Chapter 7.2

Several hours later, they arrived at the hospital. Du Lingyun’s mother had felt sudden dizziness when she got up late last night, fallen in the living room at home, and fractured her ankle. The pain was so severe she could not get up. She barely managed to call a neighbor for help, and the neighbor rushed her to the emergency room.

The emergency doctor assessed that she needed surgery and arranged the operation immediately. The neighbor aunt had wanted to notify him right away, but Du’s mother stopped her, saying it was the middle of the night and she did not want to disturb her son and his family.

By the time Du Lingyun received the call, his mother was already in the operating room. When he arrived with his wife and son, the surgery was already over.

He thanked the neighbor aunt profusely. She said it was nothing—just what old friends do—and mentioned she would go home, catch an old hen, stew a pot of chicken soup, and bring it to the hospital later to nourish his mother.

After seeing the warm-hearted neighbor aunt off, Du Lingyun pulled a chair up to his mother’s bedside and sat down. She was asleep, her face pale and haggard, noticeably thinner.

Looking at her, he could not help feeling heartbroken. A stifling lump rose in his chest.

He resented his mother for not contacting him immediately when she fractured her ankle and was sent to the hospital. He was her own son—why be so polite with him?

But what he blamed most was himself.

The tree wishes to be still, yet the wind will not cease; the son wishes to care for his parents, yet they are no longer there. He had already missed the chance to be filial to his father in his old age. Was he now going to fail his mother too?

“Mom, I’m sorry…” he murmured in self-reproach.

Cheng Yu quietly coaxed Yangyang to sit properly and take out his drawing book to draw quietly. Yangyang nodded very obediently, promising not to make any noise.

She patted his head with relief, then turned to look at Du Lingyun. Seeing his lonely, slumped figure, a pang of heartache hit her.

She went to the pantry area to get a pot of warm water. Just as she was about to urge him to drink some, there was movement on the bed. Du’s mother slowly opened her eyes. When the aged gaze met her son’s face, she smiled faintly.

“You’re here.”

“Mom!” Du Lingyun quickly grasped his mother’s hand. “Are you okay? Does your foot hurt a lot?”

“It’s nothing, just a small fracture. The doctor already operated. I’ll stay in the hospital a few days and be fine.” Du’s mother spoke slowly, word by word. It was clear she still found speaking somewhat strenuous; her strength had not fully returned.

Du Lingyun felt even more guilty. “Mom, I’m sorry. I should have come back to see you sooner…”

“Enough, don’t think about those things…” Du’s mother interrupted her son. She tried to shift her body uncomfortably but found it extremely difficult. As the anesthesia wore off, the pain from the surgical wound in her foot became obvious. She could only sigh. “Son, call the nurse for me. I need to use the bathroom.”

“Let me help,” Cheng Yu spoke up.

Du’s mother was surprised and looked at this daughter-in-law she had rarely seen. Though the two had always maintained superficial politeness, she knew very well that her daughter-in-law did not like her and had little interest in spending time together.

This time she had actually come back with Lingyun to visit, and even volunteered to help?

She hesitated. “I can’t get out of bed right now. I need the bedpan…”

“I know. I’ll help you.” Cheng Yu gave the elderly woman a warm smile, then turned to the man. “Lingyun, pull the curtain closed. Wait outside for a bit.”

“Okay.” Du Lingyun nodded, stood up to make room, and drew the curtain around the bed.

Du’s mother felt quite embarrassed. Having someone help her with bowel and bladder needs was already humiliating, and it was from a daughter-in-law with whom she had always had a distant relationship.

“Lanxi, you do not need to force yourself. Let the nurse do it, or hire a caregiver…”

“There is nothing to force. You are Lingyun’s mom, which makes you my mom too. This is what I should do.” Cheng Yu spoke gently and efficiently placed the bedpan under Du’s mother, helped her pull down her pants, and allowed her to urinate comfortably.

Inside the curtain, shadows moved faintly. Du Lingyun watched from outside, his eyes involuntarily feeling a bit sore.

How many times had he hoped in the past that his wife could join him like this to show filial piety to his mother? But she had resisted so fiercely before, even threatening to abort the child, forcing him to compromise.

But now…

After assisting Du’s mother with urination, Cheng Yu carefully wiped her body with a damp towel, then went over it again with a dry one, ensuring she was completely clean and fresh all over. Finally, she helped her lie comfortably in bed and tucked her in properly.

She did all this very naturally, without a hint of hesitation. Du’s mother was utterly astonished.

Du Lingyun was even more touched. When the two were alone, he thanked her softly.

“Thank you.”

“Thank me for what?” She gave him a slightly annoyed glare. “If even you are so polite, I will get angry!”

He quickly wrapped his arms around her. “Do not be angry. It is my fault.”

He held her so tightly, as if afraid that if he let go, she would disappear.

Cheng Yu could not help feeling a sour ache in her heart. She relaxed and nestled in his embrace, murmuring softly. “You have done nothing wrong. You have always done very well.” It was Jian Lanxi who did not know how to cherish him. “Lingyun, you have worked hard.”

Du Lingyun shook his head.

He was not tired. As long as he had her understanding and her support, he felt he could fear nothing, even having the courage to slay dragons with his bare hands.

No wonder people say that in every man’s heart, there is a princess he wants to protect.

Was she the one he wanted to protect, the only princess in his life?

He lowered his gaze to the woman in his arms and kissed her forehead. “I want to ask the company for a few days off to stay here. The trip I promised you and Yangyang might have to be postponed for now.”

“It is okay. We can go another time.”

Besides the fracture, Du’s mother had an old stomach ulcer problem. The dizziness that caused the fall and fracture might also be related to cerebral hemorrhage, possibly indicating signs of a mild stroke. After evaluation, the doctor recommended she stay in the hospital for observation a few more days. At her age, she needed proper recuperation.

For a full week, Cheng Yu came to the hospital every day with Du Lingyun. As a man, Du Lingyun could not handle intimate tasks conveniently, so Cheng Yu took care of all Du’s mother’s personal needs—wiping her body, helping with urination, massaging—things others might find troublesome or distasteful. Cheng Yu never showed the slightest impatience, always gentle and considerate, like a soft breeze and fine rain.

This surprised Du’s mother, who had always been somewhat guarded toward her. She hardly knew what attitude to take now.

That night, Du’s mother felt a tingling numbness in her left leg, which was in a cast. She quietly tossed and turned in bed, trying to adjust her position, but could not sleep comfortably no matter what.

Cheng Yu was sleeping on the family companion bed nearby. She soon sensed something unusual, woke from her dream, blinked her slightly dry eyes, and looked toward Du’s mother.

Du’s mother shifted slightly again and let out a low groan.

Cheng Yu quickly stood up. “Mom, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”

Du’s mother turned her head to look, her eyes apologetic. “I woke you up, didn’t I? Sorry.”

“It is okay.” Cheng Yu’s voice was gentle. “Is your foot hurting again? Shall I ask the nurse if you need a painkiller shot?”

“No need. It is not pain, just… tingling numbness.” Du’s mother smiled bitterly.

“It should be because the foot cannot move, affecting blood circulation. Let me massage it for you.”

The doctor had applied a half cast to Du’s mother: one half was plaster, while the other half was wrapped tightly circle by circle with gauze to fix the injured limb.

Cheng Yu first helped Du’s mother lift her leg for up and down exercises, then sought the nurse’s permission to temporarily unwrap the gauze. She carefully massaged the injured leg to promote circulation, wiped it dry with a towel afterward, and then rewrapped it with fresh gauze.

“Does this feel more comfortable?”

“Yes, thank you.”

She gave Du’s mother a soft smile.

Du’s mother looked at her with complex emotions. Perhaps she had misjudged before. This daughter-in-law was not as spoiled and willful as she remembered.

“Lanxi?” She called somewhat hesitantly.

“Yes.” Cheng Yu held a cup with a straw for Du’s mother, letting her drink some warm water.

“You must really like our Lingyun a lot, right?”

“Ah? Why do you ask that?”

“I heard you were very pretty since young and popular with boys. But our Lingyun… alas, he has always been a blockhead. He never had any girlfriends before. You are the first.”

Cheng Yu stared blankly at Du’s mother. Why was she telling her this?

Du’s mother tugged at her lips bitterly again. “I know my own son. He does not really know how to sweet-talk girls. As you young people say… uh, he does not understand romance?”

Did he not? She actually did not think he lacked romance. His way was just not flashy—more gentle, more restrained.

Thinking this, Cheng Yu smiled faintly.

“I heard you two often argued… Uh, Mom wants to tell you that if he has any shortcomings, just yield to him a little. Between husband and wife, it is not about competing. You take a step back, he takes a step back—that is how feelings stay good.” Du’s mother spoke earnestly, looking at her calm face, then feeling a bit uneasy. “Am I saying too much?”

“No, I am very glad Mom is telling me this.” Cheng Yu sat by the bed and sincerely held Du’s mother’s hand. “I just feel… Mom, how can you be so good?”

“Ah?” Du’s mother was puzzled.

“How can you not blame me at all, not scold me even a little?” Seeing the elderly woman clearly giving advice but with a tense, uncertain expression, Cheng Yu could not help feeling heartbroken. “I was so immature before, whether toward you, Yun, or Yangyang… I hardly did anything right. Why do you not scold me?”

“Why would Mom scold you?” Du’s mother sighed. Her gaze toward Cheng Yu lost its guard, filled with genuine warmth. “Mom only hopes you young people can live well. You and Lingyun are husband and wife—you will spend a lifetime together. If you get along well, Mom can be at ease.”

So, to avoid disrupting their marriage, she chose to endure silently. Even if she was dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, she never said it. She even preferred living alone to avoid disturbing their life.

As an elder, she had done enough, been considerate enough. It was Jian Lanxi who was too selfish.

“A girl like you, who has had everything she wanted since childhood, would not marry Lingyun unless you really liked him a lot. Mom hopes you two will live well together from now on, okay?” Du’s mother squeezed Cheng Yu’s hand, her tone sincere.

Cheng Yu nodded with tears in her eyes.

Jian Lanxi, you were very happy, do you know that? How could you be so foolish as to miss such happiness?

Cheng Yu reached out to tuck Du’s mother in properly. “Mom, sleep a little more. Good night.”

“Yes.”

The next morning, Du Lingyun stewed chicken soup at the old family home and brought it to the hospital with Yangyang. Cheng Yu was sitting by the bedside, holding her phone and playing a game with the elderly woman.

“This is called ‘Traveling Frog’. It is the most popular mobile game right now. Mom, look at this little frog. Is it not very cute? You have to remember to often go here to pick clover. Like this, you press it and try… Yes, just like that to harvest, and then it will show here…”

“So the little frog that Ahui’s granddaughter next door plays all day is this one! She kept telling me how cute her frog is, that it never forgets to come home when it goes out, at most making her wait two days before returning, and it even sends her scenic postcards.”

“Yes, our frog will send them too. Mom, you have to be patient and wait.”

“I will. When people get old, they have nothing if not patience.” Du’s mother seemed to sigh.

Hearing this, Du Lingyun’s chest tightened. Why did he feel this was alluding to him, the unfilial son? Even a frog remembered to come home often, but he…

While he was tangled in thought, that gentle voice rose again. “Mom, move in with us!”

“What?” Du’s mother was shocked.

Du Lingyun was also surprised. Holding Yangyang’s hand, he stood at the door of the ward, quietly watching the woman who was smiling brightly at this moment.

“After your fracture heals, you will need rehabilitation. Living alone with no one to care for you would be inconvenient. After discharge, move to Taipei and live with us, okay?”

Du’s mother looked hesitant. “Do you really think that is good? You three are living well. I can hire a caregiver here…”

“Only with you living with us will this family be complete.” Cheng Yu firmly held Du’s mother’s thin hands.

“Mom, please agree. Yangyang will be very happy to have grandma with him.”

Du’s mother felt deeply moved, her eyes reddening.

Cheng Yu was also somewhat choked up. Actually, she thought of her own deceased parents. If only she had the chance to be filial to them. Why did they not live longer, giving her the opportunity to repay their love? She already had a lifetime of regret. She truly did not want that wonderful man to bear the same remorse as her.

“Mom, can you?” Cheng Yu asked Du’s mother with tears, as if asking parents she could never see again.

“Okay, okay.” Du’s mother’s voice trembled.

The two women looked at each other with teary eyes. Du Lingyun’s heart surged. He could not help striding over and pulling both of them into his arms.

“Me too!” Yangyang refused to be left out. His small body squeezed in and climbed onto the bed, acting spoiled.

“Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, Yangyang wants hugs too.”

The adults all laughed.