These words made Ruan Liuzheng even sadder. Every time she called home, her father's tone was the same: only sharing good news, not worries, fearing that it might interfere with her study and work.
"Dad, it won't interfere. I've already planned to come back to work and not go out anymore," she choked.
"Really?" Pei Sufen was exceptionally happy to hear this.
"Of course it's true. I have been unfilial, not being able to stay by your side these years. From now on, I should properly honor you!" Ruan Liuzheng turned and said to her mom.
"That's good! That's good!" Pei Sufen was putting away the things Ruan Liuzheng had brought one by one. Hearing her words, she was overjoyed.
After talking with her parents for a while, she asked about her younger brother Ruan Lang. Pei Sufen said he was also nearing graduation, busy preparing his thesis defense, and hadn't informed him.
She felt relieved. That mischievous boy from her memories had finally grown up.
"Mom and Dad, it's time to eat. Should I go get something for you?" she thought that she should go back and stew something nutritious for her dad.
"No need! Let's talk about it in the evening. It's you, you must be tired from the journey, you should go back and get some sleep," Pei Sufen said tenderly, "Have lunch later and then head back."
"I don't need to! I'm going to ask the doctor about the situation." She stood up and went to the doctor's office.
Fortunately, the chief doctor was there. Upon learning that she was the patient's daughter, he detailed the situation to her. She was already roughly aware, as her father had had coronary heart disease for some years. Her mom had always taken good care of him; she didn't know why it had flared up again this time. Fortunately, the doctor said they had brought him in time and there was no serious harm. Staying in the hospital for a while and then resting well at home should be fine.
She sighed in relief and after thanking the doctor, she returned to the hospital room. It was indeed time for lunch. She wondered what her parents would like to eat.
However, the door to the hospital room was open. As she approached, she could hear a man's voice inside, clear and soft, very gentle...
This voice collided with a memory in her mind, shaking her entire body.
She had been avoiding everything, keeping alert, but never imagined this voice would come so suddenly...
A buzzing filled her ears, and her legs even felt weak.
She told herself that she just wasn't ready, not yet...
So, she leaned against the wall, letting her weakened body find support, allowing herself to slowly recover.
The buzzing gradually faded away, and his voice became clear once again.
"Dad, Mom, Ruan Lang's matters are already settled. You don't have to worry anymore, especially you, Dad. Take care of your health. Ruan Lang will be back soon and I've already secured a job for him. He just needs to go and report."
He still calls them mom and dad?
And what happened with Ruan Lang? Why did he have to handle it? What was his relation to it? He even found Ruan Lang a job!
What on earth was happening?
Her turmoil was replaced by frustration, wishing she could immediately go in and get clarity, but her feet just wouldn't move.
Inside, Pei Sufen's voice was heard: "Zhiqian, I'm really embarrassed, always causing you trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. Besides, it's the least I can do."
When Ruan Liuzheng heard "the least I can do," a reflexive antipathy surged within her. She never regretted loving him, but what she hated the most was hearing him say those words. And now, what was there that he needed to do? Nothing left at all!
Pei Sufen sighed deeply, "Zhiqian, oh, it's still... too much trouble for you. Zheng'er, that girl, is just unlucky."