Before long, Mrs. Zhao had tea with a few other ladies. Lan Yun suddenly walked over and whispered something in Mrs. Zhao’s ear. Mrs. Zhao frowned but said nothing.

Lan Yun became somewhat anxious about her reaction. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Seeing something strange, Gu Nuan’s thoughts shifted, and she exchanged a look with her doctor brother.

Ou Yanan nodded at her, and Gu Nuan understood. She stood up, walked to Mrs. Zhao’s side, and gently held her hand, saying, "Madam, I have something to discuss with you privately. May I go to your room?"

Mrs. Zhao heard her words, looked up at her face, and seeing the sincerity in her expression, nodded.

Gu Nuan helped the elderly lady up and walked toward her room. Lan Yun followed closely behind them.

As they approached the room’s doorway, Mrs. Zhao, aware of Lan Yun following, turned and said, "I’m talking with her. Why are you following?"

With no other choice, Lan Yun leaned in and whispered in Gu Nuan’s ear, "The clothes and diapers are in the left drawer."

After developing dementia, the elder experienced varying degrees of incontinence and had to wear diapers like a child.

Gu Nuan nodded and closed the door. Mrs. Zhao had already walked to the room’s only rocking chair and sat down without moving. Following Lan Yun’s instructions, Gu Nuan found the diapers in the left drawer of the wardrobe that needed changing regularly for Mrs. Zhao.

Having gathered the items, Gu Nuan approached Mrs. Zhao, who seemed to be lost in thought, saying, "Madam, please allow me to help you, just like you helped me before."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao turned her head, looking at her blankly, "Who are you?"

"I am Yebai’s wife, Gu Nuan. If you don’t remember, do you recall Ruan Ruzhen’s house? It’s mine now."

Without a doubt, the mention of Ruan Ruzhen touched something in Mrs. Zhao.

"Yes," Mrs. Zhao said, "I dreamt of her last time. She told me she’d eventually come back."

Gu Nuan blinked, unsure if Mrs. Zhao was rambling. Her mother-in-law had been dead for many years; how could she ever come back? If the deceased could return, it would be spine-chilling.

As Mrs. Zhao spoke, she suddenly covered her face with one hand. Gu Nuan noticed water dripping through her fingers and instantly found herself at a loss for words.

This was a once successful and proud woman, and now, faced with such indignity. Who would believe it? If word got out, her reputation would be reduced to sighs and pity.

It’s truly unbearable, a disease that strips more dignity away than terminal illness ever could.

"Madam, I’ll step out—" Even Gu Nuan began to feel the weight of this reality.

Mrs. Zhao just covered her face and cried silently.

Gu Nuan had no choice but to retreat to the door. Outside, a respectful second-daughter-in-law waited.

Seeing her come out, Lan Yun asked, "Did you change her?"

Gu Nuan shook her head, saying, "I’ve prepared everything for her there."

"Oh!" Lan Yun immediately began speaking to Gu Nuan, "That’s not okay, you don’t understand. She’s stubborn and won’t change it herself; you must do it for her. Otherwise, it stays wet, and if it causes sores, it will be troublesome."