Chu Lingzhi turned around and looked at him.
What could make someone so young carry such a heartbreaking loneliness?
He seemed like someone who had been through a lot, his expression cold and steady, nothing like a five-year-old child.
Chu Lingzhi's eyes reddened. The way he treated her must mean he blamed her—for not being by his side these past five years.
He must hate her, for giving birth to him but not keeping him close.
But that wasn't what she wanted.
If Nangong Yehen hadn't told her she had a younger son, she wouldn't have even remembered him.
Chu Lingzhi suddenly felt frustrated. She studied medicine, yet she couldn't cure her own amnesia.
She wanted to recover that memory—why had she forgotten Nangong Yichen and Nangong Yehen?
After washing his hands, Nangong Yichen came out of the bathroom.
He walked over, picked up the milk, and gulped it down.
Seeing him obediently finish the milk she had prepared, Chu Lingzhi couldn't hold back anymore. She stepped forward and pulled him into her arms.
"Yichen, Mommy is sorry..."
"It's all Mommy's fault. That car accident made me forget you. If I hadn't forgotten you, I would have kept you by my side, taking care of you just like I take care of your brother..."
Chu Lingzhi's heart ached. Her voice choked up, and tears fell.
Nangong Yichen didn't push her away. Instead, he said flatly, "The milk is too strong. Don't make it so strong next time. It tastes awful."
"..." Hearing that, no matter how sad Chu Lingzhi felt, she couldn't cry anymore.
She wiped her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand and forced a smile. "Okay, next time Mommy will add more water."
Chu Lingzhi let him go. "Sweetie, it's late. Go to bed early."
"Mm."
Chu Lingzhi pouted. Besides "mm," couldn't he say a few more words to Mommy?
"Mommy is going back now. Make sure you sleep early."
"Mm."
"..." Chu Lingzhi shook her head with a bitter smile.
Just as she reached the door, Nangong Yichen suddenly asked, "Does your forehead still hurt?"
Chu Lingzhi's back stiffened, and tears instantly welled up.
She didn't dare turn around, afraid he would see her tears. Instead, she forced a smile, her voice choked. "It doesn't hurt anymore. Not at all."
She quickly closed the door and rushed back to her room.
Chu Junyu had just finished his shower and came out of the bathroom. Seeing her return with red-rimmed eyes, he asked with concern, "Mommy, did the little old man upset you?"
"No. He asked if my forehead hurt, and Mommy was so touched I couldn't help but shed a couple of tears."
Chu Junyu frowned at that, tilting his head in thought. "I think I asked about the bump on your forehead too. Why didn't you shed a couple of tears for me?"
Chu Lingzhi glared at him. "You're not the same as Yichen!"
"How am I different from him? We look exactly alike, don't we?"
"Chu Junyu, do I have to spell it out?" Chu Lingzhi stared at him sternly.
Chu Junyu spread his hands and said lightly, "You're such a fickle woman."
"New or old, you're both my sons."
...
When Chu Lingzhi opened her eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.
Oh no!
She was supposed to take her sons to school!
She quickly got up, changed, washed up, and rushed downstairs as fast as she could.
She happened to see Chu Junyu and Nangong Yichen, the two brothers, walking out of the living room with their backpacks on.
Chu Lingzhi breathed a sigh of relief and sped up to rush down.
When she stepped outside, they were already standing in the front yard, waiting for Huoluan to drive the car over.
"Sweethearts, let Mommy take you to school," Chu Lingzhi said as she approached, her smile as bright as the morning sun.