As Meng Xueyun spoke, she seemed to genuinely regret it, and her voice trembled with tears.

"The more I think about it, the more I realize something's wrong. I was such a terrible person! What kind of mother is that? I didn't love my own daughter, but I loved a stranger! Now that I've figured it out, I just want to make it up to Xiaochen. Was I wrong to do that?"

Her tearful confession left Ye Zhenghua speechless.

He felt that Meng Xueyun in front of him was possessed by something unclean, or that the sun had really risen in the west today.

This woman, who has always favored her own family and regarded her eldest daughter as a thorn in her side, not only started praising Ye Linchen, but also attributed all the blame to Meng Zihan, admitting that she was a bastard.

This is even more bizarre than his stroke and paralysis.

He still didn't believe it.

He knew this woman too well; she was inherently driven by self-interest.

"Is that really the reason?" he pressed. "Is there no other reason?"

Meng Xueyun's thoughts were repeatedly exposed by him, and she felt somewhat embarrassed.

She hesitated for a moment, then realized that Ye Zhenghua didn't know about her bank savings, so she simply pushed the money onto him, since he already assumed that all the family's savings had been used to pay for his medical treatment.

"Of course there are other reasons!" Meng Xueyun glared at Ye Zhenghua angrily. "Look at yourself now! I did this because of you!"

She pointed to Ye Zhenghua's immobile leg, "Meng Zihan has returned the money, but she's run away. I heard she's barely able to take care of herself in Hong Kong. We should be grateful if she doesn't come back to ask us for the money. How could we possibly have any money left for her?"

"Your health is deteriorating day by day. The doctor said you need to take good care of yourself and that it can't happen again."

"In a few months, Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei will go to university, leaving just the two of us at home. I'll also be working. What if you get sick? Who will help you? How can I manage on my own?"

She counted on her fingers, listing out the difficulties she would face in the future, her face full of worry.

"Right now, all we can rely on is our daughter, Xiaochen."

"She lives in this city and plans to start her own company. She has flexible hours and doesn't have to work regular hours like in the factory. If we can improve our relationship with her, and there's any emergency at home, we can just call her and she'll come over. Wouldn't it be better for her to come and take care of you than for me to do it alone?"

Should I have Ye Linchen take care of me?

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhenghua nearly choked on his own saliva.

Ye Linchen's icy face instantly flashed into his mind.

Should I let that girl take care of me?

She was being kind by not pulling out his oxygen tube when no one was around!

He was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, mumbling incoherently, "No, no need, I don't need her to take care of me! Forget about it!"

"You don't want it, but I do!" Meng Xueyun retorted without hesitation. "After you're gone, I'll be old and need someone to take care of me, someone to see me off in my old age!"

"My son will have his own family in the future, with a wife and children, and he'll be devoted to his home. He's unreliable! My niece is an outsider, even less reliable! Only my daughter, my sweet little darling, is the most dependable!"

After saying that, she picked up the half-cooled thermos and made a summary as she walked towards the kitchen.

“You men all forget your mothers after you get married; you can’t count on them at all.”

She poured the chicken soup from the thermos into a pot, turned on the gas stove, and prepared to heat it up.

“If she won’t drink it, I will. We can’t let it go to waste. This is a free-range chicken; I’ve been cooking it all day…”

Listening to Meng Xueyun's nagging from the kitchen, Ye Zhenghua closed his eyes helplessly.

He finally understood.

Meng Xueyun didn't have a change of heart; she simply chose the most valuable investment for her later years after losing all her chips.

The so-called regret is real, but the calculation of finding a way out for oneself is even more real.

This woman is beyond saving.

Meng Xueyun, with the warm chicken soup in her hands, sat back down at the dining table.

Ye Zhenghua was asleep in the chair, snoring softly, a sound that was quite irritating.

Meng Xueyun skimmed the chicken oil off the soup with a spoon and carefully took a sip.

The meat was stewed until very tender, with a rich aroma. The warmth slid down my throat into my stomach, but it couldn't dispel even a trace of chill in my heart.

She knew in her heart that her plan to use this pot of chicken soup to win back Ye Linchen had completely failed.

Ye Linchen's heart is harder than stone.

Meng Xueyun pondered as she drank her soup.

Why didn't she accept it?

How could she really be so heartless to her two younger brothers?

It shouldn't be that bad.

The problem probably lies in the food.

It must be because of that fish soup with added ingredients before the college entrance exam.

Although Meng Zihan did it behind her back, she was completely unaware of it at the time.

But in Ye Linchen's eyes, she, as a mother, was an accomplice who handed over the knife.

Once bitten by a snake, one is afraid of a well rope for ten years.

Let alone a bowl of chicken soup, even if she brought over a bowl of plain water, that girl would probably have it tested first.

Thinking of this, Meng Xueyun felt both resentful and aggrieved.

Although she genuinely wanted to reconcile, the pit she had dug in the past was too deep, and she couldn't even find a foothold to climb out of.

It seems that the food route is not viable.

If you can't send food, could you send something else?

Ye Linchen is moving out alone, so she must be lacking things. If we knew what she needed most, we could buy it for her and she would definitely accept it.

It also makes it seem like you genuinely care about her.

But what should I give as a gift?

clothing?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she immediately dismissed it.

She recalled the times she had met Ye Linchen, the clothes he wore, the slippery fabric, the trendy styles, some of his trousers were so wide they looked like sacks, and some of his tops were so short they just reached his waist.

That was a style she would never buy or understand in her life.

If I were to go to a department store and pick out a polyester shirt or sweater that I think looks good and give it to Ye Linchen, he might complain that the style I bought is not fashionable or good-looking, and then refuse to accept it.

If the money is spent but the gifts can't be delivered, and the two boys at home can't wear them, and she herself can't wear those flashy young people's things, it's all a waste of money.

No, I can't send clothes.

How about sending something practical?

Bed sheets and duvet covers?

Thermos flask?

A girl should have these things, right?

On second thought, Ye Linchen has been out for so long, how could he not have all these things ready?

If I send it over now, wouldn't that be blatantly telling them "you weren't doing well before"?

Who knows, I might upset that girl again.

Meng Xueyun felt increasingly troubled, as if there was an insurmountable chasm between her and her daughter.

She knew nothing about Ye Linchen's current life and was wandering around like a headless fly.

Why don't we ask Lin Nan and Lin Bei?