Lost Lou Mengling

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the Lu Family Mansion.

In the bedroom, only a dim desk lamp was lit, casting a hazy glow over the room.

Lou Mengling sat alone in front of the dressing table, holding an eyebrow pencil but hesitating to use it.

In the mirror, her face looked weary, with faint lines now tracing the corners of her eyes.

Over the years, she had poured too much of her heart and energy into the Lu family and her husband.

It had been a long time since she last took the time to dress herself up, and she had almost forgotten that she was once a woman who loved beauty.

She set down the eyebrow pencil and let out a soft sigh.

Lately, she had been suffering from insomnia.

Every time she closed her eyes, images of Lu Mingye would flood her mind, along with the rumors of his extravagant escapades outside.

She tried hard not to dwell on these thoughts, but she couldn’t help herself.

She knew Lu Mingye’s heart no longer belonged to her.

Yet, she didn’t know what to do.

Divorce? She couldn’t bear to leave this home or her children.

But if she continued like this, how could she face her own life?

She picked up a medicine bottle from the table, unscrewed the cap, and shook out two white pills.

These were the sleeping pills she had been relying on lately.

Only with their help could she barely fall asleep.

She placed the pills in her mouth and swallowed them with a sip of warm water.

Just as she was about to get into bed, a knock came at the door.

Lou Mengling froze for a moment before responding, "Come in."

The door opened, and Lu Chenyuan walked in, carrying a glass of milk.

"Mom, you’re still awake? I warmed some milk for you. Drink it before bed," Lu Chenyuan said softly as he approached.

Lou Mengling turned to look at him, forcing a faint smile.

"Chenyuan, why are you here? I’m fine. Go back to sleep."

Instead of leaving, Lu Chenyuan sat down on a nearby chair.

"Mom, have you been struggling with insomnia again?" he asked.

Lou Mengling remained silent.

Lu Chenyuan sighed. "Mom, I know you’ve been taking sleeping pills. But they’re not good for your health. Try to cut back on them."

At the mention of "sleeping pills," Lou Mengling flinched as if pricked by a needle.

She looked up, her eyes reddened with unshed tears, and asked in a fragile voice, "Chenyuan, you…?"

Lu Chenyuan’s expression was calm, but his gaze held an unshakable firmness.

"Mom, I’ve known for a while that you haven’t been sleeping well."

"All these years, you’ve given too much to the Lu family—and to people who don’t deserve it. It’s time to think about yourself."

"People who don’t deserve it… Who do you mean?" Her voice trembled, as if she already suspected but couldn’t bring herself to face it.

Instead of answering directly, Lu Chenyuan spoke slowly.

"Mom, do you remember how you were when you were younger? You loved painting, traveling, all things beautiful. But after marrying Lu Mingye? You trapped yourself in the Lu family, in the daily grind, even beside a man who doesn’t love you. You forgot who you were. You forgot your dreams."

Lou Mengling swayed slightly, clutching her chest as if in pain.

"Chenyuan, stop… I know. I know your father doesn’t love me anymore. But… but I can’t get a divorce! What about Qianqian? What about the Lu family? I… I…"

"Mom!" Lu Chenyuan cut her off, his tone sharper.

"Qianqian is grown now. She has her own path. The Lu family won’t collapse without you. You think too highly of your own burden and too highly of others. Have you ever asked yourself—is this misery really worth it? Does it make you happy?"

Lou Mengling fell silent again.

She stared at Lu Chenyuan as if seeing him for the first time.

She had always thought of him as steady, sensible, and considerate—never expecting him to say such things.

"Mom, come back to Qingzhou with me. I mentioned before that I wanted to visit Grandpa," Lu Chenyuan said, stepping closer and gently taking her hand.

"Grandpa misses you. He wants you to be happy. Let’s go see him and give yourself a break."

Lou Mengling looked up into his concerned eyes, warmth swelling in her chest.

She nodded softly. "Alright. Let’s go to Qingzhou."

……

Qingzhou, a charming riverside town, was renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

The Lou family was one of the most distinguished households in the city.

Lu Chenyuan sat in the car, watching the scenery flash past the window.

Lush trees lined the road, occasionally giving way to elegant, timeworn buildings.

"Chenyuan, I’m sorry for troubling you with this," Lou Mengling murmured beside him, exhaustion lacing her voice.

"Mom, don’t say that. I’m your son," Lu Chenyuan replied gently.

"Besides, Grandpa has been looking forward to seeing you. A few days away will do you good."

Lou Mengling sighed quietly, saying nothing as she gazed out the window.

Her eyes were distant, lost in memory.

The car rolled smoothly into the Lou family estate.

It was a classic Jiangnan-style garden residence—white walls, dark tiles, upturned eaves—every detail exuding timeless grace.

Lou Zhenhai was already waiting at the entrance.

The moment Lou Mengling stepped out, his face lit with a tender smile. "Mengling, you’re finally back. Let me look at you."

"Dad." Her eyes glistened as she embraced him.

"Welcome home, welcome home," Lou Zhenhai murmured, patting her back, his voice thick with emotion.

Lu Chenyuan approached and bowed respectfully. "Grandfather."

"Chenyuan, you’re here too. Good, good." Lou Zhenhai studied him with approval.

"A fine young man—far better than your father."

Lu Mingye would’ve been livid if he heard that.

Lu Chenyuan suppressed a smirk.

The group escorted Lou Mengling inside.

The interior of the Lou estate was just as refined, blending classical elegance with modern comfort.

Paintings adorned the walls, antiques rested on display shelves—every corner spoke of the family’s legacy.

Lou Mengling was settled into her old bedroom, preserved exactly as it had been in her youth, as if time had stood still.

On the wall hung a ink-wash painting of a blooming peony—one she had painted herself, her favorite piece.

She stood before it, silent and still.

Her thoughts drifted back to those days.

Back then, she had been a bright-eyed girl, full of dreams for the future.

She loved art, poetry, all things beautiful.

She had once believed in love, imagining a husband who was dashing and brilliant, a harmonious marriage that would last a lifetime.

But reality had dealt her a cruel blow.

After marrying Lu Mingye, Lou Mengling gradually lost herself.

She began revolving around him, prioritizing his needs above all else.

She abandoned her hobbies, her career, and even her friends.

Slowly, she became nothing more than an appendage to Lu Mingye.

And Lu Mingye, in turn, grew disinterested in her.

He started staying out all night, speaking to her with cold indifference, and even began dallying with other women.

Lou Mengling wasn’t blind to the changes in Lu Mingye.

She had tried to salvage their relationship, to make things right.

But everything she did was in vain.

She knew Lu Mingye no longer loved her.

Yet she refused to accept the truth.

She clung to self-deception, still hoping he would change his mind.

Her reluctance to divorce wasn’t out of fear of losing the life she had built.

It was simply because she couldn’t bear to part with her children.

"Mom, what are you looking at?" Lu Chenyuan walked into the room and saw Lou Mengling staring blankly at a painting, lost in thought.

Lou Mengling snapped out of her daze and forced a smile.

"Nothing. It’s just that this painting… it feels like it’s speaking to me."

Lu Chenyuan stepped closer and studied the peony artwork.

"It’s beautiful—delicate brushwork, profound meaning."

"I painted this when I was young," Lou Mengling said softly.

"Back then, I was a carefree girl, full of dreams for the future."

"You still are," Lu Chenyuan replied with a grin.

Lou Mengling shot him a look. "Don’t tease me, child."

"I mean it," Lu Chenyuan said seriously.

"Mom, you’re too remarkable to waste your life on someone who doesn’t deserve you."

Lou Mengling fell silent.

"Mom, it’s time to think things through," Lu Chenyuan continued. "We still have long lives ahead of us. Don’t live for someone else."

Lou Mengling looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of resignation and uncertainty.

That night, Lu Chenyuan had a long, private conversation with Lou Zhenhai.

When Lu Chenyuan left his grandfather’s study, Lou Zhenhai still wore a stunned expression—clearly taken aback by some of his grandson’s words.

But in the end, Lou Zhenhai chose to trust his daughter and grandson.

The next day, Lu Chenyuan took Lou Mengling around Qingzhou City.

They visited the ancient town, exploring its old walls, narrow streets, and traditional houses.

They also went to the Qingzhou Museum, admiring the cultural relics on display.

At noon, they dined at a riverside restaurant.

The dishes were light yet flavorful, and Lou Mengling enjoyed the meal thoroughly.

"Mom, do you like it here?" Lu Chenyuan asked.

"I do," Lou Mengling nodded. "Qingzhou is a wonderful place—scenic, peaceful, and full of history."

"Then you should come back more often," Lu Chenyuan said. "This is your home too."

Lou Mengling didn’t reply, only smiled.

Lu Chenyuan, ever the busy man, flew back to Jingzhou the following evening.

Lou Mengling, however, stayed in Qingzhou for a few more days.

She began sorting through her old belongings, especially her paintings.

She also spent time reminiscing with her father, Lou Zhenhai, revisiting cherished memories.

After leaving the Lu Family Mansion, Lou Mengling seemed to be slowly, but surely, finding herself again.