After leaving the laboratory, they walked outside to the parking lot, each pair walking a small distance away from each other.
Absentminded, Pei Yueran only came out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Li Chuanmo was letting her know that they had arrived.
She looked at his handsome face, getting a sense of stability. Just then, Qiao Mingran walked up to them.
She was a bit shorter than Pei Yueran, but she raised her hand to cradle her face while her eyes filled with tears. She couldn't speak due to the force of her emotions, but what everything she wanted to say was reflected in her eyes.
Staring at a face that now looked five parts similar to hers, Pei Yueran took a deep breath before stepping back, away from the hand on her cheek.
While Qiao Mingran's heart fell in sadness, she bowed and said, "I'm sorry Ma'am, but all these has come as a shock to me. I would need some more time to process things."
Not only did she need time to make mental and psychological adjustments, she also had to inform her mother and schedule a meeting. At the moment, she hadn't even thought about the changes this knowledge would bring. She just wasn't ready.
Through her tears, Qiao Mingran nodded quickly to express her understanding. There was so much she wanted to do with her daughter, so much to talk to her about, but she knew she had to be patient.
Beside her, Gao Tinghua also nodded. They had to go back and inform the Gao family, especially his father and sister, not to mention make sure the drug organization was dealt with. He felt the onslaught of a headache due to his thoughts.
Qiao Mingran wanted to at least get her number, but she hesitated.
Due to this, she missed the chance. Without looking back, Pei Yueran entered the car, and Li Chuanmo soon drove off.
Gao Tinghua held his mother's shoulders and led her to the car, "Let's go Mother. At least one thing has been confirmed — she's our family. No matter how long it takes, I'm sure she'll acknowledge our family one day. Let's take it slow. Remember, we still need to deal with the rest of the family members."
Hearing this, Qiao Mingran wiped her tears and nodded with new resolve, "Yes, you're right. This isn't the time to break down, I need to be strong instead. I have battles ahead, and I must do my best for my daughter, even if it takes the last drop of my blood!"
Gao Tinghua nodded, but couldn't help the flash of bitterness he felt. If she had shown this level of spunk earlier, would their family still be in tatters now?
On this side, Pei Yueran was still staring out if the window, feeling a bit lost.
It was funny that she was just telling her mother recently that she didn't want to look for her biological parents, and in less than a month, they brought themselves to her door.
Looking at her, Li Chuanmo was really beginning to regret encouraging her to meet them. Even his earlier distraction tactic could not withstand the weight of this news.
His heart ached for her.
Driving steadily, the car was soon parked in their garage. With a nod to the workers, he carried her with long strides to their bedroom, his shoes making no sound on the marble floors.
The room had changed even further since the time Pei Yueran came before the wedding, and was now complete with furniture she personally picked out, as well as feminine traces — pots of flowers on the coffee table and mantel, in addition to a huge picture of both of them smiling radiantly at each other on their wedding day.
The dream catcher Pei Yueran insisted on buying during their honeymoon now hung at the side of their window.
He removed her jacket and hung it up before laying her down gently on the bed. Getting into bed himself, he wrapped her in his arms.
When he thought she was sleeping, she suddenly hugged him tightly, as if holding on for dear life.
Patting her back lightly, he just let her vent.
Then he heard her whisper, "What am I going to do?"
"You don't have to do anything."
She didn't say anything in reply, but she was furiously analyzing things internally.
Soon she had come to a decision. It was unlike her to run away from a challenge. She would face things head on.
Once she spoke to her mother about this and got the details, she would know how to proceed.
Satisfied with her decision, she let the sweet arms of sleep claim her.
Unfortunately, her plans had to be delayed because she suddenly fell sick, running a high fever in the middle of the night.
Li Chuanmo was woken up by her fever-induced mutterings. The person in his arms was almost as hot as molten lead, sweat soaking through her nightwear.
He was almost driven crazy by worry. Even as he dialed the doctor's number, he paced about in agitation. After the doctor apologized that he could not come immediately, he directed him on how to reduce the fever via phone.
Li Chuanmo was awake all night, sponging her so as to bring down her temperature. By the time the doctor came in the following morning, the fever had come down a lot. He examined her and said it was due to serious physical and emotional stress.
The anger and blame Li Chuanmo felt could not be quantified. He really regretted allowing her to be shocked like that.
Looking at the face that seemed to be lined with frost, the doctor was quick to add that she just needed more rest and fluids, and that she would get better soon.
He set up an IV line for her, gave her some medications and left soon after.
Li Chuanmo sat down beside her, his tired face matching her pale one. As he lightly cradled her cheek, he apologized softly for not protecting her well.
Pei Yueran was sleeping and couldn't hear him. But even if she could, she would have assured him that it was no fault of his.
Life just loved to toy with people.
*****