Chapter 131: Mu Lingling’s Painful Reality
The next day dawned with a bitter chill, the air carrying a wintry bite as Zhang Mei roused from her slumber and ventured into her mother’s room.
Mu Lingling observed her daughter with a keen eye. "You look remarkably content. What’s made you so cheerful?"
Zhang Mei attempted to brush it off. "Nothing, I just had a good night’s sleep."
Mu Lingling, her voice feeble: "Hm, are you certain it’s not because of your dinner last night? With him?"
Zhang Mei sighed. "Mom, it wasn’t a date. We were just having dinner. We both needed some time away from everything."
A cough interrupted their conversation, cutting through Mu Lingling’s curiosity.
"You don’t have to pretend with me, dear," Mu Lingling continued softly. "I’m your mother."
Zhang Mei handed her mother a glass of water. "Stop overthinking, Mom. Here, have some water."
Mu Lingling took a sip, but it seemed to exacerbate her coughing. Zhang Mei, busy comforting her mother, didn’t notice anything amiss.
"Maybe I should let you rest," Zhang Mei suggested, a tinge of concern in her voice.
Mu Lingling, hiding her blood-stained hand, insisted, "It’s alright. There’s a nurse here. Don’t worry too much, dear."
Zhang Mei placed a gentle kiss on her mother’s forehead. "You’re my mom. I’ll always take care of you."
Zhang Mei walked out of her mother’s room, and in the living room, she found Li Chen, Tang Ziyi, Xu Zhonhao, and Sun Lixia engaged in lively conversation.
"Hey, how’s your mother?" inquired Sun Lixia with her usual warmth.
Zhang Mei sighed, "Same. She’s not getting any better."
Tang Ziyi, the supportive friend, chimed in, "We’re here for you, Sister Mei. If you need anything, just say the word."
Li Chen, genuine concern etched on his face, asked Zhang Mei, "And how are you holding up in all of this?"
"I have to keep strong for her," replied Zhang Mei, the weight of her responsibilities evident in her voice.
Xu Zhonhao jumped into the conversation, "Maybe we should go out shopping today, just for some fresh air."
Tang Ziyi enthusiastically agreed, "Sounds like a great idea! It’s the weekend, after all."
Sun Lixia, injecting a dose of humor, added, "You should do some fun activities. You can’t be cooped up in the house on weekends. How are you going to find wives?"
Tang Ziyi teased, "Whoa, I’m still young for a wife!"
Xu Zhonhao joined in, "I’m not a family man."
Sun Lixia turned to Li Chen, "What about you, Li Chen?"
Li Chen grinned, "Of course, I’ll get married if I find the one."
Xu Zhonhao suggested, "So, are we going out? We can watch the new movie that’s out."
Tang Ziyi exclaimed, "Oh yeah, I’m in!"
Zhang Mei hesitated, "I don’t know, guys. I was just hoping to stay indoors."
Li Chen, always the optimist, encouraged her, "Come on, Zhang Mei, let’s have some fun. Once the game launches, I don’t think we’ll ever have this kind of fun again."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Mei conceded, "Oh well, what the heck. Let’s go."
Sun Lixia, the caring mother figure, assured her, "Don’t worry. I’ll check on your mother regularly."
They all went to their rooms to prepare for a day out. Before leaving, Sun Lixia called Xu Zhonhao to the side and said, "Please ensure their safety. Call Shadow if you see anything suspicious. We still have Agent 17 on our tail."
Xu Zhonhao nodded, "Yes, ma’am."
"I am counting on you," Sun Lixia added.
"Yes, ma’am," Xu Zhonhao affirmed.
Li Chen went downstairs after changing into different clothes and overheard his mom’s worry. He reassured her, "Don’t worry, Mom. We will be safe."
Sun Lixia urged, "Try to come back early. We have an engagement party to attend."
Li Chen chuckled, "Okay, Mom."
Tang Ziyi and Zhang Mei also joined them in the living room. Tang Ziyi, excited, exclaimed, "Let’s go, Brother Chen!"
Sun Lixia watched with a smile as they all left the house, talking and laughing.
Sun Lixia knew that times like these were to be treasured. All she wanted was to see her son happy. She was aware that things were about to get messy in their lives, especially with Li Yanyan making her presence known in Shanghai. The organization would soon find out, and they would start hunting them down. With a heavy sigh, Sun Lixia went to Mu Lingling’s room and found her staring at the ceiling.
"Mu Lingling, how are you feeling?" Sun Lixia asked.
Mu Lingling replied weakly, "It’s not good. My time is running out."
Concern etched on her face, Sun Lixia inquired, "What is wrong?"
Mu Lingling explained, "I have been coughing blood for three days, and it’s getting worse every day."
Worry clouded Sun Lixia’s expression. "Have you told Zhang Mei?"
"I don’t want her to stress about me. I am going to die anyway; the cancer is spreading every day," Mu Lingling admitted.
Understanding her fears, Sun Lixia said, "You fear she might..."
Mu Lingling nodded, "Yes, she might try to save me, neglecting her life in the process. My daughter is still young; I want her to find love and be happy."
Sun Lixia nodded in understanding. "I won’t say a word either."
"Thank you," Mu Lingling whispered.
After a long pause, Mu Lingling made a request, "Please... please take care of my daughter."
Sun Lixia reassured her, "Of course. She is also my daughter now. I have always wanted a daughter."
"You are a true friend, Sun Lixia. Even after so many years, you have not changed," Mu Lingling said.
"I think you need to rest now. Don’t use too much energy," Sun Lixia suggested.
"You are right. Let me just close my eyes for a bit," Mu Lingling agreed.
Sun Lixia carefully tucked in Mu Lingling before leaving the room, a somber atmosphere lingering in the air.
Sun Lixia went to the living room to retrieve her phone and dialed a number. The call was answered, and the person on the other end greeted, "Auntie, how are you?"
"I am in Shanghai. I need you to help check someone for me," Sun Lixia requested.
"You’re in Shanghai, and you didn’t tell me?" the person replied.
"I was going to inform you; it’s been hectic," Sun Lixia explained.
"What is wrong with the person you want me to check?" the person inquired.
"She has the last stage of cancer, and her body is rejecting any form of medication," Sun Lixia revealed.
"Hmm, I see. That is challenging, but I will see what I can do. Please send me the address; I will come by tomorrow," the person offered.
"Sure," Sun Lixia replied. She hung up and texted the address before putting her phone away. She poured herself a cup of wine and swirled the glass in her hands, deep in thought. She knew she couldn’t do anything to help Mu Lingling, but she hoped to at least ease her pain before she passed on.
