251— The Talk With Li Yuchen (2)

In spite of the efforts of the lawyers, the prosecuting counsel was bent on pursuing a harsh punishment for her, and her situation was really not looking good.

Li Yuchen's expression became one of hurt tightly wrapped and hidden under a coat of indifference, "As it should be. She deserves every single punishment she gets."

"Xiao Chen!" Li Chuanmo frowned at his words and due to this, his tone was a bit harsh.

The stubborn look was back in Li Yuchen's eyes.

Feeling helpless, Li Chuanmo rubbed the back of his head as he said, "Xiao Chen, don't talk like that. No matter what, the fact still remains that she's your biological mother. She would want you to forgive her."

"She dares? In her dreams! If only I could choose my mother, I would never, ever have chosen her! It's better to be motherless than to have such a mother!"

By the end of his words, Li Yuchen was almost yelling, his eyes red. His hands that were fisted tightly by his sides had green veins faintly showing.

The more Li Chuanmo saw him like this, the more his heart hurt. His son was not yet grown, but he had already seen the heartless ways of the world. For a moment, it reminded him of his own experiences in the hands of his biological family.

What was so great about blood relations? Unless it was accompanied by genuine, unconditional love, it had absolutely no meaning. He sighed and touched Li Yuchen's shoulder before speaking.

"Xiao Chen, I know she's in the wrong in all this. Both of us were in the wrong, and we caused you a lot of pain due to our mistakes. No amount of apology from us will be enough to make amends.

"But you must not let anger and bitterness fester in your heart. Else, you will be the one at a disadvantage. Forget about other issues, the main thing is that bitterness takes away a person's happiness."

Taking his hands to emphasize his words, Li Chuanmo continued, "Just a bit of it can corrode your humanity. Why should you lose yourself because of another person's wrongdoing? It's not worth it."

"I understand Dad, but understanding doesn't wash away the hurt," Li Yuchen said tearfully. His shaky voice almost broke his father's heart.

Most of the time Li Yuchen was a bright and mischievous child, but only he himself knew how difficult it was for him to fall asleep on some nights, especially in the weeks just after his parents' divorce.

The reason he fell in love with games in the beginning was that they helped take his mind off the intrusive thoughts and the depressing feelings that were always present at that time.

The awful thoughts and nightmares that used to plague him then stopped after he came back to City M and got showered with love by his grandparents. When Pei Yueran and Han Yichen came into the picture, things became even better and his days became happier.

They only began to recur recently, after his father told him that his 'mother' had reappeared.

To him, she was not a mother, but rather the stuff of nightmares.

Li Chuanmo was still talking to him earnestly, "You have to try Xiao Chen. For me, for your Aunt Pei, but mainly for yourself. Don't let those shadows of gloom loom over you and blind you from the good that you now enjoy.

"Look at me. I was abandoned too, but am I not living a good life now? You too, aren't you living well now? So don't hold on to those things. Let's look forward instead."

Li Yuchen calmed down completely as he listened to his father mention his own experiences. He said, "Dad, how did you feel at that time?"

Li Chuanmo gave a thin smile, "Terrible. It felt like I had nothing to live for, like my life had crashed. I felt unwanted, like I was a burden to everyone, even those I called my closest family.

Li Yuchen felt bad. That's true, at least he had his father to get through those rough times. His father on the other hand, had no one at that time. "How did you get through it Dad?"

His smile this time, unlike before, reached his eyes, "I had people to help me. From the first day I met them, Father and Mother loved me and treated me wholeheartedly. I was an eyesore to my previous family, but your grandparents treated me like the apple of their eyes."

After a pause, he continued, "That's why, as long as you can look forward, there's always something good ahead. Let the past stay in the past. Fortune favors the brave. You have to forge ahead."

Li Yuchen answered slowly, "You're right Dad, thank you."

"You're welcome Son. Well, would you want to see her?"

"It's not necessary." Li Yuchen said firmly. He still didn't want to upset himself. Who knew what would happen if he set his eyes on her?

Li Chuanmo nodded. Having said all he had come to say, he rose up to leave.

Then he paused before adding, "I won't ask you to do anything you won't want to Xiao Chen, but remember that you can always talk to me about anything. If you change your mind anytime, let me know."

Li Yuchen nodded before going close to hug him, "I will Dad. Thanks for everything."

Li Chuanmo rubbed his head fondly, "Anytime."

*****

The second day of the new year was still a holiday, and many people adhered to the practice of visiting their maternal homes on this day. Especially in the big families—particularly in the Capital and other major cities—it was a rule followed religiously.

It wasn't different for Pei Yueran. Moreover, since it was the first time she celebrated the new year away from Zhou Qiaohui, she couldn't wait to see her again. Added to the fact that there was an important matter to discuss, she was practically itching to go to City A.

By six thirty a.m, Li Chuanmo was woken up by Pei Yueran's iconic alarm tone. He swiftly located the offending object and switched it off, before turning to wake his wife up.

His bouts of insomnia had now reduced drastically—almost to nothing, but it had become an ingrained habit to wake up at the slightest noise.

He took a moment to admire her adorable sleeping look before leaning down to nuzzle the crook of her neck, "Wake up Ran, it's morning."