Great Power Reclamation

Among the pines and cypresses of the sanatorium, Ye Ling'er's presence was like a magnolia quietly blooming, elegant yet carrying a hint of imperceptible loneliness.

Based on her age and strict qualifications, she is indeed not qualified to live here.

But she was the former female leader of Junken Pharmaceutical, and she devoted herself to the company's development and growth during a critical period.

More importantly, there was the deep affection between her and Ye Wancheng, which, though unspoken, was known to all, as well as the Ye family's unreserved acceptance and respect for her.

Thus, in this courtyard that held countless achievements and memories, she had her own little world of her own.

Time has not spared her either. The dashing and capable demeanor of her youth has been transformed by time into fine lines around her eyes and glaring white frost at her temples.

However, her back remained ramrod straight, and her eyes still retained the resilience of women of that era, along with a lingering melancholy.

Unlike Ma Quanyi and Xi Dehe, she rarely immersed herself completely in the slow-paced life of the sanatorium.

Because she is relatively "young", she spends most of her time helping Ruyi manage some daily affairs of the nursing home on a voluntary basis, or assisting in the follow-up of drug trials for geriatric diseases in cooperation between Junken Pharmaceutical and the nursing home.

Ruyi's hair has long since turned completely white, and the years have made her even more gentle and kind.

Countless people advised her to retire and enjoy a peaceful life, but the veteran comrades, led by Ma Quanyi, resolutely refused.

"Ruyi can't leave! If she leaves, we'll be like a house without its leader!"

The old company commander's words represented the sentiments of everyone.

So Ruyi stayed and continued to act as the "head of the family" for these older brothers and sisters.

Ye Ling'er became her most capable assistant. The two women supported each other and together protected this peaceful haven.

However, whenever the night is quiet and Ye Ling'er returns to her room alone, those complex emotions hidden deep in her heart will quietly surface.

Her daughter, Ye Yuji, now holds a prominent position and is her pride, but also her deepest pain.

Because of the complicated history of that time and her own choices, she always felt that she owed her daughter a complete childhood and a "normal" family.

Although the Ye brothers, Ye Yuze and Ye Yufan, treated her like a younger sister, and the younger generation, such as Ye Feng, respected her greatly, Ye Wancheng was especially caring towards her, giving her warmth and protection that transcended worldly status.

But when facing her own daughter, the guilt of not being able to participate in her growth and even the possibility that her identity might bring criticism to her daughter was like a nightmare that haunted her for most of her life.

She rarely took the initiative to visit her daughter in the capital, not because she didn't want to, but because she was afraid.

She feared that her presence would cause unnecessary trouble for her daughter, and she was afraid of seeing even the slightest hint of estrangement in her daughter's eyes. She buried this longing and guilt deep within herself.

Fortunately, her grandson's choice brought her great comfort.

That child did not choose to stay in the bustling capital, but resolutely came to the military reclamation city to study at the military reclamation technical school.

This made her feel that the broken bond of family affection had been quietly reconnected.

Her grandson would visit her regularly. Each visit was the happiest time for Ye Ling'er. She would prepare his favorite dishes in advance, repeatedly wipe the already spotless tables and chairs in the room, her eyes filled with anticipation.

She would inquire carefully about his studies and life, listening to him describe the new changes in the military reclamation city in his youthful tone, and talk about a small project he had participated in.

At that moment, she seemed to see her daughter's figure through her grandson, and also saw the unbreakable connection between herself and this land and this big family.

"Grandma, Mom asked me to say hello to you." Sometimes, the grandson would bring a message from his daughter.

"Okay, okay, I'm fine too..."

Ye Ling'er nodded repeatedly, her eyes slightly warm, but she stubbornly held back her tears. She knew that her daughter cared for her. That was enough.

Because of love, she went ahead without hesitation, gaining the protection and warmth of the Ye family and a stage in her career, but also losing the joy of spending every day with her biological daughter.

Between gains and losses, it's impossible to weigh which is more important.

Now, she has chosen to stay peacefully on this land where she devoted her youth and where she experienced most of her life's joys and sorrows, like a magnolia quietly blooming under the protection of the military reclamation family.

She transformed that deep maternal love and guilt into care for her grandson and silent dedication to all the elderly people in need on this land.

Her story is a gentle yet complex interlude in the legend of the military reclamation, filled with the imprint of the times and the helplessness of personal fate, yet she also found final peace and relief on this inclusive land.

Time is the most skillful mediator. In the specially arranged small building at the Military Reclamation City Sanatorium, lived two women who had once been bitter enemies—Meihua and Ye Ling'er.

Their story is no longer a simple conflict between "the original wife and the lover," but a long narrative poem about time, tolerance, and family affection.

Back then, as a newcomer, Ye Ling'er did indeed suffer from the difficulties and disdain from the women in the infrastructure company who treated Mei Hua like their own sisters.

Those were years filled with grievances and struggles. As for Mei Hua, one can only imagine the pain and anger she felt towards this young woman who had intruded into her married life.

However, with the birth of Ye Yuji, everything began to change slowly and irreversibly.

The child is innocent; her clear eyes and innocent smile, like warm sunshine, gradually melt away the ice in the adult world.

Looking at the little girl who carried Ye Wancheng's blood, Mei Hua's heart was touched. She might not be able to completely forgive Ye Ling'er, but she couldn't bring herself to hate a child.

As time went by, the children (Ye Yuze, Ye Yufan, etc.) gradually grew up. They accepted "Aunt Ling" in their own ways, respected their father's choice, felt sorry for their mother's hardships, and cared for their half-sister Ye Yuji.

Under the subtle influence of this family atmosphere, the hostility between Mei Hua and Ye Ling'er was gradually replaced by a more complex emotion that included helplessness, understanding, and even a shared concern (for Ye Wancheng and Ye Yuji).

When they all grew old and lived in the same building, the intense emotions of the past had long since settled into a calm lake.

They would sunbathe together in the yard, chatting about the children and sharing anecdotes about their grandson Han Ye's growth.

Mei Hua might remind Ye Ling'er: "It's getting cold, find Old Ye's thick coat."

When Mei Hua was feeling unwell, Ye Ling'er would quietly bring the cooked porridge to her room.

They formed a symbiotic relationship that was difficult for outsiders to understand, but which they themselves had become accustomed to—a relationship marked by historical scars yet one of mutual reliance.

The children have long regarded Ye Ling'er as an indispensable part of the family, and this acceptance from the entire family is the best medicine to heal her inner loneliness.

What truly filled Ye Ling'er's later years with joy and fulfillment was her grandson, Han Ye.

Although she knew that Han Ye was not her daughter Ye Yuji's biological son, but rather that he carried the blood of Ye Yuze and Han Xiaojing, this secret was no longer a barrier within the family, but rather a deeper bond of love and responsibility.

For Ye Ling'er, Han Ye is her grandson, the continuation of her bloodline (albeit indirectly), and the strongest connection between her and her daughter and the Ye family.

This love is pure and unadulterated. Knowing the child's special origins, it even amplifies the urgency to make amends and shower the child with love.

Han Ye grew up under the combined doting care of her two "grandmothers," Ye Ling'er and Mei Hua.

Ye Ling'er would remember all the things he loved to eat, treasure his childhood doodles, and prepare for his return from vacation several days in advance, wishing she could give him the best of everything in the world.

Han Ye's liveliness, intelligence, and his unreserved affection for "Grandma Ling" greatly comforted Ye Ling'er's wounded heart.

He would put his arm around her neck and say, "Grandma is the best," and share with her little secrets from school that even her parents wouldn't tell her.

In his presence, Ye Ling'er felt the purest happiness of being needed and relied upon.

Watching Han Ye grow up day by day, studying and growing up on the land of Junken City, Ye Ling'er seemed to see the cycle of life and hope.

She poured all the love she couldn't fully give to her daughter, and the deep affection she had for Ye Wancheng, into this child.

Han Ye's existence made her feel that her life had a new continuation, and all the vicissitudes of the past were compensated for in the laughter of this child.

Nowadays, on quiet afternoons at the sanatorium, one can often see this scene:
Mei Hua and Ye Ling'er sat side by side on the veranda, watching Han Ye, who had grown into a young man, busy with his "little inventions" that interested him in the courtyard, or handling school affairs on the phone.

The two elderly people had the same satisfied and peaceful smiles on their faces.

Past grievances and grudges have long since melted away in the river of time and the warmth of family affection.

They jointly protect this family, jointly love the bloodline left by the same man (whether directly or indirectly), and jointly cherish this grandchild who brings them endless comfort.

For Ye Ling'er, her life has been filled with love, pain, and struggle. In the end, she is able to find a warm home on this land she loves so deeply, together with the people she loved (even in a complicated way), her daughter, her grandson whom she regards as her own, and her former "rival" and now "family member," Mei Hua. Perhaps this is the best arrangement fate has made for her.

Her story ultimately led to reconciliation and fulfillment, filled with the complexity and brilliance of human nature.

The peaceful life in the sanatorium was shattered by a sudden piece of news—the Han family, the family of Han Ye's deceased father, wanted to take Han Ye to live in the capital.

The news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. The most intense reactions came from Mei Hua and Ye Ling'er.

These two former rivals, now facing the crisis of their "grandson" possibly being "taken away," have stood on the same side more firmly than ever before.

"No! I absolutely don't agree to that!"

Mei Hua, unusually angry, slammed her teacup heavily on the table. "Han Ye grew up in Junken City; this is his root! His father is gone, but our Ye family is still here! I, his maternal grandmother, am still here! Ling'er, his maternal grandmother, is still here too! Can't we even raise a child properly?"

Although Ye Ling'er didn't show her emotions as openly as Mei Hua, her tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner excitement and unease.

She looked at the plum blossoms, her voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable resolve:

“Sister is right. From childhood to adulthood, Han Ye has never been shortchanged in terms of food, clothing, or other necessities. He is doing well at the military reclamation technical school and has a bright future ahead of him. Why would he suddenly go to a strange place? We...we can’t bear to part with him.”

The last few words were choked with emotion. Han Ye was her greatest emotional support in her later years, her warmest connection to the world; she couldn't imagine life without this child by her side.

The two elderly women's reasons were sound and direct: they could provide Han Ye with a comfortable material life, and the Ye family's resources and influence in the military reclamation city were enough to guarantee Han Ye's smooth future development.

More importantly, this place is a familiar environment for him, where he has a loving family and memories from his childhood.

However, Ye Yuji, as a mother, was caught in even more complex and painful thoughts.

She understood the deep affection both mothers had for Han Ye, and how could they bear to let their son leave? But she had to consider more and further ahead.

Late at night, Ye Yuji arrived at the sanatorium and had a heart-to-heart talk with the two mothers.

“Mom, Aunt Ling,” Ye Yuji’s voice was tired, but her eyes were clear and calm, “I know you love Han Ye and cherish him like your own life. So do I. But we can’t only think about ourselves.”

She paused, then continued in a heavy tone:

"Han Ye's grandparents are old and have just experienced the pain of losing their only son."

"Han Ye is the only bloodline left by their son, and is their only hope and reason to live."

“Our Ye family is large and prosperous, with many children on Uncle Yuze and Uncle Yufan’s side, making it a lively and bustling place. But the Han family… the two elderly people are left with an empty house, and we may not be able to fully understand their loneliness and despair.”

Mei Hua and Ye Ling'er fell silent. They were so focused on their own reluctance to part that they overlooked the grief and longing of the elderly couple in the Han family who had lost their only child.

"But...but they are still young, they can come back to see Han Ye often, or we can take the children to see them..." Ye Ling'er tried to make a last-ditch effort, her voice tinged with pleading.

Ye Yuji held Ye Ling'er's hand, then looked at the plum blossoms, her eyes also filled with tears:

“Aunt Ling, Mom, I understand. But ‘coming back often’ and ‘being by your side’ are not the same. For an elderly person in their twilight years, every day of companionship is incredibly precious. Our Ye family has no shortage of children, but the Han family only has Han Ye left. We can’t… we can’t be so selfish.”

She took a deep breath and made her final decision, a decision that was equally cruel to herself:
"Let Han Ye go to the capital. Not for any other reason, but so that those two elderly people who have lost their son can have some comfort in their later years and feel the warmth of blood ties. This is the affection and responsibility that our Ye family should have for the Han family."

The room was silent. Mei Hua turned her head away, secretly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Ye Ling'er lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, finally letting out a long, helpless sigh.

Ye Yuji's words were like a key, unlocking their hearts that had been blinded by "love" and "reluctance to part."

Their love was real, but the pain of the elderly Han family members was also real. Faced with the grander principles of human relationships, their personal emotional attachments had to give way.

In the end, Han Ye left the military reclamation city and went to the capital to be with his elderly grandparents.

On the day of their farewell, Mei Hua and Ye Ling'er stood supporting each other at the entrance of the sanatorium, watching the car drive away until it disappeared from sight. The two elderly people held hands tightly, as if drawing strength from each other.

They lost their daily companionship, but their love for Han Ye did not diminish in the slightest because of the distance.

Phone calls and video calls became their main ways of contacting their child. They would carefully inquire about his life and studies in Beijing, remind him to take good care of his grandparents, and tell him that Junken City would always be his home, and that his maternal grandmothers would always be there waiting for him to come back.

This decision, filled with helplessness and reluctance, also reflects the Ye family's profound sense of righteousness and deep sense of responsibility.

It brought the two elderly people, Meihua and Ye Ling'er, closer than ever before in their twilight years because of their shared love and shared loss.

They understood that some love means letting go, it means fulfilling someone's wishes, it's about letting that warmth shine on another broken family that needs it more. (End of Chapter)