Chapter 20
The two arrived at the ward and bumped into Jiang Huijun, who was coming out with a thermos.
Upon seeing Gu Xi, Jiang Huijun's gaze turned cold, and she said hatefully, "What are you doing here? Did you come to see how angry your father is?"
Jiang Huijun harbored resentment towards Gu Xi.
In truth, these past few days she had been reflecting on her behavior over the past five years and felt somewhat guilty towards Gu Xi. She realized she had indeed been too biased, neglecting her and causing her a lot of grievances. Even though Gu Xi's words were harsh and made her cry, she still decided to forgive her.
The child was just upset and didn't want to suffer anymore. What can parents do besides forgive her?
But she didn't expect that Gu Xi, not content with causing a ruckus at home, would actually go outside and spread rumors.
Is this the behavior of a child? What kind of child would speak ill of their parents in public, causing them to be pointed at and ridiculed by outsiders?
This daughter is absolutely outrageous!
Gu Xi wasn't going to take this lying down and retorted, "Mom, you're wrong. Dad has a bad temper. He fell and got hurt at home, how can you blame it on me?"
Jiang Huijun was furious and trembled with rage: "How could you do this?"
At that moment, a person rushed out of the ward and rammed into Gu Xi.
Just as Gu Xi was about to kick the man away, a hand reached out and grabbed her, protecting her behind her and blocking Gu Yuanhui from crashing into her.
Gu Yuanhui charged forward like an angry calf, recklessly charging at anyone. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been seriously injured by him.
At this moment, Shen Mingzheng's tall figure stood there, unmoving. He even twisted his hand behind Gu Yuanhui's back and pressed him hard against the door frame.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye, so fast that Jiang Huijun didn't even have time to react.
Seeing this, Gu Yuanzheng and Gu Yuanxiang rushed over. Gu Yuanxiang said anxiously, "You, you let go of Yuanhui!"
Gu Yuanzheng clenched his fists and said patiently, "What are you doing?"
Shen Mingzheng didn't even glance at them, staring directly at Jiang Huijun with a sharp gaze.
Jiang Huijun trembled under his gaze, feeling flustered. She instinctively cried out, "Who...who are you? What are you doing? Let go of my son! You're hurting him!"
Gu Xi peeked out from behind Shen Mingzheng and said to Jiang Huijun, "Mom, he is Aunt Feng's son, Shen Mingzheng."
"Shen Mingzheng? Isn't that..." Jiang Huijun exclaimed, her eyes widening, "You're Xixi's fiancé?"
When the marriage was arranged, only Shen Zhongshan and Feng Min appeared; Shen Mingzheng had already returned to his unit.
Although I've never met Shen Mingzheng, judging from the appearances of Shen Chongshan and his wife, they must be quite good-looking. I didn't expect them to be so handsome, resembling Shen Chongshan and inheriting Feng Min's captivating eyes. However, their eyes are too deep and sharp, suppressing their natural gentleness and lacking the warmth Feng Min gives when she smiles.
Shen Mingzheng nodded slightly to Jiang Huijun and greeted her politely, "Aunt Jiang, it's a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for disturbing you."
Although he was very polite, his behavior and words were completely inconsistent.
Jiang Huijun exclaimed, "Oh, it's you..."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but stare at Gu Yuanhui, whose hands were twisted and pressed against the door frame. In Shen Mingzheng's hands, Gu Yuanhui was like a chick waiting to be slaughtered, without even the strength to flap his wings. His face was pressed against the door frame, and his body was in excruciating pain from the sharp parts of the door frame.
Seeing her youngest son's face contorted in pain, Jiang Huijun worried that he might be injured and anxiously asked, "Xiao Shen... Mingzheng, can you let go of Yuanhui?"
Despite being an elder, she subconsciously used a more appropriate term of address, not daring to truly treat him as a junior.
Shen Mingzheng's grip didn't loosen at all as he said, "Aunt Jiang, he is..."
Jiang Huijun quickly replied, "He is Xixi's younger brother, and my youngest son."
"If that's the case, then why did he run into Gu Xi just now? With his speed and strength, Gu Xi would have been knocked down, and might even have been injured." Shen Mingzheng's tone was extremely serious, and his gaze was sternly scrutinizing, as if he were interrogating a criminal.
Jiang Huijun suddenly felt as if she had made a mistake at work and was about to be severely criticized by her boss. She instinctively straightened up and stammered, "He...he probably didn't do it on purpose, he just...he just..."
She did this simply because she was enraged to see her father injured and hospitalized.
But she didn't dare say this to Shen Mingzheng's face, feeling that once she did, it would be out of control and would completely ruin Shen Mingzheng's impression of their family.
Shen Mingzheng's gaze swept over Jiang Huijun's anxious and embarrassed face, and he naturally knew that there was more to the story. Combined with what Gu Yuanzheng had said earlier, he could guess some of the details.
He slowly released Gu Yuanhui, letting him slide helplessly to the ground.
Jiang Huijun quickly helped her youngest son up, handed him to Gu Yuanzheng, and gave her second son a look.
Gu Yuanzheng dragged the weak Gu Yuanhui to the side and covered his mouth to prevent him from making a sound. This was not only because they were in a hospital and could not make noise, but also because he was afraid that his shouts would attract Shen Mingzheng's attention.
Although they only met briefly and exchanged a few words, all of Shen Mingzheng's actions conveyed one message: he protected Gu Xi and would not allow anyone to bully her, not even her family.
Ignoring the Gu brothers, Shen Mingzheng asked, "Aunt Jiang, how is Uncle Gu?"
As he spoke, he led Gu Xi into the ward.
After what had just happened, Jiang Huijun dared not ignore him. Treating him like a visiting leader, she mustered all her attention and followed him closely, answering, "Old Gu has already gone to bed. He hit his head and needed some stitches. The doctor said it's a concussion and he needs to rest..."
This is a double room, but Gu Maowen is the only patient in the room.
When they arrived at the bedside, they saw Gu Maowen lying on the bed with a bandage on his forehead, a pale face, and his eyes closed; he was indeed asleep.
Since the person is asleep, it's not appropriate to leave them here.
Shen Mingzheng glanced at it and said, "Then we won't disturb you any longer. We'll come to visit Uncle Gu again tomorrow when he wakes up."
"Okay, thank you for your help," Jiang Huijun said politely.
Upon hearing the formal "you," Shen Mingzheng solemnly corrected her, "Aunt Jiang is an elder; there's no need for that."
Most people would probably be considerate enough to pretend they didn't hear it, so as not to embarrass the elder.
He is different; he points out mistakes directly without being considerate or choosing to ignore them. This only leads to more mistakes and must be corrected promptly.
Jiang Huijun laughed awkwardly, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet.
She didn't even realize that she had used honorifics with him. Using honorifics with a junior made her so ashamed that she wished she could dig a hole and hide.
A smile crept into Gu Xi's eyes.
Jiang Huijun accompanied him the entire time, from entering the ward to leaving it, barely daring to breathe.
Shen Mingzheng said, "Auntie, we'll be going now. You don't need to see us off."
Gu Xi continued, "Mom, let's go back first and come see Dad again tomorrow." Then, remembering something, she added, "Also, tell Dad not to be too angry and to take good care of himself."
If you don't upset him, he will definitely take good care of himself.
Jiang Huijun moved her lips and forced a smile.
Gu Xi glanced at Gu Yuanxiang and the other two outside the door and asked, "Who will stay with Dad tonight?"
“Yuanzheng will take care of him tonight,” Jiang Huijun said. “Tomorrow during the day, Yuanxiang and Yuanhui will come to relieve him, and I will take over in the evening.”
Fortunately, it's summer vacation now, so Gu Yuanxiang and Gu Yuanhui can help out a bit, saving everyone from getting too tired.
As for Gu Xi, Jiang Huijun and the others never even considered having her come to keep them company, fearing that seeing her might make Gu Maowen's condition worse.
After asking her question, Gu Xi didn't say anything and obediently followed Shen Mingzheng away.
The Gu family members present didn't care whether she stayed or left; in fact, they all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw them leave together.
They had been curious about what kind of person Shen Mingzheng was before, but this time when they met, they found that this man was not only dangerous, but also protected Gu Xi for no reason. He was just like his mother, really difficult to deal with.
Even though Shen Mingzheng was only there for a short while, Jiang Huijun felt incredibly tired, as if she were dealing with Feng Min.
She said to her youngest son, "Yuanhui, don't bully Xixi anymore, and don't do what you did just now again."
Gu Yuanhui's eyes reddened, not only from feeling wronged, but also from feeling pain; his whole body ached terribly.
When the man pinned him down, it was like a mountain, making him unable to move. The sharp edges of the door frame pierced his skin, causing him excruciating pain even though there was no bleeding.
He was certain that the man was doing it on purpose!
Gu Yuanhui held back his tears and said angrily, "She hurt Dad so badly, and I can't even be angry or hit her? None of you dare to hit her or teach her a lesson, which is why she's becoming more and more arrogant and doesn't respect you at all! Then I'll hit her. I refuse to believe that I can't kill her even if I risk my life..."
"Yuanhui!" Jiang Huijun said angrily, "All you do all day is fight, fight, fight! Is there anything else you can do besides hitting people? With your personality, you'll get into trouble sooner or later! No wonder Xixi hit you. You used to bully and hit her a lot, so it's only right that she hit you back."
Gu Yuanhui, who was feeling wronged, became both angry and anxious upon hearing her words, and finally burst into tears.
Little did I know that after I cried a few times, a nurse came over and strictly forbade me from making any noise. She told me to hold back my tears so as not to disturb the patient's rest.
Jiang Huijun and the others were extremely embarrassed. They apologized while covering Gu Yuanhui's mouth, feeling utterly exhausted.
**
Gu Xi and Shen Mingzheng walked out of the hospital together.
They only stayed for a short while, less than ten minutes, before leaving. I must say, they left pretty quickly.
Gu Xi was somewhat absent-minded, and couldn't help but steal glances at the man beside her, wondering what he was thinking.
Although the previous events seemed to be all criticisms directed at her by Gu Yuanzheng and his group, they also revealed that she had indeed done something wrong. With Shen Mingzheng's insight, he probably already figured it out.
What was he thinking? Did he also think she was wrong and would criticize her?
However, Shen Mingzheng didn't say a word the whole way.
After dropping her off at her home, he stood at the Gu family's door and said, "Go inside and get some rest."
Gu Xi responded, but did not enter the room. Instead, she stood there and looked up at him.
"Is there anything else?" Shen Mingzheng asked, making out her face in the dim light of the streetlamp.
Under the lights, her face was so exquisitely beautiful that it seemed unreal, like a ghost in the night. Even knowing the danger, one could not look away.
Shen Mingzheng's gaze shifted slightly as he noticed her face, which appeared even paler under the light, and the weariness and melancholy between her brows remained.
Just like during the day, when she sat quietly under the shade of a tree in the park, so lonely and vulnerable, out of place in this world.
I wonder what she has been through or what has happened to make a young woman who has just turned twenty have such a contradictory aura. I can't help but want to make her happier.
Gu Xi said softly, "Big brother, actually my dad..."
"Okay." Shen Mingzheng reached out and gently patted her shoulder. Her shoulder was so thin that he didn't even dare to use force, for fear of hurting her.
His voice was calm and steady as he said, "Go back and get some rest. If you're not feeling well, don't go out unnecessarily."
Gu Xi was stunned, and subconsciously wanted to touch her face.
Her face was a little pale, but she felt that she could walk and run, and that no one should be able to tell that she was uncomfortable.
However, he had already said this twice today, with absolute certainty in his tone. Such insight was truly terrifying.
Even after Shen Mingzheng left, Gu Xi was still somewhat confused.
Actually, she wanted to tell Shen Mingzheng clearly that Gu Maowen's injury and hospitalization were indeed related to her, to let him know that she was not the obedient and considerate person Aunt Feng thought she was. On the contrary, she had been causing trouble at home recently and was simply a troublemaker, the type of person he, an upright person, hated the most.
But he didn't give her a chance to speak, as if he knew everything, or as if he didn't care at all.
Do you really not care?
If he doesn't care, that's good too. It proves that although he is upright and serious, he is also an open-minded person. After the engagement is dissolved, he certainly won't stop Aunt Feng from adopting her, right?
With hopeful anticipation for the future, Gu Xi washed up and went to bed.
She didn't know when the others would return, and after lying down in bed, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
In her sleep, she dreamt once again of this day in her past life.
When Shen Mingzheng pulled her out of the lake, she had already stopped breathing and her heart had stopped beating. No matter what he did, she could not be brought back to life.
Her death was inevitable.
Upon realizing she was beyond saving, he knelt beside her, soaking wet, his eyes fixed on her pale face, bloodshot.
He was in pain and filled with regret.
He was right nearby, but he was too late to save her.
The passing of a young life always brings sadness, pain, and regret.
Moreover, she was someone she knew. She should have lived a good life, perhaps even reaching her seventies or eighties, meeting many people, and experiencing many stories...
Instead of his life ending abruptly at the age of twenty.
Gu Xi really wanted to tell him that it wasn't his fault!
She drowned and died before he arrived.
It wasn't his fault that he couldn't save her. He didn't need to regret it for so long, he didn't need to take all the blame on himself, he really didn't need to be so responsible...
**
Shen Mingzheng returned home very late.
Upon entering, he found his parents sitting in the living room, clearly waiting for him.
"You're back," Feng Min asked with concern. "Why are you so late? Is something wrong?"
She thought her son would be back soon after dropping Gu Xi off at home. Even if he wanted to spend more time with his fiancée to nurture their relationship, it wouldn't be too late. After all, it's not good for a woman's reputation to stay out too late, and he wouldn't do something that would ruin a girl's reputation.
Little did they know they would wait until now.
Shen Chenshan reached out and picked up the kettle on the table, pouring a glass of water for his son.
"Thank you, Dad!" Shen Mingzheng walked over, sat down opposite them, picked up his water glass, and drank the water in one gulp.
He then said, "Uncle Gu was injured and hospitalized, so Gu Xi and I went to the hospital."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shenshan and his wife were both surprised and asked, "What happened? Are you alright?"
Shen Mingzheng briefly explained Gu Maowen's situation and concluded, "The doctor said he needs to be hospitalized for observation for a few days. I'll try to visit him again tomorrow when I have some free time."
"That's how it should be."
Although Feng Min didn't particularly like the Gu family, they were still Gu Xi's relatives, so she had to maintain appearances and not let anyone find fault with them.
She hoped that nothing would happen to Gu Maowen. At least she had to wait for Gu Xi and Shen Mingzheng to get married smoothly, otherwise it would be too unlucky. She didn't want her eldest son to have any regrets when he got married.
None of the three members of the Shen family commented on Gu Maowen's injury and hospitalization, and they quickly changed the subject.
Feng Min said with a smile, "Mingzheng, look, Xixi has already graduated from high school. She said she doesn't plan to continue to university. Why don't you two get married first?"
Shen Chenshan also looked at his son. He also valued his son's lifelong happiness, otherwise he wouldn't have waited so late.
However, when it comes to marriage, we should still ask the people involved.
Shen Mingzheng's fingers, which were resting on his thigh, twitched slightly as he said, "This matter is for you two to arrange, Mom and Dad."
Upon receiving his affirmative answer, Feng Min was overjoyed: "When can you take a vacation? You have to come back and stay for a while, and get married, right?"
We can't just come back for a day or two each time, or even just stay one night, and then leave in a hurry.
That's not enough time! Wouldn't that be unfair to the female colleague? That won't do!
Shen Mingzheng said, "Next month, I'll leave the day after tomorrow. I'll go back first to submit a marriage application, and then I'll ask for half a month's leave next month."
“Okay!” Feng Min smiled broadly. “It’s settled then. Your father and I will go to the Gu family this weekend to discuss your marriage with them.”
Shen Mingzheng nodded slightly and said seriously, "Mom and Dad, I'll leave this to you."
He won't be able to stay long this time; he'll be leaving in a couple of days. Gu Maowen probably won't be discharged from the hospital so soon, so it's not appropriate to come over to discuss marriage while he's still in the hospital.
This is disrespectful to the woman; one should be more careful when visiting her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
