Blooming Roses

Then, Xie Ruan continued, “They say men look different when they wear a suit, especially when the suit is bought by his wife. If he wears it to some gatherings in the future, he’d surely be the envy of everyone.” Upon hearing this, Lin Mengmeng thought carefully and realized that a suit would be a perfect gift for Shao Tingyu’s thirtieth birthday. So she agreed. “Then it’s settled,” Xie Ruan took out her notebook and asked, “Do you know his measurements?” Lin Mengmeng’s face immediately turned red: “What do you mean?” “I mean his body measurements! Where did your mind go?” Xie Ruan rolled her eyes. Lin Mengmeng’s face stiffened, and she quickly masked the bitterness in her eyes, getting up to say, “I’ll go get you a glass of water.” But before she could take a few steps, her legs suddenly began to weaken, and she couldn’t stand steady. Her body uncontrollably tilted towards the edge of the table, but fortunately, she still had enough strength to slide down to the ground gently, avoiding a bad fall. Seeing the commotion, Xie Ruan hurried over to support Lin Mengmeng, her heart burning with anxiety: “Mengmeng, are you having another episode?” Lin Mengmeng weakly nodded, barely managing to stand with Xie Ruan’s support. After taking her medication, the stiffness in her body gradually subsided, but it took much longer this time. For almost several hours, Lin Mengmeng could hardly move, sitting in the chair. “Mengmeng, how did you end up with this illness?” Xie Ruan looked at Lin Mengmeng with deep concern, having seen her illness for the first time today, not expecting it to be so severe; she was truly frightened. Xie Ruan and Lin Mengmeng grew up in the same courtyard. When they were young, Xie Ruan was often taken care of by Lin Mengmeng’s brother, and after his passing, she treated Lin Mengmeng like her own family. Seeing Lin Mengmeng suffer now pained her heart. “Mengmeng, why don’t I take you abroad for treatment?” Xie Ruan held Lin Mengmeng’s slightly stiff hand and whispered, “I have money now; I can take you to America for treatment. I refuse to believe there’s no cure for you.” Lin Mengmeng shook her head, her expression dim: “I appreciate your kindness, but… no matter where you take me, there’s no cure for ALS.” “I have only a little time left, and I want to use it to do what I wish to do.” Hearing this, Xie Ruan’s nose tingled with emotion: “Then stay with me for a few days. You’d be alone at home anyway, and there’s so much I haven’t told you. Also, didn’t we agree to visit your brother’s grave?” Lin Mengmeng, having regained some strength, thought for a while before agreeing. She had come back this time to visit her brother’s grave, but with Shao Tingyu working, she doubted he’d have the time to accompany her. She hadn’t forgotten how Shao Tingyu always found excuses not to join the memorial visits. Xie Ruan, who had been her playmate since childhood, was closest to her brother. Before they could chat much longer, Lin Mengmeng heard the doorbell. She got up to check the clock on the wall, realizing it was past six. The door opened, and Shao Tingyu’s figure appeared at the entrance. Lin Mengmeng put on a smile and went to greet him: “You’re back.” “Yes,” Shao Tingyu, masking his fatigue, planted a light kiss on Lin Mengmeng’s forehead. As they walked in together, he noticed Xie Ruan sitting on the sofa, her expression not particularly pleasant. Over the past five years of his marriage to Lin Mengmeng, he had met Xie Ruan a few times, always noting her penchant for changing boyfriends. Therefore, he previously thought that birds of a feather flock together and didn’t have much of a favorable impression of Lin Mengmeng. Chapter Thirty-Nine: Be Wary When he realized Lin Mengmeng’s condition, he was even more perplexed about her friendship with Xie Ruan. “What are you doing here?” Shao Tingyu untied his tie, his gaze showing a hint of caution. Xie Ruan, knowing how much Lin Mengmeng had suffered these days, also didn’t have a good look for Shao Tingyu. She winked mischievously and teased, “Of course, to teach Mengmeng how to cheat and dump a cold-hearted man like you.” Shao Tingyu frowned and pulled Lin Mengmeng closer: “Don’t corrupt my wife.” They exchanged glares, clearly not on good terms. Lin Mengmeng, caught in the middle, tried to smooth things over: “Tingyu, I was just bored at home today, so I invited Ruan Ruan to keep me company for a while.” Shao Tingyu glanced at Xie Ruan and added, “From now on, you can come to the hospital; no need to look for her.” Xie Ruan didn’t bother arguing with Shao Tingyu, grabbed her bag, and left. Lin Mengmeng walked her to the door. As she was leaving, Xie Ruan turned back to look at Shao Tingyu and left Lin Mengmeng with a final sentence: “Mengmeng, I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow.” With that, the door closed. Xie Ruan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was just enough for Shao Tingyu to hear clearly. When Lin Mengmeng returned, Shao Tingyu’s suspicious gaze swept over her: “What did Xie Ruan mean by that?” Lin Mengmeng paused for a moment before smiling: “Tingyu, I was just about to discuss this with you.” Recently, she had figured out Shao Tingyu’s temperament; he responded better to gentleness than to force. Shao Tingyu, enjoying Lin Mengmeng’s approach, changed his earlier gloomy expression and sat down with her, his arm around her waist: “What’s the matter?” “I want to spend some time with Ruan Ruan.” Lin Mengmeng cautiously spoke. Shao Tingyu’s eyes flickered, though he didn’t immediately refuse, he showed no sign of agreeing. He gently advised: “You’re not in the best condition to move around much, and you have a checkup coming up in a few days.” Lin Mengmeng wrapped her arms around Shao Tingyu’s neck, leaning close: “I know, Ruan Ruan will accompany me. You’re always busy anyway.” Her voice was soft and weak after her episode, leaving Shao Tingyu with little choice. “Make sure you come back for your follow-up checkup.” Lin Mengmeng nodded obediently: “I understand.” Then, she planted a gentle kiss on Shao Tingyu’s lips. The atmosphere warmed up. The next day, before leaving for work, Shao Tingyu insisted on waiting with Lin Mengmeng at the door for Xie Ruan. When they met again, though still eyeing each other warily, they avoided conflict for Lin Mengmeng’s sake. After helping Lin Mengmeng into the car, Shao Tingyu reminded her: “Come back early.” Lin Mengmeng smiled: “You go to the hospital, I’ll be at the hospital soon.” Shao Tingyu nodded slightly, about to say more, but the car window was already rising. Xie Ruan, in the driver’s seat, floored the gas, speeding off without giving Shao Tingyu a chance to say more. As the car moved further away, when Lin Mengmeng turned back, she could no longer see Shao Tingyu’s figure. She reluctantly withdrew her gaze and gently touched the ring in her hand, her eyes softening. Xie Ruan glanced at Lin Mengmeng in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but snort coldly, “Although Shao Tingyu is nice to you now, I haven’t forgotten how he neglected you in the past.” “But he has really changed,” Lin Mengmeng’s voice carried a hint of regret, “I don’t want to spend our last moments in discord.” Xie Ruan, listening, seemed to want to say something but hesitated, “But Shao Tingyu was so indifferent to you back then, and then his attitude changed drastically because of your illness. Haven’t you considered that he might be with you again out of guilt?” Lin Mengmeng’s eyes flickered slightly, recalling the events of these days, which had indeed crossed her mind, but life’s plans can’t keep up with changes. Since she was willing to accept Shao Tingyu in her heart, why should she care about his reasons for being with her? At least now she could be sure of their mutual feelings, and they were happy together, which was good enough.