Chapter 1122 - 1164: Giving One More Chance

Chapter 1122: Chapter 1164: Giving One More Chance

"Hmm!" Ling’s father nodded, following Shenglan to the street outside the train station, raising his hand to hail a taxi and heading directly to where Shenglan was temporarily staying!

Ling Shenglan opened a room next to her own for Ling’s father. After settling him in, she invited him to her room.

Looking at the exquisitely decorated room, Ling’s father nodded with satisfaction and said contently, "Shenglan, it’s been more than five years. Seeing you living so well now, with no worries for food or clothing, I’m satisfied and relieved! Thinking back, you were alone, suffering so much in Jin City, but now, your hardships have finally paid off!"

"Yes! Back then, I indeed endured a lot and faced much disdain from others! At times, I even thought about giving up. Luckily, I persevered, otherwise... how could I have the face to return and find Yueyue today!" Ling Shenglan unintentionally shifted the topic to Ling Yueyue!

At the mention of Ling Yueyue, guilt clearly flashed in Ling’s father’s eyes, causing his head to lower involuntarily!

Seeing Ling’s father’s expression, Ling Shenglan’s heart sank sharply; though disheartened, she forced a thin smile and tentatively asked, "Brother, you know I came back this time specifically to find Yueyue. Over five years ago, I left her alone in Jin City and went abroad. During these five years, I’ve thought of her every day, feeling guilty and blaming myself! After enduring for over five years, I couldn’t hold back any longer and returned to find her! But she’s disappeared, and no matter how much I search, I can’t find her! I miss her, I really do! Brother, do you have any information about her at all?"

Seeing his sister’s painful expression, Ling’s father also felt uncomfortable, nearly blurting out Ling Yueyue’s situation! However, he recalled his wife’s instructions before he came, and the words he was about to say were forcibly swallowed back, saying, "Shenglan, you know, Yueyue has been mischievous since young, often getting into fights; my wife and I couldn’t control her. Shortly after you left, she was somewhat restrained. But, as you know, we’re in the countryside, she’s in Jin City, far from our reach; we couldn’t manage her. Over time, she constantly fought and caused trouble at school, eventually getting expelled before even finishing high school! After expulsion, she started mixing with young delinquents, smoking, drinking, fighting, and causing trouble daily, eventually resenting my wife and me for being from the countryside, not providing her desired life, severing ties with us, changing her phone number and residence, leaving us entirely unable to contact her! Later, my wife and I specifically went to Jin City to look for her, but we found no trace of her! That’s how we completely lost contact."

Listening to Ling’s Father’s recounting, Ling Shenglan’s eyes unwittingly reddened, tears rolling down like broken pearls, one by one.

Seeing Ling Shenglan cry, Ling’s father felt uneasy and passed tissues from the coffee table to Shenglan, saying, "Shenglan, don’t be upset anymore! This is fate, predetermined things that no one can change!"

Listening to Ling’s father’s words, Ling Shenglan felt more and more disheartened, lowering her head, wiping her tears, and saying, "Brother, do you remember what you promised me when I left? You assured me you’d take good care of Yueyue! When I left, I also gave you a sum of money, which I had planned out. It included Yueyue’s living expenses and tuition fees for high school and university, as well as rent money—all accounted for! I calculated that this money would last Yueyue until she was twenty-three, ensuring she could find a job after graduating university!"

Upon hearing Shenglan mention this, Ling’s father’s eyes flickered with guilt again, stammering, "Yes! When you left, you indeed gave us that money, and we planned to nurture Yueyue well. Unfortunately, she was disappointing; we couldn’t help it!" After speaking, Ling’s father never mentioned returning the unused money to Shenglan.

Because his wife had long embezzled that money, he had no courage to decide to return it to Ling Shenglan on his own accord!

Furthermore, before he left, his wife repeatedly instructed him to ask Shenglan for more money as a gratitude for these years of taking care of Yueyue after she left!

He also knew they had no face to ask Shenglan for that money, but what could he do! His wife said, if he couldn’t get the money, he wouldn’t see the children for the rest of his life!

He was left with no choice but to come and say all these dishonest words!

"Brother, five years without seeing, I really miss Yueyue. I’ve just returned purely wanting to see her. If she’s willing, I can take her abroad!" Ling Shenglan sobbed, clinging to the last hope while looking at Ling’s father.

She was giving her brother one last chance; as long as he could tell her Yueyue’s situation, she could forgive all past events!

After all, she knew everything was caused by the sister-in-law; her brother only feared his wife too much!

Just like back then, suffering in Jin City bitterly and tiringly, she never thought of returning because the family had a sister-in-law who couldn’t tolerate her! Even though her brother wanted to shelter her and treat her well, he was powerless.

Ling’s father felt guilty within and didn’t know how to comfort Ling Shenglan, unable to reveal the truth to her, saying, "Shenglan, it’s been more than five years; many things have changed! Moreover, to say something unpleasant, didn’t you also say Yueyue was redundant back then? When you were pregnant with her, you didn’t want her and wanted to abort, didn’t you? In fifteen years, you never liked her; seeing her reminded you of that man, you despised her and hated her! Now that she has disappeared and has been disappointing, just consider her never born, let it go! Forget her completely! Don’t you now have a lively, lovely son with your husband? Having a son by your side is enough!"

"Yes, I once regretted having her and even considered abortion! But you told me she was a life, my flesh and blood, no matter how much I hated that man; the child was innocent! You also said if I couldn’t care for her alone, you’d help me raise her! So, I listened to you and gave birth to her! When I first had her, I did hate her and didn’t want to see her; every time I saw her, I’d be reminded of how that man deceived me!" Saying this, all the memories repressed in her heart surged like tides, causing Ling Shenglan’s tears to flow more fiercely.