Chapter 7: A Chance Encounter Once More

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

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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 pulled the door shut behind her.

Seeing that the others had left, Lu Huaining took the opportunity to pull her into his arms. He pressed his lips gently against her eyelids and said in a domineering tone, "No more crying. Your eyes are already swollen like 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 remarks, she couldn't bring herself to smile; she only felt a sharp pang of sorrow. He pinched her cheek. "I don’t like a bossy lady 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 suffering, all he wanted was for her to be happy.

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

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

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

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I’m sleepy. Go tell Grandmother to get some good rest. She hasn't been well, and she’s been worrying about me; she mustn't exhaust herself. You should get some sleep too—stay with me like you did last night; I might recover faster that way."

"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, and her soft voice drifted in intermittently. He listened for a while, but eventually, overcome by drowsiness, he fell into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized and the internal bleeding no longer recurring as it had the day before, the tension in Madam Lu’s nerves eased somewhat. The energy she had forced herself to maintain dissipated, and she was, after all, just 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 ensuring the elder 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.

Xue Zhuining washed up briefly and returned to lie down beside Lu Huaining. She carefully tucked the blanket around them both and held his arm, feeling warm and secure, surrounded by his scent.

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

Unable to sleep, she gently traced his cheek with her fingers, then moved down his neck, stopping at his stomach. She dared not rest the full weight of her hand on him for fear of causing him discomfort. The strained posture made her arm ache, yet she could not bear to move her hand away. She, too, had suffered from stomach pain—not as severe, perhaps, but agonizing nonetheless. He had vomited so much blood; how much pain must he have been in?

At those moments, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, while she had been completely oblivious to his suffering.

She did not know when she finally drifted off. The next morning, when the doctor arrived, he was still asleep. She quickly rose to let the doctor perform the examination, washed her face, and went out to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. The two ate in silence and then went to check on Lu Huaining. Seeing his complexion had improved, their moods lightened as well. Madam Lu turned to look 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 them head-on.

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

Time passed quietly, with each of them keeping their own thoughts hidden.

Madam Lu, a woman of such high stature, was naturally accustomed to demanding perfection. Having not changed her clothes since arriving and having slept in a crumpled state, she looked tired, and Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had calmed down, she would be displeased by her disheveled appearance.

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

She had sensed Madam Lu’s first impression of her even before they had met; people tend to unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they dislike. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless—it was what it was; she would just have to deal with whatever came.

However, the look in Madam Lu’s eyes was calm, even tinged with a hint of gentleness, which surprised her.

Xue Zhuining steadied her breathing, maintaining a polite smile as she waited for the other woman to speak.

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

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

"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 was my failure as an elder. In the past, I did indeed neglect Huaining. His parents' marriage was merely a shell, and because I kept the truth about his biological mother from him, his father was always cold toward him. The woman he called mother only put on a show of affection. They were strict—even harsh—with him, demanding perfection in his studies and behavior. Admittedly, we did not give him the care he needed as a child. 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 in passing that when he was ill as a child, he had to take his own medicine; the servants only watched their master's mood, and no one truly looked after him. A sour ache spread through her heart.

"I do not wish to interfere too much in your affairs. After all, as his 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 at her intently. "Miss Xue, our two families once had deep ties. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I cannot afford to make them again."

As one grows old, the heart grows weary. Fighting for more has no meaning; all she truly hoped for now was the joy of a house full of descendants.

Xue Zhuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart racing. Faced with such unexpected leniency, she didn't know how to respond, or how to explain her four years of vanishing without a trace.

Madam Lu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I do not wish to bring up the rights and wrongs of the past, and I believe you understand the difficulties of the Lu family’s position. Any person—but to be fair, 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 all this today only to say that your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, his engagement to Wanyi still stands. To make it public now would hurt all three of you. It is better to deliberate and decide on a strategy later."

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 while, she added, "I heard you were married."

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

The shadow on Madam Lu’s face lasted only a moment before she regained her calm and gentle demeanor. She looked at her and said, "I believe you must have had your own hardships, but I ask that you do not hurt Huaining again."

Xue Zhuining thought for a moment and replied, "I understand what you mean. As for my personal affairs, I will handle them 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 certainly not sit idly by. Though the Lu family may not be all-powerful, we still have the means to be worthy of your trust."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining replied with a polite smile, though it did not shake her inner resolve. Some things were best handled this way.

Madam Lu’s expression softened further. "Miss Xue, if you want to walk this path with Huaining, you will face many challenges. Family is one factor, but Huaining carries many responsibilities. As his partner, you cannot simply 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—merely scenes to show off jewelry and gowns. Connections are built during cocktail hours. When leaders go abroad, they bring their wives—you have heard of 'spousal diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Recalling her own youth, Madam Lu cautioned her, "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 may fall in love in a flash 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. Be prepared for that."

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

Madam Lu said, "I must ask you to bear with the situation for a while longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be quite busy in the coming days, so I will leave Huaining in your care. You two may live as a married couple and see if you truly are a good match. I will reserve my opinion 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 the turmoil of great ups and downs."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a significant concession on Madam Lu’s part, and every word she spoke was reasonable and irrefutable. After careful consideration, she smiled. "Please rest assured. Since I have decided to be with Huaining, I am ready 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 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 handed her contact information and went to see her sleeping grandson once more.

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.