Opening his mouth, Liu Changqing asked in a flat tone.

"Are you still not awake?"

"......"

The weak Li Wanran's smile slowly faded upon hearing these words.

Until it disappeared completely.

Expressionlessly, she looked at Liu Changqing standing by the bed, observing his face that had matured significantly compared to her memories.

As if realizing something, she tilted her gaze to the side, surveying her surroundings.

Her nose caught the antiseptic smell of the hospital.

Her eyes eventually settled on the ceiling.

She blinked once.

"What year is it now..."

"2010."

"......"

Silent, Li Wanran seemed stunned speechless.

She just kept staring at the ceiling above.

Fixedly.

Noticing her gaze, Liu Changqing standing nearby also looked up. Seeing nothing unusual about the ceiling, he quickly averted his eyes.

Looking back at Li Wanran.

"Do you know you've been unconscious for a whole day?"

"......"

"If not for your downstairs neighbor finding you, you might have died."

"......"

"They brought you to the hospital, paid part of the bill in advance, then found my number in your phone and contacted me."

As he spoke, Liu Changqing took out her phone from his pocket and opened the contacts.

Seeing his number saved under the name "Husband."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Where did you get my phone number?"

"......"

Without looking at Liu Changqing, after a long silence while staring at the hospital ceiling, she finally responded.

"I went through Zhiyue's phone..."

"I see. I figured as much."

This answer didn't seem to surprise Liu Changqing. He'd known their son had been visiting her occasionally over the years.

But he hadn't stopped it.

Pulling over a nearby chair, Liu Changqing sat down.

Looking at Li Wanran on the hospital bed, he hesitated before taking out his wallet from his pocket.

He withdrew a card and placed it on her bedside table.

Noticing this movement, Li Wanran finally shifted her gaze from the ceiling.

Looking at the card by her bedside.

Finally, at Liu Changqing who had given it.

Hearing him say:

"I've deposited one million in this card. The PIN is your birthday."

A pause.

"Take it and leave. Don't stay in this city."

"......"

Their eyes met at that moment. Liu Changqing's gaze held no emotion as he continued:

"It's not much, but enough to support you for a long time. If the money runs out, contact me. I'll arrange regular payments."

"......"

"Zhiyue is doing excellently in school. Xiazhi gives me some headaches, but with my current family assets, I don't expect great achievements from her. Just let her grow up happily..."

Finished speaking, Liu Changqing looked at the fruits on the bedside table.

"My wife came yesterday too, brought you some fruits. Even though you two had that falling out... she couldn't bear seeing you like this."

With these words, Liu Changqing sitting by the bed sighed.

"No one can control your life anymore. You shouldn't live like this... becoming like your mother."

"......"

Li Wanran remained silent, just looking at him.

After an unknown length of time, Liu Changqing spoke his final words.

"This... is best for both of us."

Time seemed to stand still.

The summer temperature was slightly high.

The cicadas outside could be clearly heard indoors.

Li Wanran's gaze shifted from his face to the card he'd placed by her bed.

Her mind recalled the scene when they first divorced.

That day... she too had come to his home with a card containing one hundred thousand, asking to see the children.

Time... passes so quickly.

Closing her eyes, Li Wanran realized the world of family happiness was just a dream.

A... dream that could never come true.

Gritting her teeth, the weakened woman opened her eyes again, looking at Liu Changqing by her bed.

In the dream, he had loved her.

Their son and daughter had loved her too, calling her mother, hugging her tightly.

But when she saw Liu Changqing's current gaze - like looking at a stranger...

"Do you know how your parents died?"

"......"

"I did it."

Spouting this lie, Li Wanran tried to anger Liu Changqing.

But it didn't work.

Hearing her words, Liu Changqing actually seemed amused.

"I found out the truth three years ago. That day my parents just wanted to celebrate Xiazhi's birthday, so your father Li Zhengmao sent someone to pick them up..."

"It was me..."

"Enough. These words can't anger me."

"......"

"Even now, you still have such childish thoughts. What good would angering me do you? Ye Rong got what she deserved. In truth, I did nothing. She walked into that prison cell step by step herself. That you've become like this is also your own doing."

Looking at the woman before him, Liu Changqing suddenly felt she was pitiable.

Even... pathetic.

"Take this money. Go live the life you want."

"......"

"Don't make decisions you'll regret again."

These words reached Li Wanran's ears. Her gaze, previously looking elsewhere, now returned to Liu Changqing's face.

Her father had said similar words. In this moment, she seemed to see her father's shadow in Liu Changqing.

She'd once thought she would never regret. Only when things reached this point did she truly understand.

In this world, everyone regrets the wrongs they've done.

Everyone...

Including her.

The atmosphere turned strange. Seeing Li Wanran remain silent, Liu Changqing sensed no reason to stay longer.

He stood up.

Taking one last look at Li Wanran who had turned her head toward the window, he wordlessly turned and left.

He didn't notice that after he turned, Li Wanran was staring at his retreating back.

Until he exited the ward.

Once again, the room contained only herself.

Her weak body seemed drained of all strength. She just tilted her head to look at the IV drip bottle.

Liu Changqing's attitude was resolute.

From the moment they signed the divorce papers, having voluntarily given up the children, she could never regain that pair of son and daughter in this lifetime.

Only watch.

Watch their family, watch An Yuanyao...

Her mind recalled the dream she'd had not long ago.

That dream world.

That... world where she'd felt happiness.

This world...

Seemed to hold nothing worth reminiscing about anymore.

Nothing at all.