And so the days passed slowly. Since I left that home at 18, each day of mine has been better than the last.

Just when I thought life would continue peacefully and happily, I received a call from a stranger.

When I arrived at the hospital, I saw someone I hadn't seen in over a decade, my dad.

He greeted me awkwardly with a faint smile on his face, saying, "It's been so many years, Yuan Yuan has grown so big, huh?"

I ignored him and walked indifferently towards the ward; he was now just a stranger to me.

I came today only to settle things, to put an end to the past.

Li Lifang had brain cancer, she didn't have long to live. I heard she cried and insisted on seeing me, refusing to take her medication.

Lying in the hospital bed, Li Lifang's hair had turned white, tubes inserted all over her body, no longer the arrogant person who used to scold me.

Originally with her eyes closed, she suddenly opened them when I approached.

Perhaps it was a last burst of energy; she seemed unusually spirited.

She had a smile on her face, "Yuan Yuan is here, sit down quickly.

"Let Mom have a look, Mom hasn't seen you in a long time."

I found her words unbelievable; was this still her? The Li Lifang I knew had never been this gentle.

I remained silent and sat down.

Staring at Li Lifang's face, I felt indescribable emotions.

Suddenly, she started convulsing, and all the medical equipment around emitted a piercing buzz.

I felt anxious and pressed the button, about to rush out to call the doctor.

But Li Lifang grabbed my hand, holding it tightly, waving her other hand to signal me to lean in close to her ear.

After hesitating, I leaned in, and Li Lifang's voice was unbelievably gentle, "Ziyuan, Mom was wrong, I'm sorry..."

I don't remember what happened next; many people were coming and going, the world was in chaos.

But that "I'm sorry" kept echoing in my ears.

Li Lifang passed away.

On the day of her funeral, I still shed tears, which was strange because I truly hated her.

Yet the tears kept falling, and I cried for a long time in front of her tombstone.

Then I understood, it wasn't sadness.

It was acceptance.

I had completely let go of the past, the harm my original family had caused me had faded away after those people left.

After all, life is not just about pain, there is also much beauty.

I looked at Huanhuan and Uncle who came to the cemetery to pick me up, and I smiled, tears glistening in my eyes.

Let's welcome the new life together.

The end.