Chapter 67: The Dog of a Man Begins to Doubt

Li Mingye’s gaze dropped, a red glow flickering in his eyes as his fists clenched tightly. His appearance startled Zhang Xilu, who instinctively took a step back. “What are you doing?”

Li Mingye drew a deep breath, forcing down his emotions, and handed her a folder. “There’s a suitable donor match. Everything’s been arranged.”

“My dad refused? You don’t have to handle these things,” Zhang Xilu said, not taking the file, confusion clear on her face.

“I haven’t gone to the hospital. Until we’re divorced, I’m still their son-in-law,” Li Mingye said, placing the documents into her hands. “There’s not much time. The decision is yours.”

With that, Li Mingye turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhang Xilu felt a strange sensation—there seemed to be a layer of quiet loneliness clinging to him. She told herself it must be her imagination.

It was only after he vanished from sight that Zhang Xilu came back to herself, closed the door, and called her father. Li Mingye was right—time was precious, and her mother’s condition couldn’t wait. She persuaded her father to accept Li Mingye’s help.

As thanks, Zhang Xilu decided to let bygones be bygones.

She sent Li Mingye a message, sincerely thanking him.

After work, Xu Xinyi came to Qinyuan, bringing Zhang Xilu a thermos of nourishing porridge. She’d been starving, and polished it off quickly.

“Xinyi, I’m fine now. You should go home, there’s no need to stay here with me.”

“I’d worry about you on your own, and you’re prone to overthinking,” Xu Xinyi said, holding her hand with a look of concern. “Xueting said she’d come see you tomorrow and take you to the hospital.”

“I really didn’t expect her to end up with Zhao Chengyi.” Xu Xinyi had been shocked when she heard the news; she thought she’d misheard.

“They’re the classic bickering lovers—enemies at first sight.” Zhang Xilu smiled. “What about you? Not thinking about your own future?”

Xu Xinyi sighed. “Maybe the old matchmaker has forgotten me.”

“And that handsome flight attendant? He hasn’t contacted you?” Zhang Xilu didn’t believe her—she was simply too focused on her career to think about romance.

“He’s asked me out, but I don’t feel much for him.”

“It’s better to be cautious about matters of the heart.”

“Don’t worry, I will be. You shouldn’t stay up late. Go to bed,” Xu Xinyi urged, not wanting her to dwell on unhappy memories.

The next morning, Jiang Xueting arrived at Zhang Xilu’s home, cheerful, bringing breakfast her aunt had made. When Zhang Xilu told them she was planning to leave, both were reluctant and made her promise to let them know once she’d settled in.

Zhang Xilu wasn’t leaving immediately; she would wait until after her mother’s surgery and plan her next steps carefully.

Jiang Xueting drove them to the hospital. Xu Xinyi went on her rounds, while Zhang Xilu and Jiang Xueting visited her mother’s ward, greeted her, and then went to find Zhao Chengyi.

With her mother’s condition stable, Zhang Xilu handed Li Mingye’s file to the attending doctor and learned about the next steps.

“Mom, don’t worry, the surgery is safe,” Zhang Xilu comforted her mother. “Dad and I are both here with you.”

Her mother squeezed her hand, nodding in relief. “I’m not afraid. Your father told me you plan to leave Longcheng. Where will you go?”

“South, maybe, somewhere warmer, with beautiful scenery,” Zhang Xilu replied, still uncertain. “I’ll plan once you’re out of the hospital.”

“Luoluo, don’t wait. You and Li Mingye can’t go on like this. If you stay here, you’ll only be hurt more,” her mother said anxiously. “Go to Four Seasons City—it’s by the sea, the environment is good. Your father and I bought a place there when we were young.”

“I’ll go after you recover.”

Her mother sighed, gripping her hand tightly. “Once my surgery succeeds, you must leave. I’ll have someone pick you up. Don’t worry about the divorce.”

“Alright.”

After a full physical, her mother’s indicators all met the requirements, and the surgery was scheduled for Monday. Although the doctors assured her there were no problems, Zhang Xilu still worried, refusing food or drink as she waited outside the operating room.

After a long time, she began to feel unwell and went to the restroom to vomit.

“What’s wrong with you?” As she exited, she saw Li Mingye, who seemed to be waiting for Zhou Yao.

“It’s nothing,” Zhang Xilu replied coolly. She’d already thanked him for the surgery and had nothing more to say.

As she passed him, he didn’t stop her but asked quietly, “Are you pregnant?”

She froze, tension gripping her, and turned back to look at him. “No.”

Li Mingye’s hawk-like eyes narrowed, sharply studying her face. “Your reaction is very much like it.”

“It just seems that way,” Zhang Xilu said, meeting his gaze. “Don’t worry.”

She turned away again. Just then, Zhou Yao came out of the restroom, her head bandaged, looking frail.

“Mr. Li, I’m ready.”

“Alright.”

They left in the opposite direction. Zhang Xilu breathed a sigh of relief—Li Mingye was far too perceptive; she needed to get away soon.

The surgery lasted until eleven that night, but it went very smoothly, and her mother was transferred to the ICU.

Her anxious heart finally settled. She stayed with her mother in the hospital overnight. The next morning, her father came to take over and insisted she go home to rest.

In the hospital corridor, she ran into Ouyang Chen, who was holding a thermal container—clearly there to visit Zhou Yao.

“Auntie’s surgery was a success. You can relax,” Ouyang Chen greeted her, and she nodded.

“Go quickly, or the food will get cold,” Zhang Xilu said, stifling a yawn. “I’ll be off now.”

“Hmm?” Ouyang Chen sounded puzzled. “Where are you going? I brought food for you and your parents—aren’t you going to eat?”

“It’s not for Zhou Yao?” Zhang Xilu looked confused.

“You really are silly,” Ouyang Chen sighed, shaking his head and heading back to the ward with the food.

Her parents had a good impression of him, and seeing his thoughtfulness, they exchanged a glance.

“Luoluo, go home. I want to speak with Ouyang,” her mother said.

As she’d just finished eating, Zhang Xilu agreed. She assumed her mother wanted to discuss Li Mingye, so she didn’t think much of it and took a cab back to Qinyuan.

A few days later, with her mother much recovered, it was time for her to leave.

She packed lightly, leaving behind everything related to Li Mingye in Longcheng, taking only a small suitcase.

On the day she left, her father stayed at the hospital with her mother. Xu Xinyi and Jiang Xueting saw her off at the airport, embracing her with reluctance.

“Luoluo, take care of yourself.”

“Let us know when you’re settled—we’ll come visit.”

Tears brimmed in Zhang Xilu’s eyes as she nodded. “You both take care too, and look after my parents for me.”

“Go on.”

She wheeled her suitcase through security, waving back at them—when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the distance.

Was it just her imagination?