“Mrs. Zong?” The bodyguard noticed that Lin Xinyan was standing still, so he called out to her softly.
Lin Xinyan waved her hand. Then, she walked towards Zhuang Zijin.
The bodyguard followed her closely.
“Mom?” Lin Xinyan called out to her mother softly from a distance.
Upon hearing Lin Xinyan’s voice, Zhuang Zijin’s body stiffened. “Yan, why are you here?” She turned back to look at Lin Xinyan and forced a smile on her face.
Her complexion was better now, and her face didn’t look as pale as before.
“I should be the one asking you this. Why are you in the hospital? What happened?” Scared of hearing bad news, Lin Xinyan lowered her voice.
Cheng Yuxiu’s death was a huge blow to her.
The kids and Zong Jinghao were at home, so she had to suppress her emotions although she was sad. If anything bad happened to Zhuang Zijin, she might have an emotional breakdown.
Zhuang Zijin walked toward Lin Xinyan while scanning her attire. As Lin Xinyan was wearing loose clothing and a pair of flats, Zhuang Zijin smiled and said, “I heard from Shen Peichuan that you’re pregnant.”
Back then, Zhuang Zijin was reluctant to undergo treatment. She was pessimistic and had lost the desire to live. Shen Peichuan had no choice but to inform her about Lin Xinyan’s pregnancy. She had warned, “Your daughter had suffered a lot for you. If you really don’t care about her, then feel free to give up on treatment.”
He left right after saying that.
It’s true. She followed me to live in places she was unfamiliar with since she was ten. There have been so many hardships in our lives, yet we have always warmed each other up and relied on each other. It really is a mixture of joy and sorrow.
Now she’s pregnant. Her relationship with Zong Jinghao must be good. I’ve finally gotten the chance to see her live her life happily. If I can live longer, aiding her in taking care of her kids isn’t a bad idea.
This was why after knowing about Lin Xinyan’s pregnancy, Zhuang Zijin started to do her utmost to cooperate with the treatment.
I’ve seen her suffer. Now, I wish for her happiness.
She took Lin Xinyan’s hand and reassured her, “I’m fine, don’t worry…”
“Tell me the truth.” Lin Xinyan shoved her hand away.
She’s obviously hiding something.
Zhuang Zijin knew that she couldn’t conceal it anymore. “Follow me to my ward.” She heaved a heavy sigh.
It was quiet in her VIP ward, so it would be a better place to talk than the garden as there were too many people out there.
Lin Xinyan acquiesced to Zhuang Zijin’s suggestion. She followed Zhuang Zijin all the way from the inpatient department to her VIP ward. After walking into the room, she pushed open the windows. There was a garden between this building and the building she stayed in last time.
“How long have you been here?” asked Lin Xinyan.
“It’s been a while.” Zhuang Zijin sat on the bed and beckoned her over. “Yan, come here.”
Lin Xinyan walked over and sat beside her. Zhuang Zijin took her hands in hers and said, “I’m happy that you’re pregnant.”
Lin Xinyan lowered her eyes slightly.
“My illness is a hereditary disease, but don’t you worry. The doctor said I can live for a few more years if I partake in the treatment,” continued Zhuang Zijin.
Suddenly, Lin Xinyan hugged her tightly and sobbed. “Why? Why did this happen? This hurts… It hurts so much.”
Zhuang Zijin patted her back and said, “Yan, don’t be sad. I will undergo my treatment and take care of your kids. Shen Peichuan told me if I cooperate during treatment, he will help me in reducing my prison term. When the time comes, I’ll be able to help you take care of your kids just like how I took care of Ruixi and Xichen.”
Distressed, Lin Xinyan didn’t reply to that. Instead, she asked, “Mom, what do you think is the most agonizing in life?”
Zhuang Zijin thought that Lin Xinyan felt miserable recalling her past. She comforted Lin Xinyan and said, “It’s all in the past. You’ll lead a happy life from now on.”
Lin Xinyan shook her head and said, “The most agonizing thing is not recognizing your loved ones when they were close to you, and finally realizing it only when you’ve lost them. That grief will be ingrained in a person forever.”
“Y-You found out?” Zhuang Zijin froze.
All the emotions Lin Xinyan bottled up were released in front of her at this very moment.
She wasn’t paying attention to Zhuang Zijin’s words as she was thinking about Cheng Yuxiu and Zong Jinghao. They had missed the opportunity to live together as mother and son.
Zhuang Zijin sighed and said, “Yan, I’ve always seen you as my biological daughter. I didn’t have a choice back then. He is my father’s son born out of wedlock, and his mother had a shady identity. He is an illegitimate child, so he never shows up in front of other people. Hence, no one knows that he is actually a member of the Zhuang family.”
“Mom, what do you mean?” Lin Xinyan wiped her tears in confusion. She understood nothing of Zhuang Zijin’s words. What’s going on? Did Mom’s mental disorder relapse? She reached out and touched Zhuang Zijin’s forehead.
Zhuang Zijin pushed her hands away and said, “I’m doing fine. You mentioned that not recognizing your family is the most agonizing thing in the world. Isn’t this about knowing your true identity?”
Lin Xinyan did not respond as her mind was a mess. Spacing out, she stared at Zhuang Zijin for a long time. She eventually regained her voice. “My identity? You’re my mom and Lin Guoan’s my dad.”
“Lin Guoan is not your dad,” replied Zhuang Zijin calmly. Although Lin Guoan’s dead, I still harbor hatred towards him. He is unworthy for Lin Xinyan to call him her dad.
Zhuang Zijin decided to tell Lin Xinyan the truth as there was no point in concealing anymore. She grabbed Lin Xinyan’s hand and said, “Yan, your dad is Zhuang Ziyi. We are half siblings with different mothers. His identity is only known by close family members.”
Lin Xinyan stood up suddenly. “Mom, you’re lying! I’m your daughter. Who’s Zhuang Ziyi? Neither have I heard of him nor seen him.”
She couldn’t accept it.
“Yan.” Zhuang Zijin knew that Lin Xinyan could not take it as it was too sudden. She heaved a sigh. Actually, she thought that Lin Xinyan had found out about her biological father’s identity, so she decided to spill the beans. However, Lin Xinyan knew nothing of this.
“You must be tired. Rest well. I need to go back as Ruixi and Xichen are waiting for me.” Unwilling to hear any more of the truth, Lin Xinyan walked toward the door.
Zhuang Zijin didn’t force her to stay. “When you’re ready to know about this, you can come and find me anytime. The necklace you’re wearing is your biological mother’s memento.”
Lin Xinyan’s hand paused for a brief moment while holding onto the doorknob. Then, she quickly opened the door and strode out.
She was walking very fast. Her bodyguard followed her and advised, “Mrs. Zong, please mind your steps.”
She pretended not to hear his words as she wanted to leave the hospital as soon as possible.
There was no way she was going to listen to what Zhuang Zijin had to say.
When she got into the car, she urged the driver, “Leave here immediately.”
The driver started the engine. “Mrs. Zong, are you alright?” The bodyguard turned to her with a worried expression.
Lin Xinyan snapped out of her daze and shook her head. “I’m fine.” After a pause, she continued and said, “Don’t tell anyone that I came here today. You hear me?”
Both the driver and bodyguard responded, “Yes.”
Throughout the way, she was lost in thought. Everything felt like a dream.
When she got back to the villa, she immediately went upstairs. She soaked a face cloth in water and placed it on her forehead while lying on the sofa.
I must be having a fever and it must be a high one. This must be the reason I was hallucinating.
Zhuang Ziyi is my dad?
Hah I’ve never seen him, so that’s impossible.
