Reborn as an 80s-aged woman, her unfilial son begs for forgiveness on his knees.

He would never forget the man's resolute words when his mother brought them to their home: "You can leave now. My Liu family has no daughters-in-law and children like you."

You're just a peasant, while I'm a high-ranking officer in the military region.

Here, take this thousand yuan and don't bother me again.

The mother didn't take the stack of banknotes; she simply straightened her back, pulled him and his sister around, and left.

It was snowing heavily that day, and my mother's hands were red from the cold, but she didn't shed a tear or show any weakness in front of them.

She simply gripped his hand tighter, her voice unusually calm: "Dongzi, remember, we Liu family members are tough and don't rely on others for charity."

Your father doesn't want us, so we don't want him either.

From now on, you and your sister must live well together and not be looked down upon by others.

That night, while they were asleep, the mother ended her own life with a straw rope.

When he and his sister found their mother, her body was already cold, and she was still clutching the crumpled family photo in her hand.

She didn't cry when others pointed at her back and called her a slut; she didn't cry when that man turned her away; she didn't cry when he and her sister were sick and had no money for treatment, and she stayed up all night wiping their foreheads with a handkerchief again and again. But that night, she finally couldn't make it through.

Because that man was no longer human, for the mother, he was the belief and hope that sustained her to live.

Liu Wendong will always remember that morning when his sister's heart-wrenching cries woke up the entire village.

He knelt before his mother's bedside, looking at her bluish-purple face, as if he had cried all his tears out.

He gritted his teeth and pried his mother's cold hand off the family photo, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He remembered what he said, but it also seemed like he said nothing at all.

All I remember is my sister holding me, crying and trembling, repeatedly saying, "Dongzi, we don't have a father or a mother anymore."

We really became wild children…

He picked up the piece of meat in the bowl, put it in his mouth, and chewed it for a very long time.

The meat was salty, but when you swallowed it, a sweet aftertaste lingered in your throat.

So, he does have people who care about him?

To avoid being exploited further, he resigned from the military and severed all ties with that person.

My older sister is married, but she's not doing well.

He thought that once he was settled, he would bring his sister over.

Over the years he has saved some money, not much, but enough to rent a decent house in the city.

Aunt Zhang's house is quite nice.

If only Aunt Zhang were his mother...

The food today tasted just like his mother's, reminding him of the braised pork that his mother loved to make when she was alive.

"Aunt Zhang...the food you cook is delicious."

He said this with a slightly choked voice.

The others also wolfed down their food, looking completely satisfied, but also somewhat heartbroken.

Zhang Wenying turned her head and said with a smile, "Eat more if you like it, there's more in the pot."

Zhang Wenying's voice was as gentle as the warm sun on a winter's day, making Liu Wendong feel as if he had returned to that dilapidated little courtyard many years ago.

Back then, his mother was still alive. The pot was bubbling and steaming. She was wearing a faded apron, adding firewood to the stove, and turning back to smile at him: "Dongzi, wait a little longer, the meat will be tender. I'll give you two more pieces."

He remembers moving a small stool to sit on the threshold, watching the steam rising from the pot, waiting for the meat to slowly simmer and release its aroma.

Although life was tough back then, as long as my mother was there, home was there.

He sniffed, finished the last bite of rice in his bowl, put down his chopsticks, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed the "thank you" back down his throat.

Liu Wendong and his companions, all former soldiers, helped clean up the dishes and table after the meal. They then offered Zhang Wenying a cup of tea, saying, "Aunt Zhang, thank you for your hospitality. We enjoyed the meal very much; it's been a long time since we've tasted such authentic home-cooked food."

It was also very plentiful.

Zhang Wenying smiled and waved her hand.

"You kids, what are you talking about thanking me for?"

Your presence is a blessing for my little shop.

"Come on, daughter, let's toast with Comrade Liu and the others with tea instead of wine, wishing us all a prosperous future."

Li Xiaojuan hadn't expected to have anything to do, so she quickly washed her hands, picked up her teacup, and stood up somewhat awkwardly, imitating Liu Wendong and the others by holding the cup with both hands.

Looking at her like this, Liu Wendong inexplicably found this woman quite adorable.

"Come on, let's clink glasses." Liu Wendong raised his teacup first and gently touched the rim of Li Xiaojuan's cup, making a crisp sound.

Li Xiaojuan's face flushed slightly.

She's never even clinked glasses with a male friend before.

After seeing Liu Wendong and the others off, Zhang Wenying tidied up the stove in preparation for closing.

She didn't ask Li Xiaojuan what her impression of Liu Wendong was.

After all, some things can't be rushed; fate will come when it's meant to.

When they got home, Li Xiaomei hugged her mother's arm, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Mom, my sister-in-law caused a scene at my school today..."

As she spoke, Li Xiaomei recounted the events of that morning in detail.

Shen Mo was supposed to come too, but he had something to do at home after school, so he went home.

Zhang Wenying was furious when she heard this.

"Does He Caifeng really think I'm made of clay?"

You wait, Mom will go settle the score with her tomorrow!

Li Xiaojuan quickly grabbed her mother's hand: "Mom, calm down."

I can handle this myself. Please don't argue with her because of me. Otherwise, the neighbors will gossip.

I'm not afraid of her.

"If she dares to come again, I'll call the police and have Uncle Hat deal with her."

Zhang Wenying was furious.

Li Jianguo has five children, so why should he target her youngest daughter?

They even want her youngest daughter to drop out of school. I'll see if she doesn't go to He Caifeng's workplace tomorrow and beat her to death!

In the hospital, Li Jianguo had his stomach pumped and could only eat liquid food for the past two days. He had lost a lot of weight and was leaning against the hospital bed with a sallow complexion.

Li Jianguo held a bowl of porridge, stirred it gently with a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and held it to his lips: "Dad, drink slowly, be careful it's hot."

He was extremely annoyed.

Caifeng went to find Xiaomei this morning, why hasn't she come yet?

He fed the baby while looking towards the door.

When Xiaomei arrives, he needs to go back and get a good night's sleep.

This hospital is no place for a human being.

The air was thick with the smell of disinfectant, and the sheets and blankets had an unpleasant odor.

There was another patient in the ward who snored so loudly at night that he couldn't fall asleep at all.

He felt like he was about to break down.

After finishing a bowl of rice, Li Jianguo still felt unsatisfied.