With a stern expression, Kong Chengyi remained silent, making it impossible to guess his thoughts at that moment.
Standing quietly beside him, Ding Jia suddenly linked her arm through his and planted an intimate kiss on his cheek. "Yi, let Miss Hua leave. We still have to have lunch with Grandma!"
Her lively eyes smiled warmly at Hua Lianxi, and Ding Jia lifted a sweet smile, as if she and Kong Chengyi were just now indulging in an enviable affection.
Holding back her breath and doing her best to suppress the rising nausea, Hua Lianxi forcefully tore her wrist free from his grasp, deliberately avoiding Kong Chengyi as she strode away.
The once noisy hospital room returned to silence, yet Kong Chengyi's cold expression showed no sign of softening; his thin lips pressed tightly together, as if enduring something within.
Setting down her bowl of soup, Fang Xiufang turned to the attendant nearby and instructed, "Put the soup away for now; she can drink it after her nap."
"Hello, Grandma, I'm Ding Jia! What kinds of soup do you like? I often make soup too, and if you don't mind, I can bring you soup every day!" Ding Jia's smile was deliberately sweet as she re-energized herself, releasing Kong Chengyi's hand and approaching Fang Xiufang's bedside with a flattering manner.
"Who are you? Thank you, but Lianxi has already been bringing me soup every day at noon, so there's no need to trouble you." Fang Xiufang delicately wiped her mouth with two tissues and politely declined, but her eyes glanced at Kong Chengyi—a clear emphasis on the timing of Hua Lianxi's visits.
"I—I am Yi's girlfriend!" Ding Jia blushed slightly and glanced shyly at Kong Chengyi before affectionately grasping his hands. "Grandma, I've always wanted to come visit you. Lately I've been taking care of my health and hope to conceive soon!" Lowering her head, her eyes shy and hesitant, her phoenix-like glances occasionally flicked to Kong Chengyi, her heart blooming with joy, confident that Fang Xiufang would be pleased by her desire for children.
Glancing down at her clasped hands, Fang Xiufang pulled away gently. "Why don't you sit over there for a while? I want to lie down and rest a bit. It's too noisy; it unsettles me." Ignoring Ding Jia's shy demeanor, Fang Xiufang waved an attendant over to lower her bed and lay down directly.
"Are you unwell? Should I call a doctor?" Kong Chengyi anxiously strode to Fang Xiufang's bedside, scrutinizing her closely with sharp eyes as he pressed the call button.
"Everyone, just leave already. All this noise is bothering me; I can't even eat lunch in peace!" Fang Xiufang glared at Kong Chengyi then shut her eyes, no longer paying him any mind.
Her hands still stiff, Ding Jia silently cycled through Fang Xiufang's unmistakable resistance to Kong Chengyi's touch, and the repeated remark about the noise made her realize that Grandma disliked her presence and did not want her there.
"Grandma, you haven't eaten your lunch yet. Don't cause a fuss—eat first and then rest!" Kong Chengyi's eyes darkened as he keenly picked up Fang Xiufang's meaning and refused to let her be so willful. "Grandma, Ding Jia is my girlfriend. She just wants to come see you."
"Grandma, I really love Yi. I want to give him five children!" Ding Jia pulled at the muscles of her delicate face and lowered her head with a sweet smile, perhaps envisioning a happy family with many children.
"Grandma, I will soon let you hold a big, fat great-grandchild!" The smile faded from her eyes, replaced by an extremely gentle voice like that of a soft and tender woman.
Suddenly, Fang Xiufang opened her eyes, just in time to catch the fading smile in Ding Jia's gaze. Softly she said, "I'm old. No matter what your relationship is, I'm tired now and want to rest. You should leave."
Those few words—"No matter what your relationship is"—easily dismissed their connection and firmly denied any romance between the two.
Ding Jia's face stiffened, shocked to see her so suddenly glare at her, unable even to mask her feelings, stunned as Fang Xiufang's indifferent yet angry gaze pierced her.
"Let's go. We'll leave now." Kong Chengyi stood straight, uttering no further words. He grabbed Ding Jia's hand and headed straight for the door.
"Ah? Why are you here?" As she opened the door and almost hit Kong Chengyi with it, Kong Huan exclaimed in surprise. She stood on tiptoes, quickly scanning the room with a once happy face now clouded with worry.
"Stay and have lunch properly with Grandma!" Glancing at Kong Huan without acknowledging her searching gaze, Kong Chengyi held Ding Jia's hand and left past her.
"Huanhuan, call Lianxi and tell her she must come tomorrow. Grandma still wants her soup!" Just as the door to the ward closed, they distinctly heard Fang Xiufang's firm voice, full of energy.
Arm in arm with Kong Chengyi, Ding Jia said nothing, tightly following his steps. Her delicate face tightened as she struggled to suppress her fury.
Is the whole world crazy? Why is everyone so focused on Hua Lianxi? What does she have that's so special?
Hmph. She's just a crazy woman from a poor background. Why should she receive their favor?
Her red lips pressed tightly, Ding Jia's once tender eyes darkened further, now flickering with terrifying coldness.
The originally clear sky suddenly broke into a heavy downpour. The raindrops pounded the windowpane loudly. The quiet room could hear every patter of rain.
Sitting against the bay window, Hua Lianxi stared absentmindedly at the rain falling straight down through the misty gray sky. Her mood matched the dull haze, lost and directionless, yearning to break free but trapped in the endless drizzle.
Memories flickered like black-and-white frozen film frames, scene after scene quietly embedding in her heart—sweet moments, tender times, and knife-like pain—all racing through her mind like a heavy stone pressing relentlessly on her chest.
The entire night she hadn't slept, mechanically forcing herself to eat breakfast. After hesitating for half an hour, she finally made soup for Fang Xiufang. While waiting, she sat empty-headed, watching the rain.
Her phone buzzed. It took a moment before Hua Lianxi came to and reached for it.
"Are you bringing soup to the hospital today? It's raining, I'll drive you!" Lowering the music, Cheng Shaobai looked up toward her window, a faint smile curving his lips.
Holding the phone, Hua Lianxi stretched her numb legs slightly and declined softly, "No, I'll take the bus myself. You keep busy." After her repeated entanglements with Kong Chengyi, after repeatedly losing herself over him, she knew her heart was no longer hers.
"I'm downstairs waiting for you!" Cheng Shaobai hung up decisively, grabbed the large umbrella from the back seat, and unhesitatingly stepped into the rain. His tall figure gradually disappeared into the downpour.
The monotonous "beep beep beep" of a hang-up sounded, and Hua Lianxi dejectedly put away her phone. Rising onto tiptoe, she looked out the window, faintly spotting a tall silhouette holding an umbrella walking into the rain.
A "ding" sounded as a message notification lit up. Swiping it open, she saw a simple text: "I'm waiting in the lobby downstairs. No rush!"
Pulling herself together, she hurriedly tidied up, packed the finished soup into the thermos, and finally left home in a rush.
"It's raining. Don't catch a cold!" Seeing Hua Lianxi wearing only a sweater, Cheng Shaobai immediately took off his suit jacket and draped it over her, taking the thermos from her hands.
"Brother Cheng, I'm not cold!" The jacket still warm, Hua Lianxi hurried to remove it, anxious to avoid any hint of intimacy.
"Stop that. Wear it for now. Take it off after you're in the car. What if you catch a cold?!" Cheng Shaobai pressed her hand firmly, commanding she not take off the jacket.
"Let's get in the car. After delivering the soup, I'll take you out to eat!" Slightly wrapping his arm around her shoulders, holding her close, he said, "Don't get caught in the rain." He tilted the umbrella toward her as they stepped out, protecting her from the downpour.
The light drizzle suddenly turned heavy, pounding loudly on the umbrella.
Sheltered as she got into the car, Hua Lianxi was completely dry, not a trace of moisture.
"Your shoulder's wet!" As soon as they entered, Hua Lianxi noticed the damp patch on his shoulder and quickly grabbed a tissue to gently wipe it.
Cheng Shaobai smiled faintly watching her careful actions. His deep, slightly hoarse voice said, "It's nothing. Just a little wet; no big deal." To be cared for and pampered by her filled him with warm satisfaction. Even if it meant shielding her from fiery damage, he was willing.
The tissue softened in his hand. Hua Lianxi looked up and met his smiling gaze; her face instantly flushed hot. She sat up straight and said, "It should dry quickly!"
The smile remained on Cheng Shaobai's lips. He said no more. The only sound in the cramped car was the pleasant music playing.
Approaching noon, combined with the rainy weather, the hospital parking was packed. Cheng Shaobai circled twice but still couldn't find a spot.
"I'll go in by myself. You go back first." Watching the crowded streets, Hua Lianxi felt parking would be difficult.
Nodding, Cheng Shaobai stopped near the hospital main entrance, grabbed an umbrella, and before Hua Lianxi could react, stepped out.
"Hey! Why did you park here? Move your car now! The cars behind are all stuck!" The hospital guard shouted furiously, jumping up in anger at the blocked entrance.
Ignoring the furious guard, Cheng Shaobai opened the passenger door and held out his broad hand. "I'll take you inside. Don't get wet!"
After hesitating briefly and seeing Cheng Shaobai's rain-soaked collar, Hua Lianxi got out immediately and instinctively slipped into his arms, sheltering completely from the rain.
"Hey, hey! Where are you going? You're driving away…" The guard continued yelling as the cars behind honked furiously, turning into a road rage spectacle.
Inside the hospital lobby, taking a deep drag of his cigarette, Kong Chengyi narrowed his eyes. His dark gaze suddenly deepened considerably.