Luo Li couldn't understand why Tao Jinxi kept visiting her parents every few days.
Was she trying to win favor? But Luo Shuhe and Luo Zhining had always maintained a hands-off approach to her romantic life. The more Tao Jinxi acted this way, the more it annoyed her.
Well, whatever. She didn't have time to play games with her today.
A bodyguard whispered something in Luo Li's ear, and she nodded, getting up to leave.
"Leaving already?" Luo Zhining raised her porcelain cup of white tea with a hint of exasperation.
They probably spoiled Luo Li too much. Tao Jinxi was still a guest, after all, and here Luo Li was, ready to leave without a second thought.
Luo Li waved goodbye without looking back.
The white car in the driveway was loaded with gift boxes, and Luo Li couldn't help but imagine what Lu Cixue's reaction would be when she saw them.
Several snowfalls over the past few days had left the roads icy, and pedestrians walked cautiously on the slick streets.
Luo Li focused on the road ahead. The streets were relatively empty today, with few cars and fewer people, but she still drove carefully.
She slowed to a stop at an intersection, glancing at the traffic light that had just turned red, and picked up her phone to text Luo Ran.
[Can you come to my place later to help me move some stuff?]
She typed and sent the message.
[Sure, I'm just bored anyway]
Luo Li only glanced at the screen for a few seconds, but when she looked up again, her eyes widened in shock.
——
That night, at Jianghuai City Hospital.
"Luo Dong, Manager Luo, family members aren't allowed beyond this point."
Luo Shuhe and Tao Jinxi supported a nearly collapsed Luo Zhining, staring blankly at the doors of the operating room.
Even two people as decisive and composed as them were trembling.
There was so much blood, and their daughter, whom they had raised so carefully, now lay in the snow like a lifeless ragdoll, seemingly on the verge of slipping away from them.
Just twenty minutes ago, she had been standing in front of them, full of life.
Now, she was lying unconscious in the operating room.
They prided themselves on their discretion in business, never making enemies unnecessarily, merely maintaining distant, indifferent relations with those they didn't like.
Who would be so cruel as to use their daughter to exact revenge?
"Luo Dong, the driver was a middle-aged woman, also unconscious now. She seems to be mentally unstable." A man in a suit hurried over, lowering his voice to relay the situation to Luo Shuhe.
The photo the bodyguard held showed nothing but an ordinary middle-aged couple.
But Tao Jinxi recognized who they were.
It was at this moment that Lu Cixue and Luo Ran arrived.
Over the past few days, Lu Cixue had rarely left Luo Li's side, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. Even when Luo Li had to go home to be with her parents, it was Lu Cixue who dropped her off and then returned home alone.
During this time, Lu's father and mother hadn't shown up once. Lu Cixue began to wonder if she was overthinking things. If they wanted revenge, wouldn't they target her? What was she so worried about?
After all, they didn't even know about Luo Li. The only people aware of Luo Li's involvement were Lu Cixue and Luo Li's parents. So what was she so afraid of?
But what if? What if they hurt someone close to her without caring about the consequences?
Their absence could mean they were waiting for the right moment to strike, knowing that Lu Cixue's presence would make it harder for them to act unnoticed.
They were very sensitive to the scent of their kind, after all.
Yes, that must be it...
She had been caught in this vicious cycle of thoughts for days, even questioning He Qi'nian about what he had done and what he had told them. He had merely kept apologizing, as if possessed.
She got no answers.
And now, the one time Luo Li had insisted on going alone was the one time those people found an opening.
Lu Cixue was in a daze, the suffocating weight of it all nearly crushing her.
"You took my son away, so I'll make you feel the pain of losing someone you love," Lu's father had said, laughing maniacally. "We have nothing left to fear."
Only then did she realize where all their money had gone.
——This was all her fault.
If she hadn't entered Luo Li's life, would Luo Li be lying in that operating room now? If she had just stayed away from the beginning, would Luo Li have been spared this pain?
But she had to face the reality.
Luo Ran felt like the person beside her was like someone pulled from icy water, exuding a bone-chilling coldness.
"Director Lu?"
The person next to her didn't respond, walking forward like a lost soul.
"Why are you here? Haven't you done enough to harm Luo Luo?" Tao Jinxi blocked Lu Cixue's path, her tone sharp and accusatory.
Luo Ran frowned, her eyes still wet with tears. "Is this really the place for you to be shouting?"
Luo Ran had never liked Tao Jinxi, and now, with her cousin lying in the operating room, she had no patience for Tao Jinxi's self-righteousness.
But just as she spoke, she saw Lu Cixue bow her head, her body trembling as she deeply bowed to Luo Zhining, her voice shaking. "I'm so sorry..."
It was her failure to protect Luo Li. It was her presence that brought this misfortune to Luo Li.
But she wanted to stay here, to see Luo Li come out of this safely.
Luo Zhining didn't look at her, her red-rimmed eyes avoiding her gaze. "I know this isn't your fault, but as a mother, I'm sorry, I don't want to see you here right now."
Luo Shuhe simply sighed, placing a hand on Luo Zhining's shoulder, and looked away without a word.
The Luo family had always been reasonable, but in this moment, they couldn't maintain their composure.
After all, this situation was inextricably linked to Lu Cixue.
How could they possibly trust their beloved daughter's future with someone like her?
A twisted family couldn't raise healthy children.
Lu Cixue wanted to say something, but Tao Jinxi's bodyguards had already stepped forward to block her.
——The Luo family clearly didn't want to see her now. Staying any longer would be an affront.
Luo Ran wanted to intervene, but Lu Cixue stopped her.
She froze, shocked by the expression on Lu Cixue's face.
Red-rimmed eyes, fragile and on the verge of breaking, staring at the heavy doors of the operating room with a look of utter fear and helplessness.
"I'm sorry. I'll take care of everything and come back later."
Luo Ran wasn't sure who the apology was directed at, but hearing Lu Cixue apologize again made her instinctively glance at her aunt and uncle.
Neither of them responded, nor did they look at her.
Luo Ran glanced at the operating room, biting her lip before turning to chase after Lu Cixue.
She and Luo Li had always been close. Though Luo Li often teased her, she always thought of her first when something good happened. They understood each other well.
So Luo Ran believed that if her cousin were awake, she would be heartbroken to see the person she loved so devastated.
Luo Li hadn't woken up yet, so she would take care of her aunt, uncle, and her cousin's beloved in her place.
"Director Lu, my cousin will be okay." Luo Ran caught up to Lu Cixue at the elevator, but she had no idea how to comfort her when she saw the tears streaming down her face.
She was barely holding back her own tears.
"Ranran, if Luo Li is okay, please, please tell me," Lu Cixue pleaded, her voice hollow and lifeless.
Luo Ran nodded, worried. "Director Lu, where are you going now?"
Lu Cixue lowered her gaze. "To make sure those who deserve punishment receive it."
——Including herself.
——
The lights outside the operating room finally dimmed after what felt like an eternity.
When Jing Yao arrived, the four family members were still there, with no sign of Lu Cixue. She was puzzled until Luo Ran explained, and then her emotions grew even more complicated.
At this point, words were useless, so she simply sat with the elders, offering her silent support.
When the doctor emerged, everyone hurried to their feet, and Luo Shuhe, weakened from fasting, nearly stumbled.
"She reacted quickly to protect her vital areas when the danger approached. She has a mild concussion, a fracture in her left thigh, and minor fractures in her 9th and 10th ribs. Fortunately, her internal organs were not damaged. She also has multiple abrasions, but her vital signs are stable. There's no need for concern."
"Once she's transferred to a regular room, it's best not to have too many visitors to avoid the risk of infection."
Luo Shuhe and Luo Zhining finally exhaled in relief, tears welling up in their swollen eyes.
Luo Ran wiped her tears, suddenly remembering something. She quickly pulled out her phone to text Lu Cixue.
In the hospital room, Luo Zhining listened carefully as the nurse explained the post-operative care instructions, trembling as she held Luo Li's hand.
Luo Shuhe was escorted home by Jing Yao and Luo Ran to rest before taking the night shift, while Tao Jinxi insisted on staying behind to help.
But as fate would have it, she noticed the pale-faced Lu Cixue standing outside the hospital room.
Peeking through the door, Tao Jinxi saw the scene inside before leisurely approaching the woman.
"What are you doing here? Auntie doesn't want to see you."
But her commanding tone had no effect on the person before her.
"I don't need you to tell me that."
——She was indeed the one responsible for this, but this matter had nothing to do with Tao Jinxi.
"Oh? And what if you get kicked out when you go in?"
Tao Jinxi added fuel to the fire. "You probably don't know this, but Luo Luo has always been a lively, mischievous child, so she often got bumps and bruises. Even the slightest injury would make her cry for hours."
"What's your point?" Lu Cixue felt the weight on her shoulders growing heavier, her head spinning. She didn't want to listen to Tao Jinxi's drivel.
"My point is, if it were me, I would never let Luo Luo be in a situation where something like this could happen. But you? Are you just taking advantage of everything she gives you?"
That's right. Some people are born in Rome, with such privileged backgrounds and favorable conditions. Of course, they can protect Luo Li.
What she had sacrificed everything to achieve was something these people could obtain with a mere wave of their hand.
And now, she was completely alone in this world.
She couldn't compare to Tao Jinxi.
"What's the point of seeing her? To ease your useless guilt?"
"If I were you, I'd pack up and leave quietly, never coming back."
"This time, Luo Luo was lucky. But what about next time?"
Tao Jinxi watched the woman standing before her, a smirk playing on her lips. "Adult relationships aren't child's play, after all. There's a reason why 'marrying someone of equal standing' isn't a negative term, isn't there?"
It all seemed so true, every word logical.
But whether it was right or wrong, Tao Jinxi wasn't the one to judge.
When Lu Cixue knocked on the door, Luo Zhining was pouring water. She saw who was at the door but didn't pause her actions.
"Come in."
When Lu Cixue's gaze fell on the figure lying in the hospital bed, her heart ached. Her eyes were filled with pain and longing, but she couldn't bring herself to look for long.
"Manager Luo, I know any explanation or apology now would sound ridiculous, but... can you please let me stay?"
Lu Cixue felt utterly useless. Even her plea sounded stiff.
She didn't even have the courage to call her "Auntie."
Luo Zhining looked up at her, her sharp gaze seeming to pierce through Lu Cixue's soul. The woman's face was so pale it was almost bloodless, a sign of a day spent rushing around.
Luo Zhining's eyes were perceptive, as if she could see right through her.
Even though Lu Cixue had faced many similar looks, she was so nervous now that she clenched her fingers until they almost bled.
"Lil' Lu, I've always admired you, but I don't think you and Luo Luo are a good match. Do you understand what I mean?"
Lu Cixue thought she should understand, but she could barely find her voice.
"You probably don't know, but her car was full of gifts for you. She planned to confess to you today."
"Now, they're all shattered," Luo Zhining said pointedly.
"Most people hide their relationships from their parents, but we knew before you did."
"Do you think you deserve what Luo Luo has done for you?"
Luo Zhining seemed tired, speaking wearily. "Leave. Don't come back. And don't bother with those TV drama antics where the heartbroken heroine tries to win back the family's favor. Even if Luo Luo still likes you, I won't let you two be together."
——
The person lying in the hospital bed remained unconscious, unaware of everything that had happened.
Luo Zhining looked at her child and sighed almost imperceptibly.
"If you knew I chased her away again, you'd be so mad you'd jump out of bed."
"But I have to protect you, you know? If she can't come back after being turned away twice, how can she promise to stay with you forever?"