After finishing up, Lai Hui sat at the vanity, removing her makeup, her natural beauty emerging as she wiped away the cosmetics. Zhou Yuqian always thought that Lai Hui’s beauty was subtle, not needing much enhancement, but he would never tell her, just as she would never tell him how good he looked in casual clothes. She had never told him, but each time he changed into casual clothes, he caught a fleeting look of admiration in her eyes. Despite this, he wouldn’t dress down for her. Their interaction was like this: each staying within their own fortress, not daring to step forward, either fearing that the other would repel them with all their might if they did, or perhaps cherishing the peace, unwilling to ignite any conflict. Just like now, Lai Fen had questions to ask, but she guessed Zhou Yuqian wouldn’t respond. Zhou Yuqian had something to say, but he guessed Lai Fen wouldn’t tell the truth. They stubbornly persisted this way, occasionally revealing a hint of information through their eyes, but it was nothing worth paying attention to. Lai Fen went to the third floor to chat with Xu Nuo, asking Zhou Yuqian to call her before he went to bed so she could go downstairs to prepare the bathwater. At nine o’clock, the guest room phone rang; Zhou Yuqian instructed, “Go to bed early, I’ll be out later.” There was no need for bathwater now. Lai Fen hung up the phone and continued reminiscing about university days with Xu Nuo, but what she thought about most was her time working part-time. She felt somewhat lost—did she really experience that much happiness? And Jia Yi, now that he knew about the past, what did he think? Did he pretend not to know, just like her? Ever since Xu Nuo revealed the past to Jia Yi, he had been wandering between the harshness and helplessness of reality for two consecutive days, a chill spreading from the depths of his soul throughout his body. How could he admit that his breakup with Lai Fen was not a twist of fate but someone’s deliberate sabotage? He lost the person he loved most; there should be a head for grievances and a debtor for debts, but now, his grievances had nowhere to go, his debts had no one to repay. The first time he entered this VIP ward, Lai Fen didn’t want him here, but now he couldn’t care less. Auntie Yun was the one who watched him and Lai Fen fall in love; only she could confirm that those happy memories were real, and only she could tell him what to do next! Lai Ru Yun was initially surprised by his visit, then seemed to anticipate it, sending Xiao Yu away with a smile, saying, “Oh, I almost didn’t recognize Jia Yi!” Jia Yi stared blankly at Lai Ru Yun, who couldn’t move, her face sallow and devoid of any spirit. Hearing her voice, old yet resilient, he tried to call her ‘Aunt Yun’ as usual, but his throat felt choked, managing only a grunt. Lai Ru Yun still smiled, “Ah, I didn’t want you to see me like this; it would only sadden you young ones!” Her smile was kind, making Jia Yi feel an even greater sense of loss and melancholy. He couldn’t help but grab her frail hand, bending over the bed like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old, crying. How cruel reality was; in their youth, he and Lai Fen were manipulated by malicious people. If not for their deep love, such manipulation could have been easily seen through. But because they loved too deeply, blindly, they hurt Lai Fen and themselves. Looking back years later, Auntie Yun, whom he considered a parental figure, was confined to a hospital bed, the woman he loved most had lost her dignity to become someone else’s mistress, and he was the only one standing there, wishing he were dead instead. “Don’t cry anymore, your tears only make me sad. Xiao Fen told me you’re back in the country and have a girlfriend!” Lai Ru Yun could only watch him cry ‘indifferently’, guessing his purpose for coming, thinking it was time for some advice. Jia Yi lifted his face, his eyes full of deep sorrow, and sincerely said, “Aunt Yun, you know how much I love Lai Fen, even if others don’t. I swore at Grandma’s grave to take care of you and Lai Fen, no matter how long it takes, as long as you’re willing, I will still do it.” Lai Ru Yun tried to withdraw her hand, stared at him for a long while, then sighed, “The past doesn’t count anymore; neither Lai Fen nor I blame you. Since you have a new girlfriend, it means you and Lai Fen weren’t meant to be. Jia Yi, live your life well and stop thinking about us, mother and daughter. Coming today is enough to show your filial piety; don’t come again, okay?” Jia Yi was hurt by her resolute words, then remembered he did have a girlfriend, indeed not qualified to say such things. He stood up abruptly, his expression firm, “I’ll sort out my own matters first, then come to see you!” Lai Ru Yun, displeased, scolded, “Nonsense, at your age, still as impulsive as before. Since you have a girlfriend, you should take responsibility. What would happen if you abandon her now? Do you think I and Xiao Fen could be at ease?” Seeing Jia Yi’s slightly ashamed look, she softened her tone, “You’re not seventeen or eighteen anymore; you need to think things through. If you and Xiao Fen still have that fate, I won’t oppose, but you can’t hurt others!” Jia Yi nodded obediently as he always did, and Lai Ru Yun looked towards the tissue box on the table, “Wipe your face, don’t look like I scolded you.” “It’s not about hurting her, we’ve been together for a while, but we’re not really compatible. Her background is different, her thoughts too simple. We’ve been arguing a lot lately; forcing it further wouldn’t be good!” Jia Yi took a tissue to wipe his face, then pleaded, “I will fulfill my responsibilities, but if she doesn’t want to be with me, I should still have a chance, right?” He smiled mischievously, not matching his polished appearance. Seeing him unchanged since high school, Lai Ru Yun sighed internally, fearing another entanglement with Xiao Fen. What worried her was if they couldn’t end up together, Xiao Fen would be hurt again. She decided to probe further, to dissuade him if his intentions weren’t firm. “I won’t say anything if you have such thoughts, but Xiao Fen has made up her mind. Her heart is hard now; you might suffer.” Jia Yi, hearing her tone slightly soften, smiled with relief, “Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of her hard heart. I’ll endure whatever she does, not like before when I confronted her head-on!” Lai Ru Yun just sighed, diverting the topic. Her current condition didn’t allow her to interfere in young people’s affairs; she had done her part. As Jia Yi left the ward, his smiling face darkened. Although Auntie Yun didn’t stop him, he knew she didn’t trust him as before. As for Lai Fen, he was determined to cast aside all concerns and win her back. In the past, he considered everything carefully, leading to this situation; now, he decided not to care about anything else, just focus on wanting to be with her. In a world where not everything can go as planned, as long as Lai Fen still loved him, that was enough. Here is the
He made up his mind, got into his car, and headed to the place where he had agreed to meet Zhou Yuqian. As soon as he left the hospital room, Xie Jiayi’s smiling face turned gloomy. Although Aunt Yun did not stop him, he knew she no longer trusted him as before, and as for Lai Hui, he was determined to cast aside all concerns; he must have her back. In the past, he had meticulously planned everything, only to end up in this situation. Now, he thought it might be better not to care about anything, to just do what he wanted with her. In this world, not everything could go as one wishes; as long as Lai Hui still loved him, having just this one thing go his way was enough. With these thoughts, he got into his car and headed to the place where he had agreed to meet Zhou Yuqian.
