Madam Cheng lowered her head and sighed, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but she eventually did.

“I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have pressured you to have children, and I shouldn’t have said those hurtful things. I was senile and old-fashioned. I always thought that having my own children would make my life complete, which put too much pressure on you and caused all the trouble that followed.”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, "Now the retribution has come, Xiao Zhou is like this now, I..."

She choked up, forcing herself to steady herself, her tone filled with a resigned weariness: "I know it's too late to say all this now. I also bear responsibility for how things have come to this. Xiao Zhou is now determined to die, just wanting to see you doing well."

"Lu You, I'm begging you, please grant his wish for the sake of his past sincerity towards you."

"Get a divorce, find a good man. Your family is wealthy and you're a good catch. I think Mr. Fu is also quite nice. Start a new life, don't let him leave with a heavy heart..."

Mrs. Cheng's words carried the helplessness of a mother.

As Lu You listened, her heart felt heavy, and she found it hard to breathe.

Mrs. Cheng's apology did not bring her relief; instead, it made her feel even heavier.

She realized that whether it was Cheng Keke's pleading or Madam Cheng's apology with ulterior motives, they were both subtly pushing her towards a situation where she had to make the right choice immediately.

Everyone believed that letting go was the best way for her to fulfill Cheng Zhou's wishes.

But what about her heart?

She feels her heart clench when she sees Cheng Zhou sick, and she feels angry and heartbroken when she hears him kicking her out. How can she alleviate this?

Nobody cares about her feelings.

Making choices also requires courage.

Looking at Madam Cheng's expectant eyes, Lu You ultimately said nothing, only shaking his head very slowly.

She opened the car door and got in.

"Stop talking."

Lu You is the preferred driving option.

Mrs. Cheng stood there, her expression complex.

Inside the car, Lu You gripped the steering wheel, her eyes filled with confusion and struggle.

She pressed her lips together; she knew she had to make a decision.

But this decision must never be made under duress or coercion from anyone.

She needs time to truly understand her own heart before making a decision.

Lu You did not go home.

She parked her car, bought a bag of liquor, and sat on a park bench, drinking one glass after another.

Alcohol clouded her judgment but amplified her pain.

In the hazy state of intoxication, pride, resentment, and so-called incompatibility all became unimportant.

The only thing that mattered was the heartache I felt when I saw Cheng Zhou's sickly appearance.

Lu You clutched her chest.

She felt angry and reluctant when she heard him telling her to leave, but she was also terrified at the thought of possibly losing him forever.

"No...we can't leave..."

Lu You swayed and leaned on the steering wheel, muttering to herself, tears mixed with alcohol streaming down her face.

"I can't leave him when he's going through the hardest time..."

She sat up abruptly and went to hail a taxi.

Despite feeling dizzy, Lu You instinctively named the first hospital she was going to.

She was going to tell Cheng Zhou everything that was on her mind!

Lu You staggered to Cheng Zhou's hospital room, where Shang Wu was carrying a thermos out.

Seeing her like this, Shang Wu was startled: "Sister You? What happened to you..."

Lu You ignored her and pushed open the door, barging inside.

Cheng Zhou was resting with his eyes closed, leaning against the headboard, when he heard a noise and opened his eyes. He was stunned to see Lu You, whose face was flushed and who smelled of alcohol.

"Cheng Zhou!" Lu You walked to the bedside, her body swaying slightly, but she tried to stand still, looking straight at him with the courage of a desperate gamble and the bluntness of drunkenness.

"I'm not getting a divorce! Do you hear me? I'm not getting a divorce!"

Cheng Zhou's pupils contracted slightly, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.

Lu You didn't give him a chance, and continued to speak loudly, tears welling up in her eyes: "I know you're trying to get rid of me for my own good, afraid of being a burden! But let me tell you, I'm not afraid! It's just leukemia, right? We'll treat it! We'll spend everything we have to treat it! If it can't be cured in China, we'll go abroad! I'll be with you! I'll always be with you!"

She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and said the words hidden deep in her heart, words she would never easily admit when she was sober: "Cheng Zhou, I love you. I didn't say it often before because I felt embarrassed."

"But now, I'm telling you, I love you, I can't live without you, and you can't get rid of me!"

Her words, filled with unwavering sincerity, struck Cheng Zhou's heart with tremendous force, stirring up a tidal wave of emotions.

Cheng Zhou stared at her in shock, looking into her eyes, where there was no trace of pity or charity, only an intense, overwhelming love.

Cheng Zhou felt a pang of heartache. He reached out his hand, which wasn't receiving an IV drip, and trembled as he tried to wipe away her tears.

His voice was hoarse and barely audible: "Youyou, you...you're drunk..."

"I'm not drunk!"

Lu You grabbed his hand and pressed it tightly against her wet cheek, looking at him stubbornly.

"I know perfectly well! Cheng Zhou, let's stop torturing each other, let's stop talking about letting go, okay? Let's face it together, and whatever the outcome, I'll accept it!"

Looking at the unreserved love and determination in her eyes, Cheng Zhou sighed, took her hand tightly in return, and tears finally slid down his cheeks.

He nodded heavily, his throat choked with emotion, only able to utter a single syllable: "Okay."

The two held each other's hands tightly, gazing at each other through tearful eyes, yet seemingly seeing a new hope.

Shang Wu stood at the door watching this scene, her eyes also welling up with tears.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!