Chapter 8 / Section 2: Leaning Towards You

She possessed all the qualities he admired, but unfortunately, he could only live in the memories of her youthful and impetuous years. His nonchalance, once so methodical, could no longer earn him her gentle care and tender affection.

Lu Xiyao watched helplessly as Xiong Yingguang was wheeled into the operating room, unable to do anything about it. She could only weep softly outside the operating room, tears streaming down her face.

"Xi Yao, you must be strong. Xiong Yingguang needs your protection now. You must not give up or lose heart. Cowardice is not his nature," Cang Ruoxi comforted her.

Lu Xiyao cried bitterly outside the operating room, blaming herself for not being able to protect Xiong Yingguang and for hurting her every time.

He slammed his fist against the thick wall, tears welling up in his eyes like a surging river; only by flowing could he release the pain deep within his heart.

Time ticked by, and Xiong Yingguang and Jing Mozhan remained in the operating room, their fates hanging in the balance, and no one could stop the tragedy from unfolding.

"Cang Ruoxi, am I too cowardly? I can't even protect the person I like, and I've hurt her time and time again. He doesn't deserve her at all. He keeps saying he likes Xiong Yingguang, but he failed to protect her time and time again..." Lu Xiyao's mouth was full of regret.

“Xiyao, he has already tried his best, hasn’t he? Who knows what tragedy might happen! He shouldn’t blame himself too much, after all, he couldn’t have prevented such things from happening so suddenly.” Cang Ruoxi sat next to Lu Xiyao and gently comforted him.

The girl was tormented by repeated pain, even though he had once been a boy who loved her deeply, utterly infatuated with her. Why then did he lack even the slightest courage to approach her?

His once fervent promises of protection have now turned into nothing but cowardice and incompetence. He can find no reason to approach her, so he chooses to retreat and run away.

"Lu Xiyao, let's go get something to eat. His health will collapse if he doesn't eat soon," Cang Ruoxi advised.

"Can……"

"Xi Yao, he has to trust the doctor. Xiong Yingguang will get better."

"Whoever harmed Xiong Yingguang, he will find her one day, no matter how hard he tries. She must take responsibility for her actions." Lu Xiyao's anger was unstoppable.

Cang Ruoxi reached out and pulled Lu Xiyao up.

“Xiyao, do you know? Actually, I was adopted by Aunt Chen Yao, just like him. If it weren’t for her, she wouldn’t be standing here today, so fortunate.” Cang Ruoxi said softly.

"He knows Aunt Chen Yao too?" Lu Xiyao asked in surprise.

“Hmm…” Cang Ruoxi nodded.

This revelation shocked Lu Xiyao. He hadn't expected that Cang Ruoxi had also been adopted by Chen Yao. They had been classmates for so many years, yet she had never mentioned it before; this was the first time he had heard of it.

Just as Lu Xiyao got up, he heard the doctor come out and call him. He was overjoyed at first, but then fell into despair.

He thought the doctor would tell him that Xiong Yingguang was fine, but the news the doctor brought was the last thing he wanted to hear.

Are you a family member of the patient?

"No, he's her classmate."

"The patient is in critical condition and needs to be transferred to the intensive care unit. Parental consent is required."

"Doctor, the girl inside named Xiong Yingguang, her mother is no longer alive, and her father ran away with someone else, started a new family, and has long since abandoned her."

"Is that so? Then I'll sign it for him." The doctor took the initiative to assume responsibility for the surgery and all responsibility for Xiong Yingguang's stay in the critical care ward.

Lu Xiyao is so stubborn and arrogant, so why does this body still bear the marks of time? In Cang Ruoxi's eyes, Lu Xiyao will always be the one who puts the big picture first.

Cang Ruoxi looked at Lu Xiyao and couldn't help but chuckle to herself, becoming more and more mesmerized. That young man looked exactly like the prince who had once protected her in the past.

Years have passed, but he hasn't changed much. His hidden tenderness is eager to invade others' hearts, a raging fire that buries unease and sorrow. The unease that cannot linger in the operating room cannot shake his composure.

At this moment, Mu Xinghe arrived at the airport, her mind filled with worry for Jing Moran. Hearing that Jing Moran had an accident, she grew increasingly uneasy.

"Dad, thank you for bringing her to the airport. Thank you for letting her have her way," Mu Xinghe said softly.

“He knew he couldn’t stop her, but he hoped her choices were right, that she wouldn’t regret any of her decisions, and that no amount of sadness could stop her from going to Jing Mozhan,” Mu Xinghai responded.

"Dad, didn't you used to hate him? Didn't you dislike him being with Jing Moran?"

"Yes... but now he realizes that her affection is irresistible, and even he can't change it. So she has to show him just how much she likes that silly boy, Jing Moran."

"Thank you, Dad."

Mu Xinghe turned and walked towards the airport, while Mu Xinghai couldn't help but shed tears. He tried to hold back, but he couldn't overcome the fact that his daughter would eventually leave, and this kind of acceptance was just facing reality sooner.

Instead of trying every possible way to avoid facing reality, it's better to accept it naturally. Although it may be cruel, isn't it a kind of happiness to be able to help others?

The lush greenery and blooming hibiscus of Yongzhou could not hold her heart, but in Yantai, covered in snow for miles around, lay the lover she sought. He could see her affection for him, her complete focus on him, her single-minded devotion. Even with all his efforts and schemes, he could not stop her from running towards his heart.