Corpse Recovery Diver-Chapter 1209 - 218:

The old woman was initially startled, then her face broke into a delighted smile. Just as she was about to rush forward, Grandpa Bei coughed.

The old woman closed her eyes, clenched her teeth, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to embrace the young man:

"Oh, this child, I've missed you so much, missed you so much!"

Tears fell from the old woman's eyes as she gently caressed the young man's face, scrutinizing him carefully.

In fact, Li Zhiyuan didn't spend much time with Grandma Bei. Even when Li Lan's illness wasn't as severe, their small family only maintained the bare minimum of contact and interaction with Grandpa Bei's family.

Comparatively, his cousins were closer to Grandma Bei and often seen and accompanied her.

But the longing at this moment was genuine.

After all, his poor father, wounded by love, had completely immersed himself in work.

The two elders pinned their longing for their son onto him, coupled with the more unattainable something is, the more it is desired, and that classic "distant fragrance is better than close stink."

Li Zhiyuan allowed her to embrace and gaze at him, his expression calm, wearing a subtle and gentle smile.

Inside, indeed, there was little turbulence.

In the past, he might have felt negative and helpless about his lack of emotional fluctuation, a sense of frustration at the inability to express genuine positive emotions.

Now, he didn't anymore.

Since there weren't deep emotional ties, there was no need to force himself.

The old woman turned to the old man: "Can't we take the child home for a night? I can personally make him something to eat..."

The old man: "Seek her approval first."

The old woman bit her lip hard, a trace of fierceness in her eyes.

Grandma Bei hates Li Lan deeply.

Li Zhiyuan thought Grandma Bei's hatred was justified and understandable.

His father, whether in the role of husband or father, was impeccable, but such a person was not only manipulated emotionally, but also devastated.

From Grandma Bei's standpoint, her beloved youngest son was utterly destroyed by Li Lan.

The old woman secretly stuffed a piece of paper into Li Zhiyuan's pocket, pressed her face against the young man's, deliberately lowered her voice into his ear:

"My grandson, whatever you want, remember to call or write to Grandma, I'll help you. We'll keep it from that stubborn old man, and also from your wicked mom!"

"Hmm."

"Haha, good boy!"

The old woman laughed through her tears; such a simple response was immense comfort to her, and in a certain way, a redemption.

Actually, Li Zhiyuan could see, Grandpa Bei noticed Grandma Bei's little gesture, but he deliberately turned his head away this time, pretending not to have seen.

Grandpa Bei: "Let's go; the child has to catch a flight back in the morning."

The old woman reluctantly let go, leaving with frequent backward glances.

Li Zhiyuan stood in place, watching them gradually depart.

Alongside the road, a small car slowly followed beside them.

Only when Grandma Bei turned and could no longer see him did Li Zhiyuan turn and prepare to leave.

Throughout, his heart was utterly still, but remarkably, he felt no aversion.

This was itself a significant progress, shifting from negative to zero.

Since he turned himself into a Heart Demon to subdue his Body, the danger level increased, but the impact of the illness on him decreased.

Li Zhiyuan rather enjoyed this feeling.

After walking a few steps, the young man stopped.

On the pedestrian bridge, stood a woman's silhouette.

"Xiao Yuan?"

The visitor was Li Lan's secretary, Aunt Xu.

Li Zhiyuan always believed Li Lan chose Aunt Xu as her assistant because she valued Aunt Xu's Nantong origin.

Having Aunt Xu as a buffer could help Li Lan cut off from his hometown and family.

The monthly support fund and New Year's gifts for his grandparents were probably handled by Aunt Xu, including answering calls from his hometown.

Li Weihan and Cui Guiying could no longer distinguish their daughter's voice.

Aunt Xu stepped down from the pedestrian bridge, approached Li Zhiyuan, and asked:

"Xiao Yuan, those two just now were?"

"You know them, but you dared not come out just now."

Aunt Xu's face was briefly stunned.

Li Zhiyuan: "Li Lan isn't in Beijing now, right?"

"Your mom went to participate in a new project, but she knew you were coming to Beijing, so she sent me..."

"To disgust me?"

Aunt Xu pursed her lips, and at that moment, confirmed she felt the same pressure from this young man as from her boss.

"Xiao Yuan, I won't..."

"You can't hide it from her, you lack the confidence to lie to her."

"I..."

"Tell her exactly, it's okay, she'll be happy to hear about it."

"Then..."

Just then, Aunt Xu's pager buzzed; she glanced down and said: "Xiao Yuan, your mom asks if you want to talk to her on the phone."

Ahead was a newsstand, Li Zhiyuan walked over, Aunt Xu followed.

Li Zhiyuan looked at her.

Aunt Xu picked up the receiver, dialed the number.

Soon, the call was answered.

Aunt Xu handed the receiver to Li Zhiyuan and walked away.

The newsstand owner was leaning his head, dozing off.

Li Zhiyuan: "Hello."

Li Lan: "Haha, not even calling 'Mom' anymore?"

Li Zhiyuan's gaze fell on the story magazine outside the newsstand, some new, some old; the young man picked up several intending to bring them for Grandmaster to read on the flight tomorrow.

He placed the newspapers on the counter, gesturing for the newsstand owner to count for payment, while squeezing in a response to Li Lan's question:

"Do you think someone who can't even control her illness deserves to be called 'Mom'?"

"My son, Mom truly envies you, still able to harbor those unrealistic dreams and expectations. Do you know, some things not only look beautiful, but their sound when peeling away is even more enchanting."

Li Zhiyuan asked the newsstand owner: "How much?"

The newsstand owner counted the editions, calculated the money, and pointed at the phone to remind: "You haven't finished your call yet." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Li Zhiyuan handed over a bill and pointed at Aunt Xu standing afar: "She'll cover the call cost."

"Alright, I'll get you the change, young man, who are you on call with?"

"My mom."

On the other end, Li Lan suddenly fell silent.

Li Zhiyuan received the change and spoke into the receiver:

"Li Lan, your incompetence makes me sick."