Chapter 44: A Stranded Tomorrow

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

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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 two people left in the world. Not wanting 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 pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips tenderly against her eyelids, speaking in a domineering tone: "No more crying. Your eyes are already swollen like walnuts; if you cry yourself blind, how will you count your 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 deep ache in her heart. He pinched her cheek. "I don't like a bossy lady with swollen eyes. If you want to count money by my side, you need to rest well and smile more. No more crying, you hear me?"

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

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

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

"Just... very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised silently in her heart. She would cherish this man, loving him enough to make up for the love 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 sleep. She isn't in good health to begin with, and she's been worrying herself sick over me; she shouldn't exhaust herself. You should get some rest early, too. If you stay 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 as she stood up, smoothed her clothes, and walked into the outer room. The door was left ajar. He listened to her gentle voice drifting in for a while, but eventually, he could not fight the exhaustion and drifted into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining's condition stabilized and the recurring hemorrhaging from the day before stopped, the tension in Madam Lu’s nerves eased, and the energy she had forced herself to summon dissipated. She was, after all, only a weary elder. Hearing Xue Zhuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern for her, she felt a sense of relief and lay down on the sofa in the outer room. Xue Zhuining asked a nurse to bring a blanket, and only after seeing the older woman fall asleep did she return to Lu Huaining’s side. Madam Lu watched her back as she retreated, lost in thought.

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

After a quick wash, Xue Zhuining returned to lie beside Lu Huaining. She carefully tucked the blanket around them both and hugged his arm. Surrounded by his scent, she felt a warmth spreading through her.

She knew this man loved her, and she was determined not to let him down.

Unable to sleep, her fingers gently traced his cheek, then trailed down his neck until they came to rest over his stomach. She dared not place the full weight of her hand there for fear of causing him pain. The strain made her arm ache, yet she could not bear to move her hand. She, too, had suffered from stomach pain—not severe, yet agonizing—and she could only imagine how much he must have suffered while vomiting so much blood.

He must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, while she had been completely unaware of his agony.

She didn't know when she finally drifted off. Early the next morning, the doctor arrived while Lu Huaining was still asleep. She quickly stood up to allow the examination, splashed some water on her face, and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they ate in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining. Seeing his complexion had improved, their spirits lifted. 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 they must be resolved, one must face the difficulty head-on.

At these words, Xue Zhuining’s heart felt as though it were being hoisted by a string, dangling in mid-air. She clenched her fists and followed Madam Lu to the outer room, sitting down across from her.

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

As someone accustomed to a high position, Madam Lu was naturally used to demanding rigor from everyone. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn’t changed her clothes since arriving, and they were wrinkled, while her own complexion was poor. Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had had time to cool off, she would be filled with displeasure.

But it was too late; this was beyond anyone's control.

Xue Zhuining knew from the very first impression—even before they had met—that people tend to unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they dislike. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless; she would just have to face 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 caught her breath, maintained a polite smile, and waited for the older woman to speak.

"Huaining told me everything yesterday. Much of it was beyond my expectations. Let me first apologize for his shameful behavior, and on behalf of the Lu family, apologize 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 younger generation, I feel very uneasy having an elder apologize like this."

"It seems Lanlan raised you well. In truth, she was always a kind-hearted woman; it was I who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It is my failure as an elder. I was indeed neglectful of Huaining in the past. His parents' marriage was merely a hollow shell, and I hid the truth about his biological mother from him, which led his father to treat him with indifference. The woman he called mother only put on a show of affection. They were incredibly strict, even harsh, regarding his studies and conduct. We certainly did not give the child the care he needed. That he grew up with such a cold and aloof nature is our fault."

Xue Zhuining lowered her eyes, remembering how he had once mentioned 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.

"I do not wish to interfere in your affairs. 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 look intently at Xue Zhuining. "Miss Xue, our two families once had deep ties. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not wish to repeat them."

As one grows old, the heart softens. There is no meaning in fighting anymore; all she longed for was the joy of seeing her children and grandchildren gathered around her.

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

Madam Lu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I don't want to dwell on the past anymore, and I believe you understand the difficulties of those in high positions within the Lu family. Regardless of anything else, you were innocent. Furthermore, Huaining has wronged you; it is his responsibility to spend a lifetime making amends. Since he cannot live without you, I will not make things difficult for you in the future. I tell you all this today only because you and Huaining’s relationship cannot be made public yet. After all, the engagement between Huaining and Wanyi still stands. If it were made public now, it would only bring harm to all three of you. We must consider our strategy carefully."

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

Madam Lu sipped her tea, trying to calm her turbulent thoughts. After a long pause, she added, "I heard 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 tightened.

The shadow on the older woman's face lasted only a moment before she regained her composure and warmth, looking at her. "I believe you had your reasons, but please, do not hurt Huaining again."

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

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

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

Madam Lu’s expression softened. "Miss Xue, if you want to walk this path with Huaining, you will have to face many challenges. Family factors are only one part of it. Huaining carries a heavy burden of responsibility. His partner cannot be a woman who only knows how to tend to the hearth. I do not demand that you have his ability to control the big picture, but you must be able to integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not like the ones on television where people just show off jewelry and gowns; connections are built amidst the clinking of glasses. When leaders travel, they bring their wives—you have heard of 'spousal diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Madam Lu recalled her own youth as she offered her advice. "Improve yourself and support your husband. It may sound exhausting, but 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 last, it takes management. Life with Huaining will not be the romantic, fairy-tale existence young girls imagine. Be prepared for that."

"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 could face it with a calm heart.

"I will ask you to endure a little longer for now," Madam Lu said. "Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be busy in the coming days, so I will leave Huaining in your care. You may conduct yourselves as a married couple and see if you truly are a good fit. I will reserve my judgment for now, but please understand my concerns. As an elder, I only wish for my child to be happy—and for that happiness to last, without great highs or lows."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a significant concession from Madam Lu, 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. I will strive to improve myself so that I can stand by his side, rather than hiding behind him and relying 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, call the butler." With that, Madam Lu provided her contact information and went to check on her sleeping grandson once more.

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