Chapter 33: They Went to the Airport!

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 gazed at each other tenderly, as if the whole world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

Madam Lu did not want to disturb them; she stood up, stepped outside the ward, and closed the door softly.

Seeing the others leave, Lu Huaining took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace, pressing a gentle kiss on her eyelids, then said with a hint of possessiveness, "No more crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts. If you cry yourself blind, how will you count your money? You little money lover, I will definitely get better—just give me some time."

She heard his playful words but couldn’t smile, only feeling a pang in her heart. He pinched her cheek gently. "But I don’t like a boss lady with swollen eyes. If you want to stay by my side and count money, then rest well and smile more. No more crying, understand?"

Though his body was tormented, he wished for her happiness.

"Mm." Xue Zuining suddenly opened her arms and gently wrapped them around his waist, burying her cheek in his broad chest, whispering softly, "Huaining, I will treat you well from now on."

"How well?" Lu Huaining traced her hair, touching the crown of her head, then chuckled lightly.

"Very, very well..." Xue Zuining promised quietly in her heart. She would love this man deeply, filling the void that her mother had left behind.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss on her raven hair. "I’m sleepy. Go tell Grandma to get a good rest. She’s not well to begin with and worries about me too much—she can’t be exhausted. You should rest early too, like you did last night, sleeping beside me. Maybe I’ll recover faster."

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

He released his hold, watching her stand and straighten her clothes before leaving the ward toward the outer room. The door wasn’t locked; her soft voice drifted faintly through. He listened for a while but eventually succumbed to sleep.

Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized; unlike the previous day, there was no recurring bleeding. Madam Lu’s tightly wound nerves relaxed somewhat, and the energy she had been forcing faded away. Now, she was just a weary elder. Hearing Xue Zuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern, 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 after Madam Lu fell asleep, she returned to Lu Huaining’s side, covering them both carefully and embracing his arm. Surrounded by his scent, she felt a gentle warmth.

This man loved her—she knew it, and she was unwilling to betray that love.

Unable to sleep, her fingers lightly stroked his cheek, then traced down his neck, stopping at his stomach. She didn’t dare press her whole hand there, fearing it would add pressure. Her arm grew sore from holding still, yet she didn’t want to move away. She had suffered stomach pain before—not severe but agonizing—and knowing he had vomited so much blood, she imagined how much it must have hurt.

He must have been thinking of her far away while enduring that pain, yet she had been unable to share in his suffering.

She didn’t know when she fell asleep. Early the next morning, the doctor came in, but he was still unconscious. She hurriedly woke to let the doctor examine him, then washed her face and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. They ate quietly, then checked on Lu Huaining, seeing his complexion had improved, lifting their spirits greatly. 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.

Xue Zuining’s heart lifted as if suspended by a thread swaying midair. She clenched her fists quietly and followed Madam Lu to the side room, sitting face to face with her.

Time passed quietly, yet between them, an unspoken understanding lingered.

Madam Lu, a woman accustomed to high standards, had been tense with worry over Lu Huaining but had not changed clothes since arriving, her sleep was restless, and her complexion poor. She feared that once calm, her displeasure would surface in various ways.

But at this point, it was beyond any one person’s power to change.

Madam Lu’s first impression of Xue Zuining—though they had never met before—was clear: people tend to unconsciously magnify the faults of those or things they dislike. She smoothed her hair helplessly. It was what it was; she would have to deal with it as it came.

However, her gaze upon Xue Zuining was calm, even revealing a hint of kindness, which surprised her somewhat.

Xue Zuining adjusted her breathing, maintaining a poised smile, quietly waiting for her to speak.

"Yesterday, Huaining told me everything. Many facts were beyond what I expected. I first want to apologize for his shameful actions, and on behalf of the Lu family, apologize to you and your mother. Although I understand that the suffering you endured cannot be undone with apologies."

Xue Zuining was somewhat taken aback but replied, "This is not your fault. It feels awkward for a junior like me to hear an elder apologize."

"It seems Lanlan truly educated you well. She has always been a kind-hearted person, though I misjudged her," Madam Lu sighed with regret. "I failed in raising Huaining properly. Our marriage was only a facade, disconnected at heart. Moreover, I concealed the truth about Huaining’s biological mother, so his father was always distant, and the woman he called mother only showed superficial affection. Therefore, we were strict, even harsh with his studies and behavior. Indeed, we failed to provide the care he needed. His cold and aloof temperament is our fault."

Xue Zuining lowered her eyes, recalling how he had once casually mentioned that as a child, he had to take medicine by himself; servants only responded to their masters’ moods, and no one genuinely cared for him. Her heart ached.

"I don’t wish to meddle too much in your affairs. After all, as a grandmother, I want my grandson to live well," Madam Lu sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on the ward door before returning to Xue Zuining. "Miss Xue, our families once shared a close bond. I have made mistakes before, but this time, I cannot afford to err again."

Age softens the heart. No longer does quarrelling hold meaning. She only longed for the joy of a full family with children and grandchildren.

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

After a long silence, Madam Lu said, "I won’t dwell on past conflicts. I trust you understand the difficulties of the Lu family’s high position. Honestly, you are innocent. Huaining owes you an unrepayable debt, and it is his responsibility to repay it a lifetime over. He cannot live without you. I will not make things hard for you in the future. I say all this because your relationship with Huaining must remain private for now. After all, his engagement to Wan Yi still stands. If revealed, it will hurt all three of you. We must consider carefully before deciding what to do next."

Xue Zuining pressed her lips and replied, "I understand."

Madam Lu sipped her tea, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. After a while, she said again, "I heard you’re married."

Xue Zuining’s heart jolted but nodded. Seeing the cold sharpness in Madam Lu’s eyes, she felt a sudden pang.

The shadow on her face lasted only a moment before she regained her composed warmth and said, "I believe you have your reasons. Just please don’t hurt Huaining again."

Xue Zuining thought for a moment and responded, "I understand your meaning. I will handle my matters quickly and won’t cause unnecessary trouble for you."

Madam Lu nodded. "If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. Huaining and I will not stand idly by. The Lu family may not command the winds and waves, but we still have the power you can trust."

"Thank you, Madam." Xue Zuining smiled in agreement but her heart remained firm. Many things were better left as they were.

Madam Lu’s expression softened somewhat. "Miss Xue, if you want to walk this path with Huaining, there are many challenges ahead. Family matters are one thing, but Huaining bears many responsibilities. His partner cannot be a woman who only manages the household. I don’t expect you to control everything as he does, but you must integrate into his world. Formal social occasions are not just about flaunting jewels and gowns as on television. Connections are built over shared drinks and toasts. Leaders always bring their spouses on official visits—you’ve heard of ‘wife diplomacy,’ haven’t you?"

Recalling her own youth, Madam Lu gave her earnest advice. "Improve yourself and support your husband. Though it sounds arduous, if you don’t, the distance between you will grow. Love can be sparked by passion, but lasting love requires effort. Life with Huaining won’t be the romantic fairy tale a young girl imagines. Be mentally prepared."

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

Madam Lu said, "Bear with it a while longer. Once Huaining recovers, I will find the right time to make your relationship public. I’ll be busy soon, so you’ll have to look after him. You two can live as a married couple, adjust to each other, and see if you truly fit. I remain cautious for now, but please understand my concerns as an elder. I want the child to be happy—and to stay happy, without extreme ups and downs."

Xue Zuining knew this was Madam Lu’s great concession; her words were reasonable and unassailable. After some thought, she smiled and said, "Rest assured, since I’ve decided to be with Huaining, I’m prepared to face any challenges ahead. I will also strive to improve myself, to stand beside him, not hide behind him relying solely on his protection."

"It’s good you think that way. Thank you for your efforts. If you need anything, call me directly. If I’m unavailable, call the housekeeper." With that, Madam Lu handed over her contact information before returning to look once more at her sleeping grandson.

If all this is a punishment for past disputes, then letting go might be the best form of atonement.