IJLHTW - 45

The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

Yi Zhecheng stood up, and Huo Ci asked again, “What brings you here?”

Liu Ruhuan’s expression was grim. Shen Fangtang, fearing she might lose her temper in front of the children, gently squeezed her hand to calm her down. He then joked, “Naturally, we’re here to see our little princess who acts like a chivalrous hero.”

He was teasing Huo Ci.

The person lying on the bed froze, and Liu Ruhuan immediately became upset. She reached out to pinch him and scolded, “You can’t say that. Otherwise, she’ll think she did nothing wrong!”

Liu Ruhuan had always spoiled Huo Ci. After the divorce, she barely dared to utter a harsh word to her. This time, however, she managed to stand her ground. On the way over, Shen Fangtang had his secretary search for the video online. They watched it together in the car, and when Liu Ruhuan saw Huo Ci being carried out covered in blood, she nearly fainted from shock.

“Uncle Shen is absolutely right. I was indeed acting justly,” Huo Ci said nonchalantly.

Liu Ruhuan was so exasperated that her chest began to ache. “You didn’t even take care of your own body, and yet you ran off to cause trouble...”

She was usually soft-spoken, but as she spoke, tears began to well up in her eyes.

Seeing her on the verge of crying again, Huo Ci coldly remained silent.

Noticing this, Shen Fangtang quickly changed the subject. He looked at the man in the room—though he simply stood there, he commanded attention. At Shen Fangtang’s age, one wouldn’t normally be swayed by a man’s appearance, but this man was extraordinarily handsome. Describing him as having a face like a carved jade wasn’t an exaggeration.

What intrigued Shen Fangtang more was the man’s demeanor—quiet, reserved, and dignified. Since their arrival, he had quietly stood aside, neither rushing to interrupt nor forcing himself into the conversation, allowing them to speak first.

There was an indescribable air of maturity about him.

For some reason, Shen Fangtang found him strangely familiar.

“Alright, don’t cry anymore. If you do, Uncle Shen will take you home,” Huo Ci impatiently snapped, unwilling to deal with Liu Ruhuan’s tears. Crying required comfort, something she despised.

They say children are reflections of their parents. Perhaps to distance herself from Liu Ruhuan’s traits, Huo Ci rarely cried.

Liu Ruhuan was a delicate flower in need of care, while Huo Ci had hardened herself into an unyielding steel slab.

Even though her wound had reopened today, causing her back to soak with sweat from the pain, she hadn’t uttered a sound. Yi Zhecheng was right—she pushed herself too hard. She refused to show weakness and insisted on bearing everything alone.

Perhaps it was because she didn’t want to become like her mother.

Frightened by Huo Ci’s threat, Liu Ruhuan managed to hold back her tears.

Shen Fangtang couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene, and even Yi Zhecheng inwardly shook his head. The relationship between these two women...

“This is...” Shen Fangtang quickly shifted the topic to prevent Huo Ci from kicking them out.

Huo Ci pursed her lips, a hint of shyness appearing on her face.

Yi Zhecheng smoothly stepped forward and politely greeted, “Auntie, Mr. Shen, hello. I’m Yi Zhecheng.”

His voice was cool yet exceptionally pleasant, the kind of deep, magnetic tone that young girls often described as “su.” Even his address to Shen Fangtang—a simple “Mr. Shen”—was neither overly intimate nor distant.

After introducing himself, Yi Zhecheng glanced at Huo Ci, signaling her to take over the introductions.

Shen Fangtang couldn’t quite put his finger on what he felt, but he sensed this was no ordinary man.

Huo Ci noticed Yi Zhecheng’s glance and, hearing him only state his name, pursed her lips.

Suddenly, she smiled and turned to Liu Ruhuan, saying, “Mom, this is someone I like.”

For some reason, when introducing him to others, Huo Ci didn’t want to use the term “boyfriend.”

She wanted to tell people: this is someone I like.

There was a hint of pride in her words. As if to say, Look, this is someone I like. This is the person.

Liu Ruhuan had already heard Yi Zhecheng’s introduction at the door, so when he turned around, she had taken the opportunity to size him up. He was indeed handsome, with a cold and aloof aura. Though he appeared reserved, he was precisely the type young girls would fall for.

Liu Ruhuan couldn’t quite describe her feelings. She had always assumed Huo Ci still harbored feelings for Shen Sui’an.

After all, for so many years, there had been no one else in Huo Ci’s life.

Now, with this sudden appearance of a man, she couldn’t help but want to know more about him—who he was, how old he was, his education, where he worked, and his family background.

Did he own property in Beijing? Oh, it didn’t matter if he didn’t—she could gift Huo Ci a house as part of her dowry.

That way, Huo Ci wouldn’t have to endure the scrutiny of her in-laws.

When Liu Ruhuan met with other ladies for tea, they often complained about their children’s partners. Listening to their grievances, she secretly thought, If Xiaoci ever finds a boyfriend, I won’t be so picky.

As long as he has good character and treats Xiaoci well, that’s all that matters.

Now, in just a few minutes, she was already planning when Huo Ci would get married and have children.

“Please, take a seat,” Huo Ci said, indicating the sofa in the private room specifically for guests.

Before they could sit down, Shen Fangtang’s secretary entered with the attending doctor. Shen Fangtang was a leader in the Health Commission, and though this was a private visit, he had repeatedly instructed his secretary to stay low-key. Yet, the attending doctor still came.

As the doctor entered, Shen Fangtang didn’t put on airs and said, “We’ve troubled you these past few days with our child.”

“Director Shen, please don’t say that. It’s our duty. Miss Huo’s gunshot wound was almost healed...”

The doctor’s words startled Shen Fangtang, and he turned to look at Liu Ruhuan’s expression, which was equally shocked and disoriented.

“Not appendicitis surgery? How did it turn into a gunshot wound?” Shen Fangtang quickly reached out to steady Liu Ruhuan’s shoulders, fearing she might faint.

The doctor paused and honestly replied, “Miss Huo was indeed shot. This...”

Huo Ci sighed. No matter how much she calculated, fate always had its way.

Liu Ruhuan had lived a peaceful life, never experiencing anything like a bag-snatching incident. That’s why she had unquestionably believed Huo Ci’s lie about having appendicitis surgery. Now, to hear that Huo Ci had been shot...

Her mind went blank. Leaning on Shen Fangtang, she felt her legs go weak.

Shen Fangtang instructed his secretary to talk with the doctor privately and dismissed him.

Liu Ruhuan stared at Huo Ci, her body trembling, tears brimming in her eyes. Finally, she asked in a quivering voice, “Huo Ci, have you ever considered me your mother?”

“Yes, I’m a sinner. I made your family incomplete. I made Dad...”

“Enough!” Huo Ci abruptly interrupted her when she mentioned Huo Mingzhou. She looked up at her mother and said, “I just didn’t want to scare you.”

Both mother and daughter fell silent. Shen Fangtang squeezed her hand.

Huo Ci, exhausted, said, “You should both go home. I’m tired and want to rest.”

Liu Ruhuan’s eyes were misty. Shen Fangtang knew it wasn’t suitable to continue the conversation today. He said, “I’ll take your mother home first and visit you again tomorrow.”

Before leaving, he turned to Yi Zhecheng and said, “Then I’ll leave her in your care.”

Originally, Yi Zhecheng intended to see them off, but Shen Fangtang, concerned about Huo Ci, asked him to stay behind. He escorted them to the elevator. Liu Ruhuan stared at him for a long time but said nothing.

When Yi Zhecheng returned to the ward, he found Huo Ci already out of bed. She was leaning on the balcony, quietly watching the scene below.

“Don’t catch a cold,” he said. Though the room was warm, she was only wearing a thin hospital gown as she leaned against the window.

Yi Zhecheng gently embraced her from behind, carefully avoiding her wound. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he realized how petite she felt in his arms despite her tall stature. Both gazed quietly at the scene below until several figures appeared at the entrance of the hospital building.

“Why does she cry so much?” Huo Ci muttered gloomily.

Yi Zhecheng tilted his head and lightly kissed her cheek. She was stubborn yet soft-hearted.

He knew she lied because she didn’t want her mother to worry.

Such a simple issue to resolve.

Huo Ci was momentarily stunned. She had always thought her relationship with Liu Ruhuan was a dead-end alley—every meeting left them emotionally battered. She assumed it would always be this way for the rest of her life. Yet, his words gently lifted the fog in her heart.

It was as if a ray of light illuminated the path ahead.

“Alright, I won’t upset her anymore.”

________________________________________

The next day, Liu Ruhuan indeed came again. This time, Aunt Liu brought a different soup, supposedly for replenishing blood.

Huo Ci bit her tongue to refrain from making sarcastic remarks. She obediently finished the soup. To Liu Ruhuan and even Aunt Liu, it was surprising to see how agreeable Miss Huo was today.

“Um... he’s not here today?” Liu Ruhuan hesitated before asking.

Huo Ci calmly replied, “He’s at work.”

“Yes, he has to work,” Liu Ruhuan continued, pressing further. “Where does he work?”

“At a company.”

“It’s good that he works at a company. Young people should work hard,” she nodded. Last night, she had insomnia and only fell asleep around two or three in the morning, her mind filled with questions. Now, she had forgotten them all.

But as she remembered, she asked, “How old is he?”

“31,” Huo Ci glanced at her, surprisingly patient in her response.

Liu Ruhuan was a bit surprised and softly remarked, “You really can’t tell. He’s very handsome.”

Huo Ci chuckled, and Liu Ruhuan looked up at her in confusion. “You’ve been staring at him for so long, and all you see is how handsome he is?”

“He is indeed good-looking,” Liu Ruhuan said matter-of-factly.

He really was handsome. Liu Ruhuan had always thought Huo Ci couldn’t forget Shen Sui’an because he was outstanding—handsome and brilliant in his youth, inevitably becoming a cherished memory. Liu Ruhuan herself had gone through similar experiences, so she had always worried about Huo Ci. But upon seeing Yi Zhecheng, she suddenly felt a strange sense of relief.

He was extraordinarily handsome, with an aura of a cold, beautiful jade. Shen Sui’an was also handsome, but his ordinariness paled in comparison.

No wonder such a person could make Huo Ci fall in love.

Liu Ruhuan felt a twinge of pride. After all, such a remarkable man loved Huo Ci too.

Mother and daughter managed to have a rare, calm conversation for an entire hour. When it was time to leave, Liu Ruhuan felt reluctant.

Huo Ci quietly leaned against the headboard, watching her mother’s departing figure.

The warm winter sunlight streamed into the ward, bringing a warmth that seemed to seep into her heart.

________________________________________

Liu Ruhuan didn’t expect to run into Yi Zhecheng downstairs. She was a bit surprised when he approached and said, “Auntie, let me take you home.”

Was he waiting specifically for her?

Liu Ruhuan had come in her own car, but since he offered, she naturally didn’t refuse.

Though she had already sized him up last night, she couldn’t help but scrutinize him again now. He was indeed tall, likely over 185 cm. And he was truly handsome. In the sunlight, he looked even better than under the lights last night.

He was worthy of her daughter, Huo Ci.

After getting in the car, Yi Zhecheng looked at her and softly said, “Auntie, regarding Huo Ci being shot, I must apologize to you.”

He didn’t conceal the truth and recounted how Huo Ci had taken a bullet for him in South Sudan. Liu Ruhuan stared at him in astonishment. If she was merely surprised yesterday, today she was utterly shocked.

After a long silence, just as Yi Zhecheng braced himself for Liu Ruhuan’s reproach, she softly said, “Huo Ci must really like you.”

“Huo Ci has always been slow to warm up. She rarely invited friends home to play when she was young, and this is the first time she’s ever been in a relationship,” Liu Ruhuan reflected for a moment and gently said, “Please take good care of each other in the future.”

She didn’t care about her daughter’s career achievements. Her greatest wish was for her to live happily.

________________________________________

Huo Ci didn’t expect Yi Zhecheng to return by noon. She was a bit puzzled and was about to ask if he had eaten lunch when he bent down and kissed her.

“Huo Ci, come home with me.”

She froze, and the man calmly smiled, “You ugly daughter-in-law, isn’t it time to meet your in-laws?”