After the divorce, my ex-husband and son lined up to pursue me.

Chapter 15 changed its face just like that.

Jiang Xia was stunned.

At this moment, my heart felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of ants, and burned by endless flames.

She involuntarily squatted down, feeling the burning heat on Chaochao's body and listening to his choked and trembling voice.

"Don't cry..."

She hurriedly reached out to wipe away Chaochao's tears, and felt even more strongly that Chaochao's fever was still high, and even her tears were shockingly hot.

"Chaochao, don't cry, Mommy didn't abandon you..."

No matter what, they are my own children. I may be angry, but I can't sever the bond of blood.

Jiang Xia hugged him helplessly, wiping away his tears and patting his back to comfort him: "You're still sick, why did you run down here? Mom just wanted to say a few words to Dad, you don't need to worry about anything..."

Chaochao was still sobbing uncontrollably, but her burning little hands gripped Jiang Xia's hand tightly: "You want me, and you want Daddy too... You... You swear..."

Jiang Xia took a deep breath, stood up and picked up Chaochao, but she was so heavy that her waist couldn't support her and she took two steps back. Ruan Muhuai reached out to support her and took Ruan Yuanchao in turn.

"Sweetie, let's go back to our room first."

Ruan Muhuai strode straight upstairs with Chaochao in his arms.

Ruan Yuanchao was still staring longingly at Jiang Xia. Fever made him weak, and he listlessly stretched out his little arms, repeatedly calling out to Jiang Xia, "Mommy..."

Jiang Xia really couldn't bring herself to do it, so she had no choice but to follow.

Upon arriving at the children's room, Ruan Muhuai put Chaochao in bed and covered her with a blanket, but Jiang Xia stopped at the door, looking at the mess in the room... there was no way to even step inside!

The room, which was about 100 square meters, was filled with Ruan Yuanchao's toys and snacks, turning it into a garbage dump!

Aunt Chen doesn't interfere with Chaochao's affairs. Once, when she was cleaning the children's room, she accidentally stepped on and broke one of Chaochao's toy cars. Ruan Yuanchao made a fuss about it for three days. After that, Jiang Xia stopped letting Aunt Chen clean the children's room.

Instead, she taught Chaochao to do things for herself, making Ruan Yuanchao tidy up and clean up after playing every day.

She was away from home for only a few days...

Jiang Xia had nothing to say and didn't want to waste any more words. Hearing Chaochao calling "Mommy" like a mantra, she kicked away the nearby toys and snacks and walked to the bedside.

"Mom's here, don't call." Jiang Xia tucked him in and sat down on the edge of the bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ruan Muhuai preparing medicine and pouring half a cup of hot water for Chaochao.

"Get up and take your medicine first."

Jiang Xia didn't let Chaochao get up, but instead held Ruan Muhuai's hand: "This water is too hot, we need to add some cold water. Also, how many times has Chaochao taken her medicine today?"

"..."

Ruan Muhuai glanced at the medicine in his hand. Xin Rou had been taking care of Chaochao here for the past two days, and he hadn't had a chance to ask her about it in detail.

Jiang Xia didn't get an answer and knew that Ruan Muhuai wasn't a responsible father, so she pushed his hand away and looked at Chaochao: "Tell Mom, how many times did you take your medicine today?"

Ruan Yuanchao leaned weakly against the headboard, her voice feeble: "I don't know, Aunt Xinrou gave me medicine, so I took it..."

Jiang Xia paused, and as she tried to get up again, Ruan Yuanchao grabbed the hem of her clothes.

"Mom, don't go..."

Ruan Yuanchao was a little sleepy, and his whole body ached and felt uncomfortable from exhaustion. He habitually tilted his head and nestled into Jiang Xia's arms, feeling his mother's breath and body temperature. He closed his eyes comfortably.

"Don't abandon me, I'll be good..."

Jiang Xia felt a pang of sadness, but considering her son was still sick, she coaxed him, "Okay, Mommy won't leave, be good. Go to sleep if you're sleepy." She gently patted Chaochao until he fell asleep, then said to Ruan Muhuai beside her, "Go get some ice, and clean towels. And fever-reducing patches? Bring some over too."

For once, Ruan Muhuai didn't give her a cold look; he simply nodded slightly and turned to leave.

"and many more--"

Jiang Xia seemed to remember something else, and casually touched Chaochao's pulse, "Go to the study and bring me the wooden box on the top left of the fifth row of bookshelves."

There was a set of gold needles that she had specially ordered before. In the past, when Chaochao was sick from time to time, she would use acupuncture to help relieve her child's symptoms.

Ruan Muhuai hummed in agreement and soon returned with the things Jiang Xia needed. Watching her meticulously prepare everything, and worried that the ice packs would be too cold, he wrapped them in two towels before carefully placing them on Chaochao's forehead, and then put several fever-reducing patches on his body.

Then, little by little, they removed Chaochao's pajamas and slowly began inserting gold needles into her acupoints to dissipate heat.

Watching her skillful movements, which were as smooth and effortless as flowing water, Ruan Muhuai's eyes were deep and he seemed to be lost in thought.

By the time everything is finished, it will be well past midnight.

Jiang Xia had no desire to argue with him anymore, nor did she want to disturb her son, so she waved her hand at him and said, "Go to sleep, I'll stay with Chaochao."

Ruan Muhuai didn't say anything, but when he reached the door, he turned back and said, "You should go to sleep early too."

Jiang Xia ignored it completely, turned off the lights and left a dim nightlight on. Then, looking at the mess on the floor, she couldn't bear it any longer and began to pick up and tidy up little by little.

Everything was tidied up, and the sky outside was beginning to lighten.

Jiang Xia collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, but her sleep was restless. She could feel someone approaching her, but they didn't disturb her and covered her with a blanket.

I also heard Chaochao murmuring in her sleep, "Mommy...I want Mommy..."

Jiang Xia, half-asleep, was still sighing bitterly. If Chaochao changed his ways, realized he was close to her, and stopped recognizing the thief as his mother, then she really wouldn't be willing to abandon him.

But she was about to die, so how could she support her son's future?

Why not divorce and take half of Ruan Muhuai's property, leaving it all to Chaochao? In the remaining time, she can do her best to teach her son to live independently. After she passes away, Chaochao will have money to rely on and will be able to live a smooth life in the future.

She was lost in thought when Ruan Yuanchao suddenly let out a loud "Ah!" which finally woke Jiang Xia up.

"What's wrong, Chaochao..."

The moment she opened her eyes, she rushed to the crib without thinking of anything else.

But to everyone's surprise, Ruan Yuanchao sat up with a smile, even jumping out of bed a couple of times: "I'm better! My fever's gone down!"

"..."

Jiang Xia was speechless, but then he chuckled.

She reached out and pulled Chaochao: "You just got over your fever, don't move around too much. Come on, lie down quickly, let Mom take a look..."

"Get off!"

Ruan Yuanchao kicked Jiang Xia's hand away, her demeanor completely different from last night. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking quite arrogant and bossy: "Who let you stay here? Where's Aunt Xin Rou?"

Jiang Xia was suddenly stunned.

"It must be you again! You chased Aunt Xinrou away! I don't want you! I want Aunt Xinrou! Go away, go away!" Ruan Yuanchao said while waving her little hands and feet, kicking and chasing Jiang Xia like a dog being beaten down.

(End of this chapter)