"You're perfect in every way except one – you're too strong-willed and make life too hard for yourself," Nan Xiao said, his voice filled with concern as he gently ruffled her hair. "Wife, you have a husband now. You can't do everything yourself."
"If I had to choose again for this situation, I'd still make the same decision," she replied. "Because he set a series of traps, and we had to respond simultaneously to keep him off guard."
Lan Yuxi affectionately embraced Zhaozhao, placing him between Mumu and Nan Xiao. "It's the children who suffered. Mumu fell gravely ill because of this, and Zhaozhao endured even more, bearing everything that should have been our responsibility."
Zhaozhao held Mumu's small hand and said with a deep voice, "Mom, I didn't feel tired."
Lan Yuxi's lips curved into a slight smile. "But Mom's feelings are the same as Dad's. Anything I can do myself, I don't want my family to suffer or be burdened."
Nan Xiao affectionately pinched Zhaozhao's cheek. "Nan Yinzhe, Dad was right about you. This time, you not only withstood all the pressure but also successfully exposed the rot within the Nan family. With your current intellect and coping skills, you're more than capable of handling both the Nan family and Nan Shi. However, just as Mom said, if there's another way, I won't push you into it. From now on, let go of everything and just grow up happily."
Zhaozhao pursed his lips. "Okay, Dad."
Mumu pouted. "I think I understand too. Dad, I'm sorry for being angry with you."
Nan Xiao propped his head on his hand, smiling as he patted her small head. "You don't need to apologize to Dad. You're naturally innocent, and Dad hopes you'll always live this simple and happy life."
Mumu nodded with a bright smile. "I will, Dad... Then Dad has to promise me too, no more crying in secret from now on."
Lan Yuxi looked up at Nan Xiao sharply. "You cried?"
Nan Xiao's face flushed slightly. "No, my eyes were just uncomfortable that day."
Zhaozhao's lips curved upwards slightly. "Dad, if you lie, your nose will grow long~"
Nan Xiao lowered his gaze and shot him a warning look.
Zhaozhao grinned widely.
Lan Yuxi covered Zhaozhao's eyes with her hand. "Don't scare my son. Mumu, tell me, why did Dad cry?"
"You slept for several days without waking up, and Dad was worried about you, so he cried. He cried more than once," Mumu said, lifting her small hand to touch her father's face. "Dad finally shaved today. The other day, he kissed me, and it hurt."
Lan Yuxi pursed her lips. "I thought you would never shed a tear."
Nan Xiao sighed softly. Since she knew, there was no need to hide it anymore.
"Who says I don't cry? For the four years you were gone, my eyes cried themselves dry for you."
Lan Yuxi's nose stung slightly. "Our family of four will never be separated again."
"Good, never again," Nan Xiao said with a smile, embracing the mother and her two children.
That night, the family of four slept embraced, smiles lingering on their lips in their dreams.
Meanwhile, in a small fishing village far across the ocean, it was a night of chaos and sleeplessness.
The next morning, peace returned to the fishing village. A man and a woman emerged from a simple dwelling.
The man squinted at the sun slowly rising from the horizon. "Are you sure you want to go back?"
The girl's face was filled with determination. "Yes!"
"This time, you might not be able to return. Aren't you afraid?"
"I've already died once. My master gave me a second life, and I must avenge him."
The man let out a cold laugh. "Rather than avenging your master, aren't you trying to avenge yourself?"
The girl narrowed her eyes slightly. "They harmed me so terribly. Can't I seek revenge?"
"You can, but you know your physical condition, don't I need to elaborate?"
"I know." The girl raised her face to the sky, her eyes filled with resolve.
A week later, at the villa on the mountainside.
The urgent ringing of a phone startled the two people sleeping in each other's arms.
Nan Xiao reached out and stroked Lan Yuxi's head. "Go back to sleep, I'll get it."
Lan Yuxi yawned, just as she withdrew her hand from his waist, her own phone rang.
They exchanged a glance and quickly picked up their respective phones.
"Xi Zhu, An Lianshu has been poisoned and couldn't be saved."
After hearing Ying's report, Lan Yuxi turned to look at Nan Xiao.
Nan Xiao said in a deep voice, "Understood, I'll head over now."
With that, Nan Xiao threw off the covers and got out of bed.
"Assemble the team, we're leaving immediately!" Lan Yuxi hung up the phone and nimbly got out of bed. "I'll go with you."
"No, I can go alone."
"Absolutely not! This might be another trap," Lan Yuxi said, quickly heading to the walk-in closet.
Nan Xiao followed her in. "I'll take people. You stay home."
"Are you afraid they'll wipe us out in one go?" Lan Yuxi handed him a black suit. "His people are few now. Why not invite him one more time while we have the chance?"
"It's just one person. They applied to be a caregiver a few days ago. The person has been apprehended."
"Apprehended?"
"Yes. You know this person too."
"Who?"
"Su Ya."
Lan Yuxi's dressing motion paused slightly. "Then you shouldn't go. I'll go instead. She's lusted after you for so many years, how can I let her have her way?"
Nan Xiao looked at her. Seeing the seriousness in her expression, he didn't try to stop her further. "I'll handle my mother's funeral. You go have a meeting with her."
Lan Yuxi finished dressing and hugged him. "Husband, don't be sad. You still have us."
"I'm fine," Nan Xiao exhaled. "Let's go. It's so late, don't tell anyone at home."
"Mm." Lan Yuxi understood his meaning. They walked to the window and leaped down.
Two hours later, Nan Xiao and Lan Yuxi arrived at the hot spring sanatorium with their men. The sanatorium was silent, and the medical staff, led by the director, waited in fear.
As soon as Nan Xiao and Lan Yuxi appeared, everyone lowered their heads.
Nan Xiao glanced at the dejected director and said coldly, "Where is my mother?"
The director replied, trembling, "Still in the original ward. We didn't dare to disturb the scene."
"Where is Su Ya?"
"She's locked in the storage room. Your people are watching her."
Nan Xiao exchanged a look with Lan Yuxi. They split up with their respective teams, leaving the director and others frozen in place, not daring to even breathe.
The Nan family bodyguards immediately opened the storage room door when they saw Lan Yuxi arrive.
A musty smell wafted out. Lan Yuxi frowned slightly and stepped inside.
Su Ya heard footsteps and slowly looked up. The moment she saw Lan Yuxi, her pale face contorted into a ferocious expression.
Lan Yuxi looked down at her. "Seeing me, are you very disappointed?"