Rebirth: Illuminating a Brilliant Life

Chapter 159 The Harm of Lies and the Redemption of Maternal Love

Nianci's world collapsed in that instant. Her grandmother's words were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into her young heart. "Your father is going to find you a stepmother, and he won't want you anymore." These cold words echoed in her mind over and over again, making her ears ache and shattering all her sense of security.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. Nianci gazed at her familiar yet alien home, overwhelmed by resentment and fear, she could no longer bear it. She didn't want to face a home that might no longer belong to her, didn't want to face a future with a stepmother. So, biting her lip, she turned and ran desperately out of the house.

The wind whistled past her ears, drying her tears, but unable to dispel the gloom in her heart. Nianci ran wildly, not knowing how long she ran or where she was. When she finally stopped, she was surrounded by unfamiliar scenery: towering buildings and bustling traffic, but not a single familiar face in sight.

At this moment, Nianci's fear had reached its peak. She stood bewildered on the street, watching the passing crowds, unsure who to turn to for help. Home, that once warm harbor, now seemed impossibly far away. And she was like a lost bird, adrift in a vast world, unable to find her way home.

The moment Su Xuan learned that Nianci was missing, she felt as if the whole world was spinning. Her phone fell to the ground with a thud, and she swayed, nearly collapsing to the floor if she hadn't caught herself on the table.

"How could this happen? How could this be..." Su Xuan murmured to herself, her voice trembling violently, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She didn't bother wiping away her tears and rushed out the door like a madwoman.

Along the way, Su Xuan was extremely anxious, her mind filled with all sorts of dangerous scenarios that Nianci might encounter. She asked everyone she met, her voice hoarse with worry: "Have you seen a little girl this tall, with a ponytail and big eyes..." But she mostly received shakes of the head in response.

Su Xuan arrived at the park Nianci loved to visit, calling out her daughter's name as she searched carefully in every corner. She didn't overlook any possible location, even hiding in the grass or behind the artificial hill; she checked everything personally. Sweat soaked her clothes, and her hair clung messily to her face, but she was completely oblivious.

After searching for a long time, Su Xuan still couldn't find Nianci. Suddenly, Su Xuan remembered a secret hideout Nianci had mentioned before—a small corner next to an abandoned construction site behind the residential area, where Nianci and her friends had hidden treasures. Su Xuan rushed there without stopping, silently praying that her daughter was there.

When she finally spotted Nianci's huddled figure in that small corner, Su Xuan's legs went weak, and she almost knelt on the ground. "Nianci!" she cried out, her voice trembling with tears, and rushed over.

Nianci looked up and saw her mother. All her grievances and fear turned into tears and surged forth. "Mom!" She threw herself into Su Xuan's arms and cried loudly.

Su Xuan hugged Nianci tightly, as if she were holding the whole world. She kept stroking Nianci's hair, choking back tears as she said, "Baby, Mommy's here, Mommy's here, don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."

After a long while, Su Xuan gradually calmed down and took Nianci's hand as they walked home. On the way, she softly asked Nianci why she had run away. Nianci sobbed as she told her mother what her grandmother had said.

When Su Xuan found Nianci, the weight in her heart hadn't completely lifted. After learning the cause of the incident, anger surged to her head, and she trembled violently with rage. Her eyes were red, and she frantically pulled out her phone, her trembling fingers quickly dialing Cheng Ran's number.

As soon as the call connected, Su Xuan roared hysterically into the receiver like an enraged lioness: "Cheng Ran! What did your precious mother say to Nianci? She actually told Nianci that you were going to find her a stepmother and abandon her! Do you know how much suffering Nianci has endured alone because of those words? How old is she? How could you be so cruel!" Su Xuan's voice was shrill and almost cracked, every word filled with her anger and despair, as if she were being consumed by this rage.

Before Cheng Ran could speak on the other end of the phone, Su Xuan was already sobbing uncontrollably, but her anger made it impossible for her to stop: "Do you know how desperate I was when I was looking for Nianci? I ran all over the streets, asking everyone I met, my voice was hoarse and my legs were about to break. I kept thinking that if I couldn't find Nianci, I wouldn't want to live anymore! And what happened? It was all because of your mother's nonsense!" At this moment, Su Xuan had completely lost her usual composure. Her tears flowed freely, her makeup was ruined, and she looked extremely disheveled.

After pausing for a moment, Su Xuan took a deep breath, her breath filled with anger and resentment. She said coldly, "Cheng Ran, let me tell you, I've tolerated you before because of Nianci. But this time, I will never back down! From now on, you can forget about ever seeing Nianci again. Nianci's surname is Su, and from today onwards, she has nothing to do with your Cheng family! You and your mother, get as far away from us as possible and don't bother us again!" With that, Su Xuan used all her strength to smash her phone away. With a "crack," the phone shattered, as if this would completely sever her ill-fated ties with Cheng Ran's family.

Su Xuan hugged Nianci tightly, as if she wanted to pass on all her strength and warmth to her. She gently patted Nianci's back, her voice as gentle as the softest breeze in spring: "Baby, it's all over now. Mommy is here. No one will hurt you anymore."

Nianci trembled as she cried in her mother's arms, her small body seemingly bearing too much fear and grievance. Su Xuan looked at her with heartache, gently wiping away Nianci's tears, "My dear child, Mom knows you're suffering, but please don't believe those words. Although Mom and Dad have separated, our love for you has never changed, and we will never abandon you."

Su Xuan carried Nianci to the bed, letting her lean against her chest, and continued softly, "You are the most important treasure in my life, the apple of my eye. No matter what happens, I will always be by your side, protecting you and watching you grow up." Her eyes were filled with firmness and tenderness, an undeniable maternal love.

Nianci lifted her tear-streaked face and asked timidly, "Mommy, is it true? You really won't leave me?" Su Xuan nodded firmly and planted a deep kiss on Nianci's forehead. "Of course it's true, Mommy swears. From now on, no matter what unhappy things happen, you must tell Mommy immediately, okay?"

Nianci hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "But Grandma said Daddy has a new auntie and doesn't like me anymore." Su Xuan sighed softly and patiently explained, "Daddy's love for you will never change. Even if there are other people in Daddy's life, you will still be the most special person in his heart. But if someone makes you unhappy, don't be afraid, Mommy will stand in front of you."

As Nianci listened to her mother's words, the fear in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of security and dependence. She snuggled closer to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, I'm so sleepy." Su Xuan smiled and gently stroked Nianci's hair. "Sleep well, baby. Mommy will stay here with you. Have a sweet dream."

As Nianci drifted off to sleep, Su Xuan's eyes were filled with tenderness and affection. She secretly vowed that she would take even better care of Nianci from now on, and would never let her suffer even the slightest harm again.