Chapter 8: Entrustment

To the world, you may just be 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 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 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 money then. 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; she only felt a pang of sorrow. He pinched her cheek and added, "But 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 crying, understand?"

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

"Mm." Xue Zhuining suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and buried 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, rested his chin against the crown of her head, and chuckled softly.

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

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I’m tired. Go tell Grandma to get some good sleep. She hasn't been in the best health, and she’s been worrying so much over me; she shouldn't exhaust herself. You should rest early too. If you sleep beside me like you did last night, I might recover even faster."

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

He let go, watching her stand up, smooth her clothes, and walk into the outer room. The door remained unlocked. He heard her soft voice drifting in for a while, but eventually, overcome by drowsiness, he drifted into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining's condition stabilized and the recurring hemorrhaging of the previous day ceased, Madam Lu’s tense nerves finally began to loosen. The energy she had forced herself to maintain dissipated, and she was once again 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 quilt, and only after the older woman was asleep did she walk 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 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 intention of failing him.

She couldn't sleep. Her fingers gently brushed his cheek, traveled down his neck, and stopped at his stomach. She didn't dare rest the weight of her hand on him, fearing she might cause him pain. The tension in her arm made it ache, but she didn't want to move away. She had suffered from stomach pain before—it wasn't serious, yet it was unbearable. He had vomited so much blood; how much pain must he have been in?

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, a thousand miles away, yet she had been unable to perceive her lover's suffering.

She didn't 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 ate in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining and, seeing his complexion had improved, felt their own spirits lift. 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 faced with a problem, one must confront it head-on.

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

Time passed quietly, each lost in their own unspoken thoughts.

As someone of high standing, Madam Lu was naturally accustomed to demanding strict standards from everyone. Because of her worry for Lu Huaining, she hadn't changed her clothes since arriving, her attire was wrinkled, and her complexion was poor. Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had calmed down, she might find all sorts of faults with her.

But by now, this was beyond the control of any one person.

Xue Zhuining could sense the impression she had made on Madam Lu from the start—when people dislike someone, they unconsciously magnify every flaw. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless; it was what it was, and she would just have to handle whatever came her way.

However, the gaze Madam Lu fixed upon her was calm, even showing a hint of gentleness, which surprised her.

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

"Huaining told me everything yesterday. Many things were beyond my expectations. I want to apologize first for his shameful behavior, and also apologize to you and your mother on behalf of the Lu family. 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 very uneasy having an elder apologize like this."

"It seems Lanlan raised you very well. In fact, she was always a kind-hearted person; it was I who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It was my failure in discipline. In the past, I was indeed negligent toward Huaining. His parents' marriage was merely a shell, and because I kept the truth about his biological mother a secret, his father was always cold toward him. The woman he called mother only performed superficial kindness. They were very strict, even harsh, with him regarding his studies and behavior. Admittedly, we did not give him the care a child needs. That he grew up with such a cold and arrogant temperament is our fault."

Xue Zhuining lowered her eyes, remembering how he had once mentioned in passing that when he was sick as a child, he had to take his own medicine, and the servants only cared about his father's mood, with no one truly looking after him. Her heart ached.

"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 once had quite a connection. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I do not want to repeat them."

As one grows old, the heart tires. Fighting for more has no meaning; all she wished 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 own four-year disappearance.

Madam Lu remained silent for a long time before saying, "I do not wish to dwell on the past anymore, and I believe you can understand the difficulties of the Lu family's position. Regardless of anything, you are 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 am telling you all this today only because your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, his engagement to Wanyi still stands. If it were to go public now, it would hurt all three of you. Let us deliberate and find a strategy."

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 are married."

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

The shadow on the older woman's face lasted only a moment before she returned to her calm, gentle composure. 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. As for my situation, I will handle it 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 all-powerful, we certainly have the means to be trusted."

"Thank you, Madam," Xue Zhuining replied with a smile, though her resolve remained unshaken. Some things were best left as they were.

Madam Lu’s expression softened further. "Miss Xue, if you want to continue with Huaining, there is much you will have to face. Family factors are one thing, but Huaining carries a great deal of responsibility. As his partner, you cannot simply be a woman who only knows how to manage the 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 for showing off jewelry and dresses. Connections are built amidst the clinking of glasses. You have heard of 'First Lady diplomacy,' haven't you?"

Madam Lu recalled her own youth and advised her, "Improve yourself and assist 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 an instant of passion, but to last, it requires effort. Life with Huaining cannot be the romanticized 'high-society' life 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 intimidated by such a life, but now, she faced it with calm.

Madam Lu said, "Bear with it 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 near future, so I leave Huaining to your care. The two of you can interact as a couple and see if you are truly compatible. I am reserving my judgment for now, but please understand my concerns. As an elder, I hope for the children to be happy, and for that happiness to be lasting, without major ups and downs."

Xue Zhuining knew this was a significant concession on Madam Lu's part, and her words were reasonable and irrefutable. She thought it over carefully 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 may stand beside him, rather than hiding behind him and relying solely 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, call the butler." With that, Madam Lu handed her contact information over 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.