Ch 135: As Expected, He Still Doesn’t Like Her

After a long time without seeing him, when Xiao Yao saw Zhuang Hao again, she was truly stunned.

In the past, that innate kingly presence, the feeling of being awe-inspiring without anger, was Xiao Yao’s first impression of her father-in-law, and she was somewhat afraid of him in her heart.

But seeing him again, the skinny, listless old man sitting in a wheelchair only felt strange. Even though his look at Xiao Yao was still displeased, and his complexion was not good, Xiao Yao could no longer find the oppressive aura of the past.

Instead, she felt that this man was truly pitiful. He lost his wife early, was estranged from his only son, remarried and met a scheming scum woman, and a serious illness took away his once strong physique.

Now he can only wither away in a wheelchair, a lonely person, how could he not be pitiable?

Xiao Yao glanced at Zhuang Lingyun, suddenly feeling that he was truly heartless. Regardless, he was his father who raised him, how could he become so estranged?

Actually, Zhuang Lingyun hadn’t seen his father for some time, and he didn’t expect him to become like this.

The last time they met was when he had just fallen ill and was hospitalized. At that time, only the right half of his body was numb, his hands and feet were inflexible, but he could still take care of himself.

But now, judging from his emaciated state, the situation doesn’t seem good. And after he continuously asked several times, Zhuang Hao remained silent, at most just snorting coldly and turning his head away.

“Lingyun, don’t ask, Sir… can’t speak anymore.”

Zhuang Lingyun frowned upon hearing this, looking at Han Zhang, the driver who had followed Zhuang Hao for more than 30 years, standing beside the wheelchair: “Uncle Han, what’s wrong with my father? Why didn’t anyone notify me of such a serious situation? Has he been to the hospital?”

Han Zhang nodded, “He went a long time ago. There’s nothing that can be done. Once you have cardiovascular disease, it’s impossible to recover. It also depends on which nerve is compressed. When it was first discovered, Sir’s condition was quite optimistic, but then it suddenly worsened. At that time, I wanted to notify you, but Sir refused.

Now, not only can he not walk, he can’t speak either, only making unintelligible sounds, and no one can understand him.

Fortunately, Sir’s intelligence has not been affected. He diligently practices using his left hand, so now if he has anything to say or any requests, he will write them down to express himself.”

Zhuang Lingyun looked at Zhuang Hao. The stubborn middle-aged man only showed his profile, his thin jawbone was like it had been carved with a knife, and his face seemed to only have a layer of skin left, looking ten years older.

Zhuang Hao’s eyes were slightly red, his head slightly tilted, as if unwilling to let others see this moment of weakness. It must be quite frustrating, to go from being agile to being like this.

Zhuang Lingyun suddenly felt deep self-blame, the pain in his heart spreading outward. It was his negligence that left his father lonely and alone.

Although he used to be full of resentment and incomprehension towards him, seeing such a weak Zhuang Hao, who could barely stand, Zhuang Lingyun suddenly felt that his hatred had died along with that serious illness and the once healthy Zhuang Hao.

All that remained were threads of pain and self-blame.

“Lingyun.”

Bai Yujing spoke, her eyes slightly red, clearly having cried not long ago, her voice still hoarse.

Zhuang Lingyun looked at Bai Yujing, listening to her sigh and slowly say: “Don’t dwell on who is right or wrong. It’s been decades. Now that your father is like this, no one knows how many years he has left. Make the remaining time happy, don’t torture each other anymore.”

Then she turned to Zhuang Hao, her voice becoming more stern, with a reprimanding tone: “You too, even now you’re still so stubborn! What if you had passed away last time? You wouldn’t even have seen your child one last time, and then I’ll see if you regret it down below! You two are alike, so stubborn. Can’t you let me have some peace at my age?”

Zhuang Hao remained silent, then glanced at Zhuang Lingyun. Although he couldn’t speak, his emotions clearly changed, his brows and eyes less cold, much softer.

But the next moment, upon seeing Xiao Yao, his eyes showed more disgust. He snorted and turned his head away.

Xiao Yao: “…”

He still disliked her.

Bai Yujing said again: “He’s always been hard-mouthed but soft-hearted. Since you’re here today, it means he’s already softened. You now have two children, although not your own, you can understand the feelings of being a parent. There are only heartless children, never heartless parents. Even if there are mistakes, they don’t last a lifetime.

Lingyun, don’t overthink it. Grandmother’s words aren’t directed at you. Things in this world have always been like this. I saw through it decades ago. Xiao Yao, you understand the situation of this family. After I’m gone, you’ll have to take care of your father-in-law. Men are mostly careless, and I can’t trust Lingyun alone.”

Xiao Yao was about to nod in agreement, but Zhuang Lingyun interrupted, “I can do it. Xiao Yao still needs to take care of the children and recover her health. It’s inconvenient for her to constantly come to the manor to care for Father. Grandmother, if you’re worried, I can hire a 24-hour caregiver to look after him, and I’ll visit often.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuang Hao suddenly made a series of excited and unintelligible sounds.

Seeing everyone bewildered, unable to understand, Zhuang Hao angrily slammed the wheelchair armrest and glared at Han Zhang.

Han Zhang understood immediately and took out a notepad and pen, handing them to Zhuang Hao.

Zhuang Hao wrote a few words with his left hand in a crooked manner, threw it on the coffee table, still angry.

Xiao Yao picked up the notepad and glanced at it, then looked at Zhuang Lingyun somewhat embarrassedly. Zhuang Lingyun frowned, took the notepad and looked at it. On it were several crookedly written characters—No need for your wife to look after me, I can take care of myself!

Zhuang Lingyun looked at Zhuang Hao. Although it was written on the notepad, Zhuang Lingyun somehow sensed the tone of the words, clearly with a hint of jealousy, he was being picky?

Han Zhang chuckled dryly, very professionally providing an explanation, “Sir is probably angry that you’re too protective of your wife. It’s only natural for younger generations to take care of their sick elders. You’re so protective, Sir is definitely uncomfortable.”

When Zhuang Hao heard Han Zhang’s words, he glared at him angrily and made some more angry sounds, and now everyone guessed it was because Han Zhang had revealed his true feelings.

The few people present exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

However, Zhuang Lingyun didn’t think his actions were wrong. Zhuang Hao already looked down upon Xiao Yao, and was likely to make things difficult for her if she were to take care of him.

Xiao Yao hadn’t enjoyed much happiness after marrying him, but had suffered a lot. In this matter, Zhuang Lingyun would not back down, even if it displeased his father, he still insisted on hiring a 24-hour caregiver, even if Zhuang Hao was unwilling. Even getting occasional updates on Zhuang Hao’s condition would be good.

This matter was settled. A short while later, Jiang Lufang served the dishes and enthusiastically invited her in-laws to eat.

Zhuang Hao disliked Xiao Yao, and therefore didn’t give Jiang Lufang a good face either. Jiang Lufang, unaware of the situation, thought she had done something wrong and offended her father-in-law. She ate the meal with little appetite, her mood suppressed.

Xiao Yao couldn’t bear to watch it. Taking advantage of Jiang Lufang’s trip to the kitchen, she pulled her aside and whispered a few words, telling her not to overthink it.

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