On the outskirts of Beijing, there was a high-end sanatorium known for its beautiful and serene environment, professional nursing team, and privacy. A lot of retired individuals of wealth and power from the capital city came here to spend their final years.
On a quiet green path within the sanatorium, a caregiver was pushing an elderly man with white hair and a frail appearance for a walk. This man was Fu Zonghong. Over the past three to four years, his health had declined rapidly. Despite that, he had been desperately trying to manage the Fu Group’s affairs, hoping to one day hand over a flourishing legacy to Wenwen.
But his body failed him before he could see his grandson grow up. After collapsing at the company one day, his health deteriorated drastically, leaving him no longer able to manage his large enterprise. Fortunately, he had prepared for the inevitable by training a capable proxy to take over the company’s management. Thankfully, the transition was timely, and the proxy was competent, quickly stabilizing the Fu Group, which had been in slight disarray because of Fu Zonghong’s collapse. Seeing the situation stabilized, Fu Zonghong settled into life at the sanatorium.
The caregiver pushed him to the lakeside, where the lush greenery and the vibrant lake created a picture of tranquility and vitality. The lake, teeming with fish, was a popular spot for the leisurely retired to fish and pass the time.
Children visiting their grandparents played on the lawn, their innocent laughter reaching Fu Zonghong’s ears. His gaze softened, a smile on his lips as he watched the tranquil scene before him.
His eyes, somewhat cloudy with age, became distant. He thought of the grandson he hadn’t seen much and his daughter…
They now had a good home, and he could rest easy.
Two years prior, Fu Zonghong had attended his daughter’s wedding, albeit only from a distance, unable to play the father’s role or bless her in person. Fearing she would be unhappy to see him, he never showed himself throughout the occasion.
He longed for his daughter’s forgiveness, but now he realized he might not live to see that day.
The more he reflected on the past, the more guilt he felt. He had failed his daughter. It was his own mistakes that had turned her warm heart cold. Even if he wished to make amends, it was too late; she no longer needed anything from him.
The last time they met in person, his daughter told him that the one who had the right to forgive him had long gone. Since then, he has been plagued by nightmares of his daughter dying alone, lonely and cold, all because of his neglect and indifference.
The grief was too much to bear, and he awakened countless times from the same nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. But Fu Zonghong didn’t dare to dwell on the thought; knowing that Yunruo was alive and well was his only consolation now.
Still, he wanted to do something for her. Ever since he knew the identity of the man his daughter married, he was aware the Fu family’s assets were nothing to them. Yet, it was still their family’s legacy, the wealth that he had spent all his life accumulating, and he wanted to pass it down to his only daughter. Wealthy families like the Si generally had a complex family structure; no matter how good Yunruo’s husband was to her, some tongues would still wiggle if she married without bringing a proper dowry. Worried that his daughter and grandson might have a difficult life, Fu Zonghong wished to at least leave them a proper inheritance.
However, he never got to see Fu Yunruo and her son again.
Fu Zonghong sighed, regretting that he had spent half his life in confusion, pushing his only daughter away. Now, he faced a lonely end, one he deserved.
Being a high-class facility, this sanatorium was equipped with 24-hour medical staff, dedicated caregivers for each resident, and a pleasant environment with fellow residents for company. Fu Zonghong’s life was comfortable and easy. His only regret was that while his peers enjoyed visits from their families, he remained truly alone.
A caregiver approached and respectfully asked, “Mr. Fu, Mrs. Fang has requested to visit you. Would you like to see her?”
Fu Zonghong was silent for a moment before sighing. Not that no one visited him; there were some, like his ex-wife, who had been eager to see him since learning he lived in this sanatorium.
Fu Zonghong’s expression was complicated. As people age, they tend to cling to the past, yet he had never agreed to meet her. They had been husband and wife for many years and he still had some remaining feelings toward Fang Wanping, but he couldn’t forget her once cold words.
He knew Fang Wanping’s intentions — nothing more than hoping to soften his heart and reclaim her position as Madam Fu, finally enjoying a comfortable life again.
Although Fu Zonghong had never acted against Fang Wanping, the Chang family, or Fang Xueruo, he observed their downfall from a distance.
He used to believe that Fang Wanping, at least, was genuinely devoted to her daughter, but he eventually realized her utterly selfish nature. When it came to her interests, she could even abandon her own daughter.
When the Chang family was prosperous, Fang Wanping still had some patience with Fang Xueruo, whom she expected to marry Chang Zhuyou. But once the Chang family went bankrupt and was forced to leave the capital, her attitude instantly changed. She saw her new in-laws, the Changs, as a burden and feared they would turn to her for help.
The money and property Fu Zonghong left her were her only means of support, and she clung to them desperately, unwilling to share with even her daughter.
After a moment of silence, Fu Zonghong calmly said, “No, I don’t want to see her. Take me back.” The joy of family was a luxury he longed for but could no longer obtain. Now, all he wished for was to ensure the Fu family’s legacy was securely passed to Fu Yunruo and her son.
Although the sanatorium functioned as a retirement home, it was not a typical individual living unit within a larger residential building. Instead, it was composed of private villas, each with a dedicated professional team. The annual cost for such luxury was high, but those who could afford it were well-off.
Just after returning to his villa, his long-time assistant, now the vice president, came to see him. Fu Zonghong immediately asked, “Did he agree to meet?”
The vice president bowed slightly and respectfully replied, “Yes, he said he would visit you in two days.”
Fu Zonghong’s face softened slightly.
…
At the entrance of the sanatorium, Fang Wanping was informed by the front desk that Fu Zonghong had declined her visit again. Biting her lip, she left unwillingly. Her life hadn’t been easy these years. Although she was economically better off than most people, everything was relative. Her current life was far removed from her days as Madam Fu. After twenty years of luxury, how could she be content returning to a life where buying even a piece of jewelry required careful consideration?
Fang Wanping always felt she hadn’t done anything wrong; it was all her stupid daughter’s fault. She thought Fu Zonghong should have forgiven her by now. Yet years passed, and she still hadn’t found a way to get close to him.
Later, learning he had moved into the sanatorium, she visited daily, believing that Fu Zonghong, who lived alone in the sanatorium, needed someone to care for him. She believed her concern and sincerity would eventually soften his heart.
Fang Wanping had planned well but hadn’t expected Fu Zonghong to be so stubborn. Left with no other choice, she would have to look for another opportunity.
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This woman, really?!