Chapter 52

On New Year’s Eve, after finishing dinner and watching a bit of television, Father Yu couldn’t hold out any longer and decided to go to bed.

Yu Zhezhi drove Hua Luoyue to the hospital.

Hua Luoyue hadn’t wanted to trouble her at a time like this, but it was impossible to catch a taxi at this hour, so she silently followed Yu Zhezhi into the car. The nighttime temperature had plummeted; as they passed under the streetlights, one could see the white mist of their exhaled breath.

“It looks like it will snow tomorrow,” Yu Zhezhi said. “Don’t wander around the hospital. I’ll come to see you in the afternoon.”

“Don’t you have to go visiting for the New Year?” Hua Luoyue asked.

“I just need to visit a few paternal uncles in the morning,” Yu Zhezhi replied. “The rest can wait a few days until I’m free.”

The Yu family didn’t have many relatives to begin with, and those close enough to require Yu Zhezhi’s personal presence were even fewer. On the contrary, there were several business partners to visit, but that would be after the holiday period.

“I imagine you wouldn’t want to stand there like a wooden post all morning just for a single lunch,” Yu Zhezhi added.

Hua Luoyue couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Spend these next few days peacefully at the hospital; consider it a chance to hide away for some quiet,” ​stolen content​Yu Zhezhi said, then asked, “Is that classmate of yours still coming?”

“Perhaps…” Hua Luoyue said uncertainly.

She had mentioned to Yu Zhezhi earlier that Cai Xinyue planned to come to City A for a trip after the New Year before school started, though in reality, she was worried about Hua Luoyue’s mother’s surgery. Originally, Hua Luoyue thought it was just a whim, but Cai had brought it up several times after the break started. Since Cai was buying her own tickets and booking a hotel under the guise of tourism, it was hard for Hua Luoyue to refuse.

Since this was Yu Zhezhi’s territory, she wouldn’t be able to hide the visit anyway, so she informed Yu Zhezhi in advance. To her surprise, Yu Zhezhi—who had previously warned her about such things—didn’t seem to care this time, simply saying she should arrange it herself.

“It’s good to have someone to accompany you,” Yu Zhezhi said. “I’ll be quite busy after the New Year and might not have time to be with you.”

Hua Luoyue nodded.

Yu Zhezhi dropped her off at the hospital entrance. Perhaps because of the New Year, her tone was somewhat soft: “Go on up. The temperature is dropping; don’t catch a cold.”

Hua Luoyue told her to be careful on the road and headed upstairs.

When she reached her mother’s ward, Hua Luoyue instinctively stood by the window and looked down. Yu Zhezhi’s car seemed to still be there—she wasn’t entirely sure, but she watched until the car drove away before turning back.

The hospital on New Year’s Eve wasn’t as desolate as one might imagine. Many patients were forced to spend the holiday there, and others were being rushed in for emergencies due to dangerous behavior after drinking too much.

The nurse on duty pushed the door open, saw Hua Luoyue, and said “Happy New Year” with a smile. Hua Luoyue smiled back and thanked her for her hard work. The nurse waved her off, reminding her that the vending ​unauthorized copy​machine downstairs had new snacks and congee, and even fished the TV remote out of a cabinet.

Hua Luoyue usually only read or used her laptop in the ward; she had almost never used the TV. But the nurse felt New Year’s Eve should be a bit more lively.

“No need to worry about disturbing your mother, after all…” The nurse realized she had misspoken halfway through, gave a sheepish smile, and didn’t finish the sentence. After checking Mother Hua’s condition, she pushed her cart out.

Hua Luoyue understood the look in her eyes—it was one of sympathy and pity. She didn’t mind. She turned the TV volume to its lowest setting and pulled a stool over to sit by the bed.

The potted plant she had brought back earlier had bloomed with a few bright red flowers. Set against the “Blessing” character temporarily pasted on the window, it added a touch of festive cheer.

This would be the last time Hua Luoyue spent the New Year with the mother of this world.

She didn’t quite remember when she fell asleep. She only remembered that at the last moment of consciousness, she was very close to the bed, and for the first time, she instinctively placed her hand over Mother Hua’s, holding it gently.

Someone who has been in a coma for a long time has a low body temperature; the back of her hand was icy. But after holding it for a long time, she actually felt a bit of warmth.

Hua Luoyue startled awake from a dream. Her first instinct was to look at Mother Hua on the bed, and then she dazedly steadied her breathing. The person on the bed, of course, had not woken up.

She stared blankly for a while before realizing it was the sunlight outside casting shadows of the trees. The branches swayed in the wind, causing light to dance across her eyelids. It had snowed during the night; the world outside was white and blindingly bright.

She checked the time and realized she had overslept. However, on the morning of New Year’s Day, and in a hospital to boot, the sound of firecrackers was faint. [unauthorized copy]Most people woke up later than usual. To Hua Luoyue, it was still just an ordinary day.

Yu Zhezhi handled all the New Year’s social obligations for her, using her mother’s upcoming surgery as an easy excuse.

Cai Xinyue was unable to come to City A. Her original flight was for the sixth, but a very close elder passed away that night, so her entire family had to stay behind to help with the funeral arrangements. Her father, who was supposed to travel for business, also took leave, so Cai Xinyue could only apologize to Hua Luoyue.

Cai Xinyue was genuinely embarrassed and called several times to explain. With the weight of the elder’s passing on her mind, her mood was quite low. Hua Luoyue, having said “it’s okay” several times, had to turn around and offer her some comfort instead.

When Yu Zhezhi visited the hospital later and asked about it, she learned what had happened. She didn’t offer any sarcasm; after all, no one wishes for the sudden loss of a relative. She just looked at Hua Luoyue and asked, “Are you very disappointed?”

Hua Luoyue shook her head. “I’d say I’m relieved.”

Yu Zhezhi raised an eyebrow. “Is your relationship not that good?”

Hua Luoyue smiled. “No matter how good the relationship, I don’t want her to see me losing face and crying.”

It was a joke. Hua Luoyue didn’t think she would actually cry, but she feared Cai Xinyue’s excessive worry. It wasn’t about concealment or distance, but mentally, she was several years older than Cai Xinyue; being treated like a fragile object would be somewhat embarrassing.

Yu Zhezhi asked deliberately, “So it’s okay for me to see it?”

“President Yu is different,” Hua Luoyue said.

Yu Zhezhi’s breath hitched. “How am I different?”

“You’re the boss,” Hua Luoyue said. “If you really want to see me cry, just say the word. I’ll cry my heart out for you.”

Yu Zhezhi: “…” It seems she’s fine if she has the leisure to joke.

“I’ll have Yunting come over then,” Yu Zhezhi said, pausing for a second as if waiting for Hua Luoyue to ask, “What about you?” But the girl only gave an “Oh.” Realizing Hua Luoyue wouldn’t pry, Yu Zhezhi added herself: “I have a meeting that day. I might not be able to make it.”

“Work comes first,” Hua Luoyue said. “No one will think that’s out of place, right?”

“No…” Yu Zhezhi said. “No one keeps their eyes on other people’s family business all the time.” On the contrary, people would “avoid suspicion” regarding such matters. Aside from the concern of being suspected by others, Hua Luoyue raised no objections.

Yet, as Yu Zhezhi was about to leave that day, she turned back at the door and looked at Hua Luoyue, asking one more time: “Will you really be okay alone?”

Hua Luoyue countered, “If I said it mattered, would President Yu set aside work to stay here with me?”

They both knew the answer was “no.” Before Yu Zhezhi could reply, Hua Luoyue smiled and said lightly, “It’s okay. I’m already used to… this kind of thing.”

She whispered the last part so softly that Yu Zhezhi didn’t hear it.

“What?” Yu Zhezhi instinctively pressed.

“It’s my family matter,” Hua Luoyue emphasized the “my.” “President Yu, please go to work with peace of mind. No matter the result, I’ve already prepared myself.”

Yu Zhezhi hesitated but said nothing more, turning and heading downstairs.

Hua Luoyue stood by the window and watched until she left the hospital gates. “What a strange person…” she murmured to herself, her hand touching the cold glass as she looked at the empty path below.

Not long ago, Yu Zhezhi had avoided her like the plague, and now she suddenly seemed quite concerned. Originally, she thought Yu Zhezhi wouldn’t care for anyone besides her “white moonlight.” Was she really that pitiable? Or was this just the kind nature of the story’s “Second Female Lead”?

Hua Luoyue didn’t even consider a third possibility.

But this is still a bit bad, she couldn’t help but think. Perhaps President Yu’s mindset was like treating a stray animal on the street—kind words, a few pets, and a little food; it wasn’t a big deal and might not be remembered after turning away. But for Hua Luoyue, it wasn’t a good thing.

Maybe once my mother’s matter is over, we can gradually return to our original business-only mode, she thought optimistically. She tried not to overthink and focused her attention on Mother Hua.

The day of the surgery arrived faster than expected.

Hua Luoyue brought a bouquet to the ward as usual. The doctor reminded her to be ready; she only then remembered that a doctor had [stolen content]come to have her sign confirmation papers the night before. Assistant Li arrived quickly; she was the one fully responsible for communicating with the hospital, and she was more familiar with the procedures than Hua Luoyue.

When the tasks were done, Assistant Li stopped and looked at Hua Luoyue. “Are you unwell?” Her voice was instinctively soft.

“No…” Hua Luoyue shook her head.

Assistant Li had pushed aside other work; her only task for the day was to accompany Hua Luoyue until the surgery was over. After the final consent form was signed, the two sat outside the operating room. Hua Luoyue hadn’t even had time to put down the flowers; she only realized she was still holding them after she sat down.

“Are you very nervous?” Assistant Li made small talk to distract her.

“There’s bound to be some,” Hua Luoyue said with a wry smile. No matter how many times she told those around her she was prepared, their behavior made her feel as if she were about to follow her mother into the beyond. But it was well-intentioned worry; she couldn’t rebuff it.

Thinking along the lines of their concern, if Mother Hua really passed away, she probably would feel unaccustomed to it. No more reporting to the hospital, no more smelling that distinct scent of disinfectant, no more facing pitying eyes… and no more buying flowers, recalling the past, and looking at someone who would never wake up. She could finally shed the heaviest negative past belonging to the original host and truly begin her own new life.

Purely from a rational standpoint, it wasn’t a bad thing. Quite the opposite. So, Hua Luoyue had no reason to be nervous, terrified, or heartbroken.

But Assistant Li got up to buy a cup of hot milk. Handing it to her, she stared at Hua Luoyue’s hands and said, “You seem to be shaking.”

Hua Luoyue was stunned. She looked down at her hands and saw the bouquet, where several petals had been unconsciously plucked away. Following Assistant Li’s reminder, she set the flowers aside and took the hot milk. The slight heat eased the stiffness in her hands and brought her back to her senses; the shaking lessened.

Then she heard Assistant Li mention Yu Zhezhi’s name.

“President Yu went to a meeting early this morning. It’s an overseas client who had a fallout with another company… a competitor of ours. We definitely couldn’t miss this opportunity…”

“Yes, I know,” Hua Luoyue said slowly. “There was no need to trouble her for such a small thing anyway.”

Assistant Li looked like she wanted to offer comfort—not just because Yu Zhezhi hadn’t come. But in the end, she only stiffly raised her hand and patted Hua Luoyue’s shoulder.

“Are you hungry?” Assistant Li checked the time. “I’ll go get some food.”

It was nearing mealtime. Hua Luoyue didn’t quite remember when Mother Hua was wheeled in, nor could she feel the passage of time. Hearing Assistant Li’s suggestion, she checked the time but didn’t feel hungry. However, seeing Assistant Li’s awkwardness, she nodded.

Assistant Li looked as if she had been granted a reprieve. “I’ll be right back.” Then she remembered to ask, “Is there anything you want to eat?”

Hua Luoyue shook her head. “Just bring anything back, Sister Li.”

Assistant Li hurriedly left. The other nurses were likely heading down to eat as well, occasionally walking past the corner and chatting in low voices; someone remarked that it seemed to be snowing outside. But that brief noise soon faded. The empty corridor returned to silence. Only Hua Luoyue remained, holding her cup and staring quietly at the opposite wall as if trying to see flowers grow from the white surface.

Until another set of hurried footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor.

Thinking it was Assistant Li returning, Hua Luoyue instinctively turned her head. But the person walking over wasn’t Assistant [read the original at bailiantales.com]Li. It was the acquaintance who had said she had no time—

Yu Zhezhi.

She had just rounded the corner and was walking straight toward the operating room. It was apparently snowing outside; she lowered her head and brushed the snowflakes from her coat, but her pace did not slacken.

Hua Luoyue’s first thought was that Yu Zhezhi had another acquaintance who had been sent to the ER. Before she could think it through, Yu Zhezhi reached her and stopped. A shadow fell over her, and Hua Luoyue could no longer doubt her own eyes.

Facing Hua Luoyue’s shocked expression, Yu Zhezhi’s hand paused. She said in a nonchalant tone, “I happened to be ‘on the way’, so I came to take a look.”