Wang Kai had also left. No matter how Liu Xiulan begged or cried, he still left.
The home was once again left with only Wang Hao.
Liu Xiulan’s tears never stopped:
“Son, my Haohao, Mom only has you, only you.
“They’re all ungrateful wolves, but I believe in you—you won’t abandon Mom, right?”
Wang Hao continued smoking. After he took one last drag, he stood up:
“Mom, take care of yourself. I have to get to work.”
The moment he stepped on the gas, Liu Xiulan felt like the sky was falling.
She ran after Wang Hao’s car all the way to the village entrance.
In the end, she could only watch helplessly as the car disappeared into the distance.
She lost all strength to support herself and collapsed to the ground.
Passing villagers pointed and gossiped:
“Xiulan, what are you doing? Why are you sitting on the ground?”
“How come none of your three children stayed with you for a while?”
“Yeah, Jianguo just passed away, and these kids are heartless to just leave like that.”
Their words seemed to defend Liu Xiulan, but every face wore a gloating smile.
Liu Xiulan’s heart ached as if pricked by needles.
She struggled to get up and returned home.
But standing in the courtyard, everything around her was cold and empty.
Her heart hurt even more.
In a daze, she thought she heard Wang Keke calling out “Grandma,” and saw Lin Wanyi doing laundry.
Then, as if hearing Lin Wanyi say:
“Mom, dinner’s ready. Today’s dishes are all your favorites.”
She stumbled to the dining table, about to pick up her chopsticks.
Only when she looked closely did she see the table was bare—no food, no bowls, no chopsticks.
She turned to the kitchen; it was cold, the stove unused.
Grief overwhelmed her, and she burst into tears, sobbing at the table.
For the first time, from the very depths of her heart, she truly began to regret.
She regretted letting Lin Wanyi go, regretted pushing Wang Hao to divorce.
She thought, if only she had been a little kinder to Lin Wanyi back then, wouldn’t everything be different now?
But unfortunately, there are no “ifs” in this world, no cure for regret.
She could only curse herself over and over.
After cursing, she angrily thought:
There are plenty of men and women in this world. Good women are everywhere.
She didn’t believe she couldn’t find Wang Hao a new wife.
At worst, she’d just spend more money.
But where would the money come from?
And as she thought and thought, she passed out.
........
Lin Wanyi had been in the hospital for six days and wanted to be discharged.
Liu Renzhi was a little uneasy: “Better stay a few more days. Don’t leave until you’re fully recovered.”
Lin Wanyi stretched her foot out to him:
“Look, it’s all healed. That day it only looked scary—it was all just surface wounds, and they heal fast.
“Besides, tomorrow is Aunt Su’s birthday party. You don’t want me to miss it, do you?”
“How could I?”
Liu Renzhi gently took Lin Wanyi’s small foot in his hands.
Remembering the shocking wounds from a few days ago, his heart ached.
“I’ll get a wheelchair. Tomorrow, I’ll push you to the party.”
Lin Wanyi frowned:
“Wouldn’t that be a bit awkward? Actually, I can wear shoes and walk now.”
Liu Renzhi insisted:
“Resting a few more days will do you good.”
Lin Wanyi didn’t argue. She knew Liu Renzhi meant well.
When they got home, Li Suhua tentatively asked her:
“Wang Jianguo died, you know?”
“I know,” Lin Wanyi replied calmly.
“Mom, I’m happy.
“When Dad passed away, their whole family stopped me from coming back.
“It hasn’t been that long, and he’s dead too—karma comes fast.
“Mom, I’m really happy.”
Li Suhua was happy too; Lin Jiajun was happy; everyone was happy.
Li Suhua bought a lot of groceries and asked Liu Renzhi to stay for dinner:
“Renzhi, if you don’t mind, eat with us. My cooking isn’t as good as your family’s chefs, but it’s edible.”
Liu Renzhi smiled and agreed.
At the table, Wang Keke sat on Lin Wanyi’s left, and Liu Renzhi on her right.
Li Suhua had made everything light: “Wanyi, you just got out of the hospital—your diet still needs caution.”
Lin Wanyi obediently nodded.
Suddenly, Wang Keke tilted her head and asked Liu Renzhi:
“Uncle Renzhi, are you and Mom going to get married?”
The question almost made Lin Wanyi drop her chopsticks, and she quickly stopped Wang Keke:
“Keke, don’t talk nonsense.”
Wang Keke continued: “Mom, I’m not talking nonsense. Isn’t that how it always goes on TV?
“First you fall in love, then you get married—aren’t you two?”
Lin Wanyi was mortified. She wished she could cover Wang Keke’s mouth right then.
But Liu Renzhi answered Wang Keke seriously:
“Well, Keke, you’re right. Uncle is thinking about this very seriously.
“When your mom and I get married, would you like to be the flower girl?”
“Yes!”
Wang Keke clapped happily.
Liu Renzhi put down his chopsticks and looked solemnly at Li Suhua:
“Auntie, since Keke brought it up, let me make my intentions clear.
“My relationship with Wanyi is serious—it’s for marriage, not just for fun.
“As you know, I’m 35. My parents have long wanted me to get married, but I just never met the right person.
“Now…”
He glanced at Lin Wanyi and continued:
“Now I’ve met Wanyi. I want to take this chance to ask for your permission.
“I want to marry Wanyi. May I?”
Lin Wanyi never expected Liu Renzhi to say the words “marry her” so easily.
She wasn’t prepared at all; she hadn’t thought it would be so soon.
In other words, she never imagined Liu Renzhi would be this serious.
But Liu Renzhi was truly that serious.
Lin Jiajun and Chen Hui looked back and forth between Li Suhua and Liu Renzhi.
Seeing Li Suhua remain silent, Chen Hui couldn’t hold back:
“Mom, what are you still thinking about? Brother Renzhi is so good—what’s there to hesitate about?
“Just say yes already!”
Li Suhua was willing deep down, but she had concerns.
After all, Lin Wanyi had already been through one marriage—a failed one.
So Li Suhua dared not agree too easily.
Liu Renzhi’s palms were sweating.
He was waiting for Li Suhua’s judgment—more nervous than closing a billion-dollar deal.
The dining table was eerily quiet.
Lin Wanyi didn’t know what Li Suhua would say either; she too was waiting.
A minute passed. Liu Renzhi felt he should show some sincerity.
He was about to say he’d transfer his villa and all his assets to Lin Wanyi when Li Suhua spoke:
“Your business is your own, but I can’t bear to part with Keke, and she likes me too.
“So after you marry, Keke still has to live with me.”
Lin Wanyi didn’t understand:
“Mom, you’re getting older—it’s not easy to take care of a child. Why must Keke live with you?”
Liu Renzhi immediately added:
“Auntie, my house has maids and nannies. Keke won’t suffer at all with me—please rest assured.”
But no matter what they said, Li Suhua insisted:
“Keke has to live with me.”
