Chapter 55:

After hanging up the call with Shen Qingzhou, Xiao Ning finally agreed to go to sleep. As soon as he ended the call, Lin Qiao took the phone but didn’t call back, not wanting to disturb him while he was busy.

She tucked Xiao Ning into bed and softly said, “Go to sleep now, it’s very late.”

Xiao Ning nodded, looked at her for a moment, and asked, “Auntie Lin, where will you sleep?”

Lin Qiao pointed to the bed behind her and said, “Right there.”

“What about Uncle Du?”

“He’s in the next room, and he can come over anytime. Don’t worry.”

Xiao Ning nodded again, his eyes showing hesitation. After a moment, he shyly asked, “Auntie Lin, can you sleep with me?” As soon as he finished, he seemed embarrassed, pulling the blanket up to cover half his face, leaving only his big eyes peeking at her.

Lin Qiao was momentarily taken aback but replied without much thought, “Alright, but the hospital bed is a bit narrow. I’m afraid I might squeeze you.”

Xiao Ning quickly said, “It’s okay, it’s not tight at all. If you hold me, it’ll be just right.”

Unable to help smiling, Lin Qiao patted his head and said, “Alright, you go to sleep first. I’ll go brush my teeth and wash up.”

Xiao Ning nodded eagerly, watching her happily as she got up to go to the bathroom, so delighted he didn’t dare blink.

Lin Qiao opened a new toothbrush, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and took out some skincare products from her bag to quickly apply. She took off her watch and placed it along with her phone on the table. She then took off her coat and draped it over a chair before walking back to Xiao Ning’s hospital bed.

Xiao Ning was still awake, dutifully making space for Lin Qiao. She lifted the blanket and lay down, stretching out her arm to pull Xiao Ning close. He rested his head on her arm as she wrapped her arms around his small shoulders. She pulled the blanket over them and whispered, “Alright, now we really need to sleep. Otherwise, if someone comes with breakfast tomorrow morning, we’ll both oversleep and get teased.”

Xiao Ning murmured, “Mm,” and softly asked, “Auntie Lin, can I ask you one last question?”

“What is it?” Lin Qiao asked, eyes closed, gently patting his back.

Xiao Ning hesitated for a while before saying, “Auntie Lin, will you marry my dad?”

Lin Qiao stiffened, opened her eyes, and gazed toward the window. The room was dark, the curtains drawn, revealing nothing outside.

When she didn’t respond immediately, Xiao Ning hurriedly said, “I’m not against you two getting married. I really hope you do. Then I can call you Mom.”

Lin Qiao blinked. Xiao Ning was in her arms and couldn’t see her expression. Although her heart hesitated, her hand continued gently patting his back. After a while, she softly asked, “Do you really want a mom that much, Xiao Ning?”

“Of course, Auntie Lin, you know what I mean,” Xiao Ning replied.

Lin Qiao smiled gently, “You’re right, that’s my fault.”

Xiao Ning snuggled closer into her arms. After a brief silence, he said, “Actually, I don’t wish for just anyone to be my mom. My dad is so handsome, and so many women like him, but he only likes you, so I like you too.”

Lin Qiao hadn’t expected such a young child to understand so much. She was momentarily at a loss for words, worried that she might accidentally hurt this precocious child’s feelings with the wrong choice of words.

But Xiao Ning didn’t seem to mind her silence. He continued, “Auntie Lin, you don’t have to worry. If you marry my dad, both of us will treat you well. Even though you’re not my real mom, I’ll still love you like my real mom.”

Lin Qiao pulled back a little and looked down at him. “Xiao Ning, you know?”

Xiao Ning nodded honestly, “Yes. Dad told me. My real mom had complications during childbirth and passed away.” He sighed like a little adult and said, “Dad told me that my life was given to me by my mom with her life, so I must live well so that she didn’t die in vain. I have to work hard so that she won’t regret her choice.”

Lin Qiao looked at him in surprise but wasn’t shocked that Shen Qingzhou hadn’t told him the whole truth. She gently touched his face and asked, “Do you really understand everything your dad told you?”

Xiao Ning’s expression was a bit complicated, briefly resembling a classic “facepalm” look, making Lin Qiao feel as if her IQ had dropped a few points.

“Auntie Lin, I’m a kid, but not a baby. And do you really think that a child raised by my dad can be compared to an average kid?” he said.

“…No, I guess not.” Indeed, a child raised by Shen Qingzhou was different—so smart it was almost embarrassing.

Lin Qiao pinched his cheeks and pulled him into her arms again. “Don’t think you can change the subject and avoid sleeping. Go to sleep now, no more talking. Otherwise, I won’t let you see your dad tomorrow.”

Scared by the threat, Xiao Ning obediently curled up in her arms and fell asleep quickly. Soon, his breathing became even. Lin Qiao sighed softly and thought to herself how nice it would be if she could fall asleep as quickly as the child.

The night was still long, and she wondered how Shen Qingzhou was doing.

As for Shen Qingzhou, everything was under control. He had taken those things for a reason—he was fully capable of handling the aftermath.

It was Fang Zheng who was in trouble. He was barely managing his own fate, yet still scheming against those outside the prison walls.

Fang Zheng’s lawyer left the police station with a furrowed brow. On the opposite side of the road, Fang Mingjun’s car was parked. He was driving himself and, sitting in the driver’s seat, watched the lawyer drive away before starting his own car and leaving.

Fang Mingjun drove to Xie Jiayi’s residence, parked the car, and knocked on the door. Xie Jiayi opened the door and, without asking many questions, stepped aside to let him in.

“You must have something important to come here so late. Tell me, what do you need help with? I’ll do my best,” Xie Jiayi said, pouring him a glass of water and placing it in front of him with a composed expression.

Fang Mingjun looked at the woman sitting across from him. After a moment of silence, he said, “Please apologize to Qingzhou on my behalf. I didn’t expect Xiao Zheng to be so bold as to actually do something like that. Whatever losses they’ve suffered, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Xie Jiayi nodded and asked, “So you’re asking him to let Fang Zheng off the hook?”

Fang Mingjun didn’t speak, but his expression told her the answer was yes.

Xie Jiayi thought for a moment and said, “I don’t want you to grow old without anyone to care for you, but Xiao Zheng is really too much. You’ve been too busy to raise him properly, and now he’s hurting others and himself.”

Fang Mingjun forced himself to ignore the comment about growing old alone and said sternly, “After this incident, I’ll discipline him properly. I promise he won’t cause any more trouble.”

“But with all the mistakes he’s made, he can’t just walk away unscathed. Even if Qingzhou forgives him, will others? Will fate? Will he even forgive himself?” Xie Jiayi’s words were sharp and pointed.

Fang Mingjun stood up and said, “I’m only here to ask you to plead for me. As for what happens to Xiao Zheng afterward, that’s up to his own fate. Just tell me whether you’re willing to say those words.”

Xie Jiayi shrugged and said, “For the sake of our old friendship, I can say a few words for you, but don’t expect too much. You know how stubborn Qingzhou is. Do you really think he’ll let go just because I speak up?”

Fang Mingjun replied, “Just say it. Whether he agrees or not, that’s fine.”

“You have another plan, don’t you?”

“I never let myself fall into a desperate situation.” Fang Mingjun didn’t answer directly.

Xie Jiayi looked at her former second husband and said calmly, “Alright, I understand. You should go back and rest now. It’s tiring taking care of the young when you’re old. You must have owed him something in your past life.”

Fang Mingjun didn’t respond and turned to leave. Halfway to the door, he suddenly changed direction and headed toward the guest room on the first floor. Xie Jiayi was taken aback and immediately said, “You’re going the wrong way!”

Without looking back, Fang Mingjun said, “I’m too tired to drive now. I’ll stay here tonight.” With that, he opened the guest room door, walked in, and shut it behind him, locking it before Xie Jiayi could respond.

Xie Jiayi looked at the man who had lived half his life and now acted like a child, feeling a strange mix of amusement and bitterness.

In this world, who has a life free of difficulties? Everyone has their own struggles. She did, Fang Mingjun did, and their son did too.

She was old now. Taking care of herself was enough. As for the children, let them find their own way. She shouldn’t interfere anymore.

Shen Qingzhou had been busy all night and only arrived at the hospital just after six in the morning. He brought breakfast and knocked on the hospital room door precisely at seven. At that time, Lin Qiao and Xiao Ning were still asleep.

Du Xinling had woken up earlier and came out when he heard the knock. Seeing Shen Qingzhou, he said, “I have the key. Should I open the door? They’re probably still asleep.”

Shen Qingzhou replied, “Give it to me. You go get something to eat.”

Du Xinling looked at the breakfast bag in surprise and asked, “You didn’t buy me anything?”

Shen Qingzhou nodded. “No. If you eat here, it’ll ruin the peaceful family atmosphere.”

Du Xinling leaned weakly against the wall, his face full of pain as he reached out to Shen Qingzhou. “Then at least give me something else.”

Shen Qingzhou calmly took out his wallet from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, pulled out a few hundred-yuan bills, and handed them to him. “Go ahead. Eat well. Have some meat.”

Du Xinling reluctantly took the money, stuffed it into his pocket, and handed the key to Shen Qingzhou with a sigh. “Alright then, I’ll leave first. You two enjoy your breakfast. If you’re not busy today, spend more time with Xiao Ning. He missed you.”

“I have no plans today. I’ll be here all day. I won’t go anywhere these few days. If you have something to do, go take care of it,” Shen Qingzhou said softly as he opened the door.

Du Xinling nodded and quietly said goodbye before leaving. Shen Qingzhou entered the room quietly, closed the door behind him, placed the breakfast bag on the table, and walked to the window, slightly opening the curtain. Warm sunlight poured in, illuminating the two figures sleeping on the bed.

At that moment, Lin Qiao was hugging Xiao Ning tightly, fast asleep. Xiao Ning had wrapped his arms and legs around her, resting his head on her chest, sleeping peacefully and contentedly.

Shen Qingzhou narrowed his eyes. Although he wasn’t entirely pleased with Xiao Ning’s sleeping posture, he thought to himself, “The sunlight today is really warm.”