Chapter 27: A Journey of Wounds, A Journey of Love

To the world, you may just be one person; but to someone, you are the entire world...

Lu Huaining smiled softly and said, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

The two looked at each other with tenderness, as if they were the only two people left in the world. Wishing not to intrude, Madam Lu stood up, walked out of the hospital room, and closed the door behind her.

Seeing that the others had left, Lu Huaining took the opportunity to pull her into his arms, his lips gently brushing against her eyelids. "No more crying," he said, his tone bossy yet affectionate. "Your eyes are swollen like walnuts. If you cry yourself blind, how will you count your money? My little money-grubber, I will get better—just give me some time."

She heard his playful words, but she couldn't bring herself to smile; she only felt a deep sense of heartache. He pinched her cheek. "I don't like a bossy wife with swollen eyes. If you want to stay by my side and count money, you must rest well and smile often. No more crying, understand?"

Though his body was suffering, all he wanted was for her to be happy.

"Mm," Xue Zhuining suddenly opened her arms to wrap them gently around his waist, burying her face in his broad chest. "Huaining," she whispered, "I will be good to you from now on."

"How good?" Lu Huaining stroked her hair, resting his chin against the crown of her head, and chuckled softly.

"Just very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised in her heart. She would love this man well, carrying the part of love that her mother had been unable to give.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I'm sleepy. Go tell Grandmother to get some good rest. Her health isn't great, and she’s been worrying over me; she shouldn't wear herself out. You should get some rest too. Stay here and sleep with me like you did last night; I might recover faster that way."

"Mm," she kissed his brow and gave a faint, sweet smile.

He loosened his grip, watching her stand up to smooth her clothes before heading into the outer room. The door was left ajar; he heard her soft voice drifting in for a while, but eventually, unable to fight off the exhaustion, he drifted into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized and no longer showing the recurring hemorrhaging from the day before, Madam Lu’s tightly wound nerves finally began to ease. The energy she had forced herself to summon dissipated, leaving her as nothing more than a tired elder. After hearing Xue Zhuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern, she felt much more at ease and lay down on the sofa in the outer room. Xue Zhuining had a nurse bring a quilt, and only after the older woman was asleep did she head back toward Lu Huaining. Madam Lu watched her retreating back, lost in thought.

That silhouette was so familiar, as if it were Zhong Yilan from years ago.

Xue Zhuining washed up briefly and returned to lie down beside Lu Huaining. Carefully tucking the quilt around them both, she held his arm, feeling warmed as she was enveloped by his scent.

She knew this man loved her, and she had no intention of failing him.

Unable to sleep, she gently traced his cheek with her fingers, moving down his neck until she stopped at his stomach. She didn't dare rest the full weight of her hand there, fearing she might add to his pain. The tension in her arm made her muscles ache, yet she couldn't bring herself to pull away. She had suffered from stomach pain before—nothing severe, but it had been unbearable; he had vomited so much blood—how much pain must he have been in?

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, yet she had been unable to perceive her lover's agony.

She didn't know when she eventually drifted off. The next morning, when the doctor arrived, Lu Huaining was still asleep. She quickly stood up to let the doctor perform the examination, washed her face, and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they ate in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining; seeing that his complexion had improved, their spirits lifted significantly. Madam Lu turned to look at Xue Zhuining and said, "Miss Xue, come outside with me. We need to have a proper talk."

Some things cannot be avoided; when faced with a challenge, one must meet it head-on.

Hearing this, Xue Zhuining’s heart felt as if it had been hoisted by a string, dangling precariously in mid-air. She secretly clenched her fists and followed Madam Lu to the outer room, sitting down face to face with her.

Time ticked by in a tacit, heavy silence.

As someone of such high standing, Madam Lu was naturally accustomed to demanding strict standards from everything. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn't changed her clothes since arriving, and her attire was wrinkled, her complexion poor. Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had calmed down, she would find plenty to be displeased about.

But at this point, it was beyond her power to change.

She could sense the first impression Madam Lu had of her, even though they had never met. People tend to unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they do not like. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless; it was what it was, she would just have to deal with whatever came.

However, the gaze Madam Lu cast upon her was calm, even tinged with a hint of gentleness, which took her by surprise.

Xue Zhuining steadied her breathing, maintaining a polite smile, and waited quietly for the other to speak.

"Huaining told me everything yesterday. Much of it was beyond my expectations. Let me first apologize for his shameful behavior, and also apologize to you and your mother on behalf of the Lu family. Although I realize that the suffering you endured cannot be undone by an apology."

Xue Zhuining was surprised, then replied, "This is not your fault. As a younger generation, I feel embarrassed to have an elder apologize like this."

"It seems Lanlan raised you well. In truth, she was always a kind soul; it was I who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It was my failure as an elder to keep things in check. In the past, I truly neglected Huaining. His parents’ marriage was a sham, and because I hid the truth about his biological mother, his father was always cold toward him, while the woman he called 'mother' only kept up appearances. They were strict—even harsh—with him regarding his studies and conduct. We certainly did not give him the care a child needs. That he developed such a cold, arrogant temperament is our fault."

Xue Zhuining lowered her eyes, remembering how he had once mentioned in passing that when he was sick as a child, he had to take his own medicine, and the servants only looked to their masters' moods—no one had truly cared for him. Her heart ached for him.

"I do not wish to interfere with your affairs; as a grandmother, I simply want my grandson to be happy," Madam Lu sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on the door to the inner room before returning to look intently at her. "Miss Xue, our two families have a long history. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not wish to repeat them."

As people grow old, their hearts grow weary. Fighting for more holds no meaning; all she truly hoped for now was the joy of a full family.

Xue Zhuining’s eyes widened as she looked at Madam Lu, her heart pounding. She didn't know how to respond to such magnanimity, nor how to explain her four-year disappearance.

Madam Lu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I do not wish to dwell on the past, and I believe you understand the difficulties of the Lu family’s position. Any person—but in all honesty, you were innocent. Furthermore, Huaining has wronged you, and it is his responsibility to spend his life making amends. Since he is so inseparable from you, I will not make things difficult for you in the future. I tell you this today only because your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, his engagement to Wanyi still stands. To reveal it now would only bring harm to all three of you. We must consider our strategy carefully."

Xue Zhuining pursed her lips and said, "I understand."

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. After a long moment, she added, "I heard you were married."

Xue Zhuining’s heart skipped a beat, but she could only nod. Seeing a flash of coldness in Madam Lu’s eyes, her heart jolted.

The shadow on Madam Lu’s face lasted only a moment before she returned to her calm, gentle composure. "I trust you had your reasons, but I ask that you do not hurt Huaining again."

Xue Zhuining thought for a moment and replied, "I understand what you mean. I will resolve my own affairs as soon as possible so as not to cause you any unnecessary trouble."

Madam Lu nodded. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. Huaining and I will not stand idly by. While the Lu family may not be able to command the wind and rain, we have the capability to be worthy of your trust."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining replied with a polite smile, though her resolve remained unshaken—some things were best left as they were.

Madam Lu’s expression softened further. "Miss Xue, if you are to stay with Huaining, there is much you will have to face. Family factors are one thing, but Huaining carries many responsibilities. As his partner, you cannot simply be a woman who stays at home to raise children. I am not asking you to have the same ability to control the entire situation as he does, but you must integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not like what you see on television—it’s not just about showing off jewelry and gowns. Connections are built over toasts and conversation. When leaders visit abroad, they bring their wives—you have heard of 'spouse diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Madam Lu recalled her own youth as she offered this advice. "Improve yourself; support your husband. While it sounds arduous, if you do not do this, the distance between you will only grow. Two people can fall in love in a moment of passion, but to make it last, it requires management. Life with Huaining cannot be the romantic, carefree life of the wealthy that young girls imagine. You must prepare yourself mentally."

"I understand, and I thank you for the reminder, Madam." Had this been four years ago, Xue Zhuining might have been daunted by such a life, but now, she faced it with a calm heart.

Madam Lu said, "I will ask you to bear with the current situation for a while longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find an appropriate opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be busy in the coming days, so I will leave Huaining in your care. You may interact as a married couple and see if you are truly compatible. I will reserve my judgment for now, but please understand my concerns. As an elder, I only wish for my children to be happy—and for that happiness to be lasting, without the turbulence of great highs and lows."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a significant concession from Madam Lu, and her words were reasonable and irrefutable. After careful reflection, she smiled. "Please rest assured. Since I have decided to be with Huaining, I am naturally prepared to face any difficulties that may lie ahead. Furthermore, I will strive to improve myself so that I may stand beside him, rather than shrinking behind him and relying solely on his protection."

"It is good that you think this way. It will be hard on you. If you need anything, call me directly. If I am unavailable, you may call the housekeeper." With that, Madam Lu handed over her contact information and went to look at her sleeping grandson for a while longer.

If everything happening now was a punishment for the rights and wrongs of the past, then perhaps letting go was the best way to seek redemption.