Prepare herself. How could she prepare for losing her mother, piece by piece, mory by mory? The thought alone made her chest ache.
Dr. Zhao’s voice softened further. "There’s one more thing I need to discuss with you."
Lixue looked up sharply, dread pooling in her stomach. "What is it?"
"Your mother’s dical expenses," he said carefully. "Her current treatnt and care regin are quite costly. If her condition requires more specialized care in the future, the costs will increase significantly. I know this is a sensitive topic, but it’s sothing we need to plan for."
Lixue’s mind reeled. She had known her mother’s care wasn’t cheap, but hearing it laid out so bluntly made the weight of it all feel suffocating. Her marriage to Mo Ran had provided her with stability and resources, but even that had limits. And now, with Nangong Jiantao’s sudden appearance, everything felt precarious.
"I understand," she said finally, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her. "I’ll figure it out."
Dr. Zhao nodded, his expression sympathetic. "If you need assistance or advice on long-term care options, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to support you."
"Thank you, Doctor," Lixue said, her words clipped but polite.
As he left the room, the door closing softly behind him, Lixue sank back into the chair beside her mother’s bed. Her thoughts were a chaotic ss—her grandfather’s unexpected arrival, her mother’s deteriorating condition, the mounting costs.
She barely had her own money, asking from Mo Ran seed like the only way, to ensure her mother’s safety and her continuation of treatnt and her safety.
*****************************
Nangong Jiantao stepped out of his sleek black car, the gravel crunching softly underfoot as he surveyed the sprawling estate of the Nangong Manor. Nestled deep in the quiet suburbs, the manor stood as a monunt to his legacy—its grand pillars and pristine gardens radiating wealth and power. Yet as he gazed upon it, a hollow emptiness gnawed at him.
The heavy oak doors swung open as a team of staff bowed in unison, welcoming him back. Jiantao strode inside, his presence commanding as always, yet his mind remained preoccupied. The image of his daughter, so frail and unresponsive, haunted him. Worse still, the fiery determination in Lixue’s eyes as she confronted him stirred sothing unfamiliar—regret.
He removed his coat and handed it to the butler, his sharp gaze scanning the grand foyer before he made his way to his private study. Once inside, he sank into the leather chair behind his massive mahogany desk, his hands clasped tightly together.
"Master Nangong," a voice interrupted gently. It was Butler Chao, his most trusted aide, standing at the door with a silver tray of tea.
Jiantao waved him in, nodding curtly. "Co in."
The butler placed the tray on the desk, his movents precise and efficient. "How was your visit, sir?"
Jiantao let out a heavy sigh, his eyes narrowing. "It was... enlightening."
Butler Chao tilted his head, a flicker of curiosity in his otherwise composed expression. "Madam Leili’s condition... is it as the doctors described?"
"It’s worse," Jiantao admitted, his voice laced with bitterness. "She doesn’t rember anything—anyone. My daughter, reduced to a shell of herself. And that granddaughter of mine... she’s as stubborn as her mother was."
Butler Chao remained silent, allowing Jiantao to gather his thoughts.
"Leili defied , threw away everything for a man who couldn’t protect her. And now..." His voice wavered slightly, and he looked away, ashad at the emotion creeping into his tone. "Now, she’s left with nothing. Her husband’s dead, and she’s forgotten even her own daughter. If only she had listened to —trusted my judgnt—she wouldn’t be in this state."
"But Master Nangong," Butler Chao said carefully, "Madam Leili’s choices were her own. Perhaps it’s not too late to make ands."
"Make ands?" Jiantao scoffed, though the words struck a chord. "You think I can undo years of estrangent with a few gestures of goodwill? Leili wouldn’t forgive even if she rembered who I was."
"Perhaps not," Butler Chao replied, his tone asured. "But Young Miss Lixue... she might. If you extend an olive branch, sir, and show her that you truly care for her mother’s well-being, she may co to see you in a different light."
Jiantao leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of the desk. Lixue’s defiance replayed in his mind—the way she stood her ground, unyielding despite his authority. She was a fighter, no doubt, but her vulnerability had been just as evident.
"Contact the hospital imdiately. I want Leili moved back to the manor. I’ll take full responsibility for her care from now on. No more delays."
The butler raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for further explanation.
"Understood, sir," Butler Chao replied, his voice low and asured. He had served the Nangong family long enough to know when silence was the best response.
Jiantao took a breath, a decision settling into him. "The plan is simple. We move Leili to the manor, where she belongs. She won’t be left to waste away in that sterile hospital room. And Lixue... Lixue will understand that her mother’s care can only be provided here, where it can be managed properly."
He paused, turning back to the butler. "Make sure the arrangents are swift and thorough. I want this done without drawing attention. We don’t need Lixue complicating matters further with her protests. She’ll co around."
Butler Chao nodded again, but this ti there was a brief flicker of sothing in his eyes—an understanding of just how far his master was willing to go to take control.
"I’ll handle it imdiately, Master Nangong," he said quietly, before turning to leave.
Nangong Juntao sighed, he really wanted to give his daughter the best, he wanted her to be happy, but she had made her when she decided to follow that Yu bastard, her life had fallen apart and he had been to ignorant to notice.
"Leili..dad is sorry, I’ve failed both you and your mother.."
Reviews
All reviews (0)