She Lost Memory Before the Divorce Chapter 289

Chapter 289: Chapter 0289: Crocodile Tears Chapter 289: Chapter 0289: Crocodile Tears Huo Tingxiao looked at Mu Lan with gratitude. Although they hadn't officially reconciled and returned to their previous relationship, Mu Lan had continued to give generously.

She had cared for him when he needed it most, every single time.

What had he done to deserve such a woman?

Huo Tingxiao thought he would spend his life treating her well, holding her in the palm of his hand and protecting her from the slightest harm.

Two groups of people sat on either side, neither speaking.

Soon, Xian Yaping became restless.

Meanwhile, Huo Tingyang kept stealing glances at Mu Lan, seeing only Huo Tingxiao in her eyes, always worried about him, caring for him, taking care of him.

He thought that if he could inherit the Huo Corporation, all this could have been his; he wouldn't have to live like trash in a dark corner, no longer needing to be hunted down or bear the disgrace of being an illegitimate child.

“Son, I'm getting restless. Maybe we shouldn't linger here anymore. We can come back when the old man wakes up?”

“Mom, have you called Dad yet?”

“Oh dear, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. I'll call right now.”

Xian Yaping got up to make the call.

The two thought they were speaking quietly, but Huo Tingxiao and Mu Lan heard everything clearly. She also wanted to ask Huo Tingxiao if he wanted to contact Huo Qidong.

But… never mind. Knowing that Huo Qidong and Han Yongmei had divorced not long ago, he probably didn't want to get in touch.

The relationship between father and son had been cold not just for a day or two; the proverbial icing over of three feet of ice wasn't the frost of a single day, a fact Mu Lan understood. So, she didn't want to force Huo Tingxiao to make any choices.

“Don't pressure yourself; I'm afraid you'll feel uncomfortable.”

Their hands remained clasped together as Mu Lan whispered into his ear.

“Mm.”

Huo Tingxiao tilted his head and rested it on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

Mu Lan said nothing more, not wanting to disturb his rest, their unspoken understanding making Huo Tingyang envious.

He had never had a girl by his side who was truly devoted to him. They were all interested in his money, claiming they didn't care about his background, yet internally they looked down on him.

Their sweet nothings were merely attempts to coax him into spending more money, playing the fool.

Originally, he had thought to drift aimlessly through life, but his unexpected encounter with Mu Lan at the foot of a suburban mountain, love at first sight, had rendered him unable to forget her.

He was aware of the significant gap between them, and she was nominally his sister-in-law.

But none of that mattered to him; he was willing to do anything if there was a chance to be with her.

Averting his gaze, Huo Tingyang looked into the depths of the corridor and began to numb his feelings.

—–
Xian Yaping was coaxing and persuading Huo Qidong over the phone.

“Qidong, the old man is in such a state, it wouldn't look good for you to stay away. I think all your brothers and sisters will be here tomorrow; it won't be right for you, as the eldest, to not be here.”

Whatever Huo Qidong said in response made Xian Yaping's face turn shades of green and white.

“Huo Qidong, you're being heartless with your words. Tingyang was brought into the company by your father, and in all these years, I've never asked you for anything.

I'm just worried you might have regrets. It's been so many years since that incident; must you and your father…? Alright, I won't say more. It's your call.”

Eventually, Xian Yaping grew tired of persuading and hung up the phone.

Not long after, an ICU nurse came out the door.

“The patient is awake now. Who is a family member here?”

Huo Tingxiao suddenly opened his eyes and stood up.

“I am.”

“Alright, follow me.”

Huo Tingyang also wanted to enter but two tall bodyguards blocked his way.

Looking frustrated at the two men, Huo Tingyang said discontentedly,
“What right do you have to stop me?”

The bodyguard was silent, but he didn't back away, clearly not taking him seriously.

Mu Lan, worried that he would cause a scene, spoke up:
“If the old master wants to see you, he will say so. He just woke up, and there's nothing inappropriate about Huo Tingxiao going in to check on him.”

Huo Tingyang hadn't expected Mu Lan to initiate conversation with him, and even less so to say these things. He stared at her, feeling very displeased inside.

“You always speak up for him?”

Mu Lan found his manner of speech quite strange.

“He is my husband. If I don't stand by him, who would I stand by?”

Her matter-of-fact tone almost made Huo Tingyang pass out from anger.

“You…”

Xian Yaping came back only to see the two of them in this state, and Huo Tingxiao was nowhere to be seen…

“What's going on?”

“The old master has woken up, and Huo Tingxiao just went in.”

Upon hearing this, alarm bells went off for Xian Yaping.

“We are family too, we…”

“This is a hospital, not a place for you to run wild. I know what you all are thinking. Let's not even mention that Grandfather is still in robust health; even if something were to happen, all necessary preparations have been made. Your disturbances are pointless.”

Mu Lan pierced through the pretense, prompting Xian Yaping to instantly close her mouth.

She glared at Mu Lan resentfully and sat down reluctantly.

After all, Huo Qidong might come by later, and then… hmph, they would see.

Huo Tingxiao sat next to the hospital bed. The old Master's gaze was unfocused, his breathing heavy and labored, the mist in the oxygen mask coming and going with his breathing rhythm.

“Tingxiao… grandfather… I'm sorry…”

Huo Tingxiao couldn't make out what the old master was saying and leaned closer to listen.

“Grandfather, what are you saying?”

The old master's breathing grew even heavier, and it was unclear if he was fully conscious.

“Grandfather… I'm sorry… back then… it was my fault… I'm sorry for what happened to you and your mother…”

His words were fragmented and broken.

Huo Tingxiao thought he was apologizing to Han Yongmei and softly comforted him:
“Grandfather, my mom has already immigrated to Canada. They are doing well apart, and the past is past.”

His tone was calm, seemingly indifferent, as the discord between his parents was a longstanding issue to which he had long since been accustomed.

After so many years, their final separation was a relief.

He felt no regret about it.

“No… not her… not her…”

Huo Tingxiao wasn't sure what the old master was trying to say, as he just kept repeating it wasn't her.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he spoke, evidently burdened by a deep sorrow.

After all, in Huo Tingxiao's memory, the old master was an invincible hero–arrogant, resolute, and omnipotent.

Cry? He had never seen tears in the old master's eyes.

Yet now he was shedding tears while speaking to him, a substantial shock for Huo Tingxiao.

Men don't shed tears lightly, a principle he had been taught from a very young age.

The old master, who would bleed before he'd cry, was now shedding tears in front of him.

“Grandfather, it's alright, it's all in the past, really.”

The old master sighed, his voice somewhat choked.

“It's my fault… I was wrong… my fault…”

Chapter end

Report