But the difference was too obvious, too exaggerated.
Bai Zhi looked just like those little cabbages in the field, the withered kind at that.
Not to mention Bai Zhi’s face, devoid of any trace of color, looked even more pitiable.
Nan Jin’s lips moved slightly before he finally spoke.
His voice carried a slight rasp.
"Yeah, this is my daughter Xingxing. Keep your voices down, she’s finally getting some rest. She’s never had a rest all these years, only now does she have the chance."
Ye Xiu’s nose felt sour, and for some reason, she suddenly remembered these words.
All along, Xingxing had been busy. Busy working, busy studying, busy earning money. It seemed only now had she truly stopped.
"I... don’t know what to say."
For a moment, Nan Jin really didn’t know what to say.
"No need to say anything, thank you for coming to see my daughter. I won’t see you out. I’m going to divorce Bai Da later, so Nan Xi, please take her with you first. I won’t have time to look after her anymore."
Ye Xiu still looked gently at Bai Zhi but never glanced at Nan Jin. The words she spoke, however, took Nan Jin by surprise.
"Bai Da said it was a misunderstanding; he had his difficulties. With so many years of feelings between you two, it would be better to clarify things."
Nan Jin had never expected that Ye Xiu would choose to divorce, especially at such a time.
He still remembered when she used to wear a blissful expression.
But now, her glance was mild yet filled with determination, unexpectedly much like her past self.
That once bright and cheery woman.
"There’s no misunderstanding."
There had never been any misunderstanding, just a mistake.
Bai Yu had been holding back all this while, and Nan Xi clutched her hand tightly, looking frightened.
"Mom, are you really going to do this?"
Bai Yu finally couldn’t hold back. He couldn’t believe that his mom wanted Xixi to leave; how could that be right?
"I don’t need to explain my actions to you. If there’s nothing else, you can go back now. Xingxing doesn’t want to see you."
Ye Xiu watched them, reluctantly waving them away.
Nan Jin turned around and saw, indeed, Bai Yu with a dark face and Nan Xi, although not frowning, looking hurt.
"Ah Xiu, I’ve disturbed you, I’ll come again tomorrow."
Nan Jin thought it might have been better not to have brought them along.
Upon returning to Bai Da’s hospital room, Nan Xi immediately went to Bai Da’s side, voicing her grievances.
"Dad, mom wants to send me away; she doesn’t want me anymore. All these years, it’s always been you two who’ve spoiled me, taken care of me. You’re my real parents."
After Nan Xi finished speaking, she gave Nan Jin a cold look, her eyes filled with hurt and resentment.
Nan Jin didn’t take it to heart at all. What he cared about at that moment was the issue Ye Xiu mentioned.
"Don’t worry, mom won’t do that. She’s just angry for the moment. I’ll talk to her properly once I’m discharged."
Bai Da didn’t take it to heart either, assured that once he was out of the hospital, he could quickly resolve everything.
"Bai Da, Ye Xiu asked me to take Nan Xi back with me because she wants to divorce you. What exactly happened between you two? And Bai Zhi, why is she so thin?"
Nan Jin’s words made Bai Da frown. He hadn’t expected Xiuxiu to bring it up directly in front of Nan Jin.
"It’s nothing, just... the thing with Bai Zhi... Sigh, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts are always complicated across the world, let alone gender discrimination. I’m helpless.
Back then, I really didn’t expect such a thing to happen. After so many years, my mother has passed away, how could I bear to reveal the truth? So even if Xiuxiu misunderstands me, it doesn’t matter."
At that moment, Bai Da felt a heavy sorrow but didn’t hesitate to shift the blame.