"You think this is for my own good."

She suddenly gave a very faint laugh, a laugh filled with endless sorrow and self-mockery.

“Lu Rang, do you know…” Her voice finally choked up, but she still tried to remain calm. “As a mother, in that situation, even if there was only a one percent or one thousandth of a chance, I would be willing to give anything to save my child.”

"Even at the greatest cost."

"That's my child."

Her tears finally fell silently, one by one, landing on the snow-white quilt and spreading small damp marks.

"You can't understand, you never will..."

She stopped speaking, simply closing her eyes wearily and turning her head to the other side, too exhausted to even glance at him.

It's not resentment.

Rather, it is an unspeakable sense of powerlessness and alienation.

Looking at her resolute profile and the tears that kept rolling down her face, Lu Rang felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

He wanted to explain, to comfort her, to tell her how much he loved her and how afraid he was of losing her.

But all her words seemed so pale and powerless in the face of her maternal sorrow.

He ultimately couldn't say anything; he simply stood up silently and remained there for a very long time.

Then, he quietly left the ward.

From that day on, Shang Wu never spoke a word to Lu Rang again.

She cooperated with the treatment and ate on time, but the light in her eyes was gone.

Like a delicate doll that has lost its soul.

Lu Rang would come to the hospital every day, bringing things she might like, and carefully stay with her.

But she remained silent.

It was as if he were a completely invisible being.

Two days later, Shang Wu was discharged from the hospital and returned home to recuperate.

Lu Rang tried to carry her into the car, but she gently pushed him away.

She walked slowly and steadily, leaning on her cane.

Back home, she remained silent.

Lu Rang put away all sharp objects and even added safety bars to the windows.

He was afraid she would do something foolish.

But he knew she wouldn't.

Her silence was a punishment more heartbreaking than crying or arguing.

That day, Lu You and Cheng Zhou came to visit Shang Wu together.

When Lu opened the door, he saw that they seemed to have come together, and the atmosphere between the two was not as confrontational as before, which made him feel a little relieved.

At least, there's another couple outside who are slowly getting better.

Looking at her younger brother's haggard and exhausted appearance, Lu You sighed with heartache.

She asked softly, "A-Wu... still won't talk to you?"

Lu Rang nodded bitterly, his eyes filled with helplessness: "Yeah. Not saying a word."

Lu You patted his arm and comforted him, "Give her some time. I know she's not blaming you. She just can't get over this hurdle in her heart. She feels like she didn't protect the child well, but she can't blame you because she knows you were doing it for her own good and it was a choice she had no other option. She just needs time to process it herself."

Lu Rang understood this principle perfectly well.

But seeing his beloved so close yet feeling as if they were worlds apart was an agony that nearly drove him mad.

He gestured to Lu You: "Go up and keep her company, talk to her, maybe she'll be willing to talk to you."

Lu Youdian nodded, turned around and went upstairs.

Lu Rang watched her retreating figure and said to Cheng Zhou, "I'm going out for a bit to take care of some things at the law firm. I've been delayed for too long. Do as you please."

Cheng Zhou nodded understandingly: "Go ahead and get busy, I'll keep an eye on things."

Lu drove to the law firm.

The backlog of work has piled up like a mountain.

He plunged into his office and began processing documents efficiently.

Midway through, his partner Yan Yue came in to get his signature.

Behind him was a tall, beautiful young female assistant.

After Lu Rang finished signing, he looked up at the female assistant and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He looked at Yan Yue, his tone flat but tinged with displeasure: "Didn't I say that we should try not to hire people who are too conspicuous for receptionist and assistant positions?"

He didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, especially during this sensitive time.

Yan Yue quickly explained, "Lu Rang, you've misunderstood. Assistant Su has a master's degree in political science and law, and her professional abilities are extremely strong. She was selected through a rigorous selection process via formal interviews; she's not just a pretty face. Moreover,"

He lowered his voice and added, "She has a boyfriend she's in a stable relationship with, and they're very happy together."

Upon hearing this, Lu Rang's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "Yes. As long as the ability is up to par."

Yan Yue breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and suggested, "By the way, Lu Rang, today is my birthday. I've organized a gathering tonight for the partners to get together and relax. You haven't participated in any group activities in a long time."

Lu Rang instinctively wanted to refuse.

He's not in the mood for any parties right now.

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

Perhaps going out for some fresh air and changing one's mood would be good.

However, he had to tell A-Wu.

He took out his phone and opened his chat with Shang Wu.

Their last conversation was when he told her that the doctor had agreed to discharge her from the hospital.

She replied with a cold "Mm".

Lu Rang carefully considered his words and typed in cautiously.

【Awu, it's Yan Yue's birthday today. There's a gathering at the law firm tonight, so I might be home late. Enjoy your meal, and call me anytime if you need anything.】

The message has been sent.

He stared at the screen, his heart tightening slightly.

Waiting.

I don't know if she will reply.

Even just a simple "hmm" would be fine.

At least, it proves she's still reading his messages.