The room was empty, devoid of any occupants.
There was a vast floor-to-ceiling window and a large balcony.
Beyond the balcony lay a lush expanse of green.
A wheelchair was parked on the balcony, and a man sat in it, his back to the room.
He stood there for two minutes, maintaining the same posture, utterly still.
A gentle breeze blew; it was a bit cold as autumn had arrived. Outside the garden, flowers bloomed in profusion, still verdant and vibrantly colorful.
It was evident that Li Cuiping had put a great deal of effort into creating a livable bedroom for Su Yan.
According to Uncle Yang, after Su Yan returned home from the hospital, he spent his days staring blankly in the garden, sitting there for hours on end, unresponsive to anyone.
“Ge…”
Su Qi mustered all her courage, managing to utter just one word.
Su Qi had lost count of how long it had been since she last saw Su Yan.
She didn't even have the courage to approach him, and calling out his name required all her bravery.
The man’s stiff body trembled.
It was unclear if it was an illusion caused by the wind or if the man had truly moved.
Su Qi thought she saw his ear twitch, as if he had heard her voice.
“Ge, you can hear me, right? You can see the text messages I send you, can’t you? I came to see you this time to tell you that Ting Yun and I are getting a divorce. I’m no longer that naive little girl. I won’t be foolish anymore, and I won’t dwell in false, beautiful fantasies.”
Those were mere bubbles.
The little mermaid sacrificed her most beautiful voice to come ashore, to gain legs, and to be with the prince.
She had also lost her dearest brother.
The little mermaid eventually got together with the prince as she had wished.
But that was just a fairy tale.
Reality had slapped her hard.
It had completely awakened her.
She would no longer live in fantasies.
“Su Yan Ge, I didn’t listen to you back then, and I’m sorry.”
Su Qi couldn’t even bear to face Su Yan.
After their parting at the hospital, the Su family had forbidden her from visiting Su Yan, and she also felt immense guilt.
Even saying these words made Su Qi feel as if she were losing strength.
The only response Su Qi received was silence.
“I know you’re still angry, angry with me for being young and foolish and making mistakes.”
“Su Yan Ge, after I divorce Huo Ting Yun, I will help you achieve your dream.” Su Qi said it all in one breath and turned to leave.
From behind her, the man’s voice rang out. It had been so long since Su Yan had spoken.
She had almost thought it was an illusion.
Su Qi stopped in her tracks, turned around, and stared blankly at Su Yan. The room was silent.
The voice from moments ago felt like a hallucination.
“Su Yan Ge?”
Uncertain, Su Qi murmured.
“Come.”
The familiar voice, though it had been a long time since Su Yan spoke, the familiar tone was instantly recognizable.
“Su Yan Ge…”
Su Qi stumbled slightly and quickly walked over.
She stopped in front of Su Yan, knelt on one knee, and looked up at him.
He hadn’t changed much, except he had become much thinner.
“Ge, you’ve finally decided to acknowledge me.”
Su Qi’s nose prickled, and tears threatened to fall.
She knew Su Yan was still angry with her, angry that she hadn’t divorced Huo Ting Yun yet, angry that she always acted foolishly.
Now that she was clear-headed and preparing to divorce Huo Ting Yun, perhaps Su Yan Ge would forgive her?
“You need to live for yourself. Don’t sacrifice yourself for me.”
Su Yan spoke slowly, his once clear and bright voice now hoarse and low.
Although his voice wasn’t loud, Su Qi heard him clearly.
“Su Yan Ge, I…”
Before Su Qi could utter another word, the sharp sound of high heels echoed from the corridor.
Li Cuiping had returned.
Su Qi stood up abruptly, intending to leave.
Su Yan grabbed Su Qi’s wrist.
“Su Yan Ge, I have to go. They don’t want me to see you.”
Her adoptive parents had always protected Su Yan very well. Ever since Su Yan was crippled trying to stand up for her, her adoptive parents had forbidden her from contacting him.
Su Qi was terrified of being seen by Li Cuiping, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
As the footsteps grew closer, her heart felt like it was about to leap into her throat.
“Sit down.” Su Yan had just finished speaking when the door was pushed open.
Li Cuiping stood furiously in the doorway.
She scanned the room and, sure enough, saw Su Qi by Su Yan’s side.
“Didn’t I tell you not to come here! Who let you in! Get out!”
Li Cuiping grabbed Su Qi’s wrist and tried to drag her out.
This damned woman.
She had caused her son to become crippled.
It had taken months to nurse him back to health.
What was Su Qi doing here now? Was she not done with the harm she had caused?
She absolutely would not allow this wretched woman to harm her son again!
With Li Cuiping’s immense force, Su Qi stumbled and was about to fall.
“Mom, what are you doing? Let go of Su Qi!”
Su Yan, who had been silent for four months, spoke in a cold voice, scolding Li Cuiping.
Li Cuiping froze, staring blankly at Su Yan. “Su Yan, you’re finally willing to talk to Mom?”
“Mom, let her go.”
Su Yan merely looked at Li Cuiping’s hand gripping Su Qi.
Su Qi’s hand bore a red mark from Li Cuiping’s grip.
Li Cuiping released her hand. “Su Yan, Su Qi caused you to become like this, why are you still speaking up for her? You foolish child…”
Li Cuiping went to Su Yan, squatted down, and took his hand with concern.
He had become so thin, and his eyes lacked any sparkle.
If she hadn’t taken pity on Su Qi and brought her into the family, Su Yan wouldn’t have been harmed like this by Su Qi.
“Mom, it was never Su Qi’s fault. It was all my fault. I was drunk and in a fit of rage, I went to Huo Ting Yun. Huo Ting Yun was the one who hit me with his car. You can’t treat Su Qi like this just because she can’t fight back. She’s the daughter you raised for over twenty years, she’s my sister!”
Su Yan’s eyes flickered, and his angry gaze fell upon Li Cuiping.
This was the first time Li Cuiping had heard Su Yan speak so much since the accident.
“Su Yan, are you crazy? Su Qi harmed you like this, and you’re still defending her. Do you know what you’re doing? Su Qi is a jinx…”
“Mom, wasn’t it you who sent Su Qi to Huo Ting Yun’s bed, which led to this situation?”
Su Yan’s angry gaze was fixed directly on Li Cuiping.
His hands, tightly gripping the armrests of his chair, betrayed his inner turmoil.
His chest heaved up and down; Su Yan was clearly agitated.
“You…”
Li Cuiping was stunned, looking at her own son. She couldn’t believe these words were coming from Su Yan’s mouth.
For Su Qi’s sake, her son’s personality had changed so drastically!