Chapter 39: Lovers United at Last

"Xiaoke, no matter what kind of love it is, it cannot be selfish, do you understand?" Although Zheng Ke understood this simple truth, she was unwilling to admit it aloud.

"Your father's love for you springs from the fact that you are his daughter. To put it another way, if you weren't his daughter, would he still go to such lengths to care for you? I think you know as well as I do that the answer is no."

"But..." Zheng Ke wanted to argue further, but Zhang Shen did not give her the chance.

"Let me finish. Xiaoke, what your father gives you is a father's love, while what exists between him and Wei Xiaorong is a different kind of love—it's called romantic affection. Perhaps you cannot yet grasp the true meaning of love, but I believe that one day you will experience its sweetness. But when that sweetness is ruthlessly torn in two, will you still find it sweet?"

"No," Zheng Ke answered honestly.

"That's right, they won't feel sweetness anymore, for not only is there no one to bless them, but instead, they're being cruelly separated. Their love is destined to be bitter. Your father and Wei Xiaorong have already taken so many detours in life; now, neither wants to miss the other. Can you really be so heartless as their daughter?"

"I..." Zheng Ke bit her soft lips gently and lowered her head, choking back sobs.

"When you were ill, what did Wei Xiaorong have to gain by running herself ragged for you? To be blunt, she isn't your mother and you aren't her daughter. As the director of the Health Bureau, what reason did she have to care for you so meticulously? Of course, perhaps you know these things even without me saying them."

"I know." Though Zheng Ke's reply was only three words, Zhang Shen understood that she truly lacked a mother's gentle love, while what Wei Xiaorong offered was exactly that maternal affection. With such tangled emotions, it was no wonder Zheng Ke had repeatedly resented Wei Xiaorong.

"Your father is still in his prime now, but what about when he grows old? Is he to have no one by his side to speak with? Xiaoke, as I said, one cannot be selfish in life; sometimes, you must think for others as well." Zhang Shen exhorted her with heartfelt sincerity.

After listening, Zheng Ke began to recognize her own faults. She had always been aware of Wei Xiaorong's care and her father's concern. Perhaps she truly had been too selfish, never considering the story between her father and Wei Xiaorong. But after hearing Zhang Shen's words, she realized how much she owed both of them.

After a long moment of reflection, Zheng Ke finally said to Zhang Shen, "Healer, you are right. I should think further ahead for my father's sake. I understand your good intentions—please, let them come in."

Hearing that Zheng Ke understood, Zhang Shen was delighted and hurried to let Zheng Tiande and Wei Xiaorong into the room, though he did not allow Jiang Muyun and Mu Qiao to follow.

As soon as Zheng Tiande entered, he rushed to his daughter's bedside. Though he trusted the healer's skills, he felt that unlocking the knot in Zheng Ke's heart would take some time.

Only now did Zheng Ke truly observe her father's face. She had always seen him as a young man, but at this moment, she noticed the first hint of wrinkles at his eyes and the white hairs at his temples. Her father was gradually aging. Witnessing this, Zheng Ke could not bear to make him worry any longer. As Zhang Shen said, her father needed someone by his side.

"Wei... Auntie," she called. From the woman she hated most to this term of address, Zheng Ke crossed many barriers within herself. Yet, she found the sudden change strange and unfamiliar.

What she didn't know was that she was not alone in feeling this awkwardness.

At first, Wei Xiaorong thought she was imagining things. Only when Zheng Ke called her "Auntie" a second time did she realize it was real. After quietly composing herself, Wei Xiaorong replied, "Yes?"

Though brief, that single word carried deep meaning for Wei Xiaorong. She knew this was a sign that Zheng Ke was accepting her. The future she and Zheng Tiande hoped for might truly be at hand.

"Auntie Wei, could you come here a moment?" Zheng Ke called.

The moment Wei Xiaorong heard Zheng Ke summon her, she hurried to the bedside in just a few steps.

"What is it, Xiaoke? Are you feeling unwell?" Wei Xiaorong's concern for Zheng Ke was unchanged, much to Zheng Tiande's relief.

Zheng Ke spoke softly, "Auntie Wei, I was young and thoughtless before. I hope you can forgive me..."

Before Zheng Ke could finish, Wei Xiaorong interrupted gently, "Child, what are you saying? How could I ever blame you? I've always regarded you as my own. What mother would hold a grudge against her child?"

Lacking a mother's love, Zheng Ke burst into tears at these words.

Seeing this, Wei Xiaorong immediately embraced Zheng Ke, comforting her, "Don't cry, child."

Just as Zhang Shen was watching this heartwarming scene, someone beside him exclaimed, "What's going on here?"

Turning around, Zhang Shen saw it was Jiang Muyun, with Mu Qiao in tow.

"It's a family reunion," Zhang Shen replied.

"Family? Has Xiaoke accepted Wei Xiaorong?" Jiang Muyun could hardly believe it. Two women who once clashed fiercely were now embracing—her worldview was utterly overturned.

"Is this your doing?" Jiang Muyun knew that only Zhang Shen could have orchestrated this, but she was most curious about how he had managed it.

"Well, naturally, it was thanks to my silver tongue."

"Nonsense! If not your tongue, would you have used your feet?" Jiang Muyun could never resist bickering with Zhang Shen, no matter the occasion.

"I reasoned with her, moved her emotions, and after much persuasion, finally convinced Zheng Ke."

"Who would have thought you could be so persuasive!"

At this moment, Zheng Tiande, having calmed down from his tears, declared, "From now on, we are a family."

Zheng Ke and Wei Xiaorong both nodded.

"What a loving scene! I must capture this moment and present it as a grand gift at Chairman Zheng and Director Wei's wedding," Zhang Shen announced. With that, he took out his phone and snapped several touching photos in quick succession.