Chapter 16: I Can't Be Without Her

Huo Yujing stayed at the Huo family’s private sanatorium, where everyone treated him with the utmost care.

After leaving the house, Lu Daiqing returned directly to the hospital. A plane crash had taken both Old Master Huo and her husband, leaving Congli and Yujing as the family’s only male heirs. Seeing her little grandson in bed brought tears to her eyes.

“Don’t cry, Grandma. I don’t feel bad anymore.” He climbed up to wipe her tears.

She gathered him into her arms and stroked his soft hair. “Come live with Grandma at the old residence, all right? Stay with me, and let’s see who dares hurt you.”

He looked up at her. “I don’t want to leave Mommy and Daddy. No one will hurt me when they’re here. I ate something bad myself. Don’t be sad, Grandma.”

Though Lu Daiqing disliked Jingwan, she wouldn’t speak ill of his mother in front of him. “It hurts Grandma to see you suffer. Come stay for a few days.”

Little Yu knew she was worried and wanted to visit her, but feared Mommy would ask Daddy for a divorce while he was gone. The thought brought tears to his eyes.

When Jingwan and Congli entered, the tears came faster. He reached out. “Mommy, Daddy…”

The sound of his tearful voice hurt Jingwan. A mother’s love, long dormant, surged through her. For the first time, she called herself Mommy, gathering him into her arms like a hen protecting her chick. Her eyes and nose stung. “Sweetheart, Mommy’s here…”

Congli supported her arm and the boy’s weight so she wouldn’t tire. He wiped Little Yu’s tears and patted his back.

Lu Daiqing stared as though she’d seen a ghost. She had never witnessed such warmth among the three, nor imagined she ever would. Jingwan was not a good mother. Why did Little Yu love her so much?

* * *

“When Little Yu is discharged, I’m taking him to the old residence for a while.”

Outside the ward, Lu Daiqing and Congli went into the adjoining sitting room. Strong sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the lavish furnishings.

Congli loosened his tie. The tenderness he’d shown his wife and son disappeared. “Mom, you saw how much he longs for his mother’s love. He can’t be without Wanwan. Neither can I.”

Lu Daiqing remained convinced Jingwan didn’t love the child. “He’ll only suffer beside her. This time it was something unclean. What about next time? He’s your son. Are you really comfortable leaving him with a mother who doesn’t love him?”

“Wanwan does love him.” Congli frowned. “She’s my wife. Please stop disparaging and slandering her. I’ve had the house surveillance collected. We’ll know the truth soon.”

“You still think I’m slandering her?” Lu Daiqing suppressed her anger. Her son was beyond saving where Jingwan was concerned. “Fine. Let’s see what truth you find.”

Light fell across half his body. His gaze darkened. “If it proves Wanwan didn’t hurt him, I hope you’ll apologize to her.”

Lu Daiqing paused. An emerald ring glittered on her hand, passed down through generations to the Huo daughter-in-law, but she had never given it to Jingwan.

“If you find she deliberately put my grandson in the hospital, I want you to divorce her immediately.” A woman who could harm her own child would be a danger to Congli too.

His expression didn’t change. “I won’t divorce Wanwan, whatever happens.”

“You could tolerate her hurting your son?”

“She wouldn’t do that.” Until the investigation was complete, his mother wouldn’t believe anything he said. There was no point wasting more time.

They parted unhappily.

* * *

Jingwan sat with Little Yu while he ate lunch. Looking at his round face, she wondered whether Leyin really had deliberately hurt him. Congli was reviewing the cameras; they covered corners all over the house. If Leyin had done it, Jingwan would never forgive her.

“Mommy, have some fruit.” Little Yu held the first grape to her lips, bringing her back to the present. She ate it. “Thank you. Don’t you blame Mommy?”

He tilted his head, puzzled. “Why would I? Mommy wouldn’t hurt me.”

She stroked his hair. “You’re such a good boy. Daddy and Mommy will find out what happened, and we won’t let bad people near you again.”

His dark eyes shone like jewels, curving when he smiled.

Her phone vibrated. Leyin had sent messages.

Leyin: Wanwan, how is Little Yu?

Leyin: Are you with him? Has Mr. Huo come home?

Leyin: How could he suddenly have eaten something unclean?

Leyin: Have you found out what happened? What did Mr. Huo say?

Every line was fishing for information. Jingwan didn’t want to alert her and risk her fleeing overnight.

Jingwan: There are too many people in the house. We haven’t found anything yet.

Leyin replied at once.

Leyin: I ran into Mrs. Lu when I left. She wasn’t there to cause trouble for you, was she?

Leyin: She’s formidable, Wanwan. You can’t win against her.

Leyin: You’d better prepare for a divorce. It’ll be hard for you to stay in that family.

Jingwan narrowed her eyes. Yinyin, are you so eager for me to divorce? You weren’t this enthusiastic before.

Leyin: Don’t misunderstand. You and Mr. Huo have no feelings for each other, and Ji Huaizhi has always been the one in your heart. Speaking of him, he just called me. He sounded drunk, and I heard a woman with him! Go check on him, Wanwan. What if something happens to him?

The sight of Ji’s name made Jingwan nauseous.

Jingwan: Didn’t I tell you not to mention him again?

Jingwan: I’m looking after Little Yu. I don’t have time to care whether he lives or dies.

Jingwan: If you’re so concerned, go see for yourself whether he’s actually dead.