Chapter 42 It Is Still Fragile

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

-------------------------------

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

The two looked at each other with such tenderness that it seemed as if they were the only two people left in the world.

Madam Lu, not wishing to intrude, stood up, walked out of the hospital room, and closed the door behind her.

Seeing that the others had left, Lu Huaining pulled her into his arms. He pressed his lips gently against her eyelids and said in an overbearing tone, "Stop crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts; if you cry yourself blind, how will you count your money? You little money-grubber, I will be fine—just give me some time."

Hearing his playful words, she couldn't bring herself to smile; instead, she felt a profound ache. He pinched her cheek. "I don't like a manageress with swollen eyes. If you want to stay by my side and count money, you need to rest well and smile more. No more crying, understand?"

Though his body was wracked with pain, he only wished for her happiness.

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

"How good?" Lu Huaining teased, stroking her hair and resting his chin against the crown of her head with a faint chuckle.

"Just... very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised silently in her heart. She would love this man well, even for the part her mother had missed.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I'm sleepy. Go tell Grandmother to get some rest. She isn't in good health to begin with, and she’s been worrying over me; I can't let her wear herself out. You should get some rest too. If you stay and sleep with me like you did last night, perhaps I’ll recover faster."

"Mm." She kissed his brow and gave him a soft smile.

He loosened his grip, watching as she stood up, smoothed her clothes, and walked into the outer room. The door was left ajar, and he could hear her soft voice drifting in. He listened for a while, but eventually, overcome by drowsiness, he drifted into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized and no longer suffering from the recurring hemorrhaging of the day before, Madam Lu’s frayed nerves finally began to uncoil. The energy she had forced herself to muster dissipated, leaving her as nothing more than a weary 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 blanket, and only after the older woman was asleep did she return to Lu Huaining’s side. Madam Lu stared at her retreating back, lost in thought.

That silhouette was so familiar; it was as if she were looking at Zhong Yilan from years ago.

Xue Zhuining washed up briefly before returning to lie beside Lu Huaining. She carefully tucked the blankets around them both and held his arm, feeling warmed by the scent that surrounded her.

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

She couldn't sleep. Her fingers traced his cheek, then moved down his neck, finally coming to a rest over his stomach. She didn't dare press down, fearing she might cause him pain, and the tension in her arm made it ache, yet she could not bear to move her hand. She had experienced stomach pain herself—nothing severe, yet it was excruciating. He had vomited so much blood; just how much pain must he be in?

He must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, while she remained blissfully unaware of her lover's suffering.

She didn't know when she finally drifted off. Early the next morning, the doctor arrived while he was still asleep. She hurriedly rose to let the doctor examine him, then went to wash her face and buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they finished their meal in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining. Seeing his complexion had improved, their spirits lifted as well. Madam Lu glanced at Xue Zhuining and said, "Miss Xue, come outside with me. It’s time we had a proper talk."

Some things cannot be avoided; when faced with difficulties, one must confront them head-on.

At these words, Xue Zhuining’s heart leaped into her throat, dangling precariously. She clenched her fists secretly and followed Madam Lu to the outer room, sitting down across from her.

Time passed in silence, both women harboring their own unspoken thoughts.

As someone accustomed to standing at the top, Madam Lu was naturally used to demanding rigor from everyone. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn't changed her clothes since she arrived; she looked disheveled and her complexion was poor. Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had calmed down, she would be filled with all sorts of grievances.

But things had reached a point where no individual effort could change the outcome.

Xue Zhuining knew that Madam Lu’s first impression of her—even before they had ever met—would be colored by the natural human tendency to magnify the flaws of those one dislikes. 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 fixed upon her was calm, even tinged with a hint of gentleness, which took her by surprise.

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

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

Xue Zhuining was stunned, then replied, "This is not your fault. As a junior, I feel embarrassed to have an elder apologize to me."

"It seems Yilan raised you well. In truth, she was always a kind-hearted person; it was I who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It is my failure in discipline. I truly neglected Huaining in the past. His parents were a couple in name only, and because I hid the truth about his biological mother, his father remained distant, and the woman he called 'mother' only performed superficial acts of kindness. They were strict—even harsh—regarding his studies and behavior. We failed to give him the care a child needs. That he grew up to be so cold and arrogant is our fault."

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

"I do not wish to interfere in your relationship; 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 intensely on Xue Zhuining. "Miss Xue, our two families have a history. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not wish to repeat them."

When people grow old, their hearts grow weary. Fighting for so much had become meaningless; all she hoped for now was the joy of a house full of descendants.

Xue Zhuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart racing. She didn't know how to respond to such generosity, nor how to explain her four-year disappearance.

Madam Lu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I do not wish to revisit the rights and wrongs of the past, and I trust you understand the difficulties of the Lu family’s position. Regardless of anything else, in all fairness, you were innocent. Furthermore, Huaining has wronged you; 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 yet be made public. After all, the engagement between Huaining and Wanyi still stands. To make it public now would only bring harm to all three of you. We must weigh our options carefully."

Xue Zhuining bit her lip and said, "I understand."

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. After a while, she added, "I heard that you are 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 regained her composure and warmth. "I believe 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 handle my personal 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 by idly. While the Lu family may not be all-powerful, we certainly have the influence to be of service."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining said with a smile, though it did not shake her own resolve. Some things were better left this way.

Madam Lu’s expression softened. "Miss Xue, if you are to stay with Huaining, there are many things you will need to face. Family factors are one thing, but Huaining carries many responsibilities. His partner cannot simply be a woman who stays at home to look after the household. I am not asking you to have the same ability to command the big picture 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 clinking glasses. When leaders travel, they take their wives; you have heard of 'spouse diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Madam Lu recalled her own youth and warned her, "Improve yourself and support your husband. It may sound exhausting, but if you don't, the distance between you will only grow. Two people can fall in love in a moment of passion, but to make it last, you must manage it. Life with Huaining cannot be the romanticized version of wealth that young girls imagine. Be prepared for that."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Madam." If this had been four years ago, Xue Zhuining might have been daunted by such a life, but now, she could face it with calm.

Madam Lu said, "I will ask you to bear with the current situation for a while longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be busy in the near future, so Huaining will be in your care. You may conduct yourselves as a 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 hope for my child to be happy—and for that happiness to be lasting, without such volatile ups and downs."

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

"I am glad you feel that way. It will be hard work. If you need anything, call me directly. If I am unavailable, you may call the housekeeper." With that, Madam Lu handed her a contact number and went to check on her sleeping grandson one last time.

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.