

“Come in quickly. We’ll talk inside.” Mu’s mother tried to pull Mu Jingmei into the ward.

“Mom, I can’t come in just yet.” Mu Jingmei refused.

“Why?” Mu’s mother asked, puzzled.

“I can’t let anyone else know that I’m still alive.” Mu Jingmei looked tense, constantly watching for any movement around them.