Chapter 41: It Must Be Because of Love

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

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

The two looked at each other with tenderness, as if they were the only ones 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 the outsiders leave, Lu Huaining pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing tenderly against her eyelids. "Stop crying," he said, his voice laced with playful authority. "Your eyes are already swollen like walnuts. If you cry yourself blind, who will be left to count the money? You little money-grubber, I will definitely get better. Just give me some time."

Hearing his playful words, she couldn't bring herself to smile, feeling only a pang of heartache. He pinched her cheek. "I don't like a manager with swollen eyes. If you want to stay by my side and count money, you must rest well and smile more. No more crying, understand?"

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

"Mm." Xue Zhuining suddenly opened her arms and gently wrapped them 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 as he chuckled softly.

"Just... very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised in her heart. She would love this man well, carrying with her the portion her mother had missed out on.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I'm sleepy. Go tell Grandma to get some good sleep. She hasn't been well, and she's been worrying over me; she shouldn't wear herself out. You should get some rest too. If you sleep with me like you did last night, I might recover even faster."

"Mm." She kissed his brow and smiled faintly.

He loosened his grip, watching her stand up, smooth her clothes, and head to the outer room. The door was left ajar; her soft voice drifted in intermittently. He listened for a while, but eventually, overcome by fatigue, he drifted into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining's condition stabilized and no longer suffering from the recurrent hemorrhaging of the previous day, the tension in Madam Lu’s nerves eased, and the energy she had forced herself to summon dissipated. Now, she was merely a weary elder. Hearing the concern Xue Zhuining relayed from Lu Huaining, she felt much more at ease and lay down on the sofa in the outer room. Xue Zhuining asked a nurse to bring a quilt, and only after the older woman was asleep did she head back to Lu Huaining. Madam Lu watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.

That silhouette was so familiar; it was as if Zhong Yilan had returned.

After a quick wash, Xue Zhuining returned to Lu Huaining’s side and lay down, carefully tucking the quilt around them both. She held his arm, cocooned in his scent, feeling a sense of warmth.

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, then followed his neck down to his stomach, where she stopped. She dared not rest the full weight of her hand on his abdomen for fear of causing him any pressure. The strain of keeping her arm suspended made it ache, yet she did not want to move. She, too, had suffered from stomach pain—nothing severe, but it was unbearable enough. He had vomited so much blood; how much pain must he be in?

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

She did not know when she finally drifted off. The next morning, when the doctor arrived, he was still asleep. She hurriedly rose to let the doctor examine him, washed her face, and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After eating in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining and found his complexion had improved, which lifted their spirits. 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 they must be solved, one must face the difficulties head-on.

At these words, Xue Zhuining’s heart felt as if it were being pulled upward by a string, dangling in mid-air. She clenched her fists secretly and followed Madam Lu to the outer room, sitting face-to-face with her.

Time slipped away, both women keeping their own counsel.

As someone of high status, Madam Lu was accustomed to strict standards. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn’t changed her clothes since arriving, and her appearance was disheveled; her complexion was poor as well. She worried that once Madam Lu regained her composure, she would find plenty to be displeased about.

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

She could sense that Madam Lu’s first impression of her—even before they had met—was unfavorable. People often unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they dislike. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless; it was what it was, she would just have to handle things as they came.

However, Madam Lu’s gaze was calm, even tinged with a hint of gentleness, which caught her by surprise.

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

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

Xue Zhuining was taken aback and replied, "This is not your fault. As a younger generation, I feel very uneasy having an elder apologize like this."

"It seems Lanlan raised you very well. In truth, she was always a kind-hearted person; it was I who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It was my own failure in governance. In the past, I was indeed neglectful of Huaining. His parents' marriage was a mere facade, and because I hid the truth of Huaining’s biological mother from him, his father remained distant, while his 'mother' only performed superficial gestures of affection. They were very strict, even harsh, with him, demanding perfection in his studies and behavior. It is true—we did not give the child the care he needed. That he developed such a cold and arrogant temperament is our fault."

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

"I do not wish to interfere too much in your affairs; after all, as a grandmother, I only want my grandson to be happy." Madam Lu sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on the door to the inner room before returning to fix upon her. "Miss Xue, our two families have deep historical roots. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not wish to repeat them."

When one grows old, the heart grows weary. Fighting for so much no longer had meaning; all she desired was the joy of a full family.

Xue Zhuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart pounding. She did not know how to respond to such magnanimity, nor how to explain her own disappearance for the past four years.

After a long silence, Madam Lu said, "I don't want to bring up the rights and wrongs of the past again. I believe you understand the difficulties of those in high positions within the Lu family. But to be fair, you were innocent. Furthermore, Huaining has wronged you, and it is his responsibility to spend his life repaying that debt. Since he cannot live without you, I will not make things difficult for you in the future. I tell you all this today only to say that your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, the engagement between Huaining and Wanyi still exists. To go public now would be a hurt to all three of you. We must weigh our options carefully."

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

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm the tumultuous emotions in her heart. After a while, she added, "I heard you were married."

Xue Zhuining felt a jolt of alarm but could only nod. Seeing the coldness flash in Madam Lu’s eyes, her heart skipped a beat.

The shadow on the older woman’s face lasted only a moment before she returned to her calm, gentle demeanor. "I believe you had your own reasons, but please, do not hurt Huaining again."

Xue Zhuining thought for a moment and replied, "I understand your meaning. I will deal with my own affairs as soon as possible and will not cause any unnecessary trouble for you."

Madam Lu nodded. "If you need any help, just ask. Huaining and I will certainly not stand by idly. Though the Lu family may not be all-powerful, we have the resources you can rely on."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining said with a polite smile, though her resolve remained unshaken. In many things, it was better left this way.

Madam Lu’s expression softened further. "Miss Xue, to stay with Huaining, you will have to face many challenges. Family factors are one thing, but Huaining carries many responsibilities. His partner cannot simply be a woman who only knows how to manage the household. I am not asking you to have the same ability to command the entire situation as he does, but you must integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not just about showing off jewelry and gowns like they are on television; connections are built amidst the clinking of glasses. When leaders travel abroad, they bring their wives—you’ve heard of 'spouse diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Reminded of her own youth, Madam Lu cautioned her, "Improve yourself and support your husband. Though it sounds exhausting, if you don't, the distance between you will only grow. Two people can fall in love in a moment of passion, but to last, it takes management. Life with Huaining cannot be the romanticized fairy tale a young girl might imagine. Be mentally prepared."

"I understand. 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 calm.

Madam Lu continued, "I must ask you to endure a little longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be quite busy in the near future; Huaining will depend on you. You two can behave as a married couple, get to know each other, and see if you are truly a good fit. I am withholding my final judgment for now, but please understand my caution. As an elder, I only wish for the child to be happy—and for that happiness to be lasting, without such dramatic ups and downs."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a significant concession on Madam Lu’s part, and her words were reasonable and irrefutable. After careful consideration, she smiled. "Please rest assured. Since I have decided to be with Huaining, I am prepared to face any difficulties that may come. Moreover, I will strive to improve myself so that I can stand by his side, rather than shrinking behind him and relying on his protection."

"I am glad you think that way. Thank you for your hard work. If you need anything, call me directly. If I am unavailable, you may call the butler." With that, Madam Lu handed over her contact information and went to look at her sleeping grandson for a while longer.

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