Su Yue rushed to the hospital, where Su Minghua's secretary was waiting by the door. The secretary led her to the respiratory department.
With her mother ill, Su Yue couldn't afford to confront Su Minghua any longer. Upon seeing him, she nervously asked, "What's wrong with my mother?"
Su Minghua, his face etched with dejection and solemnity, beckoned Su Yue to follow him to a quieter spot and presented her with a lab report.
It was pneumonia.
Su Yue admitted that she felt a slight sense of relief upon seeing it.
She wasn't very familiar with medical conditions, but pneumonia seemed like a treatable illness.
It was much better than what she had imagined on the way.
"Does she need surgery? Where is she now? Can I see her?" Su Yue, remembering her recent attitude towards her mother, was instantly filled with guilt and self-reproach.
Even though it was a treatable illness, it would inevitably involve suffering, and she felt a pang of heartache.
Her eyes welled up involuntarily.
"No surgery is needed for now. The doctor said she can take medicine at home, but I think it's better for her to be hospitalized. I've also taken leave from work and will be there to look after her throughout her stay. You can rest assured," Su Minghua said in a gentle tone, comforting her.
Su Yue looked at him with some surprise. In this situation, his words were her greatest support.
Therefore, despite her lingering reservations about him, Su Yue spoke from the heart:
"Thank you... Dad."
After a two-year absence, Su Minghua finally saw Su Yue's obedient demeanor again.
A sense of pride welled up within him, but he remained outwardly composed, even appearing sad and helpless.
"This is my responsibility. However... could you visit your mother more often when you have time? She misses you very much."
His voice carried a coaxing tone, which deepened Su Yue's guilt.
She immediately nodded in agreement.
Su Minghua smiled warmly, glanced at the time, and said, "It's time for dinner. Let the secretary take you to the ward. I'll go buy some food. Your mother is a bit picky about her food, and I'm afraid others won't buy what she likes."
Su Yue watched Su Minghua's retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Her concern for her mother left her with little time to dwell on anything else.
She followed the secretary, hurrying towards the ward.
In the ward, Jiang Ling's face immediately turned stern upon seeing her daughter.
But ultimately, her longing was greater, and tears began to flow.
Su Yue couldn't hold back her tears either. She quickly stepped forward, sat by the bedside, and took her mother's hand.
That soft, unweathered hand.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she choked out, lowering her head and stifling her sobs.
Seeing Su Yue like this, Jiang Ling's heart ached. She squeezed her daughter's hand and gently coaxed, "We haven't seen each other for so long, and you're crying as soon as we meet. Stop crying, okay?"
As she spoke, she reached out to wipe Su Yue's tears.
Su Yue kept her head down and softly murmured an assent, trying to compose herself.
Only when she could stop crying did she lift her head to look at her mother again.
There were no grudges between a mother and daughter. Even if harsh words were exchanged, they could reconcile the next moment.
Jiang Ling held Su Yue's hand and asked many questions.
Most of them were related to Chen Ziming.
Su Yue selectively shared only the relaxed and positive aspects, omitting any mention of Chen Ziming's family background, his business trips, or her initial intentions in approaching him.
Su Minghua arrived, carrying two bags, one for Su Yue and one for Jiang Ling.
He smiled warmly and indulgently, "I bought separate meals for my wife and daughter, all your favorites!"
Jiang Ling smiled and asked, "What about you?"
"I'll eat your leftovers. Saving food, you know," Su Minghua replied with a smile, sitting down on the other side of the hospital bed.
Neither Su Yue nor Jiang Ling had large appetites, and it was difficult to finish a single meal.
Su Minghua knew this.
Su Yue looked at Su Minghua's loving smile and sincere eyes, and it felt incredibly unreal.
Su Minghua was too calculating and an excellent actor.
Many times, Su Yue couldn't tell if his affection for Jiang Ling was genuine or feigned.
But as long as Jiang Ling was willing to believe it, Su Yue didn't want to delve too deeply.
Just like at this moment.
The sky outside had darkened, and the lights in the private ward cast a surprisingly warm glow.
Reflected on them, they appeared to be a happy and complete family of three.
Even if it was just an illusion, as long as it made her mother happy, Su Yue didn't mind playing along.