“Hey, when are you going to divorce your wife? You owe your success to me, you know.”
“Darling, don’t rush. With her illness, she won’t last much longer. Once she’s gone, I’ll marry you for sure.”
“Tch, you always say that. Listen, I’m running out of patience. If you push me too far, you’ll regret it.”
“Don’t worry, it won’t be long. She’s hanging by a thread.”
“Don’t lie to me. I saw her just the other day, and she looked healthier than ever. Are you playing games with me? Are you actually taking care of her behind my back?”
“Impossible. That’s just a final flicker before the end. She’ll be gone soon.”
“Hmph, you’d better hurry. The baby in my belly can’t wait much longer. If you dare trick me, I’ll go straight to your grandfather and ruin everything for you—no shares, nothing.”
“Please, don’t! If you mess this up, our child will have nothing!”
So noisy. Where am I? Who’s talking? That voice sounds so familiar—like my ex-husband’s. And the other one… I think I’ve heard it before. Wasn’t she someone from his company? Didn’t she have a tumor? Her womb was removed, and she even came to me for help getting a hospital bed. How could she be pregnant?
Oh, this is his company. I’ve been here before we got married—it’s a foreign trade business. After the wedding, his grandfather wanted me to quit my hospital job and help out here, but he insisted I shouldn’t. He said my health couldn’t handle the workload and that my old job was better—regular hours, less stress.
Why am I here? Didn’t I already reincarnate? I have my father, my mother, my brother, and—before Lin Fang could finish her thought, she saw the two people in the office, naked, the woman bent over the desk, the man behind her, thrusting in and out. They were going at it wildly—her husband and that woman who had once sought her help.
Furious, Lin Fang screamed and charged at them, wanting to tear them apart. But no matter how hard she tried, her hands passed through them as if they were air, and no sound came from her mouth. She could only watch helplessly as they went at it again and again, changing positions, licking each other’s most intimate parts without a hint of disgust. Yet when he was with her, he always turned off all the lights, skipped foreplay, ignored her pain, finished quickly, and fell asleep without a word of comfort.
In her grief and rage, she let out a silent scream—and suddenly, a flash of lightning erupted in the office. Everything exploded, and the naked couple shrieked in agony.
Bitter. So bitter. Why does my mouth taste so bitter? Oh, medicine again. No, I don’t want to drink it. I hate medicine.
“Fang’er, Fang’er, wake up. What’s happening? Why did Fang’er suddenly fall ill again? Fang’er…”
“Fang’er, open your eyes. You’ve been asleep for three whole days. Your mother has been crying nonstop. If you don’t wake up soon, she might—Fang’er, please. Just wake up, and I’ll grant you anything you want.”
No, Mother, don’t cry. Your eyes just healed, and you’ve finally started enjoying life. There’s so much you’ve yet to do. The good days have only just begun. Mother, please don’t cry.
So tired. Didn’t they say I’ve been asleep for three days? Why do I still feel so exhausted? I can’t even move a finger. I want to open my eyes and see Mother, to tell her not to cry. Mom, Mom, Mom…
“Cuimei, stop crying. Listen—is Fang’er calling for you?”
Mom, Mom, Mom, don’t cry.
“Fang’er, are you awake? Did I hear you call for me? Open your eyes, Fang’er.”
“Mom, don’t cry. I’m so tired. Fang’er wants to sleep.”
“Fang’er, don’t sleep. You’ve been asleep for three days. Open your eyes. Mom misses you so much.”
“Master, Mistress, has the Sixth Miss woken up? The doctor said that once she regains consciousness, she should drink something first.”
“Yes, yes! Liu Ma, quickly warm some goat’s milk or rice broth.”
“Right away, Master.”
I’m so tired. Why must I drink something now? With my parents talking nonstop, Lin Fang couldn’t fall back asleep.
“Fang’er, here, drink some rice broth.”
She felt her mother lift her gently, and the sweet broth slid down her throat. It must have been made by Liu Ma. Though the household had cooks, Liu Ma always prepared Lin Fang’s meals herself. She must have been keeping vigil all this time, ready for the moment Lin Fang woke up.
Whether it was psychological or the broth giving her strength, Lin Fang slowly opened her eyes—and was startled by what she saw. Her mother’s already small eyes were swollen to slits, her slightly plump cheeks sunken again. The word “haggard” didn’t do justice to her mother’s appearance. “Gaunt” was more fitting, though Lin Fang hated to admit it. She couldn’t imagine how her mother had endured these three days.
“Mom—” Her voice was hoarse, nothing like her usual sweet tone.
“Yes—” Her mother’s reply was thick with relief and joy, tears spilling from her swollen eyes.
“Mom, don’t cry.”
“Alright, I won’t.” But the tears wouldn’t stop.
The man before her, with a scruffy beard, disheveled hair, and rumpled clothes—was this really her father? Where was the refined, handsome man she knew?
“Dad?”
“Yes, Fang’er, you’re awake! If you’d slept any longer, I’d have punished you by taking away your candied hawthorns.”
“Hehe, Dad, candied hawthorns are so sweet and sour.” I bet he wasn’t this calm while I was unconscious.
“Liu Ma.”
“Oh, Sixth Miss, you’re awake! Thank goodness!” Liu Ma looked no better than her parents. Though she still managed the household and social obligations, keeping her clothes neat, her face was streaked with tears.
Through the window, the sky was dark. It must be nighttime. After greeting everyone, Lin Fang said she wanted to sleep. Her family had probably been losing sleep over her, so now that she was awake, they could finally rest. She was still exhausted.
Even in sleep, Li Cuimei clung to Lin Fang, unwilling to let go. Her father stayed awake, keeping watch in case her condition worsened. At dawn, Liu Ma took over while he finally slept.
Over the past year, Lin Cui’e had changed a lot. She no longer clung to her sister-in-law constantly. During Lin Fang’s illness, she kept the younger siblings in line and helped Liu Ma manage the household. At twelve, she already carried herself like a responsible adult.
Lin Fang slept until noon before waking again. This time, she saw a row of little heads—Lin Wu, Lin Xia, Lin Juan, Lin Wen—peering at her. Her mother, now neatly dressed, sat on the edge of the bed, eyes still puffy but looking much better. Lin Cui’e sat on a low stool nearby, chatting with her mother while occasionally glancing over. Even her little aunt was deeply concerned.
And then there was… Heipi. Shouldn’t you go home? Why are you still here? Did you even pay for your meals? This is my family’s private bedroom. It’s rude to loiter like this. Didn’t your mother teach you manners?
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