Lu Lingchuan walked over to her and nodded, "You've worked hard these days."
He had called Lu Yanhua a few days ago, asking him to investigate other victims, so recently Lu Yanhua had been too busy to come to the hospital, and it was Auntie Xu who had been taking care of Li Mingshi.
But with only one person, it was difficult to attend to everything without neglecting Li Mingshi.
When Liang Jinghe learned about this, she volunteered to come and take care of Li Mingshi.
Although she was not skilled at caring for others, she was very earnest in doing everything.
"I've been waiting for you to come out so I could give you this."
Saying this, Liang Jinghe took out a small USB drive from her bag and handed it to Lu Lingchuan.
She looked at Lu Lingchuan seriously and said, "This contains all the evidence I've found, including screenshots of their conversations about bribing marketing accounts, screenshots of their payment accounts. These are enough to prove that out of spite, they intended to spread rumors to hurt us. It's really disgusting."
Lu Lingchuan tightly gripped the USB drive, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me, we're friends."
Looking at Lu Lingchuan, Liang Jinghe's smile carried a hint of girlish shyness.
The first time she met Lu Lingchuan, she was drawn to his charisma.
There was no need to comment on Lu Lingchuan's appearance – his thick brows, high bridged nose, exquisite lips – every feature exuded nobility.
Liang Jinghe had stayed abroad for many years, where foreigners' features were more chiseled and profound. So there were many handsome men abroad, and Liang Jinghe was quite immune to good looks.
What truly attracted her was his charisma.
The first time she met Lu Lingchuan, he was wearing a black windbreaker, standing out in the crowd.
He noticed her, his jet-black eyes emanating allure.
He walked over and sat across from her, giving a slight nod as a greeting.
He was quiet, not saying a word.
When he lowered his gaze, one could sense the melancholy about him, as if troubled by something.
His cold aloofness coupled with sadness – two completely contrasting auras coexisted harmoniously within him, instantly captivating Liang Jinghe.
He told her that he had no intention of pursuing a relationship, and was only present due to family pressure.
Liang Jinghe didn't mind, replying that they could be friends first, and if he developed such intentions later, they could explore further.
So afterwards, they became friends.
Previously, Liang Jinghe had thought that perhaps it was just the novelty of meeting such an extraordinary man like Lu Lingchuan that made the impression so profound, a fleeting moment of infatuation, nothing more.
But after so long, her heart still fluttered.
Could it be that... she really liked him?
She stared at Lu Lingchuan's face, pondering something, "Oh by the way—"
Lu Lingchuan lifted his gaze from the USB drive and looked at her.
"..." Liang Jinghe had intended to ask about Lu Lingrui, but the words caught in her throat as she suddenly recalled a saying.
Praise should flow freely, but criticism requires three considerations.
Similarly, good news can be actively shared to spread joy; but if the other party does not voluntarily disclose bad news, one should not inquire and cause them grief.
"It's nothing." Liang Jinghe changed tack, not asking further. She simply gave him a small smile, "Since you're here, I'll take my leave?"
"Okay," Lu Lingchuan nodded.
After seeing Liang Jinghe off, Lu Lingchuan returned.
The doctor had finished examining Li Mingshi, and the nurse was preparing the medicine needed for the IV drip.
The doctor needed to discuss Li Mingshi's condition with Lu Lingchuan. Auntie Xu, who had worked for the Lu family for many years, had returned from grocery shopping. With Auntie Xu present, Lu Lingchuan felt reassured to leave with the doctor.
Auntie Xu tidied up, picking up the plates and such from the table to be washed later.
As she bustled about, she said with a smile, "Miss Liang is really considerate, gentle and sunny."
Having heard good news from her son, Li Mingshi's mood had improved. She sat propped up against the headboard and nodded, "That child is good."
A very considerate child indeed.
The nurse came in with a tray, and Auntie Xu quickly cleared the bedside table to make way for the IV drip.
There was a stand next to the bed for hanging the IV bag.
The nurse unwrapped the IV tubing, busying about as she said with a smile, "Miss Liang has accompanied Madam Lu every day these past few days. Madam Lu's complexion has improved a lot."
Although her face was still haggard, her complexion was much better than the first two days of hospitalization when she looked deathly pale. Now she had a rosy glow.
Auntie Xu chimed in with a smile, "Miss Liang insisted that getting more sun would improve one's complexion, repeatedly reminding me to open the curtains when the outdoor light was good to let the sunshine in."
The nurse nodded, "More sunlight is good."
She hung the medicine bottle on the stand, the fluid slowly dripping down through the tubing.
The nurse's hands kept moving as she continued chattering, "The previous assistant, Miss Shen, was also very good. There was a period when she would come every day to see you. When you were awake, she would leave sunflowers at the door. Only when you were asleep would she come in. One time, I came to change your IV drip bag and saw Miss Shen sitting by the bed, wiping your face..."
The nurse was in a good mood today, so her words flowed freely, completely forgetting Lu Lingchuan's prior instructions.
By the time she realized, it was too late – she had said everything she should not have said.
The nurse's face paled as she stared at Li Mingshi in horror, afraid of triggering an emotional breakdown.
She had been repeatedly instructed not to mention Miss Shen in front of Madam Lu, yet she had completely forgotten.
The nurse felt remorseful and regretful.
Carefully observing Li Mingshi's expression, Li Mingshi only knitted her brows slightly but said nothing, her emotions still relatively stable.
Knowing she had made a mistake, the nurse anxiously inserted the needle, not daring to utter another word in the process. After finishing, she hurriedly left with the tray.
Watching the nurse's tense departure, Auntie Xu shifted her gaze and helped adjust Li Mingshi's IV tubing. She sighed, "Madam, you actually liked that girl Nian a lot."
Auntie Xu had worked for the Lu family for over twenty years, without husband or child. She had watched Lu Lingchuan and his siblings grow up, and the Lu family respected her greatly.
So she dared to speak these words.
"..." Li Mingshi lowered her gaze in silence.
Auntie Xu could only sigh helplessly.
Even she knew that Nian had visited, and the sunflowers were from her. The Madam was much more astute – how could she not know?
In the past, after Lu Lingchuan and Shen Nian got together, the two would often come to the Lu residence for meals. Auntie Xu had a very good impression of the gentle and polite Shen Nian.
She had thought Shen Nian and Lu Lingchuan would make an enviable couple.
How did it end up like this?
...
In the time that followed, Lu Lingchuan and Shen Nian had no contact at all. Lu Lingchuan and Lu Lingchen traveled across the country to meet the victims, while Shen Nian returned to the company and continued working.
She was the first to arrive at the office and the last to leave every day, using work to numb herself.
Her medication doses kept increasing, and whenever her emotions were unstable, she could only rely on drugs to stabilize her mood.
