"That must have been tough," Lin Nian said casually, unsure of what else to say.

Shufen could sense the change in his emotions when she heard his words, but she didn't want to explain what she had done over the years, and indeed she had no reason to explain.

The two remained frozen in place, and seeing this situation, Grandpa Lin tried to smooth things over once again.

"So, is everything alright at the hotel during your visit?"

Hearing what Grandpa Lin said, Shufen looked over and shook her head: "It's nothing. I've been switching to the night shift recently because of something."

"Later I quit my job, because I couldn't hold them back."

“Yes, that’s right, that’s true. These days, it’s hard to do any business, and people can’t wait for you forever.” Grandpa Lin nodded.

The group chatted casually, and as the topic shifted, Lin Nian's mood improved.

At noon, Lin Tiegang started cooking, and Shufen hurried to help.

Only Lin Nian's grandfather and Lin Nian were left in the room. His grandfather rummaged through the things Shu Fen had brought and took out the toy gun and gave it to Lin Nian.

"Yes, your mother bought it especially for you," Grandpa Lin said with a smile.

Lin Nian reached out and took the toy gun, unpacked it, loaded the bullet, pulled the slide, and fired a shot.

Watching the baby eggs bouncing all over the ground, Lin Nian laughed, a smile tinged with relief.

This toy gun was something he had dreamed of having as a child.

Other children have their mothers buy them things, but Lin Nian doesn't. He can only watch others play and gaze longingly at them.

If Chen Feng hadn't lent him one to play with, he probably wouldn't have known what a toy gun felt like until he was twenty.

Although he can afford it now, he doesn't want it as much anymore.

"Have a good chat with your mother, talk to her. She's had a tough time too," Grandpa Lin said, patting Lin Nian's hand.

Lin Nian didn't speak, but putting down his gun was considered his tacit agreement.

A meal was quickly prepared, consisting of six dishes, Shufen said with a forced smile.

"I cooked these two dishes, I don't know if they taste good or not."

Lin Nian reached out and picked up a chopstick, then lowered his head and shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth.

So this is what it feels like to have your mother cook for you?

The food tasted ordinary, but it had an indescribable flavor.

Lin Nian felt a lump in his throat. He took a sniff and suppressed his emotions to continue eating.

"What's wrong? Is it not good? Did you put too much chili in it?" Shufen asked anxiously.

Lin Nian shook his head upon hearing this and remained silent.

"You should eat too, Shufen. You must be hungry since you didn't eat breakfast this morning," Lin Tiegang said.

"Hmm." Shufen picked up her chopsticks after hearing this, and the family of four began to eat.

There was some light work to do in the garden in the afternoon, and Shufen volunteered to help, leaving Lin Nian with nothing to do.

He looked at his mother's bent-over back and felt a mix of emotions.

By this point, Lin Nian no longer knew how to face her.

That night, Shufen stayed in the vacant bedroom. The three of them treated her like a guest, asking if the mattress was thin and the blanket was light when they entered the room.

Shufen said everything was fine, and the three of them left the house so that she could get some rest.

Grandpa Lin didn't say anything this time, he just patted Lin Nian on the shoulder and went back to his room to sleep.

Lin Nian went to Lin Tiegang's house and asked the same question again.

"What exactly was the reason for your divorce back then?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Tiegang took a deep breath and gave the same answer as always.

"It's all my fault, it has nothing to do with your mother, so you can blame me."

To be honest, Lin Tiegang's answer was a last resort.

Upon hearing this answer, Lin nodded and returned to his bedroom.

He knew that his father said this so that he wouldn't hold a grudge against his mother.

Sitting in the bedroom, Lin Nian leaned against the wall, his gaze unfocused.

Shufen was also sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face.

Only now did she finally realize how much she owed Lin Nian.

I'm really not a human being.

The next day, when Lin Nian got up, Shu Fen had already prepared breakfast. She saw Lin Nian get up and smiled at him.

"I just made something quick and easy, I don't know if you'll like it or not, come and eat, you must be hungry."

Lin Nian sat at the table, looking at the breakfast his mother had prepared, and silently picked up his chopsticks.

Is this what it feels like to have your mother make breakfast in the morning?

Millet porridge, a few boiled eggs, and some pickled vegetables she made herself.

It wasn't plentiful at all, really not plentiful.

Lin Nian waited a full twenty years to finally have this simple breakfast.

His heart, too, slowly melted along with the warm millet porridge.

He was willing to gradually accept her and give her a home.

Watching Lin Nian slowly eat the breakfast she had made, Shu Fen felt very happy, as if she had finally made up for some of Lin Nian's mistake.

And so, she stayed there for three days, and the atmosphere in the family became more and more harmonious. Lin Nian was also slowly accepting her.

On the fourth day at noon, Shufen was torn between her inner conflict and, holding her chopsticks, finally spoke.

"I'm leaving this afternoon; the car is booked."

Upon hearing this, Lin Nian stopped chewing and looked at Shu Fen, puzzled.

Neither Grandpa Lin nor Lin Tiegang spoke.

"Lin Nian, I've been too embarrassed to tell you this for the past few days, but... you'll find out sooner or later."

"After I divorced your father, I found another man." Shufen was already somewhat afraid to look Lin Nian in the eye.

Upon hearing this, Lin Nian put down his chopsticks and swallowed the food in his mouth. He had no idea that his mother had actually remarried.

"Later, I had another child with that man. When the child was ten years old, he died of an accident."

“For the past few years, I have been raising my child alone.”

"I know I've let you down, Xiao Nian. I can only stay for a few days this time."

"It's because the child is sick and is currently hospitalized, and his aunt is taking care of him."

“I have to go back. She has a family too, and I can’t let her look after the child forever.”

"Xiao Nian, there's another reason why I came to see you this time, besides wanting to see you."

"It's just... his surgery and follow-up treatment will cost at least 100,000 yuan, and I'm desperate..."

"I hope you can help me out of consideration for our past relationship as mother and son. Consider this money a loan, and I'll pay you back even if I have to sell everything I own, okay?"

"I really have no other choice..."

As Shufen spoke, she stood up from her chair and knelt down in front of Lin Nian with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably.

The lighter Lin Nian was holding fell to the ground with a "clatter".

He looked at his mother kneeling in front of him, his expression somewhat stunned, and then he suddenly smiled with relief.

"As expected... they're still after my money..."

Grandpa Lin and Lin Tiegang were also shocked; they had no idea about this before.