Chapter 504: Wu Zhekun's Conditions

Wu Zhekun's little thoughts were almost written on his face; Lu Cheng, who knows him, saw it at a glance.

Yet mother Liang Lihua didn't notice; in fact, because she and her husband were too busy with work, she had often neglected this son.

After Lu Cheng's reminder, she realized the son was indeed trying hard.

"You still have conditions? That's such a good thing—studying at a military academy, others can't even ask for it... Anyway, tell me what condition you have first?"

Seeing her son hanging his head, Liang Lihua let him speak; after all, as long as he doesn't go back to the frontier, she would agree to any condition.

She had that confidence, but what Wu Zhekun said next still made her hesitate.

Wu Zhekun said straight away, "I want... to bring Ning Ning back and adopt her."

The name Ning Ning was not unfamiliar to Liang Lihua; she had even met her a few times when Wu Zhekun brought her home.

A very pretty and sensible little girl, of course also a very pitiful child.

So the son had been thinking this all along; she had thought that over time he would gradually forget this child.

Unexpectedly, not only did he not forget, but his feelings for the child grew deeper, and now he wanted to bring her home to raise her.

Liang Lihua fell silent for a moment.

Beside them, Lu Cheng, who had taken off his officer's coat and was now trying it on in front of a mirror, was also stunned by Wu Zhekun's words.

He knew Wu Zhekun had been probing on purpose and must have some condition, but didn't expect it to be about Ning Ning.

This man who would even risk his life in battle still had a soft side in his heart.

Regarding the adoption of Ning Ning, Lu Cheng could not speak.

Because Ning Ning is a child—not a kitten or puppy—once they decide to adopt, they'll have to worry about everything from her current food and clothing to her future schooling and marriage.

Actually those details are fine; the main point is that adoption requires effort and responsibility.

"Xiao Kun, about Ning Ning…"

Wu Zhekun knew what his mother was about to say; he had previously mentioned it jokingly, but each time his mother never gave a clear response and always changed the subject.

"Mom, Ning Ning is very important to me; she's not just an orphan, she has special significance."

Wu Zhekun lowered his head as he spoke, "Mom, you don't know, besides the time spent fighting, I haven't had time to think about this child; the rest of the time, I can't sleep at night—whenever I close my eyes, I see the earthquake scene, and instead..."

... instead, only when I see Ning Ning, watching her smile before me, does the guilt in my heart lessen a bit."

Wu Zhekun's use of the word "guilt" surprised even Lu Cheng.

No one expected that Wu Zhekun's participation in the earthquake rescue would affect him so deeply, leaving a psychological scar even today.

Liang Lihua sighed, "Xiao Kun, I understand what you mean, but in that situation no one could do anything; you don't have to blame yourself..."

"Mom, I will blame myself..."

Wu Zhekun suddenly rose from the bed without even using his cane; the painful expression on his face showed he was enduring great suffering.

At this moment, he couldn't tell whether the pain was physical or mental.

"I will blame myself, I will blame myself... Actually there's something I never told you, nor anyone else..."

Liang Lihua fell silent; she didn't know what her son was hiding, but listened quietly.

"When I dug Ning Ning out that time, there was a boy beside her, Ning Ning's brother, but because of my... because of my carelessness, I thought that boy was already dead..."

... until the medical staff cleared the site and told me that the boy had just stopped breathing."

Wu Zhekun was already choked up at this point.

Liang Lihua understood her son's words, and Lu Cheng understood as well.

Wu Zhekun's guilt stemmed from the fact that when they rescued Ning Ning, the boy was still alive, meaning he could have been saved.

If Wu Zhekun had been more careful then, perhaps he could have saved the boy's life.

Then Ning Ning would have had a brother and wouldn't now have lost all her relatives.

Seeing her son's painful state, Liang Lihua felt extreme heartache.

She pulled her son into her arms and gently comforted, "You can't blame yourself; the situation was so chaotic, with so many needing rescue, how could you have taken care of everyone."

Wu Zhekun gently shook his head, "I comfort myself like this every day, but whenever I think of Ning Ning, I still feel guilty; she should have a brother."

Wu Zhekun lifted his head, "Mom, let's adopt Ning Ning and give her a home..."

Perhaps because of work, even though her son pleaded, Liang Lihua remained rational.

"Xiao Kun, I understand your feelings for Ning Ning, but she's a child; if we intend to raise her, we must treat her seriously, like our own biological child, yet you and your father are so busy with work, where is the time?"

Liang Lihua's thinking was very calm: either not bring her home, or if they do, they must take it seriously.

"We could let Chen Ma look after her; anyway I don't have to go to the frontier, I can often come home to see Ning Ning, and she's very well-behaved—she's become quite independent during her time at the Welfare Institute..."

Liang Lihua sighed, finally voicing her concerns.

"Xiao Kun, you're still young and unmarried; you say you'll raise a child in the future—what does that even mean? Who would be willing to marry you?"

Wu Zhekun didn't care about this at all and expressed his stance to his mother.

"If my future wife can't even accept Ning Ning, I'd rather not get married."

That sentence left Liang Lihua at a loss for a rebuttal.

She hadn't expected Ning Ning to hold such importance in her son's heart.

She still knew her own child; although before enlisting he often caused trouble with fights, his nature was kind.

Although Liang Lihua is a very proactive person, when it comes to her son's lifelong happiness, as a mother she has to consider this matter seriously.

"Let me think about it; I also need to discuss it with your father."

After saying that, Liang Lihua left the room.

Wu Zhekun took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze, and looked again at Lu Cheng standing before the mirror.

"Lao Lu, why were you silent just now? Say something for me; you don't want Ning Ning to stay in the Welfare Institute forever, do you?"

Lu Cheng, examining his officer's coat in the mirror, replied casually, "You want to adopt Ning Ning; that's a big matter, also a family affair, how can I get involved."

Wu Zhekun smiled helplessly, "Seeing you so carefree, I didn't expect you to have such restraint at a critical moment."

Lu Cheng stood before the mirror, twisting his body left and right: "Hmm, praise as much as you like—I love hearing it. For example, this coat—how does it look on me?"

Hmm, putting on airs…

Wu Zhekun now had no mind to talk about the coat: "Old Lu, I know you judge people well, so analyze for me—can my mom agree to adopt Ning Ning?"