Shanshan was completely unaware of the interrogation happening elsewhere, and Yuan Long didn’t mention it to her, only instructing her to focus on her recovery.
She didn’t ask, as she knew she would find out everything eventually. Right now, she had something very important to do — lose weight.
After spending a month in the hospital, although she didn’t use hormonal drugs and exercised daily by walking downstairs, her physical activity was significantly reduced. Plus, Yuan Long had persuaded her to consume a lot of bone broth and other nutritious foods to aid her recovery. As a result, her weight rebounded by ten kilograms, from ninety to a hundred kilograms. Not only had she gained weight, but her son, Dudu, had also put on a few kilograms from indulging in delicious food and being less active due to the hospital stay. He had truly become a little meatball.
Dudu adamantly denied being fat, shaking his head earnestly. “Mom, I’m not fat. I’ve been taking care of you every day, and I’ve slimmed down.”
Shanshan felt that her son had grown a lot since he turned four, not only physically but also in terms of cheekiness. Now, he was even more shameless.
She reached out to pat his chubby belly mercilessly, delivering a blow, “Son, you’re about to become a ball. Face reality, don’t deceive yourself anymore.”
Dudu quietly took a deep breath, trying hard to suck in his watermelon-like belly. Unfortunately, there was too much fat, and he couldn’t suck it in. Instead, he ended up letting out a loud fart.
Shanshan immediately pinched his fat, “Stop pretending, chubby boy. Losing weight is your only way out! From now on, you can’t eat so much meat, and in the evening, you’ll go to the playground with me to run!”
Dudu shivered, immediately clinging to his mother’s thigh pitifully, rubbing his chubby cheeks against her, and using his cute baby voice to plead, “Mommy, you’re such a good mommy.”
Shanshan heartlessly kicked away the fat ball at her feet, “No, I’m not a good mommy. If you don’t lose weight, I’ll ask Granny Li not to give sweets to Tiantian for kindergarten. You won’t be able to get snacks from Tiantian in the future.”
Dudu, whose biggest daily expectation was to trick some snacks from Tiantian, was caught by his mother and couldn’t plead anymore, looking disheartened as he continued his weight loss journey.
The sight of Dudu and two children and a dog running behind him after dinner appeared on the playground again. Many people who hadn’t seen him for a long time came up to greet him, and Zhang Yiran and Tiantian also ran to the playground from home right after dinner, wanting to play with Dudu. Since Dudu needed to lose weight by running, the two kids had to run behind Dudu.
Seeing the group of parents on the playground running behind Dudu, thinking it was a good team, they all went home to bring the children who were watching TV, playing with mobile phones, or tablets, to the playground to run behind Dudu. As a result, these children all looked miserable.
Shanshan always felt that the children running on the playground looked at Dudu with eyes full of resentment.
Shanshan, due to her injury, couldn’t engage in vigorous exercise, so she would brisk walk for two hours on the playground during the day. When Dudu went to kindergarten during the day, she would practice yoga and dance in the dance studio.
Compared to the days after her injury four years ago, she was now recovering comfortably. The only regret was that Yuan Long had returned to the Imperial Capital to handle Yu Ziqi’s case, and he hadn’t returned for a long time. She didn’t know how things were going there, and he didn’t say anything when they video called.
Shanshan really missed him, hoping he could handle things there quickly and come back soon.
However, what she didn’t expect was that instead of Yuan Long’s return, she was greeted by her father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Yuan Zhenbang and Su Minghua came alone, directly to the family courtyard. Shanshan was puzzled by their visit, not understanding why they had come.
Su Minghua’s complexion looked very haggard, as if she hadn’t slept well for several days. What was even more strange was that her attitude toward Shanshan this time wasn’t as dismissive and displeased as before, but carried a hint of… supplication?
Shanshan felt even more puzzled, not wanting to beat around the bush, and directly asked, “Um… Dad, Mom, what’s the matter with your visit today?”
Su Minghua and Yuan Zhenbang glanced at each other, and finally Su Minghua took the initiative to speak, “Shanshan, your dad and I came this time to beg you to spare Mingyue. Considering the kindness of Mingyue’s parents to us and your dad, please forgive her this time. She won’t dare to do it again in the future.”
Shanshan was even more confused. What did this have to do with Fu Mingyue? And why should she spare her?
Thinking it over, the only significant event that had happened to her recently was the car accident caused by Yu Ziqi. Could it be that Fu Mingyue was also involved in this?
Shanshan’s heart skipped a beat, the more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Fu Mingyue always liked to put on airs, and after being exposed by herself last time, the two had a falling out, and then she was transferred away by her grandfather, completely cutting off her hope of getting close to Yuan Long. It’s very likely that she would hold a grudge against herself and want to eliminate her, so as to make room for herself.
A woman’s jealousy should never be underestimated, and when a woman goes crazy, it’s also very scary.
Shanshan decided to tactfully fish for information, “Fu Mingyue committed a mistake herself, and she should be punished. What do you want me to do in this matter?”
Sure enough, Su Minghua immediately continued, “Shanshan, I know you’ve been wronged this time, it’s all Mingyue’s fault. We didn’t even know she liked Yuan Long so much that she would be so headstrong to do such a thing. We know it’s her fault, but she’s only twenty-six years old. She still has a bright future ahead of her. If she goes to jail and comes out, her life will be ruined. Shanshan, you’re a big person, so please forgive her this time…”
Shanshan’s face completely darkened. It seemed that her guess was correct. It was indeed Fu Mingyue who had Yu Ziqi hit her. She had almost died because of her, but these two people came to plead for her. In their eyes, she, Shanshan, was inconsequential, and Fu Mingyue was their treasure, right?
Now Shanshan didn’t even want to call her awkward parents directly, coldly saying, “Do you know she wanted to kill me? Dudu was there that day. If I hadn’t pushed him away, Dudu might have been killed at such a young age! You may not like me, but after all, Dudu is your grandson. Is Fu Mingyue’s position in your hearts more important than your own grandson’s safety? If Dudu and I had both been killed that day, who would you turn to for mercy?”
Su Minghua and Yuan Zhenbang’s eyes flashed with pain. They knew the truth, but they couldn’t bear it…
Su Minghua directly knelt down to Shanshan, “Shanshan, I know everything is Mingyue’s fault, and I know it’s not appropriate for us to come to you for help, but Mingyue’s father has been kind to our family, and Mingyue grew up in our family since childhood. We treat her like our own daughter. As parents, how can we bear to see our own children go to jail? If Mingyue goes to jail, how can we face her father after we pass away?”
For the first time, Shanshan was so angry she didn’t know what to say. You’re not willing to see your daughter go to jail, but if my parents were here, would you be willing to see me almost killed? Why should I forgive her?
Seeing Shanshan silent, Su Minghua thought there might be a chance and continued, “Now Yuan Long is determined to send Mingyue to jail. Only you can persuade him. Shanshan, please persuade Yuan Long to spare Mingyue this time. We promise that Mingyue will move out of the Yuan family in the future and will never appear in front of you again. Is that okay?”
Before Shanshan could speak, Lian Aunt, who had been silent, spoke up. She walked over to help Su Minghua up and said to the couple, “Although I’m just an outsider and it may not be appropriate for me to speak, I can’t help but say that your actions today are heartbreaking! Although Mingyue grew up in your family, her surname is Fu, not Yuan. Dudu is your real grandson, and Shanshan is your real daughter-in-law. You are a family. When your daughter-in-law and grandson were almost killed, instead of punishing the culprit, you chose to protect the murderer. Is this something a parent would do?”
Seeing Su Minghua’s intention to speak again, Aunt Lian waved her hand and continued, “Moreover, Mingyue is not sentenced to death. She will only be in prison for a few years. This is her deserved punishment, but you can’t bear to see her go to jail for a few years. What about Shanshan’s injury this time? What about Dudu almost being killed this time? Your priorities are too skewed!”
Su Minghua and Yuan Zhenbang were speechless. They knew their pleading was hurtful, but they couldn’t help but hope that Shanshan would soften and forgive Mingyue.
At this moment, Shanshan gave up completely on the idea of reconciling with Yuan Long’s parents. Perhaps their relationship would never be good again in this lifetime.
She closed her eyes and said, “I won’t forgive Mingyue. If you want to plead, go plead with Yuan Long. If he agrees to spare Mingyue, then I have no objections.”
“But Yuan Long won’t agree!” Su Minghua panicked, wanting to plead again, but was interrupted by a phone call.
Yuan Zhenbang’s phone rang, and it was from the Elder Yuan.
Yuan Zhenbang’s face turned pale, hesitated for a moment, and answered the call.
As soon as the call connected, the elder Yuan’s furious voice came through, “Yuan Zhenbang, get back here! If you dare to disturb Shanshan over there today, I’ll kick you out of the family immediately! I mean it!”
Yuan Zhenbang and Su Minghua’s faces changed drastically. They knew if they stayed any longer, the Elder Yuan would explode. They didn’t dare to plead with Shanshan anymore and left with gloomy faces.
Although the two of them left, Shanshan’s mood was still extremely bleak. She didn’t want to exercise, didn’t want to eat, and just wanted to bury herself in sleep.
When Dudu came back and saw his mother like this, he was very worried. He pressed his forehead against his mother’s forehead to check her temperature and asked, “Mom, are you sick? If you’re not feeling well, I can drive you to the hospital for an injection.”
The chubby son was still very filial. Shanshan kissed him and said, “Mommy is fine. Mommy is just tired from losing weight today. A good sleep tonight will make mommy feel better. Tonight, you go run with Grandma Lian. Mommy won’t accompany you.”
“Okay.” Dudu kissed Shanshan’s forehead and covered her with a blanket, quietly went out, then asked Auntie Lian for a phone, dialed Yuan Long’s number, and as soon as it connected, he shouted, “Dad, it’s me, Dudu.”
Yuan Long was still driving, put the phone on speaker, “What are you calling me for?”
“Dad, Mommy is very unhappy today. Mommy said she’s tired, but I know she’s lying to me. She’s just unhappy. She’s like this every time she’s unhappy.” Dudu worriedly pinched his own chubby belly, continuing, “Dad, mommy is your wife. You have to make your wife happy. So hurry up and come back to make mommy happy.”
Yuan Long already knew about his parents coming to plead with Shanshan today. He had been very upset, but now he couldn’t help but smile at his chubby son’s childish words, saying, “I’ll hurry back. Before I come back, take good care of mommy for me, okay?”
Dudu promised, “Dad, I know, you can rest assured.”
The little guy promised to take good care of his mother, and he really did his best. Without Aunt Lian’s help, he personally fed his mother food and water, even helped her wash her face and feet. When it was time to wash her feet, the little guy sat on the bedside and bent over to wash her feet himself. Shanshan couldn’t help but melt at his appearance. She vowed in her heart to never scold or tease him again.
She wanted to be a gentle and good mother from now on.
That night, the mother and son spent a very loving time together, embracing each other sweetly and falling asleep.
In the middle of the night, Shanshan vaguely felt her little heater being taken away from her embrace. She felt a bit cold and was about to find her little heater when a bigger heater enveloped her whole body, warmer than the previous one, and carried a familiar man’s scent.
A man’s scent?
Shanshan suddenly felt something was wrong. With a start, she woke up and was about to scream when someone covered her mouth. The other person’s tongue entered her mouth, entwining with hers.
This familiar scent, this familiar kiss, finally let Shanshan know who this person was. If it’s not Yuan Long, then who?
Gasping for breath, Shanshan stuttered, “Yuan Long? You… you’re back?”
Yuan Long stopped kissing her, turned on the bedside lamp, and under the dim light, his face looked exceptionally handsome. “I’m back.”
Shanshan was so excited to go and hug him, but she couldn’t move her hands right now, so she could only pout and say, “Hug me~”
Yuan Long chuckled and stretched out his arms to hug her, burying his face in her neck and deeply inhaling her unique fragrance.
The two of them hugged quietly for a long time, so long that Shanshan was about to fall asleep again. Yuan Long finally spoke, “Don’t be angry about today.”
Shanshan woke up again and looked at him, “You know about it?”
Yuan Long “Mm-hmm” and touched her face. “You don’t need to care about their thoughts. Don’t take it to heart.”
Shanshan sighed and buried herself in his chest miserably. “I know, but I can’t help feeling a little sad. Your parents never really saw me as part of the family. In their hearts, Mingyue is more important than me and Dudu. Dudu and I were almost killed, and now I’m half disabled, but they don’t care. They just want me to forgive Mingyue and not let her go to jail, not ruin her future…”
She couldn’t help but feel aggrieved. “After this incident, your parents probably won’t look kindly on us anymore. Your mother even knelt down to me today, and I didn’t agree. She probably hates me to death.”
Yuan Long patted her back and comforted, “Don’t force it. If they don’t understand, we won’t go to them in the future. We’ll each live our own lives.”
With that said, Shanshan finally felt relieved. With this relief, her longing for him couldn’t help but emerge. She flew him a flirtatious look and took the initiative to kiss him, “Kiss me, I miss you.”
With his wife being so proactive, Yuan Long didn’t hold back either, pouring all his longing onto her. He hadn’t touched her in a long time, and he really missed her.
That night, the long-separated couple played around all night, until the eastern sky revealed a hint of light.
Meow meow On TPH Chapter 26.1