Chapter 5: Gastric Hemorrhage

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 the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. Not wishing to disturb them, Madam Lu stood up, walked out of the hospital room, and closed the door.

Seeing that everyone else had left, Lu Huaining took the opportunity to pull her into his arms. He pressed his lips gently against her eyelids and spoke in an overbearing tone, "No more crying. Your eyes are as swollen as walnuts. If you cry yourself blind, let’s see how you’ll count your money then. You little miser, I will definitely get better. 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, adding, "But 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 more. No more crying, understand?"

Though his own body was suffering, he wanted 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, I will be good to you from now on," she whispered.

"How good?" Lu Huaining stroked her hair, pressing his chin against the crown of her head, and let out a soft laugh.

"Just... very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised silently in her heart. She would cherish this man well, carrying the 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 rest. She hasn't been in good health, and she’s been worrying so much about me; she mustn't wear herself out. You should rest early, too. Stay and sleep with me just like last night; I might recover faster that way."

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

He loosened his grip and watched as she stood up, smoothed her clothes, and stepped 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 the recurring hemorrhaging of the previous day, the tension in Madam Lu’s nerves eased, and the energy she had forced herself to maintain dissipated. She was now just a weary elder. After hearing Xue Zhuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern for her, she felt much comforted 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 stared at her retreating back, 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 down beside Lu Huaining. She carefully tucked the quilt around them both and held his arm, feeling warm as she was enveloped by his scent.

She knew this man loved her, and she had no wish to let him down.

Unable to sleep, her fingers gently traced his cheek, then trailed down his neck, stopping at his stomach. She dared not rest the full weight of her hand on his abdomen, fearing she might cause him discomfort. The tension in her arm made it ache, but she refused to pull away. She had experienced stomach pain herself—not severe, but unbearable—and thinking of how much blood he had vomited, she wondered just how much he was hurting.

At those moments, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, yet she had been unable to perceive her lover’s pain.

She did not know when she finally fell asleep. When the doctor arrived the next morning, he was still asleep. She hurriedly got up to let the doctor perform the examination, washed her face, and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they finished 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; what must be solved must be faced head-on.

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

Time slipped by in a tacit, heavy silence.

As someone of such high status, Madam Lu was naturally accustomed to strict standards. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn’t changed her clothes since arriving, and they were wrinkled; she also looked quite pale. Xue Zhuining feared that once Madam Lu calmed down, she would find much to be displeased about.

But things had reached a point where no single person could change the outcome.

Xue Zhuining could sense the first impression Madam Lu had of her, even though they had never met before. People often unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they dislike. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless, and decided she would have to face whatever came her way.

However, Madam Lu’s gaze was calm, even showing a hint of gentleness, which took 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. Many facts were truly beyond my expectations. I would like to apologize first for his shameful behavior, and on behalf of the Lu family, I apologize to you and your mother. Though I know, the suffering you endured cannot be undone by an apology."

Xue Zhuining was surprised, then replied, "This is not your fault. It makes me feel very uneasy to have an elder apologize like this."

"It seems Lanlan raised you very well indeed. In truth, she was always a kind-hearted person; I was the one who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed, adding apologetically, "It was my failure as an elder to discipline him properly. In the past, I was indeed negligent in my care for Huaining. His parents' marriage was one of pretense, and because I had kept the truth of his biological mother from him, his father remained distant, and the woman he called mother only performed perfunctory kindness. They were strict—even harsh—with him, demanding perfection in his studies and behavior. We failed to give him the care a child truly needs. That he grew up with such a cold and arrogant nature is our fault."

Xue Zhuining lowered her eyes, recalling how he had once mentioned inadvertently that when he was sick as a child, he had to fetch 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 resting on the door to the inner room before returning to look intently at her. "Miss Xue, our two families once had deep ties. I have made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not wish to repeat them."

As one grows old, the heart grows old as well. There is no point in fighting anymore; all she hoped for now was the joy of a house full of descendants.

Xue Zhuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart pounding. She didn't know how to respond to such magnanimity, nor how to explain her four years of vanishing without a trace.

After a long silence, Madam Lu said, "I don’t want to bring up the past anymore, and I trust you understand the difficulties of the Lu family’s position. Regardless of anything, to speak plainly, you are innocent. Furthermore, Huaining has wronged you, and 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 this today only to let you know that your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, his engagement to Wanyi still stands; making it public now would only harm all three of you. We must be cautious and consider a strategy."

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

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, and after a while, she added, "I heard you are married."

Xue Zhuining’s heart skipped a beat, but she could only nod. Seeing a cold glimmer in Madam Lu’s eyes, her heart jumped.

The shadow on the older woman’s face lasted only a moment before she regained her calm, gentle demeanor. She looked at her and said, "I believe you must have 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 and will not cause you any unnecessary trouble."

Madam Lu nodded. "If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask. Huaining and I will certainly not stand by and watch. Although the Lu family cannot command the wind and rain, we still have the influence you can trust."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining said with a polite smile, though her resolve did not waver. Regarding many things, this was for the best.

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 be a woman who only knows how to manage a household. I am not asking you to have the same ability to control the big picture as he does, but you must integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not like what you see on television—they aren't just about showing off jewelry and gowns. Connections are built over drinks and conversation. You have heard of 'spousal diplomacy,' haven't you? Even when leaders visit other countries, they bring their wives."

Recalling her own youth, Madam Lu advised her, "Improve yourself and support your husband. It sounds exhausting, but if you don't do it, the distance between you will only grow. Two people can fall in love in a moment of passion, but to last, it takes effort. Life with Huaining cannot be the romantic, carefree life of high society that young girls imagine. You must be mentally prepared."

"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 she was now calm enough to face it.

Madam Lu said, "I will ask you to endure a little longer for now. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be quite busy in the near future, so 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 will reserve my judgment for now, but please understand my concerns. As an elder, I only want my child to be happy—and for that happiness to be lasting, without major ups and downs."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a massive concession from Madam Lu, and her words were reasonable and irrefutable. She pondered for a moment and 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 beside him, rather than hiding behind him, relying on his protection."

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

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