Chapter 40 Fated by the Unseen

To the world, you may be just one person; but to one person, you may be the entire world...

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Lu Huaining smiled gently and said, "Come here. I have something to tell you."

The two looked at each other with such tenderness that it seemed as if they were the only two people left in the world. Not wishing to intrude, Madam Lu stood up, walked out of the hospital room, and closed the door behind her.

Seeing that the others had left, Lu Huaining pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing softly against her eyelids as he said in a bossy tone, "No more crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts; if you cry yourself blind, how will you count your money? My little miser, I will be fine—just give me some time."

Hearing his playful words, she couldn't bring herself to smile, feeling only a pang of sorrow. He pinched her cheek. "I don't like a manager with swollen eyes. If you want to stay by my side and count money, you need to rest well and smile more. No more crying, understand?"

Though his body was suffering, he wanted her to be happy.

"Mhm." Xue Zhuining suddenly opened her arms and wrapped them gently around his waist, burying her face in his broad chest. "Huaining," she whispered, "I will be good to you from now on."

"How good?" Lu Huaining stroked her hair, resting his chin on the crown of her head with a light chuckle.

"Just... very, very good..." Xue Zhuining promised in her heart. She would love this man well, even for the part her mother had missed.

Lu Huaining pressed a kiss to her dark hair. "I'm tired. Go tell Grandma to get some good sleep. Her health isn't great, and she’s been worrying over me; she mustn't wear herself out. You should rest early too. If you stay with me tonight like you did last night, I might recover even faster."

"Mhm." She kissed his brow and smiled faintly.

He let go of her, watching as she stood up to straighten her clothes before heading to the outer room. The door was left ajar; he could hear the faint, soft sound of her voice for a while, but eventually, he succumbed to his fatigue and fell into a deep sleep.

With Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized and the recurring hemorrhaging stopped, the tension in Madam Lu finally eased. The energy she had forced herself to maintain evaporated, leaving her as nothing more than a weary elder. Hearing Xue Zhuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern for her, she felt a sense of relief and lay down on the sofa in the outer room. Xue Zhuining asked a nurse to bring a blanket, and only after ensuring the old woman was asleep did she head back toward Lu Huaining. Madam Lu stared at her retreating back, lost in thought.

That figure was so familiar—it was as if Zhong Yilan had returned.

After a quick wash, Xue Zhuining returned to lie beside Lu Huaining. She tucked the covers carefully around them both and held his arm, feeling warmed by his scent.

She knew this man loved her, and she had no intention of failing that love.

Unable to sleep, she gently traced his cheek with her fingertips, then followed his neck down until her hand rested over his stomach. She didn't dare press down, fearing she might cause him pain, and the tension in her arm made her muscles ache, yet she couldn't bring herself to move. She had experienced stomach pain before—nothing severe, but it was unbearable enough; how much pain must he be in after vomiting so much blood?

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, yet she had been unable to perceive her lover’s agony.

She didn't know when she finally drifted off. The next morning, when the doctor arrived, Lu Huaining was still asleep. She quickly stood up to let the doctor examine him, washed her face, and went to buy breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they finished eating in silence, they checked on Lu Huaining; seeing his color had improved, their spirits lifted. Madam Lu glanced at Xue Zhuining and said, "Miss Xue, come outside with me. It’s time we had a proper talk."

Some things cannot be avoided; when they must be resolved, one must face them head-on.

At these words, Xue Zhuining’s heart felt as if it were being hoisted by a thread, dangling in mid-air. She clenched her fists and followed Madam Lu to the outer room, sitting down across from her.

Time passed in silence, both keeping their own thoughts hidden.

As someone of such high standing, Madam Lu was accustomed to strict standards. Worried for her grandson, she hadn't changed her clothes since she arrived and looked somewhat disheveled, her complexion poor. Xue Zhuining feared that now that Madam Lu had calmed down, she would be full of displeasure.

But it was too late; this was no longer something she could change on her own.

She could sense the first impression Madam Lu had of her, even without prior acquaintance. People tend to unconsciously magnify the flaws of those they dislike. She smoothed her hair, feeling helpless—it was what it was; she would just have to deal with it as it came.

To her surprise, however, Madam Lu’s gaze was calm, even tinged with a hint of gentleness.

Xue Zhuining caught her breath, maintained a polite smile, and waited for the other woman to speak.

"Huaining told me everything yesterday. Much of it was beyond my expectations. I would like to apologize for his shameful behavior, and on behalf of the Lu family, I apologize to you and your mother. Though I know that the suffering you endured cannot be undone by an apology."

Xue Zhuining was taken aback. "This is not your fault. It makes me uncomfortable to have an elder apologize to me."

"It seems Lanlan raised you well. She was always a generous soul; I was the one who misjudged her." Madam Lu sighed apologetically. "It was my failure as an elder. I was indeed negligent in my care for Huaining in the past. His parents’ marriage was a sham, and because I hid the truth about his biological mother, his father remained distant, and the woman he called 'mother' only performed superficial kindness. They were strict—even harsh—with him regarding his studies and behavior. We truly did not give the child the care he needed. That he grew up with such a cold and arrogant nature is our fault."

Xue Zhuining lowered her eyes, remembering how he had once mentioned in passing that when he was sick as a child, he had to take his own medicine, and the servants only cared about his parents' moods—no one had genuinely cared for him. Her heart ached for him.

"I do not wish to interfere in your affairs. As a grandmother, I only want my grandson to be happy." Madam Lu sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on the door to the inner room before returning to Xue Zhuining. "Miss Xue, our families once had deep ties. I made mistakes in the past, and this time, I cannot afford to make them again."

As people grow old, their hearts grow weary. Fighting for so much no longer holds meaning; all she truly wanted was the joy of seeing her descendants thrive.

Xue Zhuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart pounding. She didn't know how to respond to such magnanimity, nor how to explain her four years of total disappearance.

After a long silence, Madam Lu continued, "I don't wish to dwell on the rights and wrongs of the past, and I believe you understand the difficulties of the Lu family's position. Objectively speaking, you were innocent. Furthermore, Huaining wronged you, and it is his responsibility to spend a lifetime repaying that debt. Since he cannot live without you, I will not make things difficult for you in the future. I tell you all this today only to say that your relationship with Huaining cannot be made public yet. After all, the engagement between Huaining and Wanyi still stands. To reveal it now would only cause harm to all three of you. We should weigh our options carefully."

Xue Zhuining bit her lip. "I understand."

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. After a while, she added, "I heard you were married."

Xue Zhuining’s heart skipped a beat, but she could only nod. Seeing the cold glint in Madam Lu’s eyes, she felt a sudden jolt.

The shadow on Madam Lu's face lasted only a moment before she regained her composed, gentle demeanor. "I believe you had your reasons, but please, do not hurt Huaining again."

"I understand what you mean," Xue Zhuining replied. "I will handle my own affairs as soon as possible so as not to cause you any unnecessary trouble."

Madam Lu nodded. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. Huaining and I will not stand idly by. While the Lu family cannot command the winds and rain, we have the influence you can trust."

"Thank you, Madam." Xue Zhuining offered a polite smile, though her resolve remained unshaken. Some things were best left this way.

Madam Lu’s expression softened further. "Miss Xue, to stay with Huaining, you will have to face many challenges. Family factors are one thing, but Huaining carries heavy responsibilities. His partner cannot be a woman who only knows how to tend to the household. I am not asking you to have the same ability to control the big picture as he does, but you must integrate into his circle. Formal social occasions are not like what you see on television—it’s not just about showing off jewelry and gowns. Networking is built during those exchanges. When leaders go abroad, they bring their wives. I’m sure you’ve heard of 'spouse diplomacy'."

Recalling her own youth, Madam Lu advised her, "Improve yourself and support your husband. It sounds difficult, but if you don't, the distance between you will grow. Two people can fall in love in a moment of passion, but a lasting relationship requires work. Life with Huaining will not be the romantic, fairy-tale life a young girl might imagine. You must be prepared for that."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder." Four years ago, Xue Zhuining might have been intimidated by such a life, but now, she could face it with a calm heart.

"I will have to wrong you for a little while longer," Madam Lu said. "Once Huaining has recovered, I will find a suitable opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be quite busy in the near future, so Huaining will be in your care. You can live as a married couple and get to know each other to see if you are truly compatible. I am reserving judgment for now, but please understand my caution. As an elder, I only want my child to be happy—and for that happiness to last, without sudden highs or lows."

Xue Zhuining knew this was already a significant concession from Madam Lu, and her words were reasonable and unarguable. She thought it over carefully and smiled. "Please rest assured. Since I have decided to be with Huaining, I am prepared to face any difficulties that may lie ahead. Furthermore, I will strive to improve myself so that I can stand by his side, rather than shrinking behind him, relying on his protection."

"It is good that you think this way. It will be hard on you. If you need anything, call me directly. If I am unavailable, call the butler." With that, Madam Lu handed over her contact information and went to check on her sleeping grandson one last time.

If all of this was a punishment for the rights and wrongs of the past, then perhaps letting go was the best way to seek atonement.