Su He went downstairs, her composure restored.
Even though she was panicking internally, she had to force a smile, fearing the old man might see through her.
“Was it Yan Bei who called?” the old man asked, browsing the news on his phone.
“Yes,” Su He replied with a strained smile, her eyes avoiding her grandfather-in-law’s. “He said the matter won’t be resolved quickly, so he might not be able to come back to spend the New Year with you.”
“What’s there to accompany an old man like me for! Let him focus on his work; the important matters come first.” Grandpa Lu paused, then quickly adjusted his mood.
However, despite his words, he was still a little disappointed.
In the years past, no matter how busy Lu Yan Bei was, he would always be by his side during the New Year, without exception. At the latest, he would arrive home on New Year’s Eve.
Knowing the old man must be feeling down, Su He perked up and told him jokes to cheer him up.
When Aunt Li finished preparing lunch, Su He helped the old man to the entrance to set off firecrackers.
Setting off firecrackers before the New Year’s feast was a local custom, symbolizing liveliness.
As the firecrackers exploded, Su He instinctively covered her belly, startled. “Baby, don’t be scared…”
Perhaps sensing her mother’s affection, the little one in her belly stretched its legs, causing Su He’s belly to bulge.
Noticing the change, Su He’s face lit up with joy. “He, he moved…”
“What?” The firecrackers were still going off outside, and the old man hadn’t heard clearly.
Su He raised her voice, cupping her hands around her mouth like a loudspeaker, and said into the old man’s ear, “Grandpa, your great-grandchild is moving!”
Just then, the last firecracker exploded, and the house fell silent.
The old man looked at her slightly protruding belly and asked with a smile, “You can feel the fetal movement already?”
Su He nodded vigorously.
The joy of being a mother for the first time was evident on her face.
“Hahaha, it seems my precious great-grandchild also wants to come out and celebrate the New Year,” the old man said, stroking his beard and laughing heartily.
Su He hadn’t heard the old man laugh like this in a long time, and her lips unconsciously turned upwards. She cradled her belly, hoping to experience it again, but the little one had quieted down, no longer feeling like moving.
Su He felt a slight disappointment.
However, with the first fetal movement, there would be many more to come; there was no rush.
*
Capital Hospital of Country X
Lu Yan Bei remained unconscious.
Cheng Jue was extremely anxious, repeatedly asking the doctors if his life was in danger.
“Based on the current indicators, Mr. Lu has not yet passed the critical period. However, this is the best hospital in the country, and we have invited internationally renowned authoritative surgeons who will do their utmost to save him,” the doctor replied vaguely, unable to give a definitive guarantee.
Cheng Jue had heard such words many times and didn’t put much stock in them.
Lu’s family’s private jet was already on its way, but Lu Yan Bei’s current condition was not suitable for long-distance travel. Numerous machines by his bedside constantly monitored him; removing any one of them could put him in danger at any moment.
“It’s all my fault! If only I had realized earlier that someone was following us, this wouldn’t have happened,” Cheng Jue covered his face in self-reproach.
At that time, those people had riddled the car with gunfire. In fact, sitting in the front, he was in greater danger. Lu Yan Bei had taken the bullets to save him.
If the bodyguards hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Recalling the scene that day, Cheng Jue felt a chill down his spine.
Had it been even a minute later, the man would not have been saved.
Cheng Jue went to the restroom to wash his face, trying to pull himself together.
He couldn’t break down; Mr. Lu still needed his care. Moreover, Madam’s call would come any moment, and he had to find a way to handle it.
Just as he expected, in the evening, Su He’s call arrived as scheduled.
“Assistant Cheng, how is he?” Su He’s voice sounded incredibly fragile. Only after settling Grandpa did she return to her room, daring to relax slightly.
“Mr. Lu is undergoing a check-up,” Cheng Jue lied with good intentions.
The unconscious Lu Yan Bei couldn’t answer the phone, so he could only use this excuse to deflect her suspicions.
“How are the hospital facilities? When can he be transferred?” Su He asked with concern.
“Madam, please rest assured, this is the best hospital in Country X, and Mr. Lu is receiving the best treatment,” Cheng Jue replied, avoiding the crucial details. “Once his condition is stable, we will fly back to the country.”
Su He was sensitive and couldn’t help but notice that he was hiding something from her.
Thinking back, he probably didn’t want her to worry too much, so she pretended not to notice. After a few brief inquiries, she hung up.
Sitting on the bed, Su He looked at the empty room, her heart feeling exceptionally heavy.
She could sense that Lu Yan Bei was severely injured.
Her anxiety and unease over the past few days confirmed this. The last time she felt this way was before her car accident. It was as if she had a premonition, but alas, she was powerless.
Su He had never believed in gods, but at this moment, she clasped her hands together and knelt on the bed, silently praying for Lu Yan Bei’s safe return.
*
Lu Yan Bei woke up three days later.
It was the second day of the Lunar New Year.
On this day, he was supposed to accompany Su He to her parents' home for New Year greetings.
Unfortunately, he had broken his promise.
Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, Lu Yan Bei took a while to adjust.
“Boss, you’re finally awake!” Cheng Jue rushed in from outside and, seeing Lu Yan Bei’s eyes open, lunged forward with joy.
Lu Yan Bei raised his hand but found he had no strength. “How long was I unconscious?”
“Three days and three nights,” Cheng Jue said, wiping away tears.
“Where is this place?” He struggled to sit up, but Cheng Jue gently pushed him back down.
“We’re still in Country X, at St. Mary’s Hospital,” Cheng Jue replied while calling for medical staff. “During this time, Madam called a few times to inquire about your condition, and I handled them for you. However… it might not be possible to keep it a secret.”
If he couldn’t answer the phone once or twice, it might be excusable. But with repeated instances, suspicion was inevitable.
“You did very well,” Lu Yan Bei said, breathing weakly. “Get me my phone.”
Cheng Jue acknowledged and retrieved the phone from his suit pocket.
Lu Yan Bei found Su He’s contact and sent her a message.
Two seconds later, Su He’s call came through.
Lu Yan Bei answered immediately.
However, he was too weak to hold the phone, so Cheng Jue helped him.
“I scared you, didn’t I? I’m so sorry…” Lu Yan Bei began.
Hearing his voice, Su He’s tears flowed uncontrollably again. “You promised you’d spend the New Year with me…”
“Baby, don’t cry…” Lu Yan Bei’s heart ached.
“When can you come back?” Su He asked again.
Lu Yan Bei was silent for a moment, then replied, “Probably a few more days. The doctor won’t let me leave the hospital.”
“Are you badly injured?”
“Two ribs are broken, not serious.”
“That’s not serious? Lu Yan Bei, do you think I’m a three-year-old child!”
“Don’t be angry; the baby will feel it.”
Mentioning the child, Su He’s emotions indeed calmed down significantly. “He kicked me yesterday.”
“Hmm?” Lu Yan Bei blinked in surprise.
“I said, your son kicked me.”
“It’s a daughter,” Lu Yan Bei corrected.
“Fine, a daughter! She said she misses you!” Su He said, pouting.
“And you? Do you miss me?” Lu Yan Bei asked with a smile.
His laughter infected Su He, and the gloom that had settled in her heart gradually dissipated.
He could still flirt; it seemed he had truly survived.