She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

Chapter 173: Chapter 017 to make a break Chapter 173: Chapter 017 to make a break Mu Lan looked nervously at Huo Tingxiao, her suggestive eyes already very telling.

But unexpectedly…

“No.”

Mu Lan was dumbfounded; was this man sick? Couldn’t he see that she was hinting at him? Why would he still choose to say no?

“Mom, don’t listen to…”

“Lanlan, don’t talk, I want to hear him out.”

Shen Ying’s voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable firmness.

Mu Lan glared at Huo Tingxiao, obviously signaling a ‘dare to speak nonsense, and I’ll never forgive you’ attitude.

But Huo Tingxiao really had the guts; not only did he dare to talk nonsense, but he also spoke with great skill, taking the blame on himself.

“It’s all my fault for making Mu Lan upset.

In the past, it was always her who gave everything for me unreservedly, giving up her dreams, giving up herself.

And at that time, my mind was only on my career, completely neglecting her thoughts and feelings.

I’m sorry I didn’t fulfill my duties as a husband, it’s me who didn’t take good care of her.”

Shen Ying’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed. It had to be said, Huo Tingxiao’s attitude today was indeed making her take another look at him.

“So, what you mean is, you don’t want to separate from Lanlan?”

Huo Tingxiao nodded.

“Of course, I don’t want to part with Mu Lan, I love her very much, although… I only realized this after she lost her memory, maybe it’s too late and the best time has passed, such belated affection… might not count as deep love in Mu Lan’s eyes.”

Mu Lan really wanted to shut Huo Tingxiao up, hoping he’d say less to avoid any wrong words that might unsettle Shen Ying.

“Mom, don’t listen to his nonsense.”

Shen Ying looked gravely at Huo Tingxiao.

“Are you saying that after so many years of marriage to Lanlan, you’ve only just realized your feelings for her, and that realization came after she lost her memory?

In all those years before, how exactly did you treat her?”

Shen Ying felt deeply pained for Mu Lan upon hearing this, and even more so, she felt utterly incompetent as a mother.

Thinking of how she had always been urging Mu Lan to have children, her heart ached as if it was being sliced by a knife.

It turns out her daughter hadn’t just been unhappy over the past year; for seven years, her daughter had been living days of neglect by her husband that Shen Ying couldn’t even imagine.

Not only was she completely unaware, but she had also added pressure on Mu Lan.

Fortunately, there were no children between them; if there had been, growing up in such a family environment… Shen Ying couldn’t bear to think any further.

Huo Tingxiao, looking at Shen Ying, started to apologize seriously:
“I’m so sorry, I won’t try to justify my actions. At this point, I just don’t want to continue deceiving you.

I know I’ve been a disappointment to Mu Lan all these years, these are all my faults, I want to make amends, to make things right.

I can’t even hope for your forgiveness, I…”

Huo Tingxiao wanted to continue explaining, but Mu Lan cut him off.

“Enough, Huo Tingxiao, stop talking!”

Mu Lan took Shen Ying’s hand, her eyes reddening.

Before long, a few nurses walked in and pushed Shen Ying out of the emergency room toward the VIP ward.

Huo Tingxiao reached out to hold Mu Lan’s hand, but she dodged away. A void opened inside him, and his eyes held a trace of desolation.

“Huo Tingxiao, what on earth are you trying to do? Why would you say those things to my mom? Do you think there’s any point in doing this?”

Mu Lan tried to control her emotions, after all, they were in a hospital, and she didn’t want to lose face in such a public setting.

“I just wanted her to know the truth.”

“The truth? Who told you to take matters into your own hands? Why couldn’t you just go along with what I said? Why did you have to say all that unnecessary stuff? She just woke up from a shock, how can you be sure your words won’t shock her again?

If anything happens to my mom, I’ll have no courage left to live!”

Mu Lan was furious, feeling that Huo Tingxiao deliberately opposed her.

Huo Tingxiao, looking at her frantic state, did not get angry but explained calmly:
“I understand your anger, but Mu Lan, do you think hiding things from her is for her own good? You’ve said before that she keeps everything bottled up inside.

If that’s the case, then use today’s opportunity to let her speak out. Now is the best time.

What’s more, do you think she can’t see that you’re reconsidering your relationship with me just for her sake?

Mu Lan, I want to win you back, but I want to do it openly and honestly, not by exploiting your family loyalty.

I also feel apologetic towards the elders, and I want to take responsibility for my own mistakes.”

Mu Lan thought Huo Tingxiao had gone mad. What kind of twisted logic was this? In any case, as long as he got what he wanted, how important were her motives and intentions?

“From now on, please shut up!”

With that, Mu Lan stood up and followed, and upon reaching the hospital room, Shen Ying’s gaze was always on the door, relaxing only when she saw Huo Tingxiao’s figure.

But Mu Lan’s heart was in her throat.

“Mom, Huo Tingxiao was just talking nonsense just now, don’t listen to him. We were just messing around, so…”

“You still want to lie to me?”

Shen Ying’s tone was neither light nor heavy but made it impossible for Mu Lan to continue the act.

Glaring fiercely at Huo Tingxiao, Mu Lan was terrified that Shen Ying might get so angry that something terrible would happen.

“Over the years, I’ve been such a failure as a mother. Thinking that you were married and wouldn’t need my concern, I focused all my attention on your brother’s married life.

I never imagined that my daughter was living a marriage like this.”

Hearing her mother blame herself, Mu Lan’s heart ached as if it was being sliced by a knife.

“Mom, please don’t say that. I don’t remember anything now, I’m fine, why dwell on the past?”

Shen Ying’s eyes reddened as she looked at Mu Lan, several times on the verge of tears, fearing that if she let her emotions out, it would become uncontrollable, so she kept enduring.

“Lanlan, Mom only wants you to be happy and live the life you want.

Your issues with Huo Tingxiao are your own to consider, without thinking of anyone else. You just need to think about how you feel.

I’d rather know the truth than see you pretending to be happy.

The more you act happy in front of me, the more hurt I feel inside.

Lanlan, Mom just hopes you are happy. Your happiness is more important than anything else, do you understand?”

Mu Lan pressed her lips together.

“Mom, I…”

“Whatever you think, just go and clear things up with Huo Tingxiao. Whatever decision you make, Mom will support you.

I’m a bit tired now, I need to rest.”

Shen Ying slowly closed her eyes, exhausted by today’s events. She had made her message so clear; her daughter was smart and should know to make the best choice.

“I understand, Mom.”

Mu Lan looked up at Huo Tingxiao and silently left the hospital room.

Huo Tingxiao quickly followed out, and the two stopped in the secure stairwell.

They locked eyes, both their emotions churning like a turbulent sea. Huo Tingxiao’s voice was rough as he began to speak.

“Mu Lan…”