The night was deep, and the long corridor was silent. Ji Anning gently turned the lock and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, an old woman, hunched over, was tucking the blanket around her sleeping husband.
Seeing that scene, her eyes welled up. She quickly covered her mouth, turned, and leaned against the wall to compose herself before she pushed the door open again and entered.
"Mom,"
Ji Anning called out, her voice slightly trembling.
Upon hearing her call, her mother paused, then slowly straightened up and turned around.
Seeing Ji Anning, she asked in surprise, "Jiajia, how come you're back?"
"Dad is sleeping," Ji Anning said, pointing towards the couple on the bed, signaling her mother to keep her voice down.
Only then did her mother realize, and she lowered her voice as she walked towards Ji Anning, saying, "How come you're back? You didn't even call me."
