Ming Fu and Ming Mu, seated in front, uncharacteristically refrained from comforting Ming Zhi Rou at this moment. Their expressions were grim. Already vexed, hearing Ming Zhi Rou's whimpering only intensified their irritation.
After getting into the car, Ming Mu kept her head bowed, her gaze fixed on her unmoving arms. She tried to lift her hands several times, but couldn't even move a finger. The helplessness was almost suffocating.
The president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Zhan He An, was her last hope. Zhan He An was a renowned physician throughout Xia Guo. It was rumored that patients given up by hospitals could be completely cured by him with just a few needles, restoring them to health from their deathbed. Yet, this physician with such exceptional medical skills had informed her… that he could do nothing for her hands.
What Ming Mu found most unacceptable was… Ming Zheng was the very Medical Saint whom Zhan He An deeply admired. The Medical Saint! The one whom Zhan He An had declared as the only person in the world capable of healing her hands. If the only person who could heal her hands was Ming Zheng, didn't that equate to… her own death sentence? Was she truly destined to be crippled for life? No! She refused. She didn't want to be dependent on others for eating, drinking, and personal hygiene for the rest of her life. Nor did she want to be stared at with pitying eyes forever. Furthermore… the Ming Group could not tolerate a cripple as its chairman's wife. She still had to attend various banquets with Chen Mu, and mingle with the ladies of high society. She couldn't live like this forever! Otherwise… no matter how much Chen Mu loved her, over time, he would eventually grow weary. No amount of love could withstand reality. Chen Mu would need someone who could help him. At that point, she would be abandoned.
Thinking of this, a deep intention flashed in the depths of Ming Mu's eyes. She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen!
Ming Fu’s heart was also in turmoil. He hadn’t expected Ming Zheng to be the legendary Medical Saint, spoken of but rarely seen. Someone whom the president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association revered so highly! The mere thought of Zhan He An showing him no respect in front of them, only to turn to Ming Zheng with such caution, reverence, and politeness, made him feel stifled.
Ming Zheng was the Medical Saint? Why hadn't she said anything? During her year with the Ming family, why hadn't she revealed her identity at all? If he had known… if he had known Ming Zheng was the Medical Saint, he would never have let Ming Zheng leave the Ming family! She was a complete asset to the Ming family! Ming Fu then recalled that Ming Zheng resided in the priceless "Biyun Xianju," could associate with President Ning of Zhengrong Group, and knew President Bai of Zhengtu Group. Perhaps it was all because of Ming Zheng’s miraculous, life-saving medical skills! He was truly vexed and full of regret now. Why hadn’t he treated Ming Zheng better back then? If he had only shared a fraction of the gentleness he showed Rou'er with Ming Zheng, things wouldn't have turned out this way!
Compared to Ming Zhi Rou, Ming Zheng was clearly far more useful now. Ming Fu felt as though he had lost a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. He was both frustrated and miserable.
Ming Fu and Ming Mu were both extremely agitated and had no spare energy to comfort the whimpering Ming Zhi Rou. More importantly… they actually felt that Ming Zhi Rou's tearful words were quite accurate. When Ming Zheng was still with the Ming family, it was because of Ming Zhi Rou that they had repeatedly targeted Ming Zheng! Ming Zheng’s resistance towards them, and even her refusal to acknowledge them as family, stemmed largely from Ming Zhi Rou! If it weren't for Ming Zhi Rou, Ming Zheng might have agreed to return to the Ming family long ago. Would they be in such a predicament now?
Thinking this, Ming Fu and Ming Mu’s feelings towards Ming Zhi Rou’s crying shifted from sympathy to resentment and annoyance. There was no trace of the affection they once held.
Ming Zhi Rou likely couldn't comprehend that after resolving to endure humiliation and kneel before Ming Zheng, seeking to inspire more guilt and affection from the Ming family to gain greater benefits, she had only earned their resentment.
It was only upon arriving at the Ming residence that Ming Zhi Rou sensed a change in her parents' attitude. She had whimpered for so long in the car, but neither her father nor her mother had offered any comfort. She had assumed her father was focused on driving, and her mother, having been too upset at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, had fallen asleep. Thus, under Ming Chu Yan’s comfort, she had stopped her performance. To her surprise, however, after getting out of the car, when she approached her mother as usual, hoping to put on a show, her mother avoided her outstretched hand, her face cold, and entered the villa with her father.
Ming Zhi Rou's expression changed, and her body stiffened. "Mom… she might be in a bad mood because of her hands…" Ming Chu Yan embraced her shoulders from behind, gently comforting her. "Mom's emotions are very volatile right now, please be more understanding."
Ming Zhi Rou's eyes reddened. Her expression appeared incredibly aggrieved, but as she looked up, she managed a strong smile towards Ming Chu Yan. "I know, I understand…" "Mom… she must blame me too. If it weren't for me, Mom's hands wouldn't have become like this." "If it weren't for me, Sister wouldn't refuse to treat Mom." As Ming Zhi Rou spoke, tears flowed down her smiling face. Coupled with the red, swollen marks on her cheeks, her appearance became even more heart-wrenching and pitiable.
Ming Chu Yan was immensely sympathetic and pulled her into a tight hug. "Don't overthink it, it's not your fault. If anyone's to blame, it's Ming Zheng."
Ming Xiu Jin silently walked past them and entered the villa. Upon hearing Ming Chu Yan's words, he paused, raised his heavy gaze, and looked at the embracing pair. He pursed his lips, unable to hold back any longer. "Why is it Ming Zheng's fault? From beginning to end, weren't we the ones causing trouble for Ming Zheng? Her refusal to treat Mom is quite normal." "If it were you, would you save someone who had hurt you?"
Ming Xiu Jin's words made the embracing pair freeze. Ming Zhi Rou peeked out from Ming Chu Yan's embrace, her tear-filled eyes looking at Ming Xiu Jin in disbelief. A flicker of heartbreak appeared in her eyes. "Third Brother, even you… think it's my fault, don't you?" Her voice, her tone, carried a hint of a sob, as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.