Chapter 193 I Can't Wait for That Day

She loved him, so she was even more unwilling to see him caught in the middle, struggling in pain.

But why did it end up like this?

Under the streetlights, Song Yazhi stumbled forward.

Every step felt like walking on cotton, weak and unsteady, yet carrying an unyielding stubbornness.

Her steps were unsteady, her heels making a rapid, intermittent "tap-tap" sound on the concrete, as if echoing her turbulent heartbeat.

The night was deep, and the dim yellow light shone on her, casting her long, thin shadow that trailed behind her like an unhealable wound.

The night wind messed up her hairstyle; her once neatly styled bun came undone, and her white hair clung messily to her face, making her back view appear particularly desolate.

The wind blew in from the alley entrance, causing a few strands of silver hair on her forehead to flutter across her cheeks, like countless tiny hands silently tearing at her dignity.

She was wearing a plain-colored thin wool coat, her shoulders already damp with night dew, making her look thin and shivering.

Her back was hunched, as if she carried too much unspeakable grievance and exhaustion. Every step she took was heavy and slow, as if the whole world was forcing her to retreat, but she refused to fall.

"Auntie, slow down!"

Fang Wanyu chased after her, her voice anxious, "Don't fall!"

She wore a beige trench coat, carried a bag, and her high heels clicked on the ground as she walked quickly but steadily.

As she ran, she raised her hand to smooth her bangs, her brows furrowed, her gaze fixed on the swaying figure ahead of her.

Her voice was exceptionally clear on the quiet street, carrying a genuine worry and a hint of subtle calculation.

Finally, Song Yazhi couldn't run anymore and leaned against a lamppost, panting heavily.

Her fingers gripped the cold metal lamp post tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

His chest heaved violently, his breathing was rapid like a bellows, and each inhale was accompanied by a slight tremor.

She tilted her head back, staring at the dim streetlights, tears welling up in her eyes before finally sliding down her deeply wrinkled cheeks, leaving two wet streaks.

His chest heaved violently, and tears streamed down his face.

Her nose was red and her lips trembled slightly. She tried to restrain herself, but she couldn't control the grievances and anger in her heart.

The tears flowed like an emotion that had been building up for too long, bursting forth uncontrollably.

She bit her lower lip hard, trying to maintain some dignity, but tears fell like broken beads, one after another, onto her clothes, leaving dark stains.

Fang Wanyu rushed over and helped her up, "Auntie, please don't do this, Brother Maidong just acted impulsively..."

Her arm wrapped firmly around Song Yazhi's shoulder, the movement gentle yet firm, as if comforting a frightened child.

She leaned slightly forward, her tone gentle and empathetic, but her eyes subtly scanned the surroundings to make sure no one else was paying attention.

Her voice was extremely soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing something, or as if she were carefully weaving an invisible net.

"A moment of impulse?"

Song Yazhi sobbed, her voice choked with emotion, "He yelled at me because of that woman! From childhood to adulthood, when has he ever called me that? When?"

Her voice trembled, each word sounding as if it had been ripped from her heart.

She turned her head and stared straight at Fang Wanyu, her eyes filled with disbelief and pain.

Her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white, as if she were using all her strength to suppress the screams that were about to erupt.

Her son, the child she raised with her own hands, actually yelled at her in front of everyone, all because of that woman named Qiao Wanyin.

Fang Wanyu gently patted her back, a calculating glint in her eyes. "Auntie, don't get upset. Brother Maidong is just confused right now. Once he's clear-headed, he'll definitely regret his attitude just now."

Her palms gently patted Song Yazhi's back with a steady rhythm, like soothing a baby to sleep.

But a shrewd glint flashed deep in her eyes.

She had been waiting for this moment—waiting for Song Yazhi to lose her composure and for her to be utterly disappointed in her son.

She knew that if she added just one more spark, the bond between mother and child would be stretched to its limit.

"regret?"

Song Yazhi gave a bitter smile. "His heart is completely occupied by that Qiao Wanyin now. How could he remember me, his mother?"

She wiped her face, her voice low and hoarse, as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper.

She stared blankly at the dark street ahead.

That woman, young, beautiful, and eloquent, immediately captured all of her son's attention the moment she appeared.

She remembered that on their wedding day, Fu Lian held Qiao Wanyin's hand and smiled so happily, but he didn't even glance at her, his mother.

"How could that be?"

Fang Wanyu spoke gently, like sweet water, "Brother Maidong is the most considerate, have you forgotten? When he was in school, he was reluctant to spend money every month and saved his living expenses to buy you nutritional supplements."

Her voice was so soft it seemed to melt in the wind, each word carrying a soothing magic.

She tilted her head slightly, revealing a nostalgic smile, as if she were truly immersed in that old time.

"Back then, he even wrote to you, saying, 'Mom, you've worked so hard. I'll definitely take good care of you after I graduate'... Do you remember?"

Song Yazhi's eyes widened, as if she had been pulled back to the past.

Her breath hitched slightly, and the pain in her eyes receded a little, replaced by a look of disorientation.

Yes, her son, Adong, used to be so sensible.

In high school, I saved my breakfast money to buy her calcium supplements. In college, I worked as a tutor so I could send her money to buy her supplements.

At that time, he was her only hope, the light that helped her get through those hard days.

Yes, her son Ah Dong used to be so sensible, how come he changed completely after getting married?

She murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

She recalled that before the marriage, she had secretly objected, but Fu Li'an said, "Mom, Wan Yin is gentle and virtuous, you will definitely like her."

And what was the result?

That woman had only been in the house for a few months when she started to dominate her in every way, even finding fault with her during meals.

Seeing that her expression softened, Fang Wanyu quickly continued, "Auntie, Sister Wanyin is beautiful, and Brother Maidong must have been captivated by her looks."

She sighed softly, her tone tinged with helplessness and sympathy, "Men are always easily blinded by pretty faces. But life is for yourself, and even the most beautiful appearance can't withstand the wear and tear of daily life."

"Wait a little longer. With time, once he sees what kind of person she is, he won't be so stubborn."

She took a step closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret only they knew.

“People’s hearts change. When Brother Maidong realizes that she is not as good as you imagined, he will naturally turn back to you.”

Song Yazhi sighed, her voice as low as the wind, "Alas, at my age, can I still live to see that day?"

She looked up at the night sky; the moon was obscured by clouds, only revealing a faint halo.

Her voice was weary, and tinged with a hint of resentment.

She wasn't afraid of dying, but she was afraid that she wouldn't see her son turn around and look at her before she died.