CHAPTER 348: CHAPTER 348: LIN MENGJIE 1 (4)_1

On the other end, Shangguan You could clearly see the anxiety and concern on Ouyang Xuan’s face. "No, Youyou is doing fine. Let Mengjie talk to me. I’ve gotten old, and suddenly I want to see Mengjie, to see if she’s doing well," Lin Wenbo spoke anxiously to the computer.

"Dad, Mengjie is asleep. It’s not good to wake her up now."

"I don’t care if she’s asleep or not; I want to see her—I want to see her now! I want her to talk to me. If you can’t even do this much, then send Mengjie back to me. The Lin family’s daughter—I am not willing for her to be married to a useless man like you, one who can’t even take care of his own woman!" Lin Wenbo shouted, his speech somewhat rushed.

"Dad, you’re not well. Please don’t get agitated. I’ll go get Mengjie. Just wait a moment," Ouyang Xuan’s deep voice rang out before he left the video feed.

After about five minutes, Lin Mengjie’s face appeared on the video, looking somewhat languid. "Dad, Brother, what’s going on?" she asked.

The familiar voice, familiar face, familiar demeanor, and even the tone of voice were all exactly like Lin Mengjie’s. Shangguan You stared blankly at the Lin Mengjie on the video, feeling a chill.

A coldness crept up Shangguan You’s back, her body shivering slightly as she fixed her gaze on the Lin Mengjie in the video—the woman who was both familiar and strange to her.

"Dad, Big Brother, did something happen?" In the video, Ouyang Xuan tenderly embraced the languid Lin Mengjie. Perhaps from just waking up, she seemed utterly relaxed and wore a soft smile, her lips curling up gently, exactly like the woman in Shangguan You’s memories.

"It’s nothing much. Since you have been away for several months, I just wanted to see Mengjie. Seeing that you both are well makes me feel at ease," Lin Wenbo said when he saw Lin Mengjie. The harshness disappeared from his face, and his whole demeanor softened with affection.

Compared to the imposing figure he’d been just moments before, the contrast was stark—like heaven and earth.

"Dad, how have you been feeling? Is it a relapse of your old illness?" Lin Mengjie’s face showed deep concern as she anxiously looked at Lin Wenbo on the video.

"I’m fine. I just suddenly missed you. Although you and Ouyang Xuan aren’t married, you’re often away, and the number of times you come home each year can be counted on one hand. You’re young people, and Daddy knows you have your own careers and things to do. But when you have time, come back home more often to keep this old man company."

Lin Wenbo extended his hand, wanting to touch Lin Mengjie, but met only the cold screen and involuntarily drew it back.

"Dad, Mengjie and I understand. After this busy period, we’ll come back and spend more time with you," Ouyang Xuan said, embracing Lin Mengjie and speaking with a smile.

"Brother, Wenjie, Wenhao, while I’m not there, Dad is in your care. You have to take good care of him, understand?" Lin Mengjie softly instructed the group on the video.

"Auntie, we know. Every time you come back, you tell us the same thing. If you’re really worried, come back more often. Don’t wait for a whole year and then only stay a few days," Lin Wenhao said, smiling as he looked at Lin Mengjie on the video.

"Exactly, Auntie. This time you come back, you should stay here for good. Stop running around everywhere. Stay home more and keep Grandpa company. Then Youyou can also come to see you often, sparing everyone the worry," Lin Wenjie teased, glancing at the shocked Shangguan You as he spoke.

"What you’re saying is also what I wish for—I too want to spend more time with you all, and with my Youyou. Once we’re done with things this time, we won’t leave after coming back, right, Xuan?" Lin Mengjie spoke with a smile, gently asking Ouyang Xuan by her side.

"Yes, once this matter is settled, we will be able to stay in Beijing permanently, accompanying Dad and Youyou," Ouyang Xuan said tenderly.

"Okay, we can talk about it when you come back. Sister, Ouyang Xuan, look who’s here today," Lin Qingyu said with a smile and nudged the stunned Shangguan You forward. Shangguan You’s shocked little face clearly appeared on the video.

Shangguan You clearly saw Lin Mengjie’s body give a slight shudder, then her gaze fixed intently on Shangguan You. Her expression shifted from shock to joy, then to comfort, as tears began to stream down her face, and she murmured.

"Youyou, it’s Mommy’s Youyou."

Ouyang Xuan, upon seeing Shangguan You’s momentary shock, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, tightly holding the excited Lin Mengjie in his arms.

Hearing Lin Mengjie’s words on the video, seeing her expression, the tears in her eyes, and her trembling hands reaching out as if to touch Shangguan You through the screen—Shangguan You felt her own eyes inexplicably redden, and her heart clenched in pain.

Her Mommy, alive and standing before her—this was the woman who lived in her memories since she was five years old, her Mommy. But with two identical Mommies, who is real and who is fake?

Another heavy burden weighed on her. Two Lin Mengjies—who is real and who is fake?

"Silly girl, that’s your Auntie, that’s your Mommy. Quick, call out to her," Lin Wenjie nudged Shangguan You, teasing her as he saw her stupefied look.

A relative she hadn’t seen for over a decade was suddenly there, right in front of her; her current expression was perfectly understandable.

"Girl, you see Uncle and Mommy but don’t know to call out to them?" Ouyang Xuan’s affectionate voice sounded as he continued to embrace the emotional Lin Mengjie, his gaze, however, remaining fixed on Shangguan You.

"Uncle, Mommy," Shangguan You blinked back the tears in her eyes and softly called out to the two people on the video.

"Mommy’s Youyou, Mommy is so sorry." Lin Mengjie’s eyes had been teary since she saw Shangguan You. It was a mother’s apology and heartache for her child, and Shangguan You could clearly feel this deep love.

"Mommy, if you really feel sorry for me, then remember the promise you made to me back then. I am still waiting for the day Mommy fulfills that promise," Shangguan You’s lips gently curled as she looked at Lin Mengjie on the video and spoke with a smile.