Chapter 633: Side Story 046 Easing Mother-Son Relationship (First Update)

Wan Quan had been in the hospital for over a week.

Mu Cidian oversaw her discharge.

During this time, Mu Cidian stayed with Wan Quan, and Lei Qian was also mostly present.

There was still a barrier between Mu Cidian and Wan Quan, and they didn’t talk much. Lei Qian played a significant role in smoothing things out between them.

Today was the day of discharge.

Wan Quan’s mood had greatly improved.

Mu Cidian packed up some of Wan Quan’s belongings and completed the discharge procedures.

Mu Cidian bought a sedan.

It wasn’t expensive, just a simple commuting vehicle.

He drove Wan Quan and Lei Qian away from the hospital.

Wan Quan and Lei Qian both sat in the back seat.

Looking at the scenery outside on the street, Wan Quan couldn’t help saying, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the outside world. Only when a person falls ill do they truly appreciate the good in life.”

Mu Cidian glimpsed at the backseat through the rearview mirror. Wan Quan looked pale, but her spirits were quite high.

His lips pressed together, he didn’t say a word.

Lei Qian hurriedly said, “Auntie will live a hundred years.”

Wan Quan laughed and said, “You always know what to say.”

“I’m serious,” Lei Qian said warmly. “Auntie, you must take good care of yourself. I’ll accompany you to shop for clothes when you’re feeling better.”

“Now that I hold you to that. I’ve been needing new clothes, and have been planning to buy some.”

“Once Auntie’s surgical wound isn’t hurting anymore, I’ll take you out.”

“Good,” Wan Quan quickly nodded.

Mu Cidian listened to their dialogue silently.

The sedan slowly moved through the streets.

Looking out at the streets, Lei Qian hastily said, “Mu Cidian, you can drop me off at the street entrance, I’ll walk in, it’s not easy to turn the car around in there.”

“Hmmm.”

“Are you going back?” asked Wan Quan.

“Yes, Auntie, you’re discharged too,” Lei Qian replied.

“That won’t do.” Wan Quan caught hold of Lei Qian’s arm, “How can you stop keeping me company as soon as I am discharged? I’m already used to having you around.”

“Auntie…”

“She has her business,” Mu Cidian interjected.

“She didn’t have any business when she was with me at the hospital, but as soon as I’m discharged, she does? Anyway, I don’t care. Lei Qian has to stay with me.” Wan Quan said stubbornly.

Lei Qian looked at Mu Cidian somewhat uneasily.

Mu Cidian remained silent.

Wan Quan said, “In my eyes, Lei Qian is closer to me than my own son. At least until I recover, Lei Qian has to stay and take care of me.”

“I’ve hired a nurse,” Mu Cidian said.

“I don’t need a nurse. I’m used to Lei Qian. Cancel that nurse, I don’t need her.”

Mu Cidian looked at Wan Quan.

“I don’t need a nurse, I just need Lei Qian to be with me.” Wan Quan stated decisively.

Mu Cidian glanced at Lei Qian.

Lei Qian said, “I don’t have much going on, but it depends on you…”

“Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble. I don’t have much going on over the next few days anyway,” Lei Qian quickly said.

Noticing Mu Cidian’s agreement, a smirk spread across Wan Quan’s face. She turned to Lei Qian and gave her a meaningful smile.

Lei Qian knew what Wan Quan was hinting at.

But she didn’t dare to harbor any hopes. For now, she just wanted to alleviate some of Mu Cidian’s burdens.

Mu Cidian drove back to the residential area where Wan Quan lived.

A two-bedroom, two-living room house.

Upon returning, Wan Quan immediately lay down in her room. Lei Qian busied herself looking after Wan Quan.

While they were in the hospital, even though there were nurses present, Lei Qian was the one helping Wan Quan with cleaning and usage of the restroom, etc.

Mu Cidian took notice of all of this.

Getting home, Wan Quan was quite tired.

She laid on her bed and fell asleep.

Lei Qian covered Wan Quan with a blanket, gently closed the bedroom door, and walked out.

At this time, Mu Cidian was in the kitchen preparing lunch.

Lei Qian walked into the kitchen, “Do you need help with anything?”

“No need.” Mu Cidian shook his head.

“Auntie has fallen asleep, so I don’t have anything to do right now. Are you making a stir-fried fish? Let me help you with the ingredients.” Saying so, Lei Qian picked up a scallion from the side and began to chop.

Mu Cidian wanted to say something but remained silent.

Lei Qian was efficient at housework. Even though she was a child spoiled by her parents, she was able to take care of everything. At the moment, she was helping Mu Cidian in the kitchen.

“I never expected you could cook so well. You’re nothing like a novice.” Lei Qian said sincerely, “I thought you’d be like other wealthy young masters.”

“I’m not any wealthy young master.” Mu Cidian said, “I’ve been bankrupt for a long time.”

Lei Qian wasn’t very good at conversation. She would often feel nervous around Mu Cidian and didn’t know how to comfort him.

Mu Cidian said, “That’s enough for now, let’s wait until my mom wakes up and then we’ll cook.”

“Okay.” Lei Qian washed her hands.

The two of them walked out of the kitchen and sat down on the living room sofa.

Mu Cidian turned on the television and handed the remote to Lei Qian, “You can watch whatever you like.”

“I don’t have any preferences.” Lei Qian hurriedly replied, “You can watch what you like.”

“I don’t watch much TV.”

Lei Qian took the remote.

But with Mu Cidian sitting next to her, she couldn’t concentrate on anything.

Mu Cidian peeled an apple.

Lei Qian watched TV, sitting upright and proper.

Mu Cidian handed Lei Qian a peeled apple.

Lei Qian promptly said, “Thank you.”

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward between the two of them alone.

Wanting to start a conversation but unsure of what to say, Lei Qian could only sit in silence.

But Mu Cidian started the conversation, “Lei Qian, it seems my mom is quite dependent on you.”

“Oh, maybe Auntie just lacks a sense of security right now…”

“You’ve been laid off, right?” Mu Cidian asked.

“Yes.”

“I don’t mean anything by it, I just thought that since my mom is so reliant on you, and she’s asked me to cancel the nurse, why don’t you take care of my mom during this time? What do you think?”

Lei Qian looked at Mu Cidian somewhat incredulous.

She could clearly feel that Mu Cidian was quite skeptical of her.

But suddenly, he asked her to stay.

Mu Cidian then said, “I will pay you.”

“No, I don’t need to be paid. I’m looking after Auntie voluntarily. I don’t need any money.” Lei Qian was quite excited.

“I know, but I would feel guilty.” Mu Cidian spoke frankly, “I don’t want to owe you in the name of love, so I can only resort to the most crude method.”

Lei Qian was at a loss for words.

Mu Cidian said, “You should stay with my mom during this time. I will give you 20,000 yuan per month.”

“That’s too much…”

“No, it’s not.” Mu Cidian replied, “You can even ask for a raise.”

“No, no, no, it’s enough. It’s enough.” Lei Qian hurriedly replied.

“Give me your bank account.”

Lei Qian sent her bank account information to Mu Cidian.

Mu Cidian instantly transferred 20,000 yuan to Lei Qian’s account, “Check it.”

“Okay.” Lei Qian nodded.

She felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Mu Cidian chose this method to avoid emotional entanglement with her.

She swallowed her feelings and told herself that it was all voluntary. She couldn’t ask for anything from Mu Cidian.

“This afternoon, I’ll accompany you back home to pack up your stuff and move here.”

“But there are only two rooms.” Lei Qian looked at the layout of the house and was surprised. Then she thought of something and said in a slightly downcast tone, “You should go back to Xin Zaozao.”

Mu Cidian shook his head.

If he returned to Xin Zaozao during this time, it would only cause conflicts.

He said, “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“How can you do that?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Why don’t I sleep with auntie?” suggested Lei Qian. “Sometimes we do it in the hospital. It’s easier to know her health condition if I sleep with her every night.”

Mu Cidian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

At this, Lei Qian smiled happily.

Mu Cidian’s gaze shifted slightly.

Sometimes, he was really afraid of owing others.

It was time for lunch.

Wan Quan woke up.

Lei Qian helped her get dressed.

Mu Cidian was cooking in the kitchen.

Lei Qian said, “Auntie, Mu Cidian just asked me to stay and accompany you. From now on, I’ll sleep with you.”

“He agreed?” Wan Quan sounded quite pleased.

“Yes.”

“He can’t resist me after all.”

Lei Qian was taken aback.

If it weren’t for Wan Quan’s health condition, Mu Cidian wouldn’t have succumbed to her threats.

“Now that Mu Cidian has compromised for the first step, he will compromise for many more. Lei Qian, as long as you stay by my side, I don’t believe he won’t be moved by you,” Wan Quan said with conviction.

Lei Qian nodded and smiled, not fully convinced.

She also didn’t tell Wan Quan that Mu Cidian had given her money.

She wanted to accompany Wan Quan during her last days and make her happy during her final moments.

After helping Wan Quan wash up, Lei Qian left the bedroom.

Mu Cidian had also basically finished preparing lunch.

The three of them sat at the dining table.

Having tasted the food cooked by Mu Cidian, Wan Quan couldn’t help but remark, “I used to strive for honor and wealth, but now I realize that a simple life is the real deal.”

“Yes,” agreed Lei Qian. “This is the first time I’m having the food cooked by Mu Cidian. He’s really good at cooking.”

“My son is so good at everything,” said Wan Quan with a hint of pride.

“Auntie, as you just had surgery, your body is weak. Eat more for recovery.” With that, Lei Qian helped Wan Quan serve her food and soup.

Wan Quan appeared to be very happy, conversing and laughing heartily with Lei Qian.

After lunch, Lei Qian even insisted on washing the dishes.

Mu Cidian sat on the couch.

Having had her meal, Wan Quan also sat on the couch.

Wan Quan was watching her favorite television program, while Mu Cidian sat quietly next to her.

“Lei Qian is really a good girl,” Wan Quian suddenly commented.

Mu Cidian remained silent.

“Mu Cidian, your mother has indeed lived a life full of hatred, always wishing ill on the Xin family, unable to bear anyone surpassing her. But now, since contracting this illness, I see things more clearly. Living a life full of hatred does not bring happiness.” Wan Quan calmly discussed this with Mu Cidian for the first time.

Mu Cidian listened quietly.

“Now, I don’t expect you to pursue fame or wealth. It’s enough if we can live a simple life like now,” said Wan Quan sincerely. “Mu Cidian, if you promise me one thing, I won’t press you into anything else.”

“What is it?” Mu Cidian asked.

“Don’t be with Xin Zaozao.”

Mu Cidian fell silent.

“Don’t be with the daughter of the enemy family. My biggest regret in life is marrying Xin He. I’ve lost my happiness because of him! Mu Cidian, I don’t want you to repeat my mistakes and I can’t accept the Xin family. From now on, we should live our own life and cut off ties with the Xin family. I don’t want the Xin Group either,” said Wan Quan sincerely.

This was probably her only bottom line.

The only requirement that could let them mother and son live a good life.

“Okay, I understand,” Mu Cidian nodded. He didn’t give a direct answer.

But at least during the time when Wan Quan was alive, he wouldn’t have any dealings with Xin Zaozao.

“Mu Cidian,” Wan Quan reached out and held Mu Cidian’s hand. “I’m really sorry for causing you so much trouble in life. But from now on, I’ll try to change. As long as the Xin family stays out of our life, we will be fine.”

“Okay.”

Seeing that Mu Cidian had agreed, Wan Quan felt greatly relieved.

“Mu Cidian,” she said, “would you like some fruit? I can peel an apple for you.”

“Let me do it for you. The doctor said you need to rest more.”

“Okay,” Wan Quan quickly agreed.

Mu Cidian then took an apple and began peeling it with focus.

Lei Qian came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes.

Wan Quan immediately invited her to sit next to her.

“Mu Cidian, cut the apple into pieces so Lei Qian can also have some.”

“Okay.”

Mu Cidian cut the apple into pieces, put them on a plate, and handed it over to them.

He said to Lei Qian, “In a while, I’ll accompany you back to pack your clothes.”

“But leaving Auntie alone at home…”

“I’ll be fine alone. It’s just an hour or two. You guys just go.”

The two were urged by Wan Quan to leave.

Mu Cidian drove Lei Qian to her place. Lei Qian quickly packed her stuff and put it in her suitcase.

Mu Cidian volunteered to carry it for her and helped her take it out of the house.

Just as they were leaving Lei Qian’s apartment, they ran into Xin Zaozao and Song Lifei.

The four of them just stared at each other.