Mu Lin Jing did not tell her parents the specifics of what she had gone through, only giving a general description and omitting any mention of Wen Yu Lan.
Thus, Uncle Mu, remembering this, couldn't help but ask about the cause again, "How exactly did Lin Jing fall into the water? Did she slip accidentally or something else?"
Facing this question, Zhan Yi Chen felt somewhat guilty and couldn't answer immediately.
Just then, Mu Lin Jing and Aunt Mu walked over, and he let the matter drop.
This also reminded Zhan Yi Chen that there was still a risk involved in this matter. After all, no matter who it was, upon learning the true reason for Mu Lin Jing's fall into the water, they would likely not allow the engagement to proceed normally.
Therefore, this matter had to be kept secret, even to the point of never being brought up again.
After selecting a set of clothes for Uncle Mu and Aunt Mu each, their task for this trip was completed. The next step was to diligently prepare for the engagement ceremony, which in itself did not require much effort from the Mu family.
They only needed to inform their friends and relatives. Of course, this absolutely would not include Zhang Yi's family. Given that family's greed, if they were to learn of this engagement banquet, they would certainly try to disrupt it.
As the engagement date drew nearer day by day, Zhan Yi Chen became increasingly busy. Amidst his many tasks, he did not forget to inform his mother about the matter.
He went to the sanatorium, thinking that Wen Yu Lan had been sent there for quite some time, and perhaps the sanatorium would, in a professional manner, help her condition improve.
Although he did not believe that Wen Yu Lan could return to the Zhan family if she truly recovered, who would want to miss out on the opportunity for recovery?
Having a mother who was so deranged was not her embarrassment, but the son's dereliction of duty.
This had always been a nagging worry for Zhan Yi Chen. Perhaps seeing Wen Yu Lan's condition improve would bring him some form of salvation.
As the doctor at the sanatorium led him to Wen Yu Lan's room, he spoke about Wen Yu Lan's recent state.
"When your mother was first brought here, we needed to inject her with medication to calm her down. After a period of rest and recuperation, she can now sit quietly on her own for a while, which is a sign of improvement. See if she recognizes you when you meet her later."
Previously, Wen Yu Lan did not recognize anyone. Even if she did, it was only her younger son, Zhan Lin.
Zhan Yi Chen understood that people would selectively forget pain. Perhaps his son had made his mother feel sad when she remembered, and thus, in this process, she had actively forgotten him.
Thinking of this, he could only offer a bitter smile. One was the woman he loved, the other his birth mother. Who could understand his pain of being caught in between?
It was only these matters that were evidently Wen Yu Lan's mistakes, giving him a seemingly suitable and justifiable reason to reprimand her when she was lucid and to confine her when she was not.
Rather than punishing Wen Yu Lan for her mistakes, it was more of him evading a choice amidst a difficult dilemma.
With a heart full of complex emotions, he arrived at the door of Wen Yu Lan's room. Through the glass panel of the door, he could observe the person inside.
He saw Wen Yu Lan sitting by the window, lost in thought, but she was quiet and showed no eccentric behavior. The moment he saw this, Zhan Yi Chen had the illusion that she had never been ill.
It was as if nothing had happened, and Wen Yu Lan was still the same elegant lady she used to be, now sitting by the window, reading, living a leisurely life.
Perhaps he was too engrossed in his thoughts, or it was the doctor who called him, that he snapped back to reality.
"Go and see her. If she shows any signs of harming or attacking someone, press the call bell."
He nodded and walked in, not wanting to disturb the current tranquility. He did not speak, only standing behind Wen Yu Lan to observe what she was doing.
Seeing her engrossed in her own affairs, as if completely unaware of the person behind her, Zhan Yi Chen finally spoke, "Mom, I've come to see you."
Wen Yu Lan heard his voice and turned around somewhat blankly, her bewildered eyes seeming to ponder who he was.
Seeing that she still did not recognize him, Zhan Yi Chen felt a pang of disappointment. "Mom, you don't recognize me? I'm your son."
Wen Yu Lan looked at him, as if recalling something. She shook her head, "You're not Yi Chen. He wouldn't come to see me..."
As she spoke, a deep sadness welled up in her eyes, causing Zhan Yi Chen a dull ache in his heart.
He knew that his mother still remembered him, but in her eyes, he had become synonymous with sorrow.
He sat down, lowered his head, and slowly said, "Mom, Lin Jing and I are getting engaged next week. You can't attend, but I wanted to tell you. No matter what you become, you will always be my mother."
He didn't know if Wen Yu Lan understood, but she continued to busy herself with her own affairs, as if she wasn't even aware he was speaking to her.
However, it didn't matter. Zhan Yi Chen had come to tell her this news. Of course, it was more for his own formal and psychological satisfaction. Otherwise, knowing that Wen Yu Lan, in her condition, could not possibly attend the ceremony, why would he have made this trip?
She was currently mentally unstable, and all of this was merely the will of those who were lucid.
He sat in the room for a while and did not notice any intention of Wen Yu Lan to attack anyone. This was a good sign. Previously, it was because she had attacked his grandfather that she had been sent to the sanatorium.
The sanatorium was indeed professional. Her condition had now improved significantly, entirely thanks to the professional care she received here.
After leaving the room, he specifically thanked the doctor. "My mother's condition is much better than before. Thank you for your care."
The doctor spoke frankly, "Mr. Zhan, your mother is recovering well now, but for her to become like a normal person is almost impossible. As you know, her knot of worry is hard to untangle, and it cannot be completely healed by medicine."
Zhan Yi Chen knew this very well. He nodded. "Then to what extent can my mother recover?"
"Judging by the current situation, her room for recovery is limited. At most, she might recognize a few people and might become like a child, losing her intellect. However, she can take care of herself, and in this regard, she won't cause you trouble. Of course, if you wish to have her live here permanently, that is also an option."
The sanatorium would still not refuse patients, but this was not a home.
If Wen Yu Lan could truly recover to the extent the doctor described, he would still consider bringing her back. Even if not back to the Zhan family residence, she could at least continue to live in the western suburbs.
At least she would have a home and dedicated care.