Chapter 2.2

In the afternoon, she went to the supermarket to restock supplies and filled the refrigerator full again. While resting on the sofa, she thought about the dinner menu.

Suddenly, a regular ringtone sounded. Her heart jolted as she looked toward the cordless phone placed on the coffee table.

Who was calling?

Cheng Yu stared at the black and white cordless phone, her heart pounding wildly against her chest. The continuous ringing sounded like a death knell, tugging at her nerves.

For some reason, she felt afraid, as if the moment she answered, a voice on the other end would sternly warn her, telling her that everything before her eyes was an illusion, a dream she had woven herself.

Only after a long while did she hold her breath, her hand trembling slightly as she picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Lanxi? It’s Mom!” A slightly high-pitched female voice came through the earpiece.

Cheng Yu was stunned for a moment.

Jian Lanxi’s mother… Right, when Du Lingyun brought her home from the hospital, he had once asked if she wanted to notify her mother in the United States, Wang Hui. He told her that her parents had divorced very early, and Wang Hui had taken her and remarried a wealthy Hong Kong businessman surnamed Jian. These past few years, she had been living with her stepfather in Los Angeles, United States.

“Lanxi! Why aren’t you speaking? Are you listening?”

“…Yes, I’m listening.”

“Lingyun called me and said you were in a car accident. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good, as long as nothing’s wrong.” Wang Hui sighed as she spoke. “You child, there’s not a single day you don’t make people worry. I told you long ago not to stay in Taiwan and to come to the United States with Mommy. But you insisted on not doing it, saying you had your eye on a man and wanted to marry him. Tsk tsk, and the result? Not even a few years later, and you’re already making noise about divorcing him.”

Cheng Yu remained silent, not knowing how to converse with this so-called mother.

“Why are you silent again? Are you this impatient talking to Mommy?” Wang Hui misunderstood her silence, her tone becoming irritable.

“I’m not.” Cheng Yu paused, then tentatively asked, “He… Lingyun didn’t tell you I lost my memory?”

“He did tell me.” Wang Hui let out a cold laugh. “Do you think Mom would believe that nonsense? I guessed long ago that you’re just deceiving him!”

Cheng Yu was shocked. “Why do you think… I’m lying?”

“What kind of person you are, doesn’t your mom know you better than anyone? You’re just tired of it, annoyed, and want to dump him, so you’re deliberately pretending to have amnesia to avoid dealing with him, right? Who told you not to listen to me? I told you early on that marriage requires matching families and status—love and all that is just nonsense! Your dad here introduced so many rich second-generation heirs and you didn’t want them, but you just had to fancy a nerdy engineer. Other than looking slightly better, what merits does he have? No money, no power, and his family are just farmers… You’ve completely lost face for our Jian family!”

“I don’t think it’s shameful.” Cheng Yu’s fingers gripped the receiver tightly. Suddenly, she felt a bit angry, her voice tensing up. “He’s very good, very considerate toward the child, and very responsible toward this family.”

“What use is being considerate and responsible! Can he pamper you? Can he let you live the life of a pampered young lady? If you were really satisfied with this marriage, would you call me every now and then to complain? You yourself said he doesn’t know how to be romantic or sweet-talk a woman, and even when your dad offered to buy a car or house for you both, he put on his big man pride and refused…”

“Stop it.”

“Mom is telling you seriously, get divorced soon! A woman’s youth is limited. Even if a man has no money, he should at least have some charm. Dragging it out is just wasting each other’s time…”

“Stop it!” Cheng Yu raised her voice, unable to listen any longer.

With a mother like this instilling such specious ideas in her ear, no wonder Jian Lanxi was raised to be so self-centered.

“Why are you throwing a tantrum at Mom again? I’m doing this for your own good.” Wang Hui’s tone carried displeasure. “Fine, do whatever you want! Anyway, I’ve transferred some money to your account. If you need it, just withdraw it yourself. I’m hanging up!”

With that, Wang Hui hung up without giving her daughter any time to respond.

Cheng Yu stood stunned. After a moment, a mocking smile curved her lips.

If this was how Jian’s mother showed concern for her daughter, she would rather not have it.

A man’s worth lies not in whether he has money or a good family background, nor in whether he knows flowery words to coax women—that is not what romance is.

Thinking of how that man patiently taught the child to draw and build sandcastles, the kindness of handing her an umbrella in the rain… how could such a man be devalued as worthless by his own mother-in-law?

Cheng Yu’s heartstrings tightened involuntarily.

As she was lost in thought, a soft sound came from the entrance. Someone was entering the password to unlock the door.

Was it the father and son returning?

Cheng Yu’s heart fluttered in disorder. She unconsciously reached to quickly tidy her appearance, then put on a smile and went to greet them.

The first thing she saw was indeed Yangyang’s tender little face, but the person holding his hand was not that man—it was a young and pretty woman.

“Mommy.” Yangyang called out somewhat shyly.

“Yangyang is back!” Cheng Yu gave the child a gentle smile, then turned to the woman. “May I ask who you are?”

“I’m Yangyang’s nanny, Zhou Liwen.” This woman had probably also heard about her amnesia, so she was not surprised at all that Cheng Yu did not recognize her. She explained, “Yangyang said you weren’t feeling well and was worried about you being home alone. He insisted I bring him back early to check on you.”

“Mommy, are you okay?” Yangyang’s clear eyes stared at Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu only felt her heart soften. She could not help squatting down and gently stroking Yangyang’s little face. “I’m fine. Mommy is very good.”

Zhou Liwen observed the mother and son’s interaction from the side, her bright eyes narrowing thoughtfully. When Cheng Yu looked up, she caught Zhou Liwen staring at her with a guarded and suspicious gaze, making her feel inexplicably uncomfortable inside.

She stood up gracefully, maintaining her elegant demeanor. “Thank you, Miss Zhou, for bringing Yangyang back. If there’s nothing else, you can go home now.”

Zhou Liwen shook her head. “I can’t leave Yangyang here alone.”

What did that mean? Cheng Yu was stunned. She saw Zhou Liwen bend down to coax him.

“Yangyang, Mommy is fine. You saw it. How about Auntie takes you to Daddy’s company?”

Hearing this, Yangyang’s moist black eyes looked toward Cheng Yu. He seemed to want to stay but did not dare, appearing hesitant.

Cheng Yu stepped forward and smiled at Zhou Liwen. “Miss Zhou, actually, I’m feeling much better. I can take care of Yangyang myself!”

Zhou Liwen’s beautiful eyes flashed. Cheng Yu clearly saw that it was mockery.

“Yangyang, do you want to stay?” Zhou Liwen deliberately asked Yangyang.

Yangyang’s eyes flickered. He struggled for a few seconds, then nodded and said in a small voice, “Yes.”

This was not the answer Zhou Liwen wanted to hear. Her expression changed slightly. Just as Cheng Yu was about to speak, Zhou Liwen spoke first. “I need to call Brother Lingyun first.”

Cheng Yu swallowed her anger. “I’m Yangyang’s mommy. Do I really need your permission to keep him at home?”

Zhou Liwen ignored her, took out her phone and stepped aside to make the call, still holding Yangyang’s hand with the other, as if afraid that if she let go, this mother might do something harmful to the child.

Cheng Yu sullenly bit her lip, listening to Zhou Liwen talk on the phone with Du Lingyun. She did not know if it was her imagination, but she always felt that the soft, coquettish tone carried a hint of acting spoiled.

“Brother Lingyun, it’s Liwen.”

She called him “Brother Lingyun”. Were they very close? It seemed she was not just an ordinary nanny.

“…Mm, mm, okay then.” Du Lingyun apparently agreed to let Yangyang stay home. When Zhou Liwen hung up, her expression clearly showed reluctance.

Cheng Yu secretly clenched her palm.

Zhou Liwen glanced at her, then squatted down, hugged Yangyang, and smiled with complete gentleness. “Yangyang, Auntie is leaving first! If the weather is good tomorrow, Auntie will take you to the park for a picnic, okay? Didn’t you say Daddy really liked the castle you built last time? Auntie will teach you to make one that Daddy will like even more.”

“Okay, Auntie teach me again.” Yangyang nodded excitedly.

“Good boy, Auntie gives you a kiss!” Zhou Liwen said, planting a loud kiss on Yangyang’s cheek. “You’re so cute. Auntie and Daddy both love you so much!”

Was this a demonstration of power?

Cheng Yu was almost amused by anger. She would bet that this woman definitely had improper thoughts toward Du Lingyun.

That man! She had thought he was very honest, but it turned out he had romantic entanglements outside too.

After hugging Yangyang, Zhou Liwen stood up to face Cheng Yu. The two women exchanged a polite but fake smile.

Cheng Yu saw her out the door. Outside, she suddenly turned back, her eyes sharp and mocking.

“You are not worthy of Brother Lingyun, nor worthy of being Yangyang’s mom.”

After dropping that ambiguous remark, Zhou Liwen walked away arrogantly.

She really saw herself as a rival in love! Cheng Yu curled her lip, too lazy to bother with this inexplicable woman. She turned back to the living room, where Yangyang was standing uneasily by the table, his little toes drawing circles on the floor.

Cheng Yu could finally hug him openly. She squatted down and pulled the child into her arms, fiercely kissing his cheeks several times. “Yangyang, Mommy likes you so much.”

“Mommy?” Yangyang was stunned, as if he had never experienced such treatment from his mother.

Cheng Yu sensed the child’s panic and helplessness. She cupped his little face and said seriously, “Yangyang, from now on, don’t be afraid of Mommy. Mommy will be good to you, okay?”

Yangyang blinked his long eyelashes. His big eyes grew brighter and brighter, filled with joy. “Okay!”

“Good boy.” Cheng Yu kissed the child again and took his small hand. “Is Yangyang hungry? Should Mommy cook for you, or do you want to take a bath first?”

Yangyang thought for a moment. “Bath first, then eat.”

“Okay, Mommy will run hot water for your bath.”

“Will Mommy help me wash?” Yangyang asked in a small voice.

“Mm, Mommy will help you wash.”

Yangyang fell silent. His eyes, which had been bright just moments ago, suddenly dimmed. His little face turned slightly pale.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Yu asked with concern. “Is Yangyang feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”

Yangyang shook his head but did not answer. His little face grew even paler. His small hand tightly grasped Cheng Yu’s palm, almost pinching her painfully.

She could feel the child’s fear and softened her voice even more. “Does Yangyang not want to take a bath? Then we won’t wash for now, okay?”

Yangyang bit his lip. Only after a long while did he say in a tiny, soft voice, “Yangyang wants to wash… Mommy help me wash.”

Although he said that, Yangyang kept his head lowered the whole time, not daring to look Cheng Yu in the eye even once.

Cheng Yu was puzzled, her brows slightly furrowed. It was not until they entered the bathroom, she had filled a tub full of hot water, and helped Yangyang take off his clothes that she suddenly understood.

There were actually several bluish-purple bruises on the child’s body!

Although some marks had already faded and were not very visible, it was clear that he had been abused and injured before.

How could anyone bear to hurt such a small and well-behaved child.

Waves surged in Cheng Yu’s heart. Even her voice trembled. “Yangyang, how did you get these on your body? Who… who did this?”

Yangyang lowered his eyes. His small hands twisted together into a knot. He refused to say a single word. But he did not need to say it. Cheng Yu could guess the answer. Her heart sank uncontrollably.