Chapter 173 Can I hug her?
"Are you and your daughter alright?"
Chu Huaiyu's voice was somewhat hoarse, and his words made Lu Zhaoxue pause slightly.
Lu Zhaoxue looked up and met Chu Huaiyu's misty eyes, which were filled with confusion and earnestness.
Lu Zhaoxue remained silent, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
Chu Huaiyu seemed oblivious to Lu Zhaoxue's aloofness, and took another step forward, her tone urgent: "I...I was injured before, and I forgot everything that happened before..."
“I heard from Zhao Xiaoling that Chu Siheng took you and your daughter away from me. These days, I’m worried every day that he will hurt you.”
When Lu Zhaoxue heard Chu Huaiyu say these words, her brows suddenly furrowed, forming a deep frown.
She stared at the man before her for a long time before finally speaking, her tone calm to the point of being almost indifferent.
"Chu Huaiyu, Zhao Xiaoling lied to you. Chu Siheng did not take me away from you. From beginning to end, I have always been Chu Siheng's wife. There is no relationship between you and me."
Lu Zhaoxue spoke her last words softly, yet with immense weight, like a thousand-pound hammer striking Chu Huaiyu's heart.
Chu Huaiyu's expression froze instantly, then was replaced by utter bewilderment.
Chu Huaiyu subconsciously took another step forward, clutching his chest as if he was in great pain there.
"I don't believe it... If we really have nothing to do with each other, then why does your image keep popping into my mind?"
"And why did my heart feel like it was being ripped out when I saw you just now?"
Chu Huaiyu pressed hard on his chest, the pain between his brows seeming genuine.
Looking at him like this, Lu Zhaoxue wondered what he was thinking.
Just then, a soft, sweet child's voice broke the tense atmosphere between the two.
"Mother."
Lu Zhaoxue was startled, then immediately turned around, quickly walked to the bedside, and carefully took the newly awakened Chu Lingyang into her arms, gently patting her daughter's back.
Lu Zhaoxue spoke very softly and gently: "Zhaozhao is awake? Tell your mother, is there anything that's bothering you?"
Chu Lingyang rubbed her sleepy eyes, nuzzled her head against Lu Zhaoxue's neck, and let out a comfortable sigh.
Chu Huaiyu stood there quietly, his gaze fixed on the mother and daughter by the bed.
The setting sun shone through the window, casting a warm, golden glow on Lu Zhaoxue and Chu Lingyang, a scene of serene beauty.
Chu Huaiyu's eyes reddened slightly, and her heart pounded.
After an unknown amount of time, Chu Lingyang lifted her head from Lu Zhaoxue's embrace, her big, dark eyes looking curiously at Chu Huaiyu standing not far away.
Chu Lingyang was clearly unaware of the situation before her. She just thought the uncle not far away was quite handsome, so she grinned, revealing her white and tender teeth, and gave Chu Huaiyu a sweet smile.
That smile was as pure as the melting snow in early spring, instantly melting Chu Huaiyu's heart. He was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but curl his lips into a long-lost, heartfelt smile.
Lu Zhaoxue took in the whole scene, feeling a mix of emotions, but she didn't say anything.
"Shining on the snow".
Chu Huaiyu's voice rang out again, tinged with a cautious plea: "Can I hug her?"
Lu Zhaoxue's heart skipped a beat.
Lu Zhaoxue looked down at her daughter in her arms, and after a moment of silence, she softly asked Chu Lingyang, "Zhaozhao, do you want him to hold you?"
Chu Lingyang blinked her big eyes, looked at her mother Lu Zhaoxue, then at Chu Huaiyu's expectant gaze, hesitated for a moment, then gently nodded her little head and uttered a single word in her childish voice: "Want!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Huaiyu's eyes lit up instantly, as if a ray of light had shone into the darkness. He looked at Lu Zhaoxue eagerly, hoping to get her permission.
Lu Zhaoxue met Chu Huaiyu's gaze and sighed almost imperceptibly. Since Zhaozhao was willing, she had nothing more to say.
Lu Zhaoxue nodded slowly.
Upon receiving permission, Chu Huaiyu felt a surge of joy. He strode forward, his steps light and eager. As he approached Lu Zhaoxue, he carefully opened his arms, intending to take Chu Lingyang from her embrace.
When Chu Lingyang first saw Chu Huaiyu, she felt that this uncle was inexplicably familiar. Now that he was reaching out to her, Chu Lingyang also reached out her chubby little hand.
Chu Huaiyu carefully took Chu Lingyang from Lu Zhaoxue's arms. The moment his hand touched Chu Lingyang's warm and soft body, his eyes instantly reddened.
Chu Huaiyu looked down at the exquisitely beautiful face of the little girl in his arms. His emotions, which had been building up for so long, finally crumbled, and hot tears uncontrollably streamed down his face.
Chu Lingyang was startled by Chu Huaiyu's sudden tears. She frowned and gently patted his cheek with her chubby little hand.
Chu Lingyang said in a slightly childish voice, "Uncle, don't cry..."
Chu Huaiyu choked up and hugged Chu Lingyang even tighter.
Lu Zhaoxue stood to the side, looking at Chu Huaiyu and Chu Lingyang in front of her, her eyes filled with unreadable emotions. The afterglow of the setting sun fell on her face, half bright and half dark.
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