Chapter 13: The Infuriating Little Brat

To the world, you may be only one person; but to someone, you are the entire world.

Lu Huaining gave a faint smile and said, “Come here. I have something to tell you.”

They looked at one another with gentle devotion, as though the world had narrowed to just the two of them.

Old Madam Lu did not wish to intrude. She rose, stepped out of the hospital room, and quietly drew the door shut behind her.

When Lu Huaining saw that the others had gone, he took the opportunity to pull her into his arms. His lips brushed tenderly over her eyelids as he said domineeringly, “No more crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts. If you cry yourself blind, how are you going to count money then? You little money-grubber, I’ll be fine. Give me a little time.”

She heard his teasing and ought to have smiled, but all she felt was a stab of bitterness. He pinched her cheek and added, “But I don’t like a puffy-eyed mistress of the house. If you want to stay by my side counting money, then rest properly, smile more, and don’t cry. Understand?”

His body was being tormented by illness, yet he still hoped she could be happy.

“Mm.” Xue Zuining suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist with tender care, burying her cheek against his broad chest. “Huaining, I’ll be good to you from now on.”

“How good?” Lu Huaining stroked her hair, resting his forehead against the crown of her head, and let out a soft laugh.

“Just very, very good…” In her heart, Xue Zuining silently made a promise: she would love this man well, and with it, make up for the share of love her mother had never been able to give.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. “I’m tired. Go tell Grandmother and have her get some sleep. Her health was never good to begin with, and she’s been worrying herself over me. She can’t wear herself out. You should rest early too. If you stay with me like you did last night while I sleep, I might get better faster.”

“Mm.” She kissed his brow and smiled all at once.

He let her go, watching as she stood, straightened her clothes, and walked out of the room into the outer area. The door was not locked. Her soft voice drifted back in faintly. He listened for a while, but in the end sleep overcame him and he drifted off deeply.

With Lu Huaining’s condition brought under control, and no more repeated bleeding as there had been the day before, Old Madam Lu’s taut nerves finally eased. The strength she had forced herself to maintain vanished in an instant, and she was now only an exhausted elder. After hearing Xue Zuining convey Lu Huaining’s concern, she felt much better and lay down on the sofa in the outer room.

Xue Zuining asked a nurse to bring over a blanket. Only after the old lady had settled to sleep did she return to Lu Huaining’s side. Old Madam Lu watched her retreating figure, deep in thought, saying nothing.

That back looked so familiar, as though it were Zhong Yilan from years ago.

Xue Zuining quickly washed up and came back to lie beside Lu Huaining. Carefully, she covered them both and took hold of his arm. Surrounded by his scent, she felt only warmth.

This man loved her, she knew that, and she did not wish to fail him.

She could not sleep. Her fingers lightly traced his cheek, then followed the line of his neck downward until they came to rest over his stomach. She did not dare place her full weight there, afraid of adding even the slightest pressure. The posture made her arm ache, but she still did not want to move her hand away. She, too, had suffered stomach pain before, not severe, but unbearable all the same. He had vomited so much blood; just how painful had it been?

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, yet she had been unable to feel the pain of the man she loved.

She did not know when she finally fell asleep. Early the next morning, the doctor came in, and he still had not awakened. She hurried to her feet so the doctor could examine him, then went to wash her face and buy breakfast for herself and Old Madam Lu. After the two of them ate quietly, they went to see Lu Huaining. Seeing that his complexion had improved a little, both of them felt somewhat better. Old Madam Lu turned to look at Xue Zuining and said, “Miss Xue, come outside with me. We need to have a proper talk.”

Some things could not be avoided. What had to be faced had to be faced head-on.

At those words, Xue Zuining felt as though her heart had been lifted by a thread and left swaying in midair. She quietly clenched her fists, then followed Old Madam Lu out into the outer room and sat across from her.

Time passed in silence, though each of them understood the other without needing to say so.

A woman of Old Madam Lu’s standing was naturally accustomed to strict standards in everything. Worried over Lu Huaining, she had not changed her clothes since arriving; they were wrinkled from sleep, and her complexion was poor. Xue Zuining feared that once the old lady had calmed down, she would find fault with everything.

But by now, this was no longer something a single person’s will could alter.

Xue Zuining could already imagine Old Madam Lu’s first impression of her. Even before they had ever met, she understood that when people disliked someone or something, they would unconsciously magnify every flaw. She absently smoothed her hair. There was nothing for it now; she would have to take each move as it came.

Yet Old Madam Lu’s gaze upon her was unexpectedly calm, and there was even a hint of warmth in it, which surprised her.

Xue Zuining steadied her breathing and kept a proper smile on her face, waiting quietly for the other to speak.

“Huaining told me everything yesterday. Many of the facts were far beyond what I expected. First, I want to apologize for his shameful behavior, and on behalf of the Lu family I also want to apologize to you and your mother. Though I understand very well that no apology can make up for the suffering you endured.”

Xue Zuining was a little startled, then replied, “This isn’t your fault. It makes me very embarrassed to have an elder apologize to me like this.”

“It seems Lanlan really did raise you well. She has always been a broad-minded person, only I misjudged her.” Old Madam Lu sighed and said apologetically, “It was my own failure as an elder to teach him properly. In the past, I truly did neglect Huaining. Our marriage was only in name, with no true heart in it. Moreover, I concealed the truth about his biological mother, so his father was always cold to him, and the woman who was his so-called mother was only affectionate on the surface. As a result, we were very strict with the child, even harsh. We demanded excellence in his studies and in his conduct. It is true that we gave him far too little of the care a child needs. He became the cold, proud person he is now, and the fault lies with us.”

Xue Zuining lowered her eyes, remembering how he had once mentioned in passing that when he was sick as a child, he had to take his medicine alone, while the servants merely watched their master’s expression and no one truly cared for him. Her heart ached faintly.

“I don’t want to interfere too much in the two of you,” Old Madam Lu said with a deep sigh. Her gaze lingered on the door to the inner room before returning to Xue Zuining. “As a grandmother, all I want is for my grandson to live well.”

She looked at her deeply. “Miss Xue, our two families once had quite a history together. I have made mistakes before, and this time, I think I cannot afford to be wrong again.”

When people grow old, their hearts grow old too. No amount of struggle matters anymore. What she hoped for was nothing more than the joy of seeing children and grandchildren gathered around her.

Xue Zuining stared at Old Madam Lu, her eyes wide, her heart pounding wildly. Faced with such generosity, she did not even know how to respond, how to explain her own disappearance without a trace for four long years.

After a long silence, Old Madam Lu said, “I don’t want to bring up the rights and wrongs of the past anymore, and I also believe you understand how difficult it is for the Lu family to stand where it does. Anyone could be blamed, but to be fair, you are innocent as well. Besides, Huaining wronged you. If he has to spend his whole life repaying that debt, it is only right. Since he cannot bear to be without you, I will not make things hard for you in the future. The reason I am telling you all this today is only to say that what happened between you and Huaining still cannot be made public for now. After all, Huaining’s engagement to Wanyi is still in place. If this were made public, it would hurt all three of you. You should think it through carefully and then decide how to proceed.”

Xue Zuining pressed her lips together. “I understand.”

Old Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm the turmoil in her own heart. After a while, she said again, “I heard that you are married.”

Xue Zuining was startled, but she could only nod. Then she saw a coldness enter Old Madam Lu’s eyes, and her heart gave a sudden lurch.

The shadow across Old Madam Lu’s face lasted only a moment before she regained her composure. Looking at her, she said gently, “I believe you must have your reasons. I only ask that you do not hurt Huaining again.”

After thinking for a moment, Xue Zuining answered, “I understand what you mean. I will deal with my own matters as soon as possible and won’t cause unnecessary trouble for either of you.”

Old Madam Lu nodded. “If you need help with anything, just say so. Huaining and I will not stand by and do nothing. The Lu family may not be able to command the wind and summon the rain, but we still have abilities you can trust.”

“Thank you, Old Madam.” Xue Zuining smiled in agreement, though it did not shake her resolve. There were many matters in life that, once one chose, should simply be faced that way.

Old Madam Lu’s expression softened a little. “Miss Xue, if you are going to walk this road with Huaining, there will still be many things you must face. Family considerations are only one part of it. Huaining carries a great deal of responsibility. As his partner, you naturally cannot be merely a woman who stays home to care for husband and children. I am not asking you to possess the same ability to control the whole situation as he does, but you must be able to enter his circle. Formal social occasions are not like the scenes shown on television, where women only display jewels and gowns. Connections are built amid the clinking of glasses. When leaders go abroad, they all bring their wives. You have heard of the term ‘first lady diplomacy,’ haven’t you?”

Remembering her own youth, Old Madam Lu instructed her earnestly, “Improve yourself, support your husband. Though it sounds tiring, if you do not do this, the distance between you and him will only grow wider. Two people may fall in love in an instant, but lasting a lifetime requires effort. Life with Huaining can never be the romantic, flower-and-moonlit existence little girls imagine of wealthy families. Be prepared for that.”

“I understand. Thank you for your reminder, Old Madam.” If it had been four years ago, Xue Zuining might indeed have feared such a life, but now she had long since learned to face it with calm.

Old Madam Lu said, “For the time being, you will have to endure this injustice a little longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I’ll find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I’ll be busy for a while, so Huaining will be in your care. You may interact normally as husband and wife and see whether the two of you are truly suited to one another. I reserve judgment for now, but I hope you understand my concerns. As an elder, I only want the children to be happy, and to be happy for a long time, without any great upheavals.”

Xue Zuining knew this was already a tremendous concession. Every word the old lady had spoken was reasonable and beyond dispute. After careful consideration, she smiled and said, “Please rest assured. Since I’ve decided to be with Huaining, I’m already prepared to face whatever difficulties may come in the future. And I will do my best to improve myself, so that I can stand beside him rather than hide behind him and rely on his protection all the time.”

“That’s good. You’ve had a hard time.” Old Madam Lu handed her a contact number. “If you need anything, call me directly. If that’s inconvenient, you can call the housekeeper instead.” After saying this, she went in to look at her sleeping grandson again.

If everything now was a punishment for the wrongs of the past, then perhaps letting go was the best way to atone.