Volume One, Chapter 144: Sang Wan... I’m Here!

"Mom, I'm sorry!"

The hoarse voice echoed through the cold, dimly lit room, followed by the sound of sobbing. "I'm sorry..."

She had a thousand things she wanted to say, but looking at her mother’s pale, silent face, Sang Wan’s composure shattered once again. Aside from that apology, she didn't know what else to say.

If not for her, would her mother have fled far away long ago, the very first time Sang Dawei laid a hand on her? Would she have gone somewhere Sang Dawei could never find her, to start an entirely new life?

If not for her, her mother wouldn't have endured such humiliation, working as a domestic helper and tutor, taking on every dirty and back-breaking job just to provide for her and ensure she grew up well. And then, she wouldn't have ended up working for the Lu family, leading to everything that followed—eventually landing her in prison for ten years and meeting this tragic end.

Sang Wan thought back to their last meeting. If she had told her mother then that she had already divorced Lu Jinnian, even if Sang Dawei had appeared, and even with all the fear and worry in her heart, would her mother have held on with stubborn strength, thinking that her daughter was now alone? Would she have fought to get out of there, just to be with her? Would they have been able to depend on each other, mother and daughter, just like before?

But madmen don't play by the rules. Remembering the crazed woman punching and kicking in the surveillance footage, Sang Wan gritted her teeth in hatred.

"Mom..."

Sitting on the edge of the bed with her knees pulled to her chest, Sang Wan wept uncontrollably. "Mom..."

Each call of "Mom" was filled with bitter sorrow and longing. By the wall at the doorway, Lou Ye stood with his head bowed, listening in silence. The entire ground floor was shrouded in a cold, heavy grief.

He waited quietly for a long time, until the room fell silent and even the sobbing had ceased. Lou Ye turned abruptly to find that Sang Wan had fainted beside Sun Yueqing.

"Someone, come here!"

He shouted, rushed into the room, and carried Sang Wan to the infirmary. It was late at night, and footsteps hurried through the quiet hospital.

This was a private hospital under the Lou family's conglomerate. While Lou Ye was driving Sang Wan from the suburbs, Sun Yueqing had already been processed and transferred here.

When Sang Wan woke up, the air was filled with a faint scent of antiseptic.

"Meow..."

2S, who had been resting beside her pillow, stood up, stretched, and curled back up. It nudged its head into the crook of her neck, snuggling closer.

In that instant, she was reminded of her infancy, when she would snuggle into her mother's arms just like this. That was how her mother had loved her, day after day, year after year, raising her. Sang Wan leaned over, hugged 2S, and buried her face in the pillow, crying for a long time.

When she finally rose and walked out of the bedroom, a faint, savory aroma drifted through the living room. Sang Wan walked forward.

Lou Ye turned around. "You're awake?"

He was dressed in beige loungewear, wearing the apron she usually wore. Chicken soup was simmering on the stove, smelling delicious.

"I made some noodles..."

Lou Ye set down the ladle and came over to hug Sang Wan. "Eat something before you cry, okay?"

People always told her that tears couldn't solve problems, that if she just gritted her teeth and pushed through, it would be fine. But Lou Ye told her to eat first, then cry.

Sang Wan bowed her head, burying her face in Lou Ye’s chest, and nodded with hot eyes. The chicken soup in the pot began to boil, hissing against the flame. Sang Wan straightened up, and Lou Ye released her to fish out the noodles.

It was a simple bowl of silver-thread noodles in chicken soup, the flavor a bit light.

"Are the noodles cooked? Why do they feel a bit firm?"

"They're cooked. They're just right."

"Oh, that's good. ...I only put a little bit of salt in the soup. Last time you made chicken soup, I saw you added other things. Taste it and see if it's lacking?"

"It's fine."

"Once it cools down, I'll shred the chicken so I can make you chicken congee later."

"Mhm."

She hadn't had any appetite at all, but talking to Lou Ye like this, and eating slowly, she actually managed to finish most of the bowl. Her movements slowed, and she looked up.

Lou Ye took the chopsticks from her with a calm expression. "If you don't want to eat anymore, that's fine."

He cleared the bowls and wiped the table. Then, he walked over to Sang Wan, crouched down, and looked at her. "Do you want to stay in the living room? Shall I keep you company? Or would you rather go back to the bedroom, with 2S to keep you company?"

Sang Wan was dazed. Her mind felt hollow. She didn't know what she could do or what she should do, yet she felt a desperate need to do something to clear her head.

Looking at the bright sky outside the window, she felt as if she had forgotten something very important, but she couldn't recall what it was. It wasn't until she saw the distant, cloud-piercing Lou Tower that she remembered.

"Today is Monday."

"I've already asked for leave for you. Stay home and get some rest these next few days. Go back to the company whenever you're ready."

"Lou Ye, my competition designs are on the office computer."

"Alright, I'll have Yang Yan send them over."

"Then... I'll go to the study for a while."

"Okay!"

Lou Ye stood up and walked her to the door of the study, holding her hand. Sang Wan pushed the door open.

"Sang Wan!"

Sang Wan turned instinctively and was pulled into Lou Ye’s arms. He knew that nothing he could say would make a difference right now, not unless Sun Yueqing could come back to life.

Lou Ye held her tightly, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. "Sang Wan, I'm here!"

Warmth welled up in her eyes. Sang Wan looked up and offered a faint smile. "I'm fine."

Lou Ye nodded and let her go. When he closed the door, he remembered the flicker of panic he had seen in her eyes for that split second.

Sang Wan didn't lock the door; she left it slightly ajar. 2S wandered in and out, and the gap, initially only two fingers wide, slowly widened.

Behind the desk, Sang Wan’s focused profile cast a serene, timeless silhouette against the wall. Lou Ye frowned deeply. The doctor had said that experiencing such trauma could lead to either withdrawal or a breakdown. But Sang Wan had only collapsed when she faced Sun Yueqing last night. Since waking up, she had been as calm as if nothing had happened at all. It made his heart ache even more.

His phone buzzed in his hand. Lou Ye glanced at Sang Wan, who was busy drawing, and walked to the window to answer.

"Boss..."

The voice on the other end was cold and rigid. "The inmate who caused the injury is named Yao Hui. In her youth, she was a hostess at the Sijiujie Bar. Later, after having a daughter, she changed professions to become a madam. Last month, she was involved in a hit-and-run; given the severe nature of the offense, she was sentenced to three years."

"She started the disturbance last night because her daughter didn't show up for visiting day. When the talk in the cell turned to Sun Yueqing's upcoming release, Yao Hui, already in a foul mood, decided to pick a fight. Sun Yueqing’s incident was indeed an accident; Yao Hui didn't even push her."

"Alright, I understand."

Lou Ye had already watched the surveillance footage while Sang Wan was unconscious. When Sun Yueqing was knocked down, Yao Hui was still on the other side of the room, throwing punches and kicks. There was a distance of over two meters between them, with several other people in the way. It was a stretch to say Yao Hui had targeted Sun Yueqing. Besides, there was no motive.

Frowning, Lou Ye looked back to find Sang Wan watching him, as if she had sensed him. Not wanting her to know who he was speaking to, Lou Ye curled his lips into a faint smile.

Sang Wan looked away and returned to her drawing.

"That's all for now," Lou Ye instructed the person on the line. "Regarding the hospital, make sure the crystal coffin is prepared and Sun Yueqing is settled as soon as possible. Do not disturb the elder."

"Yes!"

The person on the other end responded but didn't hang up immediately. Lou Ye’s heart skipped a beat. "Is there something else?"