Chapter 18: Romeo and Juliet

To the world, you may be just one person;
but to someone, you are the entire world...
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Lu Huaining smiled gently and said, “Come here, I have something to tell you.”

The two of them gazed at each other tenderly, as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

Madam Lu, not wishing to disturb, stood up and quietly stepped outside the hospital room, closing the door softly behind her.

Seeing the others leave, Lu Huaining took the opportunity to pull her into his arms and pressed a gentle kiss to her eyelids. With a commanding tone, he said, “No more crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts. If you keep crying and go blind, how will you count money? You little money-grubber, I will get better—I just need some time.”

She heard his playful words but couldn’t bring herself to smile, only feeling a pang of sorrow. He pinched her cheek softly. “But I don’t like a boss lady with swollen eyes. If you want to stand by me counting money, rest well, smile more, and don’t cry, understand?”

Though his body was wracked with pain, all he wished for was her happiness.

“Mm.” Xue Zuining suddenly opened her arms and wrapped them gently around his waist, burying her cheek in his broad chest. Softly, she said, “Huaining, I will treat you well from now on.”

“How well?” Lu Huaining traced her hair, resting against the nape of her neck, and laughed lightly.

“Very, very well...” Xue Zuining promised quietly to herself, determined to love this man deeply, to fill the void left by her mother’s absence.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. “I’m sleepy. Go tell grandmother to get a good rest. Her health has never been strong, and she worries so much about me—I can’t let her be exhausted. You should rest early too. Sleep with me like last night; maybe I’ll recover faster.”

“Mm.” She kissed his brow and smiled softly.

He loosened his grip and watched her stand, straighten her clothes, and leave the room to the outer chamber. The door was unlocked; her gentle voice drifted faintly through the air. He listened for a while but eventually succumbed to sleep, drifting into deep slumber.

Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized; unlike yesterday, there was no recurrent bleeding. Madam Lu’s taut nerves relaxed somewhat, and the facade of strength she had maintained melted away. Now, she was just a weary elder. After Xue Zuining conveyed Lu Huaining’s regards, she felt much more at ease and lay down on the sofa in the outer room. Xue Zuining asked the nurse to bring a blanket over, and only after Madam Lu fell asleep did she return to Lu Huaining’s side. Madam Lu’s gaze lingered on Xue Zuining’s retreating figure in thoughtful silence.

That silhouette was so familiar, as if it were the very image of Zhong Yilan from long ago.

Xue Zuining quickly freshened up and lay down beside Lu Huaining, carefully covering them both with the blanket. She wrapped her arms around his, enveloped in the warmth of his scent, feeling comforted.

This man loved her—she knew it—and she would never dare to let him down.

Unable to sleep, her fingers traced lightly over his cheek, down his neck, and rested on his stomach. She dared not place her full hand weight there, fearful of causing him discomfort. Her arm grew sore from holding still, but she did not want to withdraw her touch. She had suffered from stomach pain before—not severe but unbearable—and knowing how much blood he had vomited, she could only imagine the agony he endured.

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, yet she could not truly feel the depth of her beloved’s pain.

She did not know when she had fallen asleep. Early the next morning, when the doctor came in, he was still unconscious. She hastily rose to let the doctor examine him, then washed her face and went out to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. The two ate quietly, then checked on Lu Huaining, seeing his complexion had improved, which lifted their spirits. Madam Lu glanced at Xue Zuining and said, “Miss Xue, come with me outside. We need to have a proper talk.”

Some matters cannot be avoided; they must be faced head-on.

At those words, Xue Zuining’s heart seemed to be lifted on a string, dangling precariously in midair. She clenched her fists silently and followed Madam Lu to the outer chamber, sitting face to face.

Time passed quietly, each silently understanding the other.

Madam Lu, a woman accustomed to high standards and strict demands, had not changed her clothes since arriving, her sleep was restless and her complexion pale from worry for Lu Huaining. She feared that once calm, her displeasure might surface.

But at this point, it was beyond any individual’s power to alter fate.

Madam Lu’s first impression of Xue Zuining—even before they had met—had been shaped by the tendency to magnify the faults of those one dislikes. She brushed her hair aside helplessly and thought, “It is what it is. I’ll just have to deal with it as it comes.”

Yet her gaze upon Xue Zuining was calm, even touched with a hint of warmth, which surprised her.

Xue Zuining adjusted her breathing and maintained a composed smile, patiently waiting for Madam Lu to speak.

“Yesterday, Huaining told me everything. Many truths surprised me. I must apologize for his shameful conduct and, on behalf of the Lu family, apologize to you and your mother. Though I understand the suffering you endured cannot be mended with mere words.”

Xue Zuining was somewhat taken aback but replied, “It is not your fault. As a junior, I feel embarrassed to have elders apologize on my behalf.”

“It seems Lanlan truly raised you well. She has always been a kind woman—I was the one who misjudged.” Madam Lu sighed and expressed her regrets. “I failed in raising Huaining properly. Our so-called marriage was merely a facade. Moreover, I concealed the truth about Huaining’s birth mother, which caused his father to treat him coldly. The woman he called mother only showed him superficial affection. So we were strict, even harsh, in disciplining him—his studies and behavior were tightly controlled. Admittedly, we failed to give him the care a child needs. His cold and aloof nature is our fault.”

Xue Zuining lowered her eyes, recalling Huaining once mentioning his childhood illnesses, how he had to take medicine himself, with servants only obeying orders and no one truly caring for him. A pang of sadness stirred within her.

“I do not wish to interfere too much with your affairs. After all, as grandmother, I only want my grandson to have a good life,” Madam Lu sighed deeply. Her gaze rested on the door to the inner room, then quickly returned to Xue Zuining. “Miss Xue, our families once had a significant bond. I have made mistakes before, but this time, I cannot afford to err again.”

When one grows old, the heart grows weary. No matter the disputes, they lose their meaning. What she hoped for now was simply the joy of a full family.

Xue Zuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart pounding wildly. Faced with such generosity, she did not know how to respond or explain her four years of disappearance without a trace.

Madam Lu remained silent for a long moment before saying, “I do not wish to revisit past grievances. I believe you understand the burdens of holding a high position in the Lu family. Truly, no one is entirely blameless. Huaining wronged you, and repaying that debt will be his lifelong responsibility. He cannot live without you, and I will not trouble you going forward. I share all this to tell you that your relationship with Huaining cannot yet be made public. His engagement to Wan Yi still stands. If revealed, it would hurt all three of you. We must deliberate carefully before deciding on a course.”

Xue Zuining pressed her lips and replied quietly, “I understand.”

Madam Lu sipped her tea, attempting to calm the turmoil in her heart. After a pause, she continued, “I heard you are married.”

Xue Zuining’s heart skipped, but she could only nod. Seeing the sharpness in Madam Lu’s eyes, her heart leapt again.

The shadow on Madam Lu’s face lasted only a moment before she resumed her composed and gentle demeanor. She looked at Xue Zuining and said, “I believe you have your reasons, but please, do not hurt Huaining again.”

Xue Zuining considered and replied, “I understand your meaning. I will handle my affairs soon and will not cause unnecessary trouble for you.”

Madam Lu nodded. “If you need help, do not hesitate to ask. Neither Huaining nor I will stand idly by. The Lu family cannot command the world, but we do have our strengths that you can rely on.”

“Thank you, Madam.” Xue Zuining smiled in agreement, though her inner resolve remained firm. Many things were best left as they were.

Madam Lu’s expression softened slightly. “Miss Xue, to walk alongside Huaining, you will face many challenges. Family matters are one thing, but Huaining carries great responsibilities. As his partner, you cannot be someone who merely stays at home tending the household. I do not expect you to have the same command over affairs as he does, but you must integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not just displays of jewels and dresses as on television. Connections are forged amidst clinking glasses and lively discourse. Leaders always bring their spouses on official visits. You must have heard of ‘spousal diplomacy,’ right?”

Recalling her own youth, Madam Lu advised her, “Elevate yourself, support your husband. Though it sounds arduous, if you do not, the distance between you will only grow. Love can be sparked by a moment’s passion, but to endure long-term, it requires effort. Life with Huaining will not be the romantic, carefree existence young girls imagine of the wealthy. You must be prepared.”

“I understand. Thank you for your advice.” Four years ago, Xue Zuining might have dreaded such a life, but now she faced it calmly.

Madam Lu said, “You must endure a little longer. When Huaining recovers, I will find the right moment to make your relationship public. I will be busy for a while, so Huaining will rely on your care. You can live as husband and wife, adjust to each other, and see if you truly suit one another. For now, I reserve judgment, but please understand my concerns. As an elder, I want my child to be happy—and to remain so, without great upheavals.”

Xue Zuining knew this was Madam Lu’s great concession, her words irrefutable and reasonable. She pondered carefully and smiled. “Rest assured, since I have chosen to be with Huaining, I am ready to face any difficulties ahead. I will strive to improve myself, stand by him—not hide behind him, relying on his protection.”

“That’s good to hear. Thank you for your efforts. If you need anything, call me directly. If I’m unavailable, contact the housekeeper.” With that, Madam Lu handed her a contact card and glanced once more at her sleeping grandson.

If all this is a reckoning for past mistakes, then letting go may be the best way to atone.