Chapter 46
Xia Wan did what he said.
She still cared about Jiang Yu's injury every day, with short and regular messages or phone calls: "Is your temperature normal?" "Is the wound still painful?" "How did your rehabilitation feel today?" Her tone was gentle, but with a restrained sense of distance, like a routine.
Her visits to the hospital had decreased significantly, from nearly around-the-clock to two or three times a week, each stay lasting no more than an hour. She always brought something with her—sometimes a few architectural journals he might find interesting, sometimes a small box of snacks he'd mentioned, sometimes just a simple yet vibrant bouquet of sunflowers. After putting her things down, she'd ask about his health, chat about the recent weather in Jinzhou, or some insignificant anecdote from her projects, and then she'd leave.
"I still have some things to do on the project. I'm leaving now. You should have a good rest."
"Lin Wei said she'll come over to talk to you later."
"Remember to take your medicine on time."
The reasons are sufficient and the attitude is appropriate, making it impossible to keep them.
Jiang Yu watched her hurried back and forth, the polite yet distant smile on her face. His heart felt like it was being rubbed repeatedly, a dull pain and emptiness. Countless times, he wanted to grab her hand, to ask her to stay a little longer, to confess his feelings again, to ask her if she was still upset by those mumbling words, by her mother's attitude. But Xia Wan's calm yet unquestionable eyes, and her words of "slow down," "I need some space," were like an invisible barrier, blocking all his surging emotions.
He could only nod and say, "Okay, be careful on the road."
Or say, "Yeah, I see."
Or, when she turned around, he would add softly, "Don't be too tired."
Then he watched her leave, the ward door gently closing, isolating her from the outside world. The air seemed to still linger with her faint fragrance and a lingering sense of alienation.
He was forced into a true state of "rest." His body slowly recovered, the pain lessened, and the intensity of his rehabilitation gradually increased. But the mental "rest" was incredibly agonizing. A profound sense of emptiness and powerlessness often enveloped him. His mind, accustomed to controlling everything and operating at high speed, was now forced to empty itself, leaving only endless reflections on the past and uncertainty about the future.
Li Mo continued to report daily, maintaining a streamlined and efficient work environment. Jiang Yu forced himself to make only the most crucial decisions, delegating more authority and responsibility. He was surprised to find that the team was functioning more steadily than he had imagined. This feeling of "losing control" initially made him anxious, but gradually, it also brought a strange sense of relief—it turned out that even without his hands-on involvement, the sky wouldn't fall. This gave him a deeper understanding of what Xia Wan meant by "trust."
He spent more time reading. The journals Xia Wan brought him, the psychology books he had Li Mo find, particularly those on intimate relationship patterns, the influence of one's original family, and post-traumatic growth, and the literary classics that had been shelved. The world of words temporarily housed his wandering thoughts and opened a window for him to examine himself.
He began to systematically and painfully analyze his relationship with Shen Zhiyao.
He saw clearly that his so-called "favor" was essentially a pathological craving for "being needed." Shen Zhiyao's vulnerability and dependence gave him a false sense of power and worth. He indulged himself in playing the role of the omnipotent savior, filling a void that perhaps existed within himself.
He realized that his fear of being too late stemmed from his use of Shen Zhiyao's happiness and existence as the sole measure of his own self-worth. Any unhappiness on her part felt like a denial of his worth, triggering even more frantic compensatory behavior. It was a symbiotic, strangling relationship, devoid of healthy boundaries, that would ultimately lead to their destruction.
He understood that Shen Zhiyao's departure was not because he hadn't done enough, but rather because he had "done" too much. His excessive devotion, like a heavy yoke, crushed her already insecure self, confirming her inner fear that she "wasn't worthy," ultimately prompting her to choose a devastating escape.
These realizations were a stark awakening, for the first time confronting the distorted and unbearable nature of his former pride in "deep affection." The pain was so intense that he often wanted to close the book and escape. But every time, Xia Wan's calm, clear eyes, filled with understanding and waiting, would surface in his mind. He couldn't escape. He had to confront these ruins head-on to truly reach her.
Lin Wei became a unique and crucial presence during this "space period." She remained impulsive, illuminating the dreary ward like a little sun. She would bring all sorts of gossip and rumors, chattering away, alleviating Jiang Yu's loneliness. But her conversation would always, inadvertently and subtly, veer towards Xia Wan.
"Hey, Mr. Jiang, you don't know how hard Wanwan has been working lately! In that old city project, there's a stubborn household that refuses to agree to the relocation plan. He's made a huge demand and even instigated other residents to make a big fuss! Wanwan has been attending coordination meetings for three consecutive days and her voice is hoarse! I think she's lost a lot of weight!" Lin Wei complained "seemingly unintentionally" while peeling an apple.
"Oh right, yesterday we went to that newly opened Huaiyang restaurant. They had a braised lion's head dish that Wanwan said was especially delicious, light and fresh. She kept saying that she would take you to try it after you were discharged from the hospital!"
"Tsk tsk, you didn't see how focused Wanwan was on revising the plan on her computer. I called her three times but she didn't even hear me! But she's really efficient. No matter how difficult the problem is, she always seems to be able to figure it out..."
Lin Wei's words were like clusters of fireworks, blazing brilliantly in his inner sky. He listened, outwardly impassive, even occasionally irritated by her noise, but deep down, waves of emotion surged. He absorbed every ounce of information about Xia Wan: her hard work, her persistence, her taste, her occasional nagging… These became precious nourishment in his impoverished "restoration" life, allowing him to feel that he hadn't been completely shut out by her.
At the same time, Lin Wei's words served as a mirror, reflecting Xia Wan's current state—she was striving forward, taking on new responsibilities, and growing. She hadn't wallowed in her injuries, nor had she stagnated in his absence. This comforted him, but also instilled a subtle sense of urgency: He had to get better faster, both physically and mentally, to be worthy of her.
Jiang's parents continued their regular visits. With Xia Wan's less frequent appearances, Jiang's mother lost her direct "target" and her critical comments became much less frequent. But her gaze towards Jiang Yu showed no less worry. She noticed her son had become much quieter, often staring blankly at a book or out the window, a lingering melancholy veil between his brows. She blamed this on Xia Wan's "distantness," and her resentment towards him intensified.
Once, Jiang's mother asked tentatively: "Xiaoyu, are you unhappy because Miss Xia hasn't been coming over much lately? Do you want your mother..."
"Mom," Jiang Yu interrupted his mother, raised his eyes from the book and looked at her calmly, "I'm fine. Xia Wan has her work and is very busy. I just need some quiet time to think about things." His tone was calm, but with an unquestionable alienation, which made Jiang's mother swallow back the words she wanted to say, such as "help you contact other girls."
Jiang's father was even more observant. He noticed the titles of the clearly thumbed psychology books on his son's bedside table. He noticed how his son listened intently to Li Mo's work report, but stopped asking detailed questions. He also noticed his son's expression when Lin Wei mentioned Xia Wan's work—not resentment of being ignored, but rather attentive listening, even with a subtle hint of pride.
Once, after Xia Wan had briefly visited him, Jiang's father casually said to Jiang Yu, "Miss Xia... seems more energetic than the last time she came. I heard her project is progressing well recently? The accident investigation conclusion from the Safety Supervision Department also seems to be quite favorable to her team."
Jiang Yu was a little surprised that his father would take the initiative to mention Xia Wan's work. He nodded: "Well, she handled it very well. She is professional and responsible." There was a natural affirmation in his tone.
Father Jiang said nothing more, simply taking a sip from his teacup, his gaze thoughtful. Xia Wan's independence, composure, and ability to control situations under pressure formed a stark contrast to the dodder-like Shen Zhiyao he remembered as someone who nearly drove his son over the edge. Perhaps... his son's choice this time was truly different?
Still waters run deep. Inside and outside the ward, everyone, in this deliberately distanced space, experiences their own personal growth and transformation. Xia Wan uses space to heal her wounds and prove her worth through work; Jiang Yu, through painful reflection, unravels the past, learning to trust and let go. Jiang's mother's worries ferment as she observes; Jiang's father's scrutiny quietly shifts. And Lin Wei, like a tireless carrier pigeon, weaves through them all, delivering glimmers of light and warmth.
The embers have not yet rekindled, but beneath the ashes, new roots are quietly extending towards each other in silence.
Xia Wan poured her heart and soul into the work, like a drowning man grasping at driftwood. The old town renovation project had entered its most difficult phase: the final negotiation and signing of the demolition and resettlement plan.
As Lin Wei "accidentally" revealed to Jiang Yu, Grandma Zhang, the stubborn holdout who was labeled "the toughest nut to crack," became a significant obstacle to the project. Grandma Zhang lived in a severely deteriorating, yet distinctively local two-story house, inherited from her ancestors. She was extremely dissatisfied with the relocation compensation offer, insisting on an astronomical figure and leveraging her prestige among the older residents to successfully incite several neighbors to join in the boycott.
Coordination meetings were held repeatedly, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. Grandma Zhang, along with a group of agitated elderly neighbors, slammed the table and glared, accusing the proposal of "bullying ordinary people" and "destroying their ancestral property." The investor's representatives took a hardline stance, calling the demands "unreasonable" and threatening to initiate legal proceedings for forced demolition. The two sides remained deadlocked, the atmosphere tense.
As the project leader and key technical force, Xia Wan faced immense pressure from all sides. Investors pressed her to "find a way to resolve the issue" or "adjust the plan to reduce compensation costs." District officials emphasized "stability above all else" and urged her to "properly resolve conflicts." Team members were also demoralized by the project's stagnation.
Her days were relentless: daytime negotiations were filled with heated arguments, nights were spent revising blueprints, trying to find the right balance, and navigating public opinion. The immense mental and physical strain left her eyes dark and bruised, her face pale with fatigue. Only in the solitude of the night, or when she occasionally received a brief, restrained greeting from Jiang Yu, did she find a moment of respite.
But her inherent tenacity was fully unleashed. She refused to back down or compromise. Despite the pressure, she led her team on repeated site visits, re-surveying and mapping, delving deeper into the historical value and architectural features of the resisting houses, attempting to find that almost impossible balance between preservation and renewal, between residents' demands and project feasibility.
After a nearly failed coordination meeting, Xia Wan returned exhausted to the design institute's office. As soon as she sat down, her phone rang. It was Jin Yanbin, the vice president of Hongyuan Real Estate and the largest shareholder representative. Jin Yanbin's voice came through the receiver, undeniably assertive and a touch impatient:
"Engineer Xia, it's been so long with no progress. Our patience at Hongyuan is limited! Old Lady Zhang's dilapidated house doesn't even meet historical building standards and is worth very little! Your design institute is so stubborn about preserving it, and if we can't get the compensation, how can we move forward with the project? Who will bear the losses?"
"I'm telling you, Deputy District Chief Zhang is an old classmate of mine! The plan must be changed! Either reduce the compensation area, or conduct a 'technical' reassessment and remove those dilapidated houses from the protection list! Otherwise, we'll have to re-evaluate our subsequent funding!"
A naked threat! Using power and capital to pressure her into abandoning her professional principles and bottom line!
A surge of rage shot up Xia Wan's head! Her fingers gripping the phone were white from the force. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but her voice was as cold as ice: "Mr. Jin, the valuation of a house is based on professional standards and historical facts, not bargaining chips. The protected list is the result of expert review and government publicity, and it cannot be changed at will. As for the compensation plan, we have been working hard to find a balance that takes into account the interests of all parties. I apologize that I cannot comply with your request."
"Xia Wan!" Jin Yanbin, angered by her assertiveness, raised his voice. "Don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit! As a technician, don't take yourself too seriously! Without our Hongyuan funding, your project is worthless! Think about the consequences!"
"Consequences?" Xia Wan sneered. The pressure and grievances of the past few days turned into fearless courage at this moment. "Mr. Jin, my responsibility is to protect the historical context of this block. I am responsible for the project, for history, and for the residents here. If Hongyuan believes that it is unacceptable to advance the project based on the principles of professionalism and fairness, then it is your company's freedom to make subsequent choices. But for me, principles, there is no room for bargaining!" After that, she hung up the phone directly.
Xia Wan's heart pounded as she listened to the busy tone on the other end of the line. She knew she had completely offended her financial backer. Future funding and the project's survival were hanging in the balance. The immense pressure weighed down on her like a mountain, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness and the chill of isolation.
Just then, the phone screen lit up. It was a message from Jiang Yu.
"Lin Wei said you've run into a tough opponent over there. Don't push yourself, take care of yourself."
Those simple words, without any real help, were like a tiny spark in the darkness, instantly warming Xia Wan's icy heart. He knew what she was going through. He didn't overstep his bounds by offering help, but he conveyed concern and a signal of "I'm here."
Her eyes felt a little hot. Xia Wan took a deep breath and replied:
"Yeah, it's a tough nut to crack. But it's still achievable. Don't worry."
She put down her phone and gazed out the window at the darkening night. The city lights twinkled in the distance. The feeling of isolation and helplessness hadn't completely dissipated, but a quiet surge of strength emerged within her. She wasn't alone. Behind her was her professional perseverance, her team, Lin Wei's noisy support, and... the man on the hospital bed, working hard to recover and silently watching over her.
She sat up straight again and turned on the computer screen. On the blueprint, the weathered old neighborhood quietly unfolded. She couldn't retreat. For the silent history, for the residents who longed for a better life but feared losing their homes, and also to live up to the gaze of those who looked to her and believed in her light.
The storm had begun to rise from the tip of a blade of grass. She knew that a bigger storm might be yet to come. But this time, she chose to hold on to the spear of her profession and the shield of her faith.
Meanwhile, in the VIP ward of the hospital.
Jiang Yu looked at Xia Wan's reply, "I can still chew it. Don't worry," but his brows didn't relax. He knew Xia Wan's stubbornness and strong will all too well. The more she said "don't worry," the more difficult the situation might become.
He pondered for a moment, picked up his phone, and instead of calling Xia Wan, he called Li Mo.
"Li Mo, check on Jin Yanbin of Hongyuan Real Estate, as well as their company's funding situation and key contract terms for the old city renovation project. Also, find out about the relationship between Deputy District Chief Zhang and Hongyuan."
"Mr. Jiang, your health..."
"I'm fine. As soon as possible." Jiang Yu's voice was steady, with the long-lost coldness that belonged to a decision maker.
He respected Xia Wan's freedom to fight her own battles, but that didn't mean he would stand by and watch. He would build a levee for her, out of sight, to protect her from the storm. This was his instinct, and it was also the way he chose to protect her after learning about "healthy love"—not to shield her from the wind and rain, but to ensure she didn't face a cliff behind her as she fought the storm.
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