Chapter 3: She Can’t Escape

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

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Lu Huaining smiled softly. “Come here. I have something to tell you.”

The two gazed at each other tenderly, as though the world had been reduced to nothing but the two of them.

Unwilling to disturb them, Madam Lu rose and walked outside the hospital room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Seeing that the others had left, Lu Huaining pulled her into his arms. His lips brushed gently against her eyelids as he said in an overbearing tone, “No more crying. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts already. If you cry yourself blind, how will you count money then? You little miser, I’ll definitely get better. Just give me some time.”

She heard his teasing words but could not bring herself to smile. Her heart ached instead. He pinched her cheek. “Besides, I don’t like a swollen-eyed landlady. If you want to stay by my side and count money, then rest properly and smile more. No crying, understood?”

His body was suffering, yet all he wished for was her happiness.

“Mm.” Xue Zuining suddenly opened her arms and gently wrapped them around his waist, burying her face against his broad, sturdy chest. In a soft voice, she said, “Huaining, I’ll treat you well from now on.”

“How well?”

Lu Huaining stroked her hair, resting his chin against the crown of her head, and suddenly chuckled.

“Very, very well...” Xue Zuining made a silent vow in her heart. She would love this man wholeheartedly, making up for all the love her mother had been unable to give him.

Lu Huaining kissed her dark hair. “I’m tired. Go tell Grandmother to get some proper sleep. Her health was never good to begin with, and she’s been worrying herself sick over me. She can’t wear herself out. You should rest early too. Stay with me tonight the way you did yesterday. Maybe I’ll recover faster.”

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

He released her and watched as she rose, straightened her clothes, and walked out into the outer room. The door was not locked. Her soft voice drifted faintly back to him. He listened for a while, but in the end, sleep overcame him, and he sank into a deep slumber.

Lu Huaining’s condition stabilized. Unlike the previous day, he no longer suffered repeated bouts of bleeding. The taut nerves of Madam Lu relaxed somewhat, and the energy she had forced herself to maintain vanished at once. She was now merely an exhausted elder. After hearing Xue Zuining relay Lu Huaining’s concern, she felt much comforted and lay down on the sofa in the outer room.

Xue Zuining asked a nurse to bring over a blanket. Only after Madam Lu had fallen asleep did she return to Lu Huaining’s side. Madam Lu stared at her retreating figure, silent and contemplative.

That figure was so familiar, as though it belonged to Zhong Yilan all those years ago.

Xue Zuining washed up briefly before returning to lie beside Lu Huaining. Carefully, she covered them both with the blanket and held his arm, allowing herself to be surrounded by his scent. She felt warm all over.

This man loved her. She knew it, and she was even more unwilling to let him down.

Unable to sleep, she gently brushed her fingers over his cheek, then traced them down his neck until they came to rest over his stomach. She did not dare place the full weight of her hand there, afraid of putting any pressure on him. Holding herself so tensely made her arm ache, yet she could not bear to move it away. She had experienced stomach pain herself before. It had not been serious, but it had been almost unbearable. He had vomited so much blood—how much pain must he have endured?

At that time, he must have been thinking of her, thousands of miles away, while she had been unable to sense the suffering of the man she loved.

She did not know when she finally fell asleep. Early the next morning, the doctor entered, but Lu Huaining had not yet woken. She hurriedly rose to make way for the examination, then went to wash her face before buying breakfast for herself and Madam Lu. After they quietly finished eating, they went to check on Lu Huaining. Seeing that his complexion had improved, their spirits lifted considerably.

Madam Lu turned to look at Xue Zuining. “Miss Xue, come outside with me. We need to have a proper talk.”

Some matters could not be avoided forever. Those that had to be resolved could only be faced head-on.

At those words, Xue Zuining felt as though a thread had hooked her heart and suspended it in midair. She secretly clenched her fists and followed Madam Lu into the outer room, where they sat facing each other.

Time passed quietly, while both of them understood far more than either said.

Someone as lofty as Madam Lu was naturally accustomed to demanding perfection in everything. Because she had been so worried about Lu Huaining, she had not changed her clothes since arriving. They were now wrinkled from sleep, and her complexion was poor as well. Xue Zuining feared that once Madam Lu regained her composure, she would find fault with everything.

But things had reached a point where no individual effort could change them.

Even before they had ever met, Xue Zuining had been able to sense Madam Lu’s first impression of her. When people encountered someone or something they disliked, they unconsciously magnified that person’s flaws. She absently smoothed her hair. There was nothing she could do now but respond to whatever came her way.

Yet Madam Lu’s gaze was calm, even touched with a trace of warmth, which surprised her.

Xue Zuining steadied her breathing, maintaining a composed smile as she quietly waited for the other woman to speak.

“Huaining told me everything yesterday. Much of what I learned was truly beyond my expectations. First, I want to apologize for his shameful behavior, and on behalf of the Lu family, I also want to apologize to you and your mother. Though I understand that none of the suffering you endured can be made up for with an apology.”

Xue Zuining was taken aback. She quickly replied, “This was not your fault. As a younger person, I feel very uncomfortable making an elder apologize to me.”

“It seems Lanlan truly raised you well. She has always been a generous and kindhearted person. I was simply blind to it.” Madam Lu sighed, her voice filled with remorse. “The fault lies with this old woman for failing to discipline and care for him properly. In the past, I neglected Huaining. The so-called marriage between his parents was nothing more than a union in name only. What is more, I concealed the truth about his birth mother from him, so his father remained cold toward him, while the woman he called his mother showed affection only on the surface. As a result, we were extremely strict with the child, even harsh, demanding perfection in his studies and conduct. The care a child needs—we failed to give him enough. The cold and proud nature he has today is our responsibility.”

Xue Zuining lowered her eyes. She remembered how he had once casually mentioned that when he fell ill as a child, he had to take his own medicine. The servants merely watched their master’s mood; no one had truly cared for him. Her heart ached.

“As for the two of you, I do not wish to interfere too much. After all, as his grandmother, I only want my grandson to live well.” Madam Lu sighed deeply. Her gaze paused on the door to the inner room before returning to Xue Zuining’s face. “Miss Xue, our two families have quite a history together. I have made mistakes in the past. This time, I do not think I can continue making them.”

With age, even the heart grew old. No matter how much one fought for, it all became meaningless. What she longed for now was merely the happiness of seeing her children and grandchildren gathered around her.

Xue Zuining stared at Madam Lu, her heart pounding. Faced with such generosity, she did not even know how to respond, much less explain her disappearance over the past four years.

After a long silence, Madam Lu said, “I do not wish to revisit the right and wrong of the past, and I believe you can understand the difficulties that come with the Lu family’s position. Anyone would find it difficult—but speaking fairly, you are innocent as well. Besides, Huaining wronged you, and repaying that debt for the rest of his life is his responsibility. He cannot bear to be without you, so I will not make things difficult for you in the future. I have said all this today only to tell you that your relationship with Huaining still cannot be made public. His engagement to Wanyi remains in place. Once the truth is revealed, all three of you will be hurt. We should consider the matter carefully before deciding what to do.”

Xue Zuining pressed her lips together. “I understand.”

Madam Lu took a sip of tea, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. After a long while, she said, “I heard that you are married.”

Xue Zuining’s heart jolted, but she could only nod. When she saw the chill that entered Madam Lu’s eyes, her heart gave another sudden leap.

The shadow on Madam Lu’s face lasted only a moment before she quickly regained her composure and warmth. Looking at Xue Zuining, she said, “I believe you must have had your reasons. But please, do not hurt Huaining again.”

Xue Zuining thought for a moment before replying, “I understand what you mean. As for my situation, I will deal with it as soon as possible. I will not cause you any unnecessary trouble.”

Madam Lu nodded. “If you need help, do not hesitate to ask. Huaining and I certainly will not stand by and do nothing. The Lu family may not be able to command the winds and clouds, but we do have abilities worthy of your trust.”

“Thank you, Madam Lu.” Xue Zuining echoed her with a smile, but her resolve remained unchanged. Some matters were best left this way.

Madam Lu’s expression softened slightly. “Miss Xue, if you intend to continue walking through life with Huaining, there are still many things you must face. Family is only one part of it. Huaining bears many responsibilities, and the woman beside him cannot be someone whose only role is to manage the household and support her husband. I am not asking you to possess his ability to control the entire situation, but you must enter his circle. Formal social occasions are not merely opportunities to flaunt jewelry and evening gowns, as they are portrayed on television. Connections are built amid clinking glasses and exchanged greetings. Heads of state bring their wives on foreign visits; you have heard of spousal diplomacy, I presume.”

Remembering what she herself had been like when she was young, Madam Lu continued her advice. “Improve yourself and support your husband. It may sound exhausting, but if you do not, the distance between you will only grow. Two people may fall in love through a moment of passion, but to remain together for the long term requires care and effort. Life with Huaining will not be the kind of romantic, carefree existence wealthy young girls imagine. You must prepare yourself.”

“I understand. Thank you for reminding me.”

Had this been four years ago, Xue Zuining might have been intimidated by such a life. But now, she could face it with calm.

Madam Lu said, “For the time being, you will have to endure a little longer. Once Huaining has recovered, I will find an appropriate opportunity to make your relationship public. I will be very busy in the near future, so I will have to rely on you to care for him. The two of you may live together as husband and wife for now and take some time to adjust, to see whether you are truly suited to each other. I am reserving judgment for the moment, but I hope you can understand my concerns. As an elder, I want the child to be happy—and to remain happy. I do not want his life to be thrown from one extreme to another.”

Xue Zuining knew that this was already a tremendous concession from Madam Lu. Every word she had spoken was reasonable and impossible to refute. After careful consideration, she smiled. “Please rest assured. Since I have decided to be with Huaining, I am naturally prepared to face whatever difficulties may come. I will also work hard to improve myself and stand beside him, rather than hide behind him and depend on his protection.”

“It is good that you can think this way. You have my thanks. If you need anything, call me directly. If I am unavailable, you may call the housekeeper.” With that, Madam Lu handed her her contact information before returning to watch her sleeping grandson for a while.

If everything happening now was punishment for the rights and wrongs of the past, then perhaps letting go was the best way to atone.