Chapter 279 - 277: Yang Cai is a Little Sun

On the other end of the line, Zhao Hongshan’s voice carried a hint of cautious probing, as if he were terrified of hearing bad news.

"Is she... really adjusting well? That child has never left home since she was little. I’m afraid she won’t be able to sleep in a strange bed, that she won’t be used to the food outside, and that she... still resents me in her heart."

Yang Xun understood the old father’s concerns. His tone was gentle but firm. "Mr. Zhao, please rest assured. Linglong is doing very well here.

"She’s recovered from her illness and has a great appetite. In just two days, she’s gained a little weight, her complexion is rosier, and she’s much more energetic than when I first met her."

Zhao Hongshan fell silent for a moment. Over the phone, only his slightly heavy breathing could be heard.

After a long while, he murmured, "That’s good... that’s good.

"Divine Doctor Yang, I’ll leave Linglong in your care. Please tell her that the doors to her home will always be open to her. She can come back whenever she wants."

"I’ll pass on the message," Yang Xun replied.

He listened to a faint sigh from the other end before the line disconnected with a busy signal.

He put down his phone, changed his clothes, and headed home.

When he returned to the villa, the living room was quiet. Zhao Linglong sat cross-legged on the sofa, hugging a throw pillow to her chest. The TV was on, but her gaze was blankly fixed on the world outside the window.

Hearing his footsteps, she turned her head, and her amber eyes instantly lit up. "Dr. Yang, you’re back."

Yang Xun sat down beside her, his tone casual. "Your dad called me just now."

Zhao Linglong’s body stiffened slightly. She lowered her eyes, her voice carrying a muffled, nasal quality. "What did he say?"

"He asked if you were doing well. He said the doors to your home will always be open for you, and you can go back whenever you want."

Zhao Linglong stayed silent for a few seconds. Her fingers unconsciously picked at the edge of the pillow, and her voice was so low it sounded like she was talking to herself. "I... I don’t want to go back."

"Why not?"

Zhao Linglong looked up, a stubborn gleam in her eyes. It seemed she had to muster all her courage just to speak. "Actually, I kind of hate him."

Yang Xun didn’t interrupt her, choosing to listen quietly.

"I was only five when my mom passed away. I didn’t understand anything; I only knew how to cry.

"Later, when he married my stepmother, I thought the house would be a bit livelier. But after she arrived, I never had a home again.

"She was always two-faced—acting one way in front of my dad and another behind his back. She said I was mentally ill, that I was crazy all day long and an absolute embarrassment.

"Lili followed her example. She constantly slandered me and stole my things.

"I told my dad about it, but every time he just gave me some platitude about how a harmonious family prospers in all things, telling me to endure it."

Zhao Linglong’s voice began to tremble, and her eyes grew red, but she bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling. "I’ve yielded to them for over a decade. I’ve endured it for over a decade, but they only worsened.

"I know they want to drive me away. They’re greedy to the core. I don’t care what they think of me, but he is my father, and he never once considered my feelings."

She looked up at Yang Xun, her voice ringing with an unprecedented earnestness. "Dr. Yang, I don’t want to endure it anymore."

Looking into her tearful yet exceptionally resolute eyes, Yang Xun felt a gentle tug at his heartstrings. He reached out and gently rubbed her head, his voice softer than usual. "If you don’t want to endure it, then don’t. You still have me.

"If you ever get homesick in the future, I’ll accompany you back for a visit. But if you don’t want to go back, then you won’t."

Zhao Linglong’s tears finally fell, but as she cried, the corners of her mouth curled upward. It was as if the grievances she had suppressed for so long had finally found an outlet.

"Thank you."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhao Linglong threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.

Just then, the sound of brisk footsteps came from the doorway, followed immediately by a crisp, cheerful voice. "Brother! I’ve come to see you!"

Yang Cai bounced into the room like a little sparrow. She wore a pale yellow dress with her hair tied in a high ponytail, and she was carrying a thermos.

When she saw Zhao Linglong and Yang Xun hugging, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her big, clear eyes went round as saucers, darting back and forth between the two of them.

"Brother... you... you have a guest over?" She set down the thermos and stood awkwardly in place. Her gaze unconsciously sized up Zhao Linglong, and a wave of curiosity washed over her.

Yang Xun quickly let go of Zhao Linglong and waved at his sister. "Xiaocai, come here. Let me introduce you. This is Zhao Linglong. She’s my patient and is temporarily staying here."

Zhao Linglong hastily wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She stood up and offered Yang Cai a faint smile. "Hello, I’m Zhao Linglong."

"H-hello! I’m Yang Cai!" she replied hurriedly, letting her gaze linger on Zhao Linglong’s face for a couple of seconds.

She couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at how pretty this older girl was; her skin was incredibly fair, and her eyes sparkled like amber. But her brother was far too close to her. Could it be that he was keeping another woman on the side?

Yang Cai instantly grew vigilant. Her sister-in-law treated her so well; she had to stand by her side. She absolutely would not allow anyone to destroy her brother and sister-in-law’s marriage!

"Why were you crying? Did someone bully you?" Seeing Zhao Linglong’s red-rimmed eyes, Yang Cai couldn’t help but ask out of concern.

She was naturally a lively and talkative girl. Years of illness had made her a bit withdrawn, but now that her condition was improving, she had returned to being her former sunny self.

"No, we were just talking about some family matters, and I got a little emotional," Zhao Linglong replied.

Hearing this, Yang Cai jogged over and sat down in front of her. Lowering her voice slightly, she said, "You can tell me about it. We can share the burden of unhappy things together."

Despite it being their first meeting, Zhao Linglong felt a strong affinity for the girl and confided her troubles.

Yang Cai slapped her thigh, a nonchalant expression on her face. "Actually, I’m just like you! I grew up without a mom too, but I have my brother to take care of me. I’m doing pretty great right now!

"Plus, I got sick too, but I never gave up because I believe my brother will definitely save me!" She raised her chin proudly, looking incredibly adorable.

Yang Xun couldn’t help but laugh, though a hint of sorrow also welled up inside him. A lively and lovable girl like his sister should have been pampered as the little princess of the family, yet she had suffered so many hardships alongside him.

"You have to know that no one’s life is perfect. Your dad might have neglected you, but I think he loves you. He just loves you in the wrong way," Yang Cai said earnestly.

Even though she was only two years younger than Zhao Linglong, she sounded like an adult comforting a child.

Looking into Yang Cai’s bright, earnest eyes, Zhao Linglong felt the knot of resentment that had long clogged her heart gently begin to dissolve.