The sorrowful words pierced Su Ning’s already battered heart like knives, over and over again, filling her with such regret that she wished she could die on the spot.
She didn’t know how to answer Nian Nian, so she could only change the subject. “Let’s go back to the hospital first, okay?”
The wounds on Nian Nian’s legs and feet had festered and were bleeding, and if not properly cared for, they could become infected.
“No, I don’t want to go back unless you promise never to leave me again…”
Tears welled in Su Ning’s eyes, her gaze filled with helplessness. “I never intended to leave you.”
She had only gone out to earn money to pay for Grandma’s medical expenses and hadn’t meant to abandon Nian Nian.
Now that she was married to Li Boyan, leaving was no longer an option anyway.
Hearing this, Nian Nian wrapped her arms tightly around Su Ning’s body, her small frame nestling closely against Su Ning’s chest, drawing warmth from her embrace.
Su Ning picked up Nian Nian and, without even glancing at Li Boyan, walked straight outside.
Li Boyan didn’t mind her attitude. Knowing that Su Ning had been searching tirelessly for Nian Nian, he decided to let this incident slide for now.
The man rose leisurely to his feet and looked at the director of the shelter, his expression softening slightly. “Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”
Li Boyan and his people had searched for his daughter all night without success. It wasn’t until they reported her missing to the police in the morning that they learned a young girl had been found by the riverbank the previous night and brought to the shelter.
When they arrived, they were relieved to find it was indeed his daughter.
The director was equally astonished to discover they had been sheltering the daughter of Li Boyan, the wealthiest magnate in Jing City. Faced with Li Boyan’s gratitude, he felt both honored and overwhelmed.
“Master Li, you’re too kind. This shelter was built with your investment. It’s our privilege to care for your daughter.”
“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll have someone deliver a token of appreciation later.”
With that, Li Boyan strode out on his long legs.
Inside the black Rolls-Royce Phantom, Assistant Song started the car as soon as Li Boyan got in.
Nian Nian remained curled in Su Ning’s arms, her small arms clinging tightly to Su Ning as if afraid she might run away again.
She stayed in that position even after falling asleep.
“I’m sorry. This was my fault,” Su Ning said, breaking the silence to apologize to Li Boyan, her voice heavy with self-reproach.
“Good that you know,” Li Boyan replied coolly, his words devoid of emotion.
Then, in a cold tone, he reminded her, “You agreed to register the marriage yourself. Now that you’re my wife, you must abide by your duties and fulfill your responsibilities.
You only get one chance. If this happens again, Su Ning, I assure you the consequences will be far worse than just five years!”
His decisive words struck Su Ning’s heart like a blunt knife—merciless and cruel.
Far worse than just five years?
In his eyes, her five years of imprisonment were nothing more than a trivial matter.
But only Su Ning knew how many times she had died during those five years of hellish torment.
Having barely survived and emerged alive, she was now trapped once again by this marriage, as if sentenced to a life imprisonment without parole.
Yet she had no choice.
In the end, she could only utter those powerless words, “Yes, I understand. There won’t be a next time.”
Satisfied with her response, the man dropped his cold demeanor.
The car continued in silence all the way to Jiang City Hospital.When Su Ning entered the hospital room carrying Nian Nian, the attending physician and medical staff were already waiting.
She quickly laid Nian Nian on the bed and let the doctor examine the wound.
“The wound is severely infected with pus and has become inflamed.”
After a thorough examination, the doctor delivered the heartbreaking news.
Su Ning’s heart tightened with fear, and she pleaded with a trembling voice, “Doctor, you must save her.”
“We can handle it, but the problem lies with you. As the child’s mother, you’ve been incredibly irresponsible. How could you disappear in the middle of the night and leave her alone?”
“I…”
Faced with the doctor’s reproach, Su Ning had no words to defend herself and could only remain silent.
“She’s a girl. Although the injury isn’t on her face, her legs and feet are part of her appearance. If the wound isn’t treated properly, she may be left with scars and won’t be able to wear skirts in the future.
I really don’t understand what you were thinking as her mother. How could you be so careless about her injury?”
More accusations followed.
Su Ning still had no response.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care—she simply had no other choice.
Grandma’s medical expenses payment deadline was only three days away. If she couldn’t come up with the money in time, Grandma would be forced to leave the hospital.
She knew Nian Nian’s injury was serious, and it pained her deeply.
But in the end, she couldn’t manage both situations.
Overwhelmed with guilt and self-blame, Su Ning could do nothing but weep silently.
Li Boyan spoke coldly, “Doctor, use the best medicine available. There must be no scars left.”
“Of course, I will. But from now on, the child must not be allowed to run around unsupervised, and especially you, as the mother, must not neglect your duties.”
Just then, Nian Nian woke up and, hearing the doctor’s criticism, spoke up for Su Ning, “Uncle, please don’t scold my mommy. She didn’t mean to do it.
She loves me the most. She cares about my injury and cares about me. Please don’t scold her, don’t make her run… Waa…”
Nian Nian couldn’t bring herself to finish the word “away.”
She was already sobbing uncontrollably, her heart filled with fear—fear that her mommy might accidentally leave her again.
She scrambled up and clung tightly to Su Ning.
Touched, Su Ning’s eyes reddened. She hadn’t expected Nian Nian to defend her so fiercely.
Holding Nian Nian’s small body tightly, she choked back tears, “No, I won’t leave you again.”
A moment later, Su Ning gently loosened Nian Nian’s grip and whispered, “Come, Nian Nian, lie down and let the doctor treat your wound, okay?”
Nian Nian looked at Su Ning with tear-filled eyes and nodded, “Okay.”
She lay back on the bed, but her tiny hand still clung tightly to Su Ning’s.
“Nian Nian, does your wound hurt?”
The doctor asked as he treated the injury.
Nian Nian had been out searching for her mommy all night and hadn’t noticed the pain in her legs and feet. Only when the doctor mentioned it did she suddenly feel the sting.
She nodded, “It hurts.”
But then she quickly shook her head and denied it, “No, it doesn’t hurt. Nian Nian isn’t in pain at all.”
Her teacher had said that parents like brave and strong children, so she wanted to be brave and strong. That way, her mommy would like her and never leave her.
But when the doctor pressed the disinfectant cotton swab against her wound, Nian Nian couldn’t help but cry out in pain.
Su Ning couldn’t bear to watch the doctor treating the wound, so she resolutely turned her face away.
She truly couldn’t stand to see it.
Little did she know, the moment she turned her face, she came face to face with a well-maintained visage.
Instantly, her entire body felt as if struck by lightning.