Rong Dai cried sorrowfully in his arms until she got a splitting headache and fell into a dizzy sleep.
Huo Shao Ting looked at the large wet patch on his chest and felt his heart being pricked by needles, leaking wind through hundreds of holes.
Her pain was no less than his distress.
Huo Shao Ting put Rong Dai down, tucked her in properly, and squeezed his temples. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he turned to go out.
It was a call from Zhang Assistant, giving him a timely report on the company's situation.
After being on the phone for over half an hour, he gave several instructions and then sat down on a chair in the hospital corridor to catch his breath.
"Mr. Huo, why are you sitting outside? Is Rong Dai awake?"
Lu Nianzhi came over with a pot of simmered pigeon soup she had cooked and asked when she saw Huo Shao Ting sitting outside looking gloomy.
Huo Shao Ting turned his head to glance at her and said heavily, "Awake."
But thinking of Rong Dai's tears flowing like broken strands of pearls just now, he didn't feel like talking anymore.
Lu Nianzhi was perceptive. Seeing his haggard face, she sighed helplessly in her heart too.
"Why don't you go back and rest for a while first? I'll keep an eye on things here."
Huo Shao Ting shook his head. How could he possibly feel like sleeping at a time like this?
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Rong Dai covered in blood and crying her heart out.
Apart from feeling heartache and self-blame, he couldn't take on even a shred of the physical pain she was bearing.
"Rong Dai is very strong. Give her some time."
Since he didn't seem receptive, Lu Nianzhi could only comfort him like that.
"I cooked some pigeon soup last night. Get her to eat something when she wakes up later."
She handed the thermal container to the bodyguard standing outside the door while instructing Huo Shao Ting.
Huo Shao Ting nodded. Just as Lu Nianzhi was about to leave, she hesitated and continued, "I think you should let Auntie and Grandma know about this."
"Although Rong Dai needs to rest, something like this must have left her very distressed. She may not necessarily listen to you, but Auntie and Grandma have gone through this before."
"It's easier for women to communicate with each other. I think you should let them come see Rong Dai. This isn't just a matter between the two of you as a married couple."
"There are still some things to deal with at the company. Contact me if anything comes up. I'll take my leave so as not to disturb you."
After saying that, Lu Nianzhi left the hospital.
Stepping out, she looked up at the gloomy sky and felt a heavy weight on her heart.
She placed a hand on her lower abdomen and heaved a long sigh.
If not for what had happened five years ago... Would she be a mother now too?
"What am I thinking about..."
Lu Nianzhi suddenly came to her senses and smiled wryly and self-deprecatingly before driving off.
Huo Shao Ting sat in the corridor for a few minutes before taking the thermal container into the ward.
Seeing Rong Dai still sobbing in her sleep, his heart ached bitterly.
He crouched down to look at her face and reached out to tidy her disheveled hair by her ears.
He had thought he was strong enough to protect her well, but ever since they got married...
No, it should be from when she came into his world.
She had been going through one peril after another, again and again.
Every time, he would be too late. Other than making amends, he couldn't even prevent what had happened.
Losing their child, his pain was no less than hers.
But his heart ached more for her, for what she had to endure that he could not bear in her place.
He kissed her cheek and used his hand to wipe the tears that overflowed from the corners of her eyes, recalling Lu Nianzhi's words. He then got up to make a call.
