He took a deep breath as he pulled the blanket that was falling off from her. "Na Na, I'm sorry. It's me... It's my fault!"

Shen Wenna came back to her senses when she felt the warm touch of his fingers. She raised her head and blinked her eyes several times. All she could see was pitch black.

"Get me a glass of water and you can go back." After some time, Shen Wenna finally said something again. Her tone was calm, so calm that he could not hear any emotions in them.

"Okay, I'll get you some..." Xi Mushan endured the pain in his chest and quickly poured her a glass of water. He carefully held it in front of her. "Here, Na Na, it's hot."

Xi Mushan took her hand and guided her to hold the glass.

Shen Wenna took the glass, her face still as beautiful as ever. She carefully took a sip before asking, "Am I going to be blind forever?"

Xi Mushan felt a sharp pang in his heart and he quickly grabbed her cold hands. "No, Wenna. You'll get better. You'll be able to see. I'll stay by your side. It doesn't matter if you can't see anymore. I'll be your eyes. Na Na, don't be sad. I'm your eyes."

A plain smile appeared on Shen Wenna's pale face and she shook her head morosely. "There's no need. Thank you, Xi Mushan. You can go back now. We're not related any longer, so you don't have to do this."

"I'm not leaving, Wenna. This time, I've decided that I won't let go of you again no matter what. It's been twenty over years. It's more than enough. I just want to be selfish for once. I just want to be with you. You can repel me, hate me, or even look down on me, but that isn't enough to diminish my determination. If doing all that can help you feel better, I'll accept them. At least, I can be happier."

A bitter taste filled his throat. All the worry, unease, and pain in his chest... They poured out like a flash flood, unstoppable.

"Please don't reject me, Na Na. I'll take care of the other matters. I'll protect you and you alone, so please don't reject me. All these years, the only person I can't get over is you. I thought you'd be better if I left, but I..."

Xi Mushan's eyes welled up with tears. He could not finish his sentence as he saw a self-mocking expression on Shen Wenna's face as he turned his head away.

"What good are your words now? We're not related anymore. Please leave. I don't need your pity."

Shen Wenna grabbed the glasses as she lowered her head. "Yue Lingsi should be happy now. I really can't bother you guys anymore. Isn't it time for you guys to stop bothering me?"

"Na Na, please don't say that... I'm the one who kept bothering you, not the other way round. I can't get over you. I know it's just going to bring pain and hurt to you, but I can't control myself. I thought I could forget everything by staying far away, but I'd miss you whenever I quieted down. If I'd been braver back then, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

Xi Mushan held onto Shen Wenna's hand tightly. "Why is being together so tough for us?"

"I just want to stay with you, Na Na. I want to make up to you for the past twenty years. I can still bring you to the peach blossoms even if you can't see. I can still bring you to the sea. I'll describe the sceneries for you. We don't have to be bothered by anything else."

"Okay, stop it, please go back. I want to be alone for a while. Can you grant this request of mine?"

Xi Mushan stared at her for a while before he took the glass from her and put it back. He then left the room without saying anything.

The tears that gathered in Shen Wenna's eye started falling when she heard the sound of the door shut. The tears fell right onto her palm, and in a short while, her palms were all wet.

The feelings she had been suppressing all this while all came out.

Was she going to be blind forever?

Did she have to bid farewell to the wonderful world, and only have eternal darkness awaiting her?

She had so many things that she had not accomplished yet. She had not seen Xiaye and Ah Chen get married. She had not seen her grandchildren yet. She had not finished consulting the kids in school about their thesis. How could she just go blind like this?

Shen Wenna was sobbing in anguish. The pain and suffering she endured in the past twenty years gushed out all at once.

She was just trying to live a quiet and simple life. Why did she face such a cruel fate?

Some said that love was blind. It could make one do whatever it took.

Did this just describe the relationship between her, Xi Mushan, and Yue Lingsi?

Just how many people were suffering endless sadness for many years because of love? Just like her right now.

They had been struggling in this vortex for twenty over years. They were trapped and no one could get out.

Was it a mistake to just stay strong along all these years?

Maybe she should have found an exit herself.

The more Shen Wenna thought about it, the more tears fell. Xi Mushan's vision became blur with tears as he watched Shen Wenna through the small window on the door.

Xi Xiaye, who rushed over behind him, teared up as well. She watched Shen Wenna on the bed as well as Xi Mushan who had lowered his head and covered his eyes.

After a long moment of silence, she walked past him and opened the door.

Shen Wenna swiftly wiped away her tears when she heard the sound of the door opening. She stopped crying as she turned her head away, and blinked the tears away.

In his daze, Xi Mushan snapped back and saw that Xi Xiaye's figure had glided past him. He called out softly to her with a raspy voice, "Xiaye!"

He was about to follow her when he noticed Mu Yuchen's tall figure appear beside him.

"Ah Chen? How did you two...?"

Xi Mushan took a deep breath and tried hard to push the tears that welled in his eyes back. He turned to Mu Yuchen who stood silently beside him.

How did they find out? Were they not still in City B?

Mu Yuchen's still expression focused on Xi Mushan who looked wan and sallow, and he fell silent for a moment. Then, he said plainly, "We just landed. Ah Mo informed me about the general situation."

After he said this, Mu Yuchen's tall frame walked over. "We can talk better once I go in and take a look."

Then, he walked into the ward.

"Xiaye, Ah Chen, are you guys back?" Shen Wenna obviously could hear what Xi Mushan had shouted earlier. With her heightened sense, she could vaguely feel that a pair of light footsteps had stopped by the side of her bed.

"Xiaye?"

Shen Wenna tried to open her beautiful yet empty eyes and turned to a certain direction beside her. Trying her hardest to look, all she saw was pitch black. She could not see the faintest hint of light at all.

When she could not hear any voices, Shen Wenna started to panic and quickly reached out. "Is it Xiaye?"

Did she really lose her sight?

When she saw the frail and slender hands that reached out to her, the tears that welled up in Xi Xiaye's eyes flickered, she slowly reached out with her cold hands, and hold Shen Wenna's hands.

"Weren't you two in City B? Why did you suddenly come back?"

Shen Wenna's eyes were still slightly red, yet her little face had returned to its usual calm. She was so composed that Xi Xiaye's heart wrenched in hurt.

"We just landed and heard that you... so we rushed over... How are you? They said you... lost your sight," Xi Xiaye sniffed. Through her misty eyes, she looked at Shen Wenna. With a deep breath, she tried to ease the bitterness that filled her throat, yet she still could not push down that sadness in her voice.

She waved her slightly trembling hand in front of her and realized that Shen Wenna did not react at all. She just calmly answered her, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Mother..." Xi Xiaye tightened her grip, silently lowering her head. A drop of tear instantly slid down her long eyelashes and fell onto Shen Wenna's wrist, burning her slightly.

She sniffed and quickly wiped away the tears in the corner of her eyes. Blinking at Shen Wenna with teary eyes, she asked, "What did the doctor say? Can it be cured? When can it be cured? Did they say?"

"Father, can Mother's eyes be cured? Who did this? She was just fine before we left! What happened? Why would she fall down the stairs? Why?"

Xi Xiaye abruptly turned to look at Xi Mushan who walked in after Mu Yuchen. Confronted by this question, Xi Mushan was startled.

When the two of them did not respond, Xi Xiaye whipped her phone out from her pocket. "You won't say? I'll call Su Nan!"

"Don't call Su Nan, Xiaye. She just went home. This incident has nothing to do with your father. I just slipped and fell by myself..."

"Don't tell me it's Yue Lingsi and Xi Xinyi again!" Before Shen Wenna could finish, Xi Xiaye loud, insistent shouts were heard, and her initially misty eyes turned cold and stern.

"Xiaye, calm down!" Mu Yuchen frowned slightly. As he watched Xi Xiaye filled with hostility, he could not conceal the concern in his eyes. "Let's look for the doctor and understand Mother's condition first, Li Si!" Mu Yuchen said, hinting at Li Si.

Li Si immediately nodded in understanding and said, "Yes, Master! I'll go get the doctor right away!"

"Is it them?" Xi Xiaye fixed her gaze on Xi Mushan. Her cold face was covered with a layer of ice and the gaze in her eyes was firm.

Xi Mushan's disprited face revealed some sorrow, yet Xi Xiaye had already called Su Nan and turned to walk out.

When he saw Xi Xiaye's figure brush past him like the cold wind, Xi Mushan anxiously called out, "Xiaye, where are you going?"

Mu Yuchen turned slightly and saw that she was already heading out of the door. He could only helplessly sigh and signal Ah Mo with his eyes.

Ah Mo nodded in comprehension, then he followed her with two bodyguards in black suits.

Shen Wenna felt the momentary heaviness and silence in the room too, so she immediately demanded, "Xiaye! Ah Chen, what did Xiaye do?"

Mu Yuchen walked over in two steps. He helped Shen Wenna up slowly and put a pillow behind for her to lean on. Xi Mushan came over to support her too.

"She's fine. I've gotten Ah Mo to follow her. Don't worry. How are you feeling?" Mu Yuchen asked softly.

"I'm fine... Just can't see anything..." Shen Wenna's beautiful face forced a bitter smile. "Sorry to bother you and Xiaye, making you rush here. Quickly bring Xiaye back. This child is one-track minded sometimes. She gets impulsive easily."

When he saw Xi Mushan at a loss on the side, Mu Yuchen spoke up calmly, "Ah Mo's following her, so don't worry. Father, pour Mother a glass of water."

Nodding, Xi Mushan very quickly poured a fresh glass of water for Shen Wenna. When he pulled Shen Wenna's hand, she refused to budge. In fact, she wanted to immediately chase him out, yet because Mu Yuchen, her son-in-law, was there, she did not act up and just accepted it.

"Mother, don't worry. I'll find a way to cure your eyes. Medicine is now flourishing. As long as it's not a damaged organ, it shouldn't be hard to heal."

Mu Yuchen did not know how to console her. Even though Shen Wenna currently looked very strong and fearless, earlier when they had stood outside the door and seen her crying with her head lowered, it made him feel an indescribable sadness.

Especially when he saw Xi Xiaye's tears being shed.

With a single drop of tear of hers, he could see the entire ocean in her heart...

Were these not the things that she had been wanting to protect wholeheartedly?

However, there were some things that you would lose quicker, the more you wanted to protect them. One would also feel more agony watching her depression when they cared too much.

As she listened to Mu Yuchen's words of consolation, Shen Wenna smiled carelessly. Her pale face was still as if she was already used to such sudden predicaments.

"I'm fine. We have to be strong to live on. Besides, I'm already used to it."

Used to it...

Shen Wenna's single sentence instantly caused a heartwrenching feeling in Xi Mushan. He could barely breathe.

However, when he heard Shen Wenna say this, Mu Yuchen's heart sank. He silently watched Shen Wenna for a while, then slowly sighed and nodded gently.

He suddenly seemed to understand something, like why Xi Xiaye always hid such a strength that made him want to dote on her. Maybe it was influenced by this maternal figure before him that looked cold and indifferent. It was an accumulative effect over a long period of time. With this imperceptible influence, such a manner had seeped through into their bones.

Now that he thought about it, Xi Xiaye had once said that even if Shen Wenna divorced Xi Mushan in such a situation, Shen Wenna had never taught her to resent the Xi family. She had never infected others with her displeasure or made others unhappy with her because of her unfortunate encounters.

Shen Wenna served as a model to others. Undoubtedly, she was extremely understanding, and a very wise and kind-hearted mother.

Mu Yuchen suddenly felt lucky. For Xiaye to have a mother like her, he suddenly understood why she had been burying Shen Wenna's love deep in her heart.

After a while, the doctor was called over. Outside the ward, Mu Yuchen immediately got to know better about the situation from the doctor.

"Chairman Mu, Madam Shen's condition doesn't seem very optimistic. Earlier, we just did a checkup on her. The blood clot in her head is huge. It's already suppressing the visual nerve. This is the most direct cause of her loss of sight because the blood clot is positioned at a key position of the skull where the nerves are densest, so even if we want to do a surgery to take the blood clot out, it'll be exceptionally difficult and very risky."

As the doctor went on, he could not help but lament again, "We've even especially researched it earlier. Everyone suggests keeping her in recovery for now. Let's see if medication and injections can make the blood clot dissolve. Chairman Mu, you don't have to be too worried. We'll do our best. Previously, we've had past cases of natural recovery. Even though the blood clot in Madam Shen's head is quite large, if she can maintain a positive mood and cooperate with the healing process, there could be a possibility of recovery!"

After the doctor finished, Mu Yuchen's expression darkened slightly. There was a touch of concern between his brows. He thought for a moment, then said, "Are there any other ways?"

"We're currently still researching a recovery plan for Madam Shen. We'll discuss the best concrete plan. Please rest assured, Chairman Mu!"

"We are willing, at all costs, to let her see light again. As for how it'll be done, make the arrangements and we will cooperate," said Mu Yuchen before returning to the ward.

At this moment, inside the ward, the atmosphere was stiff. Xi Mushan sat by Shen Wenna's bedside while Shen Wenna turned with her back facing him.

Xi Mushan's steadfast face showed prominent loneliness and bleakness, making Mu Yuchen feel sad.

He did not have any rights to criticize Xi Mushan because he had not understood the situation back then. Although he could see that he really loved Shen Wenna, perhaps back then, it might not have been a sincere union with Yue Lingsi.

Mu Yuchen did not like to dig up other people's past because he felt that some grudges should be left in the past and not be raised again. It might not be beneficial if the past that one still hung on to was usually the fuse that continued the sorrow.

Just like him, he did not want to ask Xiaye about her past because he hoped that Xiaye and he could belong to each other now and in the future from the moment they signed up for marriage.

Such a way of thinking was undoubtedly a sensible one. The logic behind it was understandable, but to actually obey it was not easy. In fact, it might even be tough.

He sighed to himself and studied the lonely and dispirited Xi Mushan. Then, he stopped in his steps.

When he heard the sound of footsteps, Xi Mushan looked up at the door and saw Mu Yuchen nodding to him from the door, indicating for him to come out. He thought about it before he got up too.

However, he did not forget to fix Shen Wenna's blanket for her.

In front of the glass window outside the corridor of the ward, Mu Yuchen stood indifferently. He gazed at the sky outside and the floating clouds left behind by the wind. His expression was calm.

Xi Mushan stopped beside him and followed Mu Yuchen's gaze to look out.

After a while, Xi Mushan suddenly said softly, "Sometimes, life is like these clouds. It's ups and downs cannot be predicted. We don't know where it'll be blown to by the wind, and we don't know when it'll scatter.

"But there'll be a time when the clouds gather again. When they've settled, they'll turn to rain and turn to water when it reaches the ground. The sunlight will continue to shine, and soon it'll become a cloud in the sky again. Father, you seem a little pessimistic unlike Xiaye..." continued Mu Yuchen as he suddenly swiveled around. His exceptionally handsome face bloomed with faint gentleness.

When he heard this, Xi Mushan turned his head and suddenly smiled. There was some sadness in his smile. "They are both stronger than me. I'm not as good as them."

"Father, you don't have to pessimistic. Life is like that. In order to get some things, we have to lose some things. I don't what happened between you, Mother and Yue Lingsi, but I know that as a man, doing your best to protect your woman is an incumbent duty," Mu Yuchen said softly.

"Xiaye wishes for you and Mother to reunite again. I think that she has long forgiven you in her heart. Mother has been alone all these years. I don't know how she managed to stay strong all these while, but I think that what's supporting her conviction must be you or Xiaye."

When he heard Mu Yuchen, Xi Mushan was startled. As he looked at Mu Yuchen, his eyes were momentarily bewildered. He struggled for a long while, then forced himself to gather his thoughts again.

"It's all my fault. I didn't protect them well, but they've been using their own ways to be tolerant and understanding. I owe them too much," Xi Mushan sighed disappointedly.

Mu Yuchen just shook his head. "Maybe they have never expected your protection or care. Besides, it's not about who's born to protect who. If you're willing to protect her, that's on you, but she should also know that she needs to know how to protect themselves more."

Mu Yuchen was clear in his meaning.

The reason why he had hoped for Xi Xiaye to be firmer, swifter and more decisive was that he hoped that she could truly protect herself. That would be the most effective way of protecting someone.

"As for the so-called falling short in protecting them, maybe that's just about willingness. Whether you are their husband or father, they'll still be people who are sensitive and value relationships. You should know this well yourself," said Mu Yuchen as he suddenly peered up at Xi Mushan. His eyes flickered with a light that seemed quite profound.