Plunder-Chapter 296 Nian’en

It seemed as though all the emotions she’d been holding back for years were exploding at this moment.

Zhou Jin’an’s fingers unconsciously clenched into a fist.

"You’re not allowed to go home today. If you insist on leaving, you don’t consider me your son," he said.

He dropped a remark and turned to leave.

Some things, once lost, are hard to regain.

As he turned, a glint of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

Indeed, during the time Mrs. Zhou had been comatose, he had indulged in the fantasy countless times that she would wake up as a kind and gentle mother.

But reality always liked to throw a cold bucket of water on one’s face.

She hadn’t changed, still so harsh and sarcastic, still so self-centered and selfish.

In her world, there was only room for herself and the grievances she clung to.

As Mrs. Zhou watched Zhou Jin’an walk out, she froze.

"Madam, you’ve just woken up. Please don’t overexert yourself, let me help you lie down," said Aunt Liu, hurrying over to support Mrs. Zhou.

Her aged body stiffened, unable to move a step for a long moment.

"Take it slow, Madam. You don’t know that during the time you were unconscious, the Young Master was terribly worried about you. He searched the world for a doctor for you and came by every so often to keep you company. Madam, the Young Master is always thinking of you," Aunt Liu spoke on behalf of Zhou Jin’an.

Mrs. Zhou gave no response, allowing herself to be helped into bed by Aunt Liu and sat there woodenly, leaning against the headboard.

Aunt Liu’s words, in fact, had not entered her ears at all.

All she could think of was Zhou Jin’an’s cold scolding.

"Aunt Liu, have I gotten old?" Mrs. Zhou asked, her gaze void and desolate.

Aunt Liu shook her head. "Madam, you are not old, not in the slightest. The Young Master is worried about you. You are his birth mother, and he is your only son. He’s just worried something might happen to you. You really can’t afford to have anything happen to you."

Mrs. Zhou remained silent, engulfed in her silence.

After a long while, she asked, "Did you say Jin’an often came to see me while I was unconscious?"

"Yes, the Young Master always stays for quite a while. Every time he sits by your bed, holding your hand, and quietly keeps you company. He also instructed me to take good care of you. Madam, the Young Master is really suffering," explained Aunt Liu once more.

Mrs. Zhou sighed deeply, wanting to say something, but in the end, she said nothing at all.

Aunt Liu wiped the tears from her cheeks and continued, "The Young Master has cleared your name, Madam. You are innocent."

Mrs. Zhou looked at Aunt Liu with a puzzled face.

Aunt Liu took out a mobile phone and played a video of Ding Yongsheng’s apology.

Mrs. Zhou gripped the phone, her eyes widening as she watched the video once, then returned to the start to watch it a second time.

By the fifth viewing, she suddenly tossed the phone aside, covered her face with her hands, and started sobbing.

As she cried, Aunt Liu cried with her.

"Madam, the Young Master is devoted. He knows how much you’ve suffered and is always thinking on your behalf. You can’t treat him the way you did before," Aunt Liu said.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t speak, just kept on crying.

Outside the delivery room, Auntie Jiang and Sister Rong were waiting anxiously.

Zhou Jin’an didn’t stay away for long before he turned back.

Auntie Jiang felt surprised, but she had more pressing concerns at the moment.

"Mom, is there still no news?" Zhou Jin’an asked anxiously, constantly checking the time.

Qiao En had been in for nearly an hour, with no sign of progress.

"Childbirth isn’t that quick; we have to wait a bit longer. As long as mother and child are safe, everything is fine," Auntie Jiang prayed incessantly with her hands clasped together.

The atmosphere was tense as Zhou Jin’an’s gaze fixated on the indicator light outside the delivery room.

"Sister Rong, go and make some soup for the Young Madam," Zhou Jin’an ordered.

Sister Rong immediately responded, "All right, I’ll go back now and bring it over as soon as the soup is ready."

Another two hours passed.

For Zhou Jin’an, it was the longest time in his life.

"Mom, it really won’t be a problem, right?" the always calm and steady Zhou Jin’an could not remain calm at this moment.

He was fraught with worry but unable to do anything.

Auntie Jiang was worried too, but she had experience.

"Don’t rush, let’s wait a little longer," she reassured him.

That wait lasted another three hours.

As the delivery room door creaked open, a nurse came out.

"Congratulations, it’s a little princess. Seven pounds three ounces."

Hearing it was a daughter, Zhou Jin’an leapt up excitedly on the spot.

"That’s great, it’s a girl," he exclaimed.

All his wishes had been fulfilled.

"How about the adult? How is the adult doing?" In his excitement, he was concerned about Qiao En.

"The adult is doing very well; she’ll be out shortly."

The nurse’s voice had barely faded when Qiao En was wheeled out.

She looked extremely weak, her wet hair plastered against her forehead with sweat.

"You’ve worked hard, wife."

Zhou Jin’an stepped forward, excitedly pressing a kiss to Qiao En’s forehead.

He wasn’t a sentimental man, but the happiness of becoming a father for the first time made his heart incredibly tender.

"Why are you crying?"

As Qiao En looked up, she saw tears streaming down Zhou Jin’an’s face.

In all his years, he had hardly ever cried.

The last time was when Mrs. Zhou was driven out of the Zhou family.

"I’m not crying, I’m happy, En’en, we have a daughter now."

Qiao En struggled to squeeze out a smile.

She had not been in the delivery room long when Aunt Liu, pushing Mrs. Zhou’s wheelchair, appeared.

"Mom, why are you here?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Everyone had originally been gathered around Qiao En’s bed, but at the sight of Mrs. Zhou, everyone scattered like birds startled by the twang of a bow.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t speak, her sharp eyes looking towards Qiao En on the delivery bed.

"What do you want to do?"

Auntie Jiang stepped in front of Qiao En without a word.

"Aunt Liu, take my mother back to her ward first," Zhou Jin’an ordered.

Aunt Liu was in a difficult position; she was loyal to Mrs. Zhou and only obeyed her orders.

"Young Master, it’s not me, the madam asked the nurse. She insisted I bring her here," Aunt Liu explained softly in her defense.

"Are you afraid of me? Or do you dislike me?" Mrs. Zhou asked, her voice heavy.

Zhou Jin’an’s expression darkened, as Qiao En had just given birth and was at her most vulnerable. He didn’t want Mrs. Zhou to disturb her.

"Mom, En’en has just given birth, she’s very weak and needs to rest. If you want to see her, please come back later," he said.

He still shielded Qiao En, not allowing Mrs. Zhou to come any closer.

Mrs. Zhou kept her gaze fixed on Zhou Jin’an and then let out a long sigh.

"Jin’an, you weren’t like this with me when you were little. I am your mother, aren’t I? I gave birth to you. Although I never raised you, how can you treat me this way?"

On the bed, the weak Qiao En heard Mrs. Zhou’s voice.

Her heart was unexpectedly calm.

What was meant to happen would eventually come, and it would not be absent due to some minor accident.

"Mom, Jin’an, please go out," she said.

Auntie Jiang and Zhou Jin’an both turned to look at Qiao En.

Auntie Jiang grasped Qiao En’s hand tightly, "Yayun, don’t be afraid, mom is here. I will never let any bad person hurt you."

"En’en, you rest first. Leave everything here to me," Zhou Jin’an said as well.

But Qiao En insisted, "Please, all of you go out. I have a few words I want to say to the madam."

Mrs. Zhou leaned back in her wheelchair, her face expressionless.

"Mom—"

Zhou Jin’an started to speak but stopped himself.

He had no choice but to leave.

The door closed, leaving only Qiao En and Mrs. Zhou in the room.

One lay on the hospital bed, the other sat in a wheelchair.

They both wore the same style of hospital gowns.

"Madam, I’m sorry," Qiao En began, apologizing first.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t speak, just looked closely at Qiao En.

"You do look like her, but you’re not her. I can tell, Jin’an is sincere with you. Remember, you must never let down my son, otherwise, I will never forgive you," Mrs. Zhou said sternly.

The words were harsh.

But hearing them, Qiao En felt an immense warmth in her heart.

"Mom, rest assured, I will definitely love him more than myself," Qiao En promised.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t reply, and after a while, she finally spoke up.

"The child?"

Qiao En immediately called the nurse to bring the child over.

The little bundle was small and chubby, incredibly adorable.

A smile bloomed on Mrs. Zhou’s stern face the moment she saw the child.

"Have you named her?"

She carefully cradled the child in her arms.

"Nian’en."