Chapter 42: Settled
Lily stayed in the hospital for two days. During these two days, her mother visited her a total of three times, something that Mr. Wu didn't seem to like.
"What's wrong with it?" Sun Mei asked him on the second day as they had lunch in the cafeteria and Jenny stayed with Lily. "Don't you want them to spend time together?"
"I do, but Jenny is not a reliable person. Lily will just get used to her presence once more and she will get disappointed all over again when we go home and Jenny stops to visit."
"Oh…"
Mr. Wu smiled at her. "You may know more about kids than me, but I know Jenny better than anyone. I know that you like to think the best of everyone, but some people cannot be trusted. I've learned that the hard way. Jenny will make an effort to see Lily as long as this serves her purpose. Then, she will stop."
Sun Mei did not say anything else. Although it saddened her deeply to think that a mother would just use her daughter whenever it was convenient, she couldn't argue that she knew Jenny Wu better than Mr. Wu.
"How long were you together?" she asked him.
"Embarrassingly long…" said Mr. Wu before averting his eyes.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because… When you are with someone for seven years, like I was with Jenny, you kind of feel like an idiot when you discover their true colors. The longer you've stayed with them, the bigger of an idiot you feel."
"So you're a seven-year idiot?"
Mr. Wu laughed. "Thanks for putting it that way, Sun Mei."
Sun Mei smiled at him. "You're very welcome, sir."
Mr. Wu was right about one thing: Jenny's frequent visits had caused Lily to get attached to her again. That became very evident when Jenny tried to leave that afternoon.
"When are you coming to the hospital again, mommy?" Lily asked with her big watery eyes.
Jenny paused for a second. "I don't think I'm coming here again, sweetie. You're getting discharged in the morning, remember?"
Lily frowned. "But when am I going to see you again?"
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Mr. Wu, who did not seem to want to make this any easier for his wife, remained quiet.
Unfortunately, Jenny had an answer to Lily's question.
"You'll see me at mommy and daddy's photoshoot, remember?"
"Really?" Lily exclaimed excitedly.
Meanwhile, Sun Mei leaned over and whispered to Mr. Wu, "That's still happening?"
"Apparently, yes." Mr. Wu closed his eyes, as if he couldn't bear that painful thought.
"Are we still on for next Thursday, Charles?" Jenny asked him as she picked up her bag.
Mr. Wu paled a little. "Next Thursday? I completely forgot about that. I mean, after everything that happened with Lily… We might as well postpone it, don't you think?"
Jenny seemed ready to object. However, before she could do so, Lily chimed in. "No, daddy, I want to see mommy on Thursday!"
Jenny grinned. "It's settled then!"
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