“Wanwan, don’t bother.” Ruan Wanyi smiled. “I didn’t intend to live when I shot myself in the heart. It’s already good enough that I have this time to talk to you again.”

She looked at Zhan Jingting, "Jingting, Mom has always been stupid. If it weren't for my stupidity, Shiyi wouldn't have almost fallen into his hands today. But thankfully, Shiyi is safe and sound, and from now on, Mom will never be a burden to you again..."

Zhan Jingting looked at her and said, "I never said you were a burden. I know what you have done for me all this time. Today you shot and killed him because you knew he had to die, but you didn't want me to bear the crime of patricide, so you did it yourself."

Tears streamed down Ruan Wanyi's face. "Jingting, your mother is a very traditional and ordinary woman. In my life, I've always followed the principles of obeying my husband at home, obeying my husband after marriage, and obeying my son after my husband's death. Ever since your father left, your mother's world has only revolved around you. Even if your father came back, your mother would still choose to protect you. Besides, he's not the Zhan Huaisheng he used to be..."

"Jingting, Mom hopes you won't hold a grudge against your father. Try to put yourself in his shoes; he wasn't having an easy time either. Let his death wash away all his sins..."

"Since he is already dead, I will not hold a grudge against him."

"That's good." Ruan Wanyi looked at Qiao Wanwan again. "Wanwan, Mom wants to apologize to you. I haven't been a good mother-in-law all along, and my attitude towards you hasn't been very good either. Can you forgive me?"

Qiao Wanwan fought back tears, smiled, and shook her head. "Mom, if you put it that way, then I'm not a good daughter-in-law either. Our attitudes towards each other are mutual. I don't blame you, so there's no such thing as forgiveness. We'll always be family."

"Okay, good child, from now on, this family is in your hands. Jingting is cold-hearted, and only you can warm his heart. Promise me you will find a way to cure his illness and find another child so the family can live a good life together. I will be watching over you from heaven and blessing you..."

Qiao Wanwan completely broke down, tears streaming down her face. "Mom, don't say things like that. I hate saying goodbye, I hate it so much... You're so silly, you didn't need to do that..."

“Child, if you were me, you would probably despair too.” Ruan Wanyi smiled, but tears were streaming down her face. “I loved him my whole life, but in the end, he personally poisoned me to threaten our son. My heart is dead. Living is torture for me. Do you understand?”

"Wanwan, I know you're different from me. You're independent and strong, with your own career, unlike me, whose whole life revolves around my husband and son, living for this family. Wanwan, I'm a failed woman..."

Qiao Wanwan held her hand tightly and cried, "Mom, how could you fail? Jingting is so outstanding. You raised him yourself. You are the most successful mother in the world. And your husband, there's something I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. I checked your blood. Actually, he didn't poison you. I guess he just lied because he was desperate and wanted to use it to blackmail Jingting."

Ruan Wanyi was taken aback. "Really?"

“Of course it’s true, how could I lie to you?” Qiao Wanwan said. “Mom, I believe he loves you. You are a successful wife and a successful mother. You are the most successful and respected Mrs. Zhan.”

A relieved smile appeared on Ruan Wanyi's pale face. "That's great... I knew it. He loves me. No matter what, he would never have the heart to hurt me..."

Yes, he loves you, he always has, just as you love him.

Ruan Wanyi closed her eyes briefly and said, "Jingting, Wanwan, I'm a little tired."

Qiao Wanwan wiped away her tears. "Mom, you should go for the surgery. Don't be afraid, get some sleep."

"good."

Ruan Wanyi took their hands, placed them together, and held them tightly. "Remember, you two must trust each other, love each other, and be happy forever."

"I understand." Zhan Jingting held her hand. "Mom, thank you."

Ruan Wanyi smiled, "Silly son, anything I do for you is worthwhile and I do it willingly. You don't need to say thank you."

"Jingting, Wanwan, Mom has one last request. Tangtang has been kind to me. She was there to comfort me when I was going through the most difficult time. For my sake, please help her out more in the future and don't let her have a hard time in the Ruan family, okay?"

Zhan Jingting nodded, "Okay."

Ruan Wanyi looked at Qiao Wanwan, "Wanwan, can you promise Mommy?"

Qiao Wanwan nodded through her tears, "I understand, I promise Mom."

"Thank you, Wanwan." Ruan Wanyi looked at her. "Actually, I've never told you this, but I'm very happy to have a daughter-in-law like you."

The doctor pushed the hospital bed away, and Ruan Wanyi quickly let go of their hands.

The two followed, but were stopped outside the operating room. The closed door quickly and completely isolated them!

An hour later, the operating room door was opened.

The doctor came out, nodded and apologized, "I'm sorry, Master Zhan, we've done our best."

Zhan Jingting slowly sat down on the bench, closed his eyes, and concealed the pain in them.

Qiao Wanwan covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Thank you for your hard work," the Ghost Hand Doctor said. "Madam Zhan loves beauty, so please stitch up her wound carefully."

"Don't worry, we will." The doctor nodded. "Please accept our condolences."

After the doctor left, the Ghost Hand Doctor finally spoke, "Wanwan, don't be sad. When you brought Eleven out, I told you that the poison was spreading very quickly, and with the gunshot wound to her heart, her chances of survival were extremely slim."

"I know." Qiao Wanwan hugged Zhan Jingting. "Jingting, there are no outsiders here. You don't have to hold back. Just let it out if you want to."

"I'm fine." Zhan Jingting slowly opened his eyes. "The doctor said long ago that she wouldn't survive the surgery, and the current outcome was expected. But since she was poisoned, why did you lie and say she wasn't?"

Qiao Wanwan choked up and said, "I don't want her to leave with regrets. Sometimes, a white lie can soothe the pain. Since Mom is destined to leave, I have to let her leave with peace of mind."

Zhan Jingting hugged her, "Wanwan, I thank you on behalf of your mother."

"She is also my mother."

Zhan Jingting said in a deep voice, "I thought he truly loved Mom and hadn't poisoned her..."

“Jingting, I don’t know what he was like when he was young, but ever since the day he started plotting to use your child to exchange for his blood, he has become heartless and insane. How could such a person still have love in his heart? What is there that he wouldn’t do?”