Xiang Zhilan huddled under the covers, lost in thought. Two opposing forces were battling within her mind, making her very confused. She quickly closed her eyes, trying to clear her head and get some sleep.
When Shen Muzhi came out, he saw that Xiang Zhilan was already asleep. He stood quietly in front of her bed for a while, then turned and left the bedroom.
Shen Guoliang was still in the study. He had just asked Dr. Wang and was relieved to learn that Xiang Zhilan was alright. But when he saw Shen Muzhi come in, his face darkened again.
"How did you take care of her? How could she become anemic?" Shen Guoliang felt he had already let the girl down, and now that she was pregnant and her body hadn't been properly cared for, he felt even more guilty.
"Dad, I won't let her leave, not even you." Shen Muzhi looked directly at Shen Guoliang.
"You've certainly got guts now." Shen Guoliang looked at him, his cold, resolute face slightly grim. "But do you even know why you stayed? Is it because she looks like Su Yan, or because of the child, or because of..."
“No,” Shen Muzhi interrupted Shen Guoliang, saying, “It’s because she is simply herself, not because of anyone else.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Guoliang's expression softened slightly. "It's good that you know what you're doing."
“I understand perfectly,” Shen Muzhi replied earnestly.
"That depends on whether she's willing. Whether you can keep her or not depends not on me, but on her, do you understand?" Shen Guoliang looked at Shen Muzhi, who was already covered in wounds, and in the end, he still couldn't bear it.
Shen Mu's silence revealed that the only reason he was able to keep her here was through coercion and enticement. If she were given a choice, she would likely...
"Muzhi, you should know that forced relationships are never sweet." Shen Guoliang sighed softly, his face showing a rare gentleness like that of a loving father.
"I only know that I will regret letting her go, and I don't want to have any more regrets or remorse," Shen Muzhi said in a hard voice.
Shen Guoliang was about to speak again when his phone rang. It was a call from the military, asking him to handle something.
"Take good care of her." Shen Guoliang patted Shen Muzhi on the shoulder and walked out.
Shen Muzhi saw him downstairs, then turned back to her bedroom.
Xiang Zhilan had just taken a short nap when she was awakened by the sound of a military vehicle starting up in the yard.
Seeing that she had woken up, Shen Muzhi poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Xiang Zhilan sat up slightly, leaning back and taking a sip of water.
Silence fell between them, and then more silence. They seemed to have very few things to talk about, and they often remained silent like this.
After finishing her glass of water, Xiang Zhilan placed it on the bedside table. Feeling the silence was rather awkward, she spoke first, asking, "Is your back alright?"
"It's nothing," Shen Muzhi replied calmly.
"No way you're okay. Why do you always like to act tough?" Xiang Zhilan glared at him and said, "Do you think it's cool? You get stabbed and nothing happens, your legs get shorter and nothing happens, your back is almost torn open and nothing happens. Do you really think you're invincible Iron Man?"
"I'm used to it." Shen Muzhi has been practicing martial arts since he was a child. Getting injured is really commonplace for him, who is learning combat sports. Moreover, he is indeed more resistant to falls and has a stronger recovery ability than the average person.
"Has your dad always been like this?" Xiang Zhilan felt that compared to him, she had grown up in a greenhouse.
"No, he doesn't hit me easily." Shen Muzhi remembered that this was the second time he had been beaten by his father like this. The first time was eight years ago when he caused his mother to worry and feel sad, which led to her becoming ill from depression. That's why his father gave him such a beating.
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