"You make a point, it's probably just my imagination."
"Exactly, exactly. But some people online are saying there's a preview screening at the mall cinema today. I wonder if any celebrities will show up. It would be even better if Miao Miao is there, I really like her, she's so brave."
Fang Miaomiao, hearing the whispers behind her, couldn't help but laugh. She then pulled Wen Zhiyan's hand and quickened her pace.
"It feels like we're doing something wrong."
Fang Miaomiao squeezed Wen Zhiyan's palm, "What do you want to eat? My treat."
"What do you want to eat, Miao Miao?"
"Barbecue."
Wen Zhiyan's gaze swept around, finally landing on a spot. "Then shall we go for barbecue?"
Fang Miaomiao nodded.
Just as the two were about to head to the barbecue restaurant, Wen Zhiyan's phone rang.
He answered.
After a while, Wen Zhiyan looked at Fang Miaomiao with a guilty expression.
"What's wrong?"
"My mother is critically ill."
"Critically ill?"
How could this be?
Wen Zhiyan nodded gravely.
"Shall we go to the hospital to see her? Should we call An An too?"
Wen Zhiyan nodded after a moment, "Wen Wenlan said someone has been sent to pick up An An. Don't worry, An An knows that person."
Fang Miaomiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Then let's go to the hospital."
Hospital ward.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Wen Zhijia looked up at Wen Zhiyan, then lowered his head, his eyes fixed on Ran Lian in the hospital bed, hooked up to an oxygen tube.
"Little Uncle."
"What happened?"
Wen Wenlan shook his head. "It just happened suddenly. I don't know why. The doctor has seen her."
They said there wasn't much time left.
"How could this happen?"
Wen Zhijia was silent for a while before saying, "Last night, Mother woke up and kept calling your name."
Wen Zhiyan remained silent.
"Wen Zhiyan, Mom knows she was wrong."
Wen Zhiyan still didn't speak.
"Dad, didn't we agree not to talk about these things?"
"But this is your grandmother's wish."
Fang Miaomiao frowned and was about to speak when she saw Wen Zhiyan shake his head at her.
What did that mean? Was he planning to forgive Old Madam Wen?
Sigh.
"Zhiyan, do you mean you forgive her?"
Wen Zhiyan shook his head without speaking.
"What do you mean by that?" Wen Zhijia's tone was displeased. "Mom is like this now. Even if you're unhappy, please speak properly and give Mom some peace of mind."
Wen Zhiyan remained silent.
"Wen Zhiyan, are you mute?"
Wen Zhijia was so angry he stood up from his chair. Just as he was about to scold his ungrateful brother, Ran Lian on the bed slowly opened her eyes.
"Dad." Wen Yan'an also ran into the ward, shouting, and went to hold Fang Miaomiao and Wen Zhiyan's hands.
"I'm fine," Wen Zhiyan said, shaking his head. "Are you tired?"
Wen Yan'an shook his head. "Not tired, Dad. Don't worry."
"Grandma is awake, Dad."
Wen Zhijia stopped bothering with Wen Zhiyan and turned to the bedside, looking at Ran Lian cautiously. "Mom, are you alright?"
Ran Lian shook her head and her gaze fell on Wen Yan'an and Wen Zhiyan.
"Mom, do you want to talk to them?"
Ran Lian nodded.
Wen Zhijia huffed a few times before stepping back and giving up his position to the other two. "An An, Grandma wants to see you."
Wen Yan'an glanced at Wen Zhiyan, then ran to the bedside and called out, "Grandma."
"Good child," Ran Lian's eyes were moist. "I'm so happy you came to see Grandma."
"Grandma." Wen Yan'an wanted to hold Ran Lian's hand, but seeing the various instruments on her hands, he didn't know where to place his.
"It's okay, Grandma doesn't need to hold hands anymore."
"Grandma."
"An An, be good, don't be afraid. Grandma is just tired, but she can't bear to leave my good grandson An An, so I wanted to see my little grandson An An before sleeping."
"Grandma will get better. Don't worry, Grandma."
Ran Lian nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, Grandma will get better. Grandma wants to watch An An grow up, go to elementary school, university, and even get married and have children."
"Mhm mhm." Wen Yan'an nodded heavily. "So, Grandma, you must get better quickly. An An is waiting for you."
"Okay." Ran Lian's eyes were vacant, but she still smiled. "An An, can you let Dad come over? Grandma wants to talk to Dad."
Wen Yan'an hesitated. He didn't want Grandma to scold Dad.
"Mom, you look tired. Why don't we rest for a while? We can talk later when you have more energy? New Year's is coming, and we'll all be celebrating together." Wen Zhijia asked softly.
Ran Lian shook her head. "I want to see Zhiyan. You all go out."
"Mom."
"Zhijia, listen."
Wen Zhijia gritted his teeth but still led everyone away, leaving the ward for Wen Zhiyan and his mother.
Ran Lian looked at Wen Zhiyan, who stood by the bed, always at a distance from her. A smile played on her lips, and she wanted to say something but didn't know how.
"If you have nothing else, please rest well."
"Wait." Ran Lian saw him about to leave and called out excitedly, "Zhiyan, don't go."
Wen Zhiyan stood still. "Do you need something?"
"Zhiyan, I'm sorry."
Wen Zhiyan's expression remained unchanged. "It's okay, it's in the past."
There was no point in pursuing these matters anymore.
One must learn to look forward.
"Zhiyan." Ran Lian's eyes reddened. "I..."
"Rest well. Wen Zhijia and Wen Wenlan are good sons and grandsons, they will take good care of you. I and Wen Shi, and Wen Jia, have no relationship. An An also has no relationship with the Wen family."
Wen Yan'an will only be the child of Wen Zhimeng, Wen Zhiyan, and Fang Miaomiao, and has no relation to the Wen family.
"Zhiyan, you really can't forgive me?" Ran Lian raised her hand, trying to grasp Wen Zhiyan, but found that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't touch his hand.
It was as if there would always be a gap between mother and son, one that could never be healed.
"Zhiyan!"
The roar from the ward startled those outside.
Ignoring everyone's objections, Wen Zhijia pushed the door open and saw his mother, weak and trying to reach out to grasp Wen Zhiyan, from a distance.
"Wen Zhiyan, you bastard."
Fang Miaomiao's eyes sharpened. She quickly rushed forward, telling Wen Yan'an not to go in.
"Wen Zhiyan!"
Everyone expected Wen Zhijia's fist to land on Wen Zhiyan's face, but to their surprise, Wen Zhiyan caught Wen Zhijia's charging wrist with one hand and, with a clenched fist, slammed it heavily into Wen Zhijia's cheek.
Wen Wenlan quickly helped his father.
"Are you alright?"
Wen Zhijia pushed Wen Wenlan away and glared fiercely at Wen Zhiyan. "You dared to hit me?"
"I hit you, so what?" Wen Zhiyan calmly straightened his sleeves. "I have already come to an agreement with Old Madam Wen. If there are any further issues, please do not contact us. We have no relationship whatsoever."