Chapter 244 Stewed Chicken Soup
The man reassured them, "All the evidence has been collected, and that note has been completely destroyed without leaving a trace. It will absolutely not implicate you."
Qiao Wanyin let out a long breath, as if the heavy weight on her chest had finally been lifted. Her legs went weak, her knees trembled slightly, and she almost lost her balance.
As soon as the person turned and left, and the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance, Fu Lian immediately reached out and tightly grasped her hand. His palm was warm but slightly sweaty: "Are you relieved now? It's alright, it's really alright."
She pursed her lips, a hint of worry still in her eyes, and whispered, "Li An... Mom's..."
Although she didn't finish her sentence, only saying half of it, Fu Liquan understood.
He understood her thoughts—it wasn't just concern, but also worry; she was afraid of putting him in a difficult position.
He didn't stop her, he just nodded silently.
After all, Song Yazhi was his biological mother, and the bond of blood could not be easily severed, no matter how deep the mistake.
Qiao Wanyin could disregard that woman and choose to forget the hurt from the past, but she couldn't disregard Fu Li'an.
She felt sorry for him and was also afraid of putting him in a difficult position.
When "Mom" was mentioned, Fu Li'an's eyes darkened instantly, as if dark clouds had obscured the sunlight, and a layer of melancholy appeared between his brows.
"I called my dad."
He sighed heavily, his voice as low as a whisper in the wind, "He said that after Mom came back, she locked herself in her room and wouldn't open the door for anyone who knocked. She wouldn't eat or say a word."
"Give her some more time."
Qiao Wanyin said softly, her tone carrying a hint of pity and helplessness, "She must be feeling terrible after just going back. She's not made of iron after all these years."
"When you feel better, go home and see her."
She added softly, her fingers gently stroking the back of his hand, "You shouldn't keep avoiding her, and don't let her think you've completely given up on her."
She herself doesn't have to go, nor does she intend to go.
But Fu Li'an is her son, and he has his responsibilities; she can't stop him.
"Okay, sure."
Fu Li'an replied with only two words, his voice very soft, yet as decisive and heavy as a stone falling to the ground.
He didn't say anything more, nor did he look up at her.
He didn't want to force his wife to go back with him.
That was his family's old wound, and also his personal pain.
What's more, this time, he really went too far—he made a huge mistake and hurt people too much.
“Li An”.
Qiao Wanyin's voice suddenly softened, like spring water rippling through her heart. She raised her head and looked at him with clear eyes, "I have an idea, would you like to hear it and see if it's okay?"
"you say."
He turned to look at her, a smile finally appearing in his eyes, like a ray of light shining through after the gloom dissipated. "I'm listening carefully, I won't miss a single word."
“I took HK$50,000 from Zhang Jianshe.”
She paused, her tone gentle yet firm, "I want to use this money to open a proper kindergarten in the family compound."
There used to be a daycare center in the family compound, but frankly, it was just a place to look after kids—they could be fed on time and their diapers changed, but that was it.
None at all.
Early childhood education?
There isn't one at all.
Textbook?
They couldn't produce a single decent one.
teacher?
They were all people temporarily gathered from the family compound; few were patient, and even fewer knew how to educate.
But what if she could actually get the kindergarten up and running properly...?
That would be different.
Not only could she maintain her position in the institution and change everyone's opinion of her, but she could also provide the children with a decent environment to grow up in and receive some basic education.
Maybe I can earn more money and my life will gradually become more comfortable.
After listening, Fu Li'an's brows relaxed slightly, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes: "Use that money to open a kindergarten?"
"right."
She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining like stars in the night sky, gleaming with hope. "The money may have come from shady sources, but now it's in our hands. Instead of hiding it and living in fear, let's use it to do good deeds and make that money do something worthwhile."
"That way, I feel at ease."
She gently placed her hand on her belly, which was still not clearly visible, her fingertips lightly caressing it, as if she could feel the little life quietly growing inside.
“I’ve inquired about it. The daycare center in our residential compound is basically just for looking after children; they don’t systematically teach anything.”
“The children play in the mud and run around the yard all day long. They are so busy playing that when they finally reach school age, they can’t even recognize all the pinyin, and their handwriting is crooked. Compared with the children in the city who have teachers and books to read from a young age, they are far behind.”
Fu Li'an fell silent.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers unconsciously pinching his palms, his eyes somewhat lost in thought.
As a former soldier, he understood the importance of education better than anyone else.
Literacy, arithmetic, following instructions, discipline—which of these doesn't start from childhood?
On the battlefield, a minute can determine life or death; a year in school can also influence a lifetime.
But he never expected that his wife, lying in the hospital bed, would not be thinking about her own health, but about the future environment for their child.
“But…” he hesitated, his voice low as if afraid of disturbing something, “You’re pregnant now, and quite far along. Isn’t it too tiring to worry about these long-term matters?”
"tired?"
She smiled, and fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes, but her smile was exceptionally gentle.
She gently squeezed his hand, her fingertips warm. "I know my own body. If I really couldn't handle it, I definitely wouldn't force myself. I'm in good spirits now, and I feel at ease doing things."
She spoke calmly, yet with an unwavering conviction.
If it weren't for her mother-in-law and Fang Wanyu constantly causing trouble, making sarcastic remarks every few days, and forcing her to drink those bitter folk remedies that were hard to swallow, she wouldn't have experienced such a drastic emotional fluctuation, almost harming her pregnancy.
But after that harrowing experience, she became completely clear-headed—some things can no longer wait for others to arrange them.
She had to pave the way for her child herself.
"Just thinking about our children growing up in a place where they can read books, have teachers, and play with toys..."
She paused, gazing at the morning light streaming in through the window, her voice soft yet strong, "I feel so energetic, even when I can't sleep I'm thinking of ideas."
Fu Li'an looked into her eyes, which shone like stars, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
He knew that the woman in front of him was no longer the submissive wife who would silently endure everything.
She has fire, light, and a heavy sense of responsibility in her heart.
After a long silence, he finally nodded, his voice steady: "Okay, I support you. But you can't shoulder this alone. If you ever feel tired or there aren't enough people, you must speak up, don't keep it to yourself."
"Of course!"
She laughed, her eyes curving into crescents, and she winked playfully, "You're my rock, who else can I rely on if I can't rely on you?"
The next day, Qiu Zishu came to the hospital again with a thermos.
A light rain was still falling outside, and her hair was damp, with a few strands curling slightly in front of her forehead.
"Sister Wanyin, this chicken soup was specially made for you by my mother. It's made with an old hen, red dates, and astragalus. It's good for replenishing qi and blood and is very nourishing."
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