Chapter 832 - 249: Homecoming
The room was set up with an array, serving as both a door lock and a sound barrier.
Chen Yan paid the room fee for a month in one go, which was only fifty jade coins, and instructed the attendant that he would be practicing in seclusion and should not be disturbed.
Then, he activated the array and took out the ring.
The next moment, as the sensation of falling hit, Chen Yan opened his eyes and returned to the real world.
In the basement training room of his own villa.
·
This trip to the Domain Realm had taken much longer than Chen Yan anticipated before he left.
Primarily, he was delayed by a war encounter beneath Snow Cliff Pass.
Later, he traveled to the Southern Border, waited a long time for a ship in West Platform City, and was ambushed midway, being trapped in the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect for too long.
While in the Joyful Sect, Chen Yan dared not use the ring to leave.
Because every departure with the ring sets the next return point at the location of the last departure.
If he suddenly disappeared from the Saint Sect and was noticed, it would surely arouse suspicion.
If he returns to the Domain Realm next time, and the crossover point remains in the sect...
Suddenly appearing and being discovered would be even harder to explain!
The sect has a protective array; how did you leave and return so quietly?!
Today, he finally descended the mountain and came to this city.
Chen Yan had no plans to immediately find a ship to the Southern Border. Otherwise, once boarding a flying boat, it might take many days again. He might not be able to return by then.
·
Exiting the basement, Chen Yan opened the door to find his house quiet, yet the living room was tidy and spotless.
The kitchen and living room were also tidy, and he found food in the refrigerator.
Chen Yan sighed and opened a can of cold cola, downing it in one go, indulging in the sweetness.
Hmm, next time to the Domain Realm, I must bring a couple of boxes!
He returned to his room, took off the robe he wore in the Domain Realm, and sent a message to Lu Sisi, telling his girlfriend he was back.
When Chen Yan finished his shower and stepped out of the bathroom, he saw a missed voice call from Lu Sisi on his phone, along with a WeChat message.
Chen Yan glanced at the message, his gaze slightly focused.
Quickly dressing, he grabbed his car keys and headed out.
·
Half an hour later, Chen Yan drove to a renowned comprehensive Grade A hospital in Jinling Prefecture.
On the tenth floor of the inpatient department, Chen Yan stepped out of the elevator, inquired at the nurse’s station, and found a single room by recognizing the room number.
Opening the room door, he saw Lu Sisi sitting on a chair by the bed, leaning back, her eyes filled with exhaustion.
On the bed lay Lu Sisi’s mother, Lu Xiuting.
Seeing Chen Yan, the tired, dry look in Lu Sisi’s eyes suddenly glowed again. She stood up from the chair with slight unsteadiness and walked quickly towards Chen Yan.
Chen Yan sighed, hugged her, and heard Lu Sisi’s low, tear-filled voice: "Chen Yan, you’re back."
"Yeah, I’m back, it’s okay." Chen Yan patted Lu Sisi’s head, noticing her slightly greasy hair—it seemed she hadn’t washed it in days, unusual for someone who used to be so tidy.
Chen Yan took a deep breath and softly said, "I’m back, so you don’t have to worry about anything, I’ll handle everything."
Lu Xiuting was in deep sleep, an oxygen tube under her nose, an IV catheter on her wrist, with an IV drip by the bedside.
Lu Sisi’s body was light, and Chen Yan almost carried her back to the sofa in the room—the facilities in the single room were quite nice, even with a sofa, a fridge, a TV, and a private bathroom with a shower.
However, the cost was naturally high, about two thousand a day, not covered by insurance, purely self-funded.
Sitting down, Chen Yan gently caressed her forehead with his fingers and took out a Nourishing God Pill, bringing it to Lu Sisi’s lips.
Without asking, Lu Sisi opened her mouth and swallowed it.
Soon, the nourishing effects of the pill took hold, and Lu Sisi’s sagging spirit began to slowly recover.
Afterward, Lu Sisi recounted what had happened while Chen Yan was away.
·
Lu Sisi told Chen Yan that her mother, Lu Xiuting, unexpectedly came to meet her some time ago, seemingly to mend their relationship and reconnect as mother and daughter.
Lu Sisi, being gentle, had endured her mother’s coldness for many years but could not bear to reject Lu Xiuting’s outreach, silently accepting it.
With the help of the old turtle butler, Gui Geng, they discovered Lu Xiuting’s health problems.
After staying at the villa for two days, nourished by the Spirit Gathering Array’s Primordial Qi, Lu Xiuting seemed more invigorated.
However, she quickly made "inappropriate suggestions" to Lu Sisi, revealing her selfish and opportunistic mindset, which chilled Lu Sisi’s heart.
After that visit, Lu Sisi sent Lu Xiuting back to her own home with a resolved heart.
But after some time, Lu Xiuting came back again, trying once more to mend their relationship.
Lu Sisi realized that this was not a sudden show of conscience or newfound affection for a daughter she had treated coldly all her life.
Instead, Lu Xiuting faced her own difficulties and was panicking as she saw everything she controlled slipping away, treating her daughter as her last hope and only tool.
It’s like being a spare tire within the pretense of family affection.
Lu Sisi had no desire to pretend in a deep mother-daughter bond with such a mother, responding coolly to Lu Xiuting’s attempts.
Lu Xiuting attempted various gestures.
She bought snacks she claimed Lu Sisi loved as a child—though Lu Sisi had no recollection of liking them. Memories of her chaotic childhood where snacks were scarce due to misfortunes, food poisoning risks, and choking hazards clouded her mind.
Lu Xiuting also cooked some home meals, saying they were to compensate for the years of neglect, offering meals that Lu Sisi rarely received from her.
In reality, after marrying Yang Jiaming, Lu Xiuting lived as a Young Madam for years, without kitchen duties, served by a full-time maid.
She couldn’t really cook; the lotus root soup was sour, the braised ribs were bitter.
Then, Lu Xiuting bought clothes for Lu Sisi, expressing regret for neglecting her daughter’s needs during school changes and seasons without personally shopping for her.
Yet, the sizes were off—sometimes too big, sometimes too small—not even knowing Lu Sisi’s shoe size...
With such continuous disturbances, Lu Sisi was mentally and physically drained. Her tender nature avoided harsh words, especially against her biological mother, which she couldn’t bring herself to utter.
After constant harassment, Lu Sisi’s patience ran out. Facing Lu Xiuting’s "loving" presence, she asked straightforwardly:
"Tell me, Mom, what do you actually want from me?"
"I want... to live with you, move in with you, so I can care for you. Is that okay?"
Despite her soft heart, Lu Sisi wasn’t foolish.
Her mother’s heartfelt words made her feel nauseous, and she coldly replied:
"Mom, is it because Dad doesn’t want you anymore?"
Lu Xiuting’s face turned instantly pale.