Rebirth: My Reclusive Husband Helps Me Get Revenge!-Chapter 76: Meet him

That night, as Lixue laid quietly, the weight of the day’s events pressed down on her like a physical force. Her mother’s condition, the sudden appearance of a grandfather she had never known, and the looming threat of losing control over her care—it all swirled in her mind, refusing to let her rest.

She turned her head to the side, watching the moonlight filter through the curtains. Mo Ran was right, she was exhausted. But no matter how much she wanted to sleep, her thoughts wouldn’t let her.

The uncertainty of tomorrow felt unbearable.

Just as her mind started to drift, her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She reached for it, heart pounding. Was it the hospital? Or was it her grandfather’s butler again?

The screen displayed an unfamiliar number. Lixue hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" she said, her voice cautious.

"Lixue" came a deep, calm voice. "This is Nangong Jiantao. Your grandfather."

Lixue froze, gripping the phone tighter. The voice was authoritative yet calm, carrying the weight of someone used to being listened to.

"How did you get my number?" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.

"I have my ways," Jiantao replied, unfazed. "I wanted to speak with you directly. I assume you’ve been informed of my decision to move your mother to the Nangong estate."

"Your decision?" Lixue snapped, sitting up in bed. "She’s my mother. You don’t get to make decisions for her without consulting me."

There was a pause on the other end before Jiantao spoke again, his voice firm but not unkind. "I understand your frustration, but this isn’t about control, I’ve never stopped your mother from doing what she wanted, all I wanted was for her to be okay. But right now, this is about giving your mother the best care possible. The Nangong estate has the resources to ensure she receives exactly that. It’s been her home for many years, her childhood was here, I’m sure she’ll feel more at home here."

"And where were those resources all these years?" Lixue shot back. "When she was struggling, when she needed help, where were you? Why now?"

Another silence, this one longer. When Jiantao finally responded, his voice carried a note of regret. "You’re right. I wasn’t there. For that, I have no excuse. But I’m here now, and I intend to do what I can to make up for my absence."

Lixue’s chest tightened. The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard, but it didn’t lessen her anger. "You can’t just appear out of nowhere and expect me to trust you. I don’t know you, and neither does she."

"You’re right again," Jiantao said, surprising her with his agreement. "Trust isn’t given; it’s earned. I’m willing to earn yours, Lixue. But for now, I ask you to consider what’s best for your mother. That’s all I’m asking."

Lixue’s grip on the phone loosened slightly. The rational part of her knew he had a point—her mother’s care was the priority. But the emotional part of her, the part that had spent years watching her mother suffer alone, refused to forgive so easily.

"I’ll think about it," she said finally, her tone guarded.

"That’s all I ask," Jiantao replied. "Goodnight, Lixue."

The call ended, leaving her staring at the phone in her hand. She felt no closer to a solution, only more tangled in the complicated web her life had suddenly become.

The next morning, Lixue awoke to the faint sound of birds chirping outside her window. She barely remembered falling asleep, her dreams plagued by fragments of her conversation with Jiantao.

For a brief moment, as she blinked at the soft light spilling into the room, she wished it had all been a bad dream.

But reality settled in quickly, it was heavy and unavoidable.

She dressed hurriedly, her mind already racing with questions.

What would her grandfather do if she outright refused?

Would he use his power and influence to take her mother anyway? The thought of it sent a wave of anger coursing through her.

When she reached the dining room, Mo Ran was already there, dressed in a sharp black suit, sipping his coffee. His gaze softened when he saw her.

"You’re up," he said, setting his cup down. "I was going to let you sleep a bit longer."

"I couldn’t," she admitted, pulling out a chair. "There’s too much on my mind."

Mo Ran studied her for a moment. "Did something happen after we talked last night?"

Lixue hesitated before nodding. "My grandfather called me."

Mo Ran’s expression hardened slightly. "What did he say?"

"He wants me to trust him," she replied, her voice laced with disbelief. "He says this is about what’s best for my mother, but how can I believe that? He’s just a stranger, and now he expects me to hand her over just because he has the resources?"

Mo Ran leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Well you’re her next of kin. That’s why he’s trying to convince you to cooperate. But I think it’s best she lives in with the Nangong family, it’s her home, she must have a lot of memories. I believe she will be happy there. Though Nangong Jiantao approach was not the best, I can see he means well."

"..."

"Are you saying I just let my mother do like that?!"

Mo Ran sipped the coffee as he checked the time, he was already late for work.

"It’s best for you, it’s best for your mother, the Yu family won’t be able to use her against you.."

Lixue’s eyes widened in shock as Mo Ran’s words sank in. She felt a chill run down her spine, her emotions teetering between anger and disbelief.

"You think this is what’s best for me?" she asked, her voice rising. "Mo Ran, this isn’t about convenience or strategy. This is about my mother—my family! How can you even suggest I let her go to someone I don’t even know?"

Mo Ran placed the cup back on the table, his expression calm but filled with resolute. "Lixue, listen to me. I’m not saying you let her go without thought. But this situation isn’t as black and white as it seems. The Nangong family right now, has a house full of memories—things we can’t give Lixue. And if Nangong Jiantao truly means well, this might be the best environment for her, especially considering her condition."

Lixue shook her head, the sting of his words cutting deeper than she’d expected. "So you’re saying I should just trust him? That I should put my faith in a man who abandoned my mother and suddenly decided to show up when it suits him?"

"No," Mo Ran said firmly, standing up and walking around the table to stand in front of her. "I’m saying you should consider all the angles. You’re right to be cautious, and I’d never tell you to blindly trust him. But if there’s even a chance that this could be better for her, isn’t it worth exploring?"

Lixue clenched her fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You don’t understand, Mo Ran. You didn’t grow up watching her struggle, knowing that no one came to help us. You didn’t hear her cry at night when she thought I was asleep. And now, after everything, I’m supposed to just hand her over? How can I do that?"

Mo Ran reached out, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. His gaze was steady, filled with determination. "I understand more than you think. And I know how much your mother means to you. But if you let your emotions drive every decision, you might overlook what’s truly best for her. This isn’t about proving a point to your grandfather or holding onto the past. It’s about her comfort, her happiness."

Lixue stared at him, her chest tightening as conflicting emotions warred within her. She wanted to believe he was right, that Jiantao’s intentions were genuine and this could be a chance for her mother to find peace. But the fear of losing her mother—not just physically, but emotionally—was a weight she couldn’t ignore.

Mo Ran’s voice softened, his thumbs gently brushing her shoulders. "I’m not saying you make a decision now. Meet with Jiantao. Ask the questions that matter. Make him prove that he deserves your trust. And if you still feel it’s not right, I’ll stand by you, no matter what."

Lixue swallowed hard, the intensity of his support both comforting and overwhelming. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright. I’ll meet him. But I’m not making any promises."

Mo Ran gave her a small, reassuring smile. "That’s all I’m asking."

He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before checking his watch. "I’m late for work. But I’ll have my team gather more information on the Nangong family in the meantime. You’ll have everything you need before the meeting."