When she was very young, her father passed away unexpectedly in an accident.
With the family’s pillar suddenly gone, only the elderly, weak, and sick remained. Her mother, still young and unwilling to be burdened by the broken family, left under the pretext of finding work and never returned.
Her grandfather, disabled and with limited mobility, could only take on odd jobs from home. Her grandmother, who had to care for the household, also worked various temporary jobs to earn a little money to supplement the family’s income.
Although they received subsistence allowances, most of that money was spent on year-round medication, leaving very little.
Despite the hardship, her grandparents did everything they could to provide for her.
In her teens, she once considered dropping out of school to work, but her grandfather scolded her angrily, saying that education was the only way out for children from poor families—otherwise, they would end up living in hardship like them, impoverished for life.
She had an epiphany and, not wanting to disappoint her grandparents, studied diligently and relentlessly, consistently ranking at the top of her class.
But it was precisely because she was admitted to the best high school in the city and started boarding, returning home only once a month, that she missed the chance to see her grandmother one last time.
After her grandmother’s passing, her grandfather lost his anchor. Loneliness and destitution quickly wore down this once iron-willed old man, and he was later diagnosed with a terminal illness.
To this day, she still remembers those days accompanying her grandfather in the hospital, waking up multiple times each night to touch his hand and check his breathing.
He was her last remaining relative in this world.
Fortunately, her grandfather’s old comrade, Old Mr. Wen, found them. When the two old men reunited, they embraced and wept, reminiscing about the hardships they had endured decades earlier.
During that time, her grandfather’s spirits improved significantly.
Old Mr. Wen did his utmost, securing the best hospital room and doctors for her grandfather, encouraging him and cheering him on—but even the strongest will could not defy the power of death, and her grandfather eventually passed away.
Yet he left with contentment and peace.
Because the granddaughter he had worried about most had found someone to rely on.
The year her grandfather passed away, she was still in her final year of high school, a critical time.
Old Mr. Wen, knowing she excelled academically, wanted to use his connections to transfer her to a better high school to aim for a more prestigious university, but she was reluctant to leave that place—it was the closest she could be to her grandparents. If she left, they would be lonely.
Fortunately, heaven rewards the diligent, and she ultimately fulfilled her grandfather’s wish by gaining admission to a good university.
Old Mr. Wen had always cared for her deeply, treating her as his own granddaughter. During her university years, if she hadn’t mentioned being an orphan, many would have assumed she came from a wealthy family.
Because her clothing, food, and daily necessities were all of high quality.
But just as she graduated from university and was preparing to repay Old Mr. Wen’s kindness, tragic news came from him as well.
Mu Wanqing couldn’t understand why her life was always filled with regrets, why all the people who were good to her could not meet a peaceful end.
As she recalled the past, tears unknowingly soaked her cheeks. Her heart ached to the point of numbness and coldness, as if she were about to be abandoned by the world once again.
“Child… why are you crying? Is it… that brat Wen Zhan bullying you again…” Old Mr. Wen woke quietly, looking weakly at Mu Wanqing sitting by the bed, her face stained with silent tears.
“Grandpa, you’re awake!” Mu Wanqing started, quickly sitting up and wiping her tears away. “I… no, Wen Zhan isn’t bullying me. I was… I was looking at you in such… pain, and I thought of my grandfather. I’m scared…”
Old Mr. Wen smiled faintly, “What is there to fear? Death comes for everyone, it’s inevitable… As for me, I’ve had it much better than most people…”
Mu Wanqing continued wiping her tears without speaking. The old man began reminiscing about the past in a rambling manner: “Back then… in that battle… the number of us who came back alive could be counted on one hand… If it weren’t for De Gui, who even with his leg blown off still saved me… dragged me out from that pile of corpses… I would have been long gone… I’ve been very fortunate, to return alive, and to have enjoyed… so many years… I’m content…”
The “De Gui” the old man referred to was Mu Wanqing’s grandfather.
“Grandpa, those who survive a great disaster are destined for good fortune afterwards. You will surely overcome this challenge,” the woman composed herself and began comforting the old man.
The old man waved his hand, indicating it didn’t matter anymore. “These extra two years I’ve lived, being able to see you and Wen Zhan’s child born – heaven has already shown me great favor…”
Thinking of his two great-grandchildren, a smile appeared on the old man’s face. “For this, I must thank you. If it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t have been so blessed…”
“It is I who should thank you. Thank you for helping Grandfather back then, and thank you for taking care of me all these years.”
“That was your grandfather accumulating blessings for you… not my doing. What a pity… this old man still feels he has wronged you. I originally thought that after you married A-Zhan, with time feelings would grow, and he would eventually discover your goodness… Who would have thought he’d be so stubborn, still unable to forget that Lu family girl even now… Child, you’ve suffered…”
“Not at all…” Mu Wanqing shook her head, tears beginning to fall uncontrollably again. “Grandpa, it’s not your fault. Moreover, being with Wen Zhan and having given birth to a pair of lovely little babies – I have no regrets… Truly, for the children, everything has been worth it.”
These words weren’t just to comfort the old man.
Once a woman becomes a mother, that innate maternal magic hidden in her genes is completely awakened. Just seeing her soft, adorable children can heal all pain and unhappiness.
Going through that hardship resulted in having both a son and daughter – this was Wen Zhan’s greatest contribution.
She really was quite grateful to Wen Zhan.
As Old Mr. Wen’s life approached its end, he suddenly saw many things clearly.
He knew Mu Wanqing wasn’t happy with his grandson, and he knew that given his grandson’s temperament, he might stay in the marriage for the children’s sake but would never love or protect her.
Thinking about how this young woman had married and had children right after university graduation, never properly experiencing life before being trapped in an unhappy marriage, the old man felt deeply guilty.
“Xiao Qing… don’t worry, I will speak with Wen Zhan. Whatever you choose, I will support you… I cannot let you live unhappily, making your grandfather’s spirit in heaven… uneasy.”
The old man’s heartfelt words moved Mu Wanqing deeply, leaving her sobbing uncontrollably.
Her life was unfortunate, yet at the same time fortunate.
If Grandpa was willing to intervene, the divorce matter would become much simpler.
“Alright, thank you Grandpa… You’ve spoken so much today, you must be tired. Please rest now.” Worried about the old man’s condition, she quickly wiped her tears and pulled the blanket up slightly, signaling for him to stop talking.
The old man was indeed exhausted. He closed his eyes and soon fell back into a deep sleep.
She sat blankly by the hospital bed, watching the old man, with no immediate intention to leave.
Her phone rang, bringing her slightly back to reality. Looking down, she was somewhat surprised by what she saw.
It was actually Wen Zhan calling from his business trip.
What could he want?
A question mark flashed through her mind. After hesitating for two seconds, she rose and walked out of the hospital room, answering in a low voice, “Hello…”
She had just been crying. Though she tried hard to compose herself, her voice still carried a faint hoarseness.
Wen Zhan detected it instantly, his tone slightly somber. “What’s wrong? Have you been crying?”
“No…” She took a deep breath, striving to make her voice clearer. “Was there something you needed?”
After their argument yesterday, he had stormed off, and they hadn’t been in contact since. He hadn’t returned home last night, and she learned this morning that he had left directly on a business trip.
He must be deliberately avoiding her, she thought.
Yet now he was calling her proactively…