Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Profound Motherly Love
 

(Chapter Nineteen)

That evening, Luo Ziling once again shared a bed with Ling Ruonan.

After discussing matters related to the grudges of the wealthy clans, Luo Ziling asked about the experiences Ling Ruonan had gone through over the years, and Ling Ruonan also wanted to know more about Luo Ziling’s upbringing.

Thus, mother and son talked in bed about various things, and when the conversation turned emotional or poignant, they would occasionally wipe away a tear or runny nose.

As they spoke, Luo Ziling grew sleepy, and Ling Ruonan told him to go to sleep first; Luo Ziling fell asleep in the bed without even washing up.

Leaning on the bed, after watching Luo Ziling sweetly fall asleep for a while, the equally sleepy Ling Ruonan also drifted off to sleep.

Without washing up or changing into pajamas, she slept next to her son, still dressed in her casual home attire.

In the middle of the night, Luo Ziling woke up, quietly removed his outer clothing without waking the fast asleep Ling Ruonan, and went back to sleep.

While Ling Ruonan slept, the lights were still on; Luo Ziling left only a small lamp at the head of the bed on and turned off all the rest, also making sure Ling Ruonan was well-covered with a blanket.

The next morning, when Ling Ruonan woke up, she saw that Luo Ziling was still sound asleep.

After a long moment, she finally understood what had happened.

Seeing the blanket over her and only the bedside lamp turned on, Ling Ruonan knew that Luo Ziling had woken up during the night, and he had been the one to tuck her in. A surge of indescribable tenderness filled her heart, and she watched Luo Ziling fondly.

Ling Ruonan had always been very vigilant, cautious of anyone around her.

For all these years, Ling Ruonan never shared a bed with anyone else. Li Jing, who used to follow her closely, and Wuyue, who is with her now, were intimate, but whether traveling or on business trips, they always had separate rooms or at least separate beds.

She never even shared a bed with other women, let alone men.

She had never imagined herself sleeping in the same bed with a man.

But now, she slept with another man without any reservations, no defensiveness whatsoever.

She believed that if it had been Luo Xusheng instead of Luo Ziling, she would not have slept so soundly, without a trace of caution.

Only her son could make her feel this secure, to sleep peacefully by his side without any second thoughts.

In Ling Ruonan’s heart, her son was someone who needed her eternal protection. She would guard against anyone, even her own man, but not her son. In her heart, Luo Ziling would never pose a threat, and that’s why she could sleep so boldly by his side.

Watching Luo Ziling sleep so soundly, with glimpses of happiness on his face, Ling Ruonan felt an indescribable sweetness within her. At that moment, she felt truly happy, and the deep maternal love in her heart seemed to overflow.

This was her son, the child she carried for ten months and gave birth to, the visceral feeling of blood connection made her uncontrollably emotional.

Last night, she had dreamed of Luo Ziling as a little boy again.

His carefree crying when he was fussy, his chubby little body in the bathtub when she bathed him, the content look on his face when he was breastfed, his adorable sleeping posture, and recalling these upon waking still made her want to cry with excitement.

She knew that the happiest, most contented thing for her over the past twenty years was the feeling of Luo Ziling hugging her in his arms as a child.

Unfortunately, my son has already grown up so much that there’s no longer an opportunity to lift him up, give him protection with my embrace, bathe him, dress him, change his diapers, or feed him milk. The sense of loss really tugs at one’s heartstrings and is filled with regret, a pity that can no longer be remedied.

The only consolation is that Luo Ziling has returned to her side, and she can see him often and even sleep with him, quietly watching him fall asleep. Watching Luo Ziling sleep so soundly, Ling Ruonan couldn’t help but smile happily, smiling until tears came out.

It wasn’t sadness, nor was it excitement, it was just a feeling that made her want to cry.

At that moment, Luo Ziling gently opened his eyes and, after blinking twice, seemed to notice Ling Ruonan quietly watching him and broke into a smile.

Seeing Luo Ziling smile at her after opening his eyes, Ling Ruonan quickly wiped her eyes and sat up on the bed, softly saying, “Ling’er, are you awake?”

“I was a bit sleepy last night and fell asleep just like that,” Luo Ziling said, feeling embarrassed as he propped himself up, “without even taking off my clothes or washing my face.”

“It’s okay, Mom will go make breakfast,” though she said so, Ling Ruonan didn’t get up, instead she reached out to caress Luo Ziling’s face, “If you’re still sleepy, sleep a little longer. You don’t have classes today anyway.”

“I’ve slept enough, I’ll get up and take a shower,” Luo Ziling sat up straight.

Ling Ruonan sat up too and only then did she notice that Luo Ziling’s clothes were all wrinkled from sleeping in them the night before. Her own clothes were in a state of disarray as well.

Ling Ruonan, who was usually very conscientious about her appearance, didn’t give a second thought to the messiness of her own clothes but quickly instructed, “Take off the clothes you’re wearing and throw them in the washing machine. Just put on the new clothes Mom bought for you, and go back looking polished and nice. I’ll take a shower too, and then make breakfast for you.”

Only then did she realize her own clothes were as wrinkled as dried vegetables and quickly sat up.

After standing up, she prepared clothes for Luo Ziling, including underwear, pants, shoes, and socks. She prepared everything for him.

Seeing Ling Ruonan prepare all these things for him, Luo Ziling felt a warm current flowing in his heart and felt a bit of heat in his eyes.

To avoid letting Ling Ruonan see the redness in his eyes, he hurried into the bathroom, claiming he needed to take care of a physiological issue first.

When Luo Ziling came out of the bathroom, Ling Ruonan had already placed the clothes she prepared on the bed for him to change into.

Touched by his mother’s care, Luo Ziling decided that when he had the chance, he would often come back to stay.

At Ling Ruonan’s place, he felt the love of a mother and the feeling of home.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, Luo Ziling found that Ling Ruonan, who usually took her time with showers, had already prepared breakfast in just over ten minutes, all to avoid delaying cooking for her son.

After a heartwarming breakfast together, Luo Ziling didn’t rush back but continued to chat with Ling Ruonan and do housework.

He had developed a deep attachment to Ling Ruonan, and his longing for motherly love made him not want to leave.

Around ten o’clock, Luo Ziling’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number, and he hesitated, thinking about not answering, but Ling Ruonan urged him to take the call.

“Mr. Luo, this is Fang Dongxun. Are you free at noon? Let’s have coffee together.”

To his surprise, it was Fang Dongxun calling to invite him for coffee. Luo Ziling was quite taken aback.

But in the end, he didn’t refuse and accepted Fang Dongxun’s invitation.