Yu Huaiqing chuckled.
However, the bitterness on his face was gone, replaced by a hint of happiness. "Actually, my acquaintance with her was quite simple, not as dramatic as you might imagine. It was more like a gentle, silent process."
"A while ago, I was truly bored, so I went to Jiangning to relax. I met her by the lake in a scenic area. As you all know, I'm someone who's easily smitten by beauty, so I went up and struck up a conversation with her. We had a great time that day."
"When we parted, she didn't leave me any contact information."
Yu Huaiqing sometimes wondered if Bai Meizi was trying to tell him, through this method, that their relationship was impossible.
But Yu Huaiqing was someone who didn't believe in giving up easily. Every day after that, he went to the lake in the scenic area, waiting for Bai Meizi to appear. To his surprise, he actually managed to see her again.
Familiarity breeds fondness.
From then on, the two often met by the lake in the scenic area, a tacit understanding between them.
Considering Yu Huaiqing was a seasoned player in love, how could a pampered young lady like Bai Meizi, with no prior romantic experience, resist his advances?
Their feelings escalated rapidly.
By the time Bai Meizi realized something was amiss, it was already too late. Both of them were irrevocably drawn to each other, and there was no turning back.
It was strange, in a way—
Yu Huaiqing, who had encountered countless women, had decided on her the moment he started dating Bai Meizi. He even harbored a desire to spend the rest of his life with her.
"I hate myself the most for being incompetent. Otherwise, I could have taken her away from the Su family," Yu Huaiqing said dejectedly, a sentiment that evoked pity.
Yu Mengzhi blinked her eyes and subtly glanced at Chen Jinzhao beside her, thinking that her third brother's romantic entanglement was eerily similar to her own.
Chen Jinzhao noticed Yu Mengzhi's gaze and gently clasped her hand, causing Yu Mengzhi's cheeks to flush, and she instinctively lowered her head.
Seeing this, Yu Huaiqing felt even more envious.
Chen Jinzhao said again, "You focus on recovering from your injuries. Leave the rest to me."
"Thank you, thank you so much," Yu Huaiqing said sincerely.
"However—"
"Don't push yourself too hard. The Su family is, after all, the dominant force in Jiangnan. It's not worth it for you to fall out with the Su family because of me."
Chen Jinzhao nodded. "Don't worry, I have my own way of handling it."
Then, the two of them left the ward.
Yu Mengzhi hesitated to speak, but finally couldn't help asking, "Actually, this matter has nothing to do with you. Why are you helping him?"
Chen Jinzhao already carried a heavy burden.
She really didn't want to see Chen Jinzhao bearing such a load; it must be exhausting.
"Helping him is like helping myself. Moreover, you have a good relationship with him. If I only considered my own interests, wouldn't that make me a heartless wretch?" Chen Jinzhao said with a smile, reassuring Yu Mengzhi not to worry too much.
Yu Mengzhi sighed inwardly.
But then she thought, wasn't it precisely his loyalty and righteousness that she loved about Chen Jinzhao?
If he lost that quality, he wouldn't be Chen Jinzhao anymore!
"Don't force yourself either. If there's anything I can do to help, you must tell me," Yu Mengzhi emphasized, making Chen Jinzhao laugh heartily.
With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?
As they were talking by the ward door, they suddenly heard Yu Zhengzhi's booming voice from not far away. Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but turn her head towards the source of the sound. She saw Yu Zhengzhi talking animatedly with a woman, and his tone was clearly agitated.
Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi exchanged glances, then walked hand in hand towards Yu Zhengzhi.
"What's going on?" Yu Mengzhi frowned.
Yu Zhengzhi exclaimed, "You're here just in time! Quickly help me drive this woman away. It's this woman who caused my son to end up like this!"
A ripple of surprise went through them, and they both looked at the woman standing opposite.
Judging by her appearance, the woman was likely under thirty. Her fair and rosy complexion was like flawless jade, and she exuded an air of elegance and nobility.
"You're Bai—" Yu Mengzhi stopped herself mid-sentence.
The woman turned to look at Yu Mengzhi. "How do you know me?"
Chen Jinzhao understood. Her guess was indeed correct.
Yu Zhengzhi was bewildered. "You know her? Who is this woman? Why is she seducing my son! She's a married woman, and my son was probably beaten up by someone hired by her husband!"
Bai Meizi's eyes flickered with panic, unsure whether to explain or not.
"You wretched woman, get lost! I beg you, stop ruining my son!" Yu Zhengzhi cursed. Hearing this, Bai Meizi said guiltily, "Yes, I'm the one who caused Yu Huaiqing to be in this state, but can you, Uncle, let me see him? Just for a moment!"
"I promise I won't bother him again!"
Yu Zhengzhi was furious and pointed at Bai Meizi, about to scold her again. "I think you want my son to die faster! Get out!"
"That's enough. There's no need to say such harsh words," Yu Mengzhi stepped forward.
Yu Zhengzhi dared not scold Yu Mengzhi, but he still stood in front of Bai Meizi, blocking her from entering the ward. In fact, he had already guessed that Bai Meizi was no ordinary person. Moreover, Chen Jinzhao had warned him earlier that the mastermind behind this had a powerful background. That was why he was preventing Bai Meizi from seeing Yu Huaiqing, fearing that it would bring even greater trouble upon him.
As for how he knew Bai Meizi was married, it was because he saw a diamond ring on her ring finger, which instantly made him understand the whole situation.
Chen Jinzhao also said to Yu Zhengzhi, "Go cool off somewhere else. Don't be a nuisance here."
Yu Zhengzhi wanted to speak but stopped. In the end, he didn't dare to argue with Chen Jinzhao and sheepishly walked away to smoke.
Bai Meizi's eyes were filled with surprise. After a long moment, she collected herself. "You must be Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinzhao, right? I've heard your story from Huaiqing."
Chen Jinzhao did not respond directly but said, "Actually, it's not the right time to visit him now. It will only make Su Yuan even more furious."
Bai Meizi's eyes dimmed. "If I don't come to see him, I won't be at ease."
"Are you two—"
"Going to stop me from seeing him?"
Chen Jinzhao shook her head. "Neither Mengzhi nor I are that kind of people, or we wouldn't have spoken up for you earlier."
Bai Meizi realized her mistake and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I judged you by my own low standards. Huaiqing was right; you are both good people."
"Don't worry, as long as I can see him once, I'll leave. I definitely won't drag you down."
Yu Mengzhi suddenly let out a soft hum. "Then you're underestimating my boyfriend too much. Even if the losing party doesn't come looking for trouble, Chen Jinzhao will actively seek trouble with the Su family."
Bai Meizi suddenly became excited.
"You're willing to help us?"