"Don't apologize, Qingqing. Please stop talking, okay? Rest for a while. Be good and listen to me," Huo Zheng said with a pleading expression.
Lin Xiaowan shook her head. Her emotions agitated, and she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood looked particularly stark when it stained Huo Zheng's shirt.
Huo Zheng felt as though his heart was going to stop beating at this moment.
Blood stained the corners of Lin Xiaowan's lips as she said stubbornly, "I have to apologize. I'm sorry that I misunderstood you. I'm sorry for causing…"
Before she could say the word 'trouble', she began to cough violently again. As she coughed, more blood stained Huo Zheng's shirt. A few drops even landed on his face.
Huo Zheng felt his mind go blank as he held her. "Stop talking. We're going to the hospital now. Be good."
Although Lin Xiaowan was crying, she smiled. She did not listen to Huo Zheng and continued to say, "I'm sorry for… causing you trouble…"
"Stop apologizing. You don't have to feel sorry," Huo Zheng said as he hugged her tightly and kissed her gently, "You'll be fine once we reach the hospital."
These words were not only meant for Lin Xiaowan, but for himself as well. He did not know what kind of injuries she sustained. His heart was in a mess, but he pretended to be calm on the surface.
"I… like you very, very… much," Lin Xiaowan said weakly. She held Huo Zheng's hand with all her might. Both their hands were cold at this moment.
At this moment, she thought that she should not have faulted Huo Zheng for not saying he liked her. After all, she had never said she liked him as well.
Huo Zheng intertwined their fingers together and said, "Please stop talking. I beg you."
At this moment, he could no longer maintain his composure. "I'm the one who should apologize. Qingqing, bear with it for a while. Don't talk anymore, okay? We'll reach the hospital soon."
"Are you really going to marry her?" Lin Xiaowan asked. Her voice was barely audible. She really wanted an answer.
"No, it was fake. I only want to marry you. Qingqing, I only want to marry you," Huo Zheng said as he kissed her cheek. His eyes were slightly wet as he continued to say, "When you're better, I'll tell you everything. I won't hide anything from you anymore."
"It's okay. You did it for me, after all. It's okay."
Lin Xiaowan tightened her grip on his hand.
Apart from being injured, Huo Zheng had also lost some weight, and he looked exhausted. However, in her eyes, he was still very handsome.
"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have left without a word…" Lin Xiaowan still felt extremely apologetic.
"It's my fault. It's my fault, Qingqing. Don't apologize. I should be the one to apologize."
Meanwhile, Qin Yanchuan, who had already gotten off the phone with his wife, did not disturb the couple. He only urged his subordinate to drive faster.
Lin Xiaowan squeezed Huo Zheng's hand. She was very happy that Huo Zheng was still willing to coax her like this. She smiled happily.
In Lin Xiaowan's opinion, she had always caused trouble for others since she was young. She had caused trouble for her parents and her grandparents. She knew no one liked her, and she had always felt redundant. It was only after she graduated and met Huo Zheng, experiencing what it was like to be cared for that she realized how wonderful life could be.
It did not matter if Huo Zheng liked her or not. He had treated her so well, but she still threw a tantrum and argued with him. She had caused such a huge trouble, but he did not blame her and also came to save her. Not only that, but he was also willing to lower his head to coax her. It was as though he was sent down from heaven to save her. He was really very good.
…
Huo Zheng still did not recover his senses even after Lin Xiaowan was pushed into the emergency room. When Lin Xiaowan suddenly closed her eyes in the car, it felt as though his blood had frozen in his veins. He immediately recalled the ominous dreams he had over the past few days and felt like he was about to suffocate. Fortunately, she was alive.
Huo Cheng, who had dealt with the matter on his hand, arrived at the hospital soon after. He was shocked by his younger brother's appearance and quickly stuffed a packet of tissue into his hands as he said, "Wipe your tears."
He naturally did not laugh at his younger brother. If Qiao You'an were in Lin Xiaowan's position, he would have cried more miserably than his brother.
Huo Cheng could not help but feel a little emotional. It had been a long time since he had seen Huo Zheng cry. It seemed like the last time Huo Zheng cried was when he broke up with Song Zhiyi.
When Huo Zheng recollected himself, Huo Cheng urged him to get himself treated.
Huo Zheng looked terrible as well. There was a large patch of bloodstain on his waist. There was also blood from Lin Xiaowan on his chest. His shirt was singed, and his hair was covered in dust.
When Huo Zheng returned, he had already changed into a new set of clothes. His expression was unfathomable, returning to the Second Young Master Huo whom everyone knew.
"He has been handed over to the Qin family," Huo Cheng said, "The Qin family will handle the rest of the matter. Qin Yanchuan contributed greatly in this matter."
Among the people Huo Cheng brought to meet Dong Xianghang were foreigners from Myanmar, and they were all friends of Qin Yanchuan.
Huo Zheng nodded.
"The Dong family is crumbling. There are a few projects under him that are okay. You can take over those that are beneficial."
Huo Zheng was not in the mood to discuss work now so he did not say anything.
…
It was getting late, but the surgery was not over yet.
After putting her two sons to bed, Qiao You'an called to ask about the situation. Huo Cheng briefly explained the situation to her before he told her to go to sleep and not wait for him.
After Huo Cheng ended the call, Huo Zheng told Huo Cheng to go home first.
Seeing how anxious Huo Zheng was from waiting, Huo Cheng said, "If I leave you alone, I'm worried you won't be able to hold it in and cry again."
At this time, Huo Cheng remembered that Lin Xiaowan was not from Sheng City. Such a terrible thing had happened to her, and he thought that her family should be informed about it. He asked, "Do you have Xiaowan's family's number? We should inform her family."
Huo Zheng shook his head slowly. Lin Xiaowan had never spoken to him about her family. Since it was a personal matter, he did not take the initiative to investigate it. How could he have her family's number?
Huo Cheng rarely asked about his brother's personal matters. When he saw his brother shaking his head, he asked, surprised, "No? Aren't both of you about to get married? Don't tell me you haven't even met her parents?"
Indeed, Huo Zheng had yet to meet Lin Xiaowan's parents.
After thinking about it, Huo Cheng thought it was not surprising. Usually, both sets of parents would meet. Since their parents had passed away, he, the eldest brother, was the elder. If they met, there was no way Huo Zheng would not tell him.
At this time, Huo Cheng recalled what Qian You'an had told him before they went to bed. She had said that Lin Xiaowan thought that Huo Zheng did not like her. He could not help but ask, "Don't tell me you don't like Lin Xiaowan?"
Huo Cheng was already upset that there was no news from the operating theatre. When he heard Huo Cheng's words, he frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"An'an told me that Lin Xiaowan thinks you don't like her."
Huo Zheng's frown deepened.
Huo Cheng said, "Actually, I don't blame her for feeling that way. Sometimes, I even wonder if you like her or only want to find someone to marry."
Huo Cheng did not shy away from Huo Zheng's cold gaze. He did not feel that he said anything wrong.
"Don't look at me like that. After all, your current state is too different from before," Huo Cheng said, "You only looked a little like your past self when you were so nervous and cried earlier…"