As expected, Xu Zhengyang brought people to the Second Hospital that evening, heading straight for Xu Guimin's ward. There were indeed several people guarding the door of the ward.
Xu Zhengyang was prepared; he had brought quite a few people with him, confident he could take his father back. However, before they could even get close to the ward door, an alarm went off. Perhaps feeling guilty, Xu Zhengyang lost his nerve and immediately retreated with his men.
That night, the family of three returned to Ziyue Manor. Zhengzheng had slept too much during the day and showed no signs of drowsiness even at nine o'clock. Shen Yin had no choice but to stay and play with Zhengzheng in her room.
Xu Xiuhe was also too preoccupied to sleep. He shut himself in the study, pondering how to handle this thorny issue. For him, this matter was far more challenging than any work-related problem.
Xu Xiuhe felt utterly conflicted. While he harbored a deep hatred for Xu Guimin, he couldn't bear to see him harmed by others. Shen Tianzheng and Fang Yue were right; no matter what, he couldn't change the fact that his surname was Xu.
No matter how much he tried to avoid it, he couldn't escape.
The blood of Xu Guimin flowed through his veins, and he couldn't ignore this situation.
As he was lost in thought, his phone on the desk rang. Xu Xiuhe answered; it was Xue Jingrui making a group voice call.
"Hey, Xiuhe, I saw today's trending news," Xue Jingrui said.
"Yeah, I saw him this afternoon."
"How is he?"
"Not dead yet."
"The old man's got a tough life. People outside are saying he might already be..."
Chang Zhiyuan had joined the call at some point.
"If you need any help, just say the word. We're brothers after all," Xue Jingrui offered.
"Alright, thanks."
"So, what's your plan now? Are you going to respond to the news?"
"I've taken him away from Yang Cui."
"What? Did I hear that right? You got Xu Guimin away from Yang Cui?" Chang Zhiyuan exclaimed in shock.
"You heard correctly."
"Brother, I'm impressed. As soon as my leg heals and I can walk, I'll come to praise you in person."
"Did you catch up with Shu Yi?" Xue Jingrui interjected.
"Has Qi Ji fallen for you?" Chang Zhiyuan retorted, not to be outdone.
"Come on, let's hurt each other's feelings. Who can't do that?" Chang Zhiyuan said thickly. Just from his tone of voice, one could imagine his expression – eyes half-closed, a look of resignation on his face.
"You two are being a bit childish," Xu Xiuhe commented.
"You can leave now. Your problem is much harder than ours," Chang Zhiyuan said, his words sharp and to the point as always.
Xu Xiuhe hung up without another word.
"Did he really leave?" Chang Zhiyuan asked.
"What do you think? He probably needs to figure out how to handle this sudden situation. Now that he's got the person, there's a ton of stuff to deal with," Xue Jingrui replied.
"So, how are things with you and Qi Ji? I heard you're expecting twins, or was it a boy and a girl?" Chang Zhiyuan teased.
"You've got it wrong. Qi Ji is the one who's pregnant. How the hell would I, a grown man, get pregnant?" Xue Jingrui shot back.
"Not bad, brother. You've got a complete family in one go. You still haven't answered my first question, though."
"What question?" Xue Jingrui feigned ignorance.
"About Qi Ji, of course. You're having a baby together, so how's your relationship? How do you two get along now?"
Xue Jingrui thought for a moment. His relationship with Qi Ji was quite comfortable. He could feel that Qi Ji depended on him, but he wasn't sure if that was love.
"Same as always," he finally said.
"Have you made your feelings clear?" Chang Zhiyuan pressed.
"Not yet. I'm afraid of scaring her off."
"Are you not man enough? If you don't tell her, how will she know how you feel? Men should be more proactive. Learn from me – if you love someone, say it out loud."
"You mean like how you scared Shu Yi into disappearing for months?" The two continued their childish banter, neither willing to back down.
"If you're not teasing me, does that mean you're feeling insecure? Jingrui, we're not the same. You're already together, and the baby's almost here. She's not going to run away now, is she? Sometimes I envy you and Xiuhe. You've both married the women you love, and there's nothing standing in your way anymore. Not like me – my family doesn't approve, and she can't get past that hurdle."
"Take it slow. Keep trying. You have to believe that sincerity can move people. So, you're saying I should tell her?"
"What are you saving it for? Chinese New Year?"
As soon as Chang Zhiyuan finished speaking, Xue Jingrui hung up the phone.
Ah, he was the most pitiful one, wasn't he? With a broken leg, unable to walk, and Shu Yi avoiding him. Even when they were promoting their TV drama, Shu Yi was overly professional, conscientious to a fault, without a hint of personal emotion.
After hanging up, Xue Jingrui rushed to Qi Ji's room. As soon as he entered, Ye Rong shooed him out.
"It's late, and Qi Ji is about to sleep. What are you doing here?" Ye Rong asked, looking annoyed.
"Mom, I need to talk to Qi Ji about something very important. Extremely important," Xue Jingrui insisted.
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" Ye Rong asked.
Xue Jingrui considered that Qi Ji was already in bed, and getting up would be too much trouble. He was about to give up when he thought, what if he lost his courage by tomorrow? He had to do it now, while he was fired up.
"It can't. It's too important," he said firmly.
Seeing Xue Jingrui's serious and determined expression, Ye Rong stopped objecting.
"Qi Ji, put on a coat. Make sure to stay warm," Ye Rong said, handing Qi Ji her coat.
"Thanks, Mom," Qi Ji replied.
Qi Ji followed Xue Jingrui to the adjacent study.
"Jingrui, why did you call me out so late? Is there something urgent?" Qi Ji asked.
"Yes."
"Qi Ji, do you like me?"
"Of course I do."
Xue Jingrui was taken aback for a moment.
"I don't mean the kind of like where you see me as a brother. I mean the kind of like – no, love – between a man and a woman. The kind of love I feel for you."
Qi Ji was stunned by this sudden confession. Was this really happening? He called her out in the middle of the night to confess his love?
"Jingrui, are you... confessing your love to me?" Qi Ji knew that they had a ambiguous relationship before, and she could feel that Jingrui liked her, but she never expected him to say it out loud so soon.
"Yes, I am confessing. I love you, and I want to be with you always."
...
Was this how older men confessed their love? So direct, without any beating around the bush?
Qi Ji's face turned red with embarrassment.
"Oh," was all she could manage.
"You can't just say 'oh.' What do you think? Do you love me?" Xue Jingrui pressed.
"Why are you being so direct? Don't you think I might be shy?" Qi Ji said in a small voice, almost as if she were pouting.
"Then how should I ask? Can you stay with me forever?"
"I want to stay with you forever."
Qi Ji didn't beat around the bush either. This was how adult love should be - ambiguous when it's ambiguous, and straightforward once things are clear.
After getting the answer he wanted, Xue Jingrui wished he could scoop Qi Ji into his arms and spin him around. However, his delicate wife was pregnant, so he could only imagine it.
"Can I kiss you?"
