“I don’t agree!”
Waving his hand, Lu Zheng cut off Lin Wan’s words, “You listen to me now.”
Lu Zheng turned to Lin Wan’s mother, “Auntie, just because Lin Wan’s injury can’t be treated now doesn’t mean it can’t be treated in the future. Medical technology is advancing.
And when it comes to recovery and care, how could your hometown compare to Haicheng?
What if, in a few years, there’s a treatment plan for Lin Wan, but she’s already missed the best window for recovery?”
Lin Wan’s mother’s eyes flickered, clearly swayed.
As Lin Wan opened her mouth to speak, Lu Zheng raised his hand to stop her again.
“This brings me to my advantage.”
Lu Zheng said earnestly, “I recently sold a game core code to Goose Factory for fifty million, enough to cover Lin Wan’s future rehabilitation and treatment costs.”
“Fifty million!” Lin Wan was shocked. She had never asked Lu Zheng about this, never imagining he’d earned half a billion in one go.
Lu Zheng nodded, naturally not mentioning that after buying a house and paying taxes, he was left with just over ten million.
“Besides, since Western medicine can’t help Lin Wan’s injury now, why not try traditional Chinese medicine? Acupuncture might work.
And when it comes to Chinese medicine, Haicheng’s doctors are surely better than those in your hometown, right?”
“So, rather than returning home and giving up all hope, it’s better to stay in Haicheng, where there might be a chance for a breakthrough.”
“Well…”
“Lu Zheng.”
Lu Zheng interrupted Lin Wan again, his presence overwhelming.
“You were the one who pursued me. Now you want to break up? It’s not that easy!”
A flush crept across Lin Wan’s pale face, “Who pursued you? I never even said it outright!”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Is that so? Fine, let’s call it a spark that ignited, an unspoken understanding.”
“You and I…” Lin Wan grew flustered.
“Lu Zheng, is it?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Lin Wan’s mother nodded, “Let’s step outside. I’d like a word with you.”
“Alright!”
“Mum—”
“Don’t worry, I’m just having a chat with Lu Zheng. I won’t meddle in your affairs.”
Under Lin Wan’s worried yet caring gaze, Lu Zheng and her mother left the ward.
…
At the end of the corridor.
Lu Zheng licked his lips, unprepared for a one-on-one with his prospective mother-in-law in such circumstances.
“First, I must thank you for your devotion.”
Lu Zheng waved his hands, “You’re too kind. It’s what I should do.”
“Lin Wan’s father died early, leaving us a widow and orphan. Thankfully, we had his pension, so life wasn’t too hard.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered, unaware that Lin Wan had grown up in a single-parent family.
Lin Wan’s mother drifted into memories, “Lin Wan’s a stubborn girl. She idolised her father from a young age and insisted on becoming a police officer, no matter how I tried to dissuade her.”
Lu Zheng’s heart stirred. Lin Wan had told him she’d always wanted to be a police officer, and he’d assumed it was like many kids dreaming of being firefighters, pilots, or astronauts, inspired by books or stories.
He hadn’t realised it was because her father was a police officer, one who died in the line of duty!
“Her father died catching criminals, so from the moment Lin Wan became a police officer, I’ve lived in fear, haunted by nightmares, dreading the day I’d hear bad news.”
“I never let Lin Wan have her colleagues call me. But yesterday, in the early hours, it wasn’t Lin Wan on the phone, but someone else. Can you imagine how I felt?”
Lu Zheng could only nod.
“Thankfully, she’s not dead, or I probably wouldn’t see this winter’s snow.”
“Auntie…”
“What you said makes sense, and I believe you still love Lin Wan.”
Lin Wan’s mother looked at Lu Zheng, “But no matter how well you put it, her chances of recovery are slim.
Can you care for Lin Wan for a year, two years, or even ten or twenty years?
If not, it’s better to let her go. You’ve only been together for a month or so—how deep can your feelings be?
If Lin Wan returns home, with her qualities, she could still find a mildly disabled partner to support each other for life.
If things go wrong here, it might hurt both of you, delaying Lin Wan and wasting your time.
So, please think calmly. Don’t rush to answer. No matter what, Lin Wan and I won’t blame you, as this isn’t your fault.”
Lin Wan’s mother finished in one breath, took a deep breath, “That’s all I have to say. Let’s go back.”
Lu Zheng nodded, thinking to himself that she likely didn’t know the details of the case.
And why would she? If not for Huang Xiumin, he wouldn’t know either. Huang Xiumin told him so he’d understand Lin Wan’s sacrifice, but not her mother, as it would serve no purpose.
…
Back in the ward, meeting Lin Wan’s gaze, Lu Zheng nodded, “I just discussed your recovery plans with Auntie.”
Lin Wan’s mother turned to him, puzzled: ???
“Auntie might stay in Haicheng to care for you, so living with Huang Xiumin might not be ideal,” Lu Zheng said, “I’ll rent a two-bedroom flat in a convenient area, making it easy for hospital visits or rehabilitation massages.”
Lin Wan looked at her mother, bewildered, *You’ve already decided for me?*
“I didn’t…”
“It’s settled. You’ve got a few days before discharge. I’ll arrange the flat and sort things out. Just focus on recovering.”
“I…”
Lu Zheng nodded to Lin Wan and her mother, then turned and left.
“Mum,” Lin Wan looked at her mother, “What did you two talk about?”
…
Meanwhile, Lu Zheng stepped outside and called Huang Xiumin.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Lu Zheng. Send me Lin Wan’s salary card details.”
“What for?”
“To put Auntie at ease.”
“Wait a moment.”
…
“Did I say anything wrong?”
In the ward, Lin Wan’s mother and Lin Wan were having a heart-to-heart.
“No,” Lin Wan shook her head, “Actually, I’m starting to regret it.”
“Why?”
“I should’ve left quietly,” Lin Wan’s gaze dropped, “If Xiumin kept it secret, where would he even find me?”
“So, you’re reluctant to let go?”
“Mum…” Lin Wan murmured, “Do you think I can recover?”
Her mother didn’t answer, her eyes full of heartache as she looked at Lin Wan.
*Ding!*
Lin Wan’s phone chimed softly.
Casually picking it up and glancing at it, her eyes widened.
“What’s wrong?” her mother asked.
Lin Wan put the phone down, took a deep breath, “He transferred ten million to me.”
“Him? Lu Zheng!” her mother exclaimed.
Lin Wan nodded.
Her mother thought for a moment, then asked, “What are you going to do?”
Lin Wan took a few gentle breaths, her eyes hardening, “Recover! I *will* recover. I *will* stand again!”
She couldn’t let this love down, nor could she accept that vengeance would go unserved!
