Chapter 42 A Sudden Storm
The air in the ward was so stuffy it was hard to breathe, and the sky outside the window had darkened at some point.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, and rumbling thunder echoed through the clouds, foreshadowing an impending downpour.
Xie Lin held Lin Mianmian in his arms, his hands stroking her trembling back again and again. The warmth of his fingertips was like the only piece of driftwood, preventing her from being drowned by those vicious words.
He looked down at the pale profile of the person in his arms, the anger surging in his eyes almost consuming him, but the kiss that landed on the top of her head was incredibly gentle.
"Mianmian, don't be afraid." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with extreme restraint. "With me here, no one can hurt you."
Lin Mianmian buried her face in the crook of his neck, her shoulders trembling slightly. Warm tears soaked his clothes, but she didn't even dare to make a loud sob.
She was afraid—afraid of the overwhelming insults and swearing, afraid that her impoverished background would bring him trouble.
What I fear even more is that the light I've finally managed to grasp will be completely blown away by this storm.
Just then, Xie Lin's phone suddenly started vibrating wildly in his pocket.
He intended to hang up immediately, but when he caught a glimpse of the name flashing on the screen, his aura suddenly tightened.
That was the Xie family's old residence's exclusive number; anything that could prompt them to call personally must be something significant.
Xie Lin carefully released the person in his arms, raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes, the strength in his fingertips carrying a hint of reluctant restraint. "Mianmian, I'm going out to take a call, I'll be right back."
Lin Mianmian raised her red eyes, her eyelashes wet, like butterfly wings dampened by rain.
She didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly, her hand gripping the bedsheet even tighter.
Xie Lin turned and walked out of the ward. The moment he closed the door, all the gentleness on his face vanished, leaving only an icy chill.
He pressed the answer button, but before he could speak, the butler's anxious and solemn voice came from the other end of the phone: "Young Master, something has happened at the old mansion! The old master suffered a sudden heart attack and is currently undergoing emergency surgery."
With a loud "boom," it was as if a thunderclap had exploded in their ears.
Xie Lin's pupils suddenly contracted, his knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone, and his joints trembled slightly from the force.
The old man had been incredibly kind to him, the foundation upon which he stood in the Xie family, and the person he respected most in his life.
He turned sharply to look at the closed door of the ward, where the person inside was still trembling and needed his protection.
But the busy tone on the other end of the phone felt like a death knell, striking his heart again and again.
The torrential rain finally poured down, with large raindrops pounding against the windowpane, making a crackling sound as if they were trying to smash the whole world apart.
Xie Lin closed his eyes, a painful struggle flashing in his eyes.
He raised his hand and dialed his assistant's number, speaking so quickly that it was almost devoid of warmth: "Immediately arrange for the best medical team to guard the VIP ward. No one—not even a fly—is allowed to approach Lin Mianmian even a step."
Furthermore, investigate and eradicate those accounts spreading rumors, the masterminds behind them, and everyone involved in this matter. I will make them pay the price!
After hanging up the phone, he stood outside the door for a long time, his gaze fixed on the door, as if trying to see through it to the fragile figure inside.
In the end, he lifted his foot and strode into the rain.
The black suit was soaked by the rain and clung tightly to his body. His back view was resolute, yet it also carried a hint of indescribable dishevelment.
In the ward, Lin Mianmian listened to the rain outside getting louder and louder, and to the familiar footsteps gradually fading away until they disappeared completely.
She slowly curled up, buried her face in her knees, and tears silently streamed down her face.
She didn't know where he went, or why he suddenly left.
All I know is that the rain outside the window is so cold.
And it seems that her world has been reduced to just her alone.
The rain outside the window was getting heavier and heavier, pounding against the glass with a loud crackling sound, as if it were going to overturn this small hospital room.
Lin Mianmian curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging a cold pillow, her whole body trembling.
Xie Lin had turned off his phone and tossed it aside. She dared not touch it, afraid that if she turned it on, those foul words would flood in again and overwhelm her.
The ward was eerily quiet, save for the sound of rain and her suppressed sobs, which intertwined to create a web of despair.
Just then, the ward door was gently pushed open, and a handsome and upright figure walked in.
The person who came was wearing a well-pressed white shirt with the cuffs rolled up to their forearms, revealing their clean-lined wrists.
He was tall and slender, with gentle features, a high nose bridge, and a faint smile always playing on his lips. He exuded an air of refined elegance and nobility.
It was Bai Xiulin.
He carried a thermos in his hand and walked very quietly, afraid of disturbing the person in bed.
Seeing Lin Mianmian curled up in a ball, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes. He paused for a moment before walking over quietly.
"Mianmian." His voice was gentle and warm, like the spring sun melting ice and snow, carrying a reassuring power.
Lin Mianmian raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, her eyelashes wet and stuck to her eyelids, and her face still covered with tear stains. She looked so pitiful that it was heartbreaking.
When she saw that the person who came was Bai Xiulin, she was stunned for a moment, her lips moved but she didn't say a word.
Bai Xiulin didn't ask any further questions. He simply placed the thermos on the bedside table and gently lifted the lid.
A rich aroma instantly filled the air; it was warm millet porridge, with a faint sweet fragrance of red dates.
“I heard from the nurse that you haven’t eaten all day.” He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of warm porridge, and brought it to her lips.
Her movements were incredibly gentle. "It's freshly made, not too hot. Would you like to try a bite?"
Looking at the tenderness in his eyes, Lin Mianmian felt a lump in her throat and tears fell again.
She turned her head away, her voice hoarse: "I can't eat."
Bai Xiulin didn't force her. He simply put the spoon back in the bowl, reached for a tissue, and carefully wiped away the tears on her face.
His fingertips were clean and slightly cool, and his movements were as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure. His eyes were full of undisguised heartache.
"Eat something," he softened his voice, his tone carrying a hint of coaxing, "You'll ruin your health if you keep going like this."
He paused, then added, "Xie Lin must have had something urgent to attend to before he left. He won't abandon you."
Lin Mianmian remained silent and did not speak.
She knew Xie Lin wouldn't abandon her, but he was nowhere to be found when she was at her most devastated and helpless.
This feeling of being abandoned was like a thorn, piercing her heart.
Bai Xiulin didn't mention Xie Lin again, but simply sat quietly by the bed, keeping her company.
He didn't pry into those upsetting things, nor did he offer any empty words of comfort. He simply raised his hand occasionally to tuck the blanket around her as it slipped off.
The rain was still falling, but the ward gradually felt warmer because of the extra person in it.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Mianmian's stomach let out a disapproving growl.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Bai Xiulin chuckled softly, his eyes softening with tenderness. He picked up the spoon again, ladled out a spoonful of porridge, and handed it to him: "Are you hungry? Try this."
This time, Lin Mianmian did not refuse.
She sipped the porridge slowly, the warm rice porridge sliding down her throat with a faint sweet fragrance, dispelling the chill in her heart.
Bai Xiulin watched her drink the porridge, and the smile on his lips deepened.
His gaze fell on her pale face, and deep in his eyes lay a trace of emotion that even he dared not delve into.
He liked her; he liked her from the first time he saw her.
I love her clarity and purity, I love her stubbornness and resilience, and I love how she is afraid but refuses to back down when she is bullied.
However, he knew that she had feelings for Xie Lin, and that Xie Lin also liked her. Therefore, he could only keep his feelings to himself and stay by her side as a friend.
During her most difficult and devastating moments, all he could do was stay by her side and offer her a little bit of warmth.
The rain outside the window gradually subsided, and a faint glimmer of light appeared on the horizon.
Bai Xiulin looked at Lin Mianmian, who was leaning against the headboard and gradually regaining some color, and said softly, "If you're tired, take a nap. I'll stay here and watch over you."
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