Chapter 453 Zuo Nanfu’s Remorse

Chapter 453: Zuo Nanfu's Regret

Su Jiao watched as Lu Yazhi and Ai Xiaoqing left before walking toward the hospital bed.

She tucked the blanket around Lu Jin'an and said, "Jin'an, dear, things have already come to this point. Don’t dwell on it. Focus on recovering and regaining your memory."

Su Jiao sighed, pulled open the drawer of the bedside table, and poured out pills according to the dosage instructions on the bottle.

Soon, more than a dozen pills gathered in her palm.

"Here, Jin'an, take your meds."

"Too much has happened at home lately. I’m barely hanging on. I really don’t have the energy to go along with Mom and Xiaoqing’s little act. Please don’t blame me."

Su Jiao looked at Lu Jin'an with eyes brimming with vulnerability, appearing utterly vulnerable.

Lu Jin'an's gaze flickered, and a strange feeling rose in his heart. "Be more respectful when speaking to Mom from now on. Since you’ve married me, treat her as your own mother. She’s not a bad person—just impressionable. Try to accommodate her on small matters..."

Su Jiao’s fragile act nearly slipped.

"I understand. Now take your medicine."

Lu Jin'an reached out with his right hand, took the handful of pills from Su Jiao, and popped them into his mouth.

Su Jiao quickly passed him a glass of water.

She watched him with a smile until his throat moved as he swallowed the pills, only then relaxing.

Lu Jin'an handed the cup back to Su Jiao and said, "Fill me in on the last two years. Mom and Xiaoqing only gave me a rough idea."

Su Jiao pasted on a smile. "I don’t know much either. You hid a lot from me."

"I’ll just give you a general overview."

Lu Jin'an’s expression darkened—he really hadn’t married Su Jiao willingly. "Fine. Tell me what you know."

.....

When Lu Yazhi returned home, Zuo Shangdang wasn’t back yet. Only Zuo Nanfu stood alone on the balcony, propped on his cane, lost in his thoughts.

He hated his current life—every second of it.

Lately, he’d been mostly alone. Lu Jin'an gave him the cold shoulder.

Zuo Shangdang was either busy with work or accompanying Lu Yazhi.

Su Jiao and Ai Xiaoqing were constantly at each other’s throats. No one gave him the time of day, and no one spoke to him.

When he went downstairs for a walk, the city retirees wouldn’t include him. He couldn’t break into their cliques, leaving him deeply lonely.

He missed his old life in the town dearly.

Every day, Sister Mei would come to cook and clean. His wife would either chase the chickens or holler at the dogs—it was lively.

He could play chess with the old men nearby, surrounded by familiar neighbors who all respected him. Secretly, they were jealous of him for having such a successful son. He was the proudest, most distinguished old man in town.

During holidays, Hou Li, Zuo Jinghuan, and Zuo Jingdan would visit with gifts. His eldest grandson, Zuo Zuying, would also swing by to raise a little hell. Those were such lively times.

Though Zuo Nanfu didn’t want to admit it, regret had already settled in his heart.

Living with his biological son, Zuo Shangdang, was nowhere near as happy as the days he had spent with Hou Li and her children.

Lu Yazhi rushed in from outside, her leather shoes stomping, "Zuo Shangdang, Zuo Shangdang, get out here!"

"Where is Shang Dang?"

Zuo Nanfu's expression darkened. She's utterly lacking in manners! Even Hou Li knew to call him "Dad" politely and avoid shouting in front of elders.

She truly lacked respect. The old woman was right—what kind of decent woman would cling to Shang Dang knowing he already had a wife and children?

"Shang Dang is busy. Not everyone can sit around idle like you do, free from responsibilities!"

Lu Yazhi had no patience for Zuo Nanfu’s remarks. She stomped over in her leather shoes and asked agitatedly,

"Su Jiao said our company has been taken over? And the house was sold too? It’s all lies, right? You’re lying to me, aren’t you?"

Zuo Nanfu’s face turned grim. That day, after Su Jianjun carried Shang Dang back, he took Su Jiao away.

It was left to him to care for his son at home. When his son woke up later, he was completely broken.

Zuo Nanfu’s heart ached watching it, but there was nothing he could do.

Seeing Zuo Nanfu remain silent with a dark expression, Lu Yazhi panicked even harder.

"Dad? Su Jiao, what Su Jiao said... tell me it's not true, can it?"

Zuo Nanfu scowled at her. "If you know how hard Shang Dang has it, stop bothering him with petty bullshit. A woman’s duty is to take care of the home so her man can focus on his work. If you had even half as capable as Hou Li, my Shang Dang wouldn’t have fallen so low!"

"Men work tirelessly to earn money, and when they come back, they still have to baby you. You laze around at home all day, doing nothing but asking for money. Hou Li kept working even when she was great with child. I don’t know what Shang Dang sees in you—aside from your face, you’re useless! He must be out of his mind!"

The more Zuo Nanfu thought about it, the angrier he became. If not for Lu Yazhi, how could the family have come to ruin?

He and his wife would still be living happily in town, envied by everyone as the most distinguished elderly couple.

Lu Yazhi, however, was stunned.

"So... so our house, our company... they’re really, really..."

Unable to accept it, she let out a wail. "Waaah—Zuo Shangdang, you bastard! That was all earned by my Jin’an! Those were Jin’an’s things! Where is he? Where is he?"

"Ahhh—my Jin’an is already in such a state! He slaved away to build this family fortune, only for his father to ruin it! What will he do now? How will he survive?"

"You’re trying to kill him! He’s your own kin, your grandson! How could you do this to him? How could you?"

Amid her crying, Lu Yazhi suddenly recalled Zuo Nanfu’s earlier words belittling her while praising Hou Li. Her eyes flashed, and she got right in his face, demanding,

"Was it you? Was it you three—grandfather, father, and grandson—conspiring against us mother and son?"

"It must be! Last time was the same! The loan sharks said it was Zuo Shangdang himself who mortgaged everything! It must be you and your son, scheming with that little brat against us!"

"You’re so biased! I overlooked it before, but this fortune was painstakingly bled to get back by my Jin’an! What right does Zuo Shangdang have? What right?"

Like a madwoman, Lu Yazhi advanced step by step toward Zuo Nanfu, no different from a rural shrew picking a fight.

Seeing her get right in his face, Zuo Nanfu didn’t hold back—he gave her a rough push.

By the time Zuo Shangdang returned, exhausted, he heard the crying before even stepping inside.

When he pushed the door open, this was the scene that greeted him:

Zuo Nanfu sat ramrod straight on the sofa, his face long and grim.

Lu Yazhi, disheveled and empty-eyed, slumped on the floor, weeping.

It was a picture of utter desolation and despair— Like some ruined concubine cast out into the streets...