Chapter 60: Agreeing to Go Home with Him

Shi Runrun's heart thumped wildly, her entire being tense with anxiety. The atmosphere in the room was unbearably awkward. After she spoke, the man lying in the hospital bed continued to stare at her, silent and unmoving. Shi Runrun felt mortified—she waited and waited, but he said nothing.

So this was how he responded, in that characteristically proud Xuezheng way. Shi Runrun grew a little angry. He was the patient now, true, but wasn’t he the one at fault in the first place? She had realized her mistake in running away, and had come to apologize—how could he just ignore her like this?

Outside the door, Ji Yunan and Qin Feng were huddled together, eavesdropping on the situation inside. After a while, still hearing nothing, Ji Yunan’s face paled. He whispered to Qin Feng, “Look at your boss—so stubborn! The girl’s already humbled herself, and he’s still acting proud.”

Qin Feng chuckled, replying, “Young Master Ji, you know my boss—he’s always been this way. Don’t worry, once madam gets angry, he’ll stop being so aloof immediately!”

Ji Yunan met his gaze, nodded repeatedly, and smiled.

…

Inside the ward, silence reigned. He still didn’t speak, just lay there, gazing at her intently. Shi Runrun couldn’t bear his heated gaze, nor his indifference—she felt she couldn’t stay another moment.

Unable to help herself, she called his name again, but he remained imperious, refusing to answer. Fine, she thought—so proud, so impressive, the distinguished president!

Shi Runrun wondered if he was still angry with her, and thus unwilling to speak. But he couldn’t just keep ignoring her like this…

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Her eyes reddened as she blinked, then she turned to pull open the ward door and leave.

If he wouldn’t respond, why should she linger here, embarrassing herself?

Just as she was about to leave, the man in the bed let out a sharp cry of pain.

Shi Runrun, startled, spun around and rushed to his bedside, anxiously asking, “Xuezheng, what’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable again?”

Her small hands flailed on his blanket, unsure where to touch, afraid to hurt him.

Shi Runrun was completely at a loss.

Xuezheng pressed his thin lips together, his deep black eyes narrowing as he quietly watched the anxious girl hovering over him.

Seeing the worry etched across her pale, delicate face, a softness stirred in his heart, and an involuntary smile touched his lips.

In the next moment, he reached out and firmly grasped her small hand upon the blanket.

Shi Runrun tried to pull her hand back, but his grip was strong—she couldn’t free herself.

“Xuezheng…” she began.

His low, slightly hoarse voice sounded in her ear, “You’ve forgiven me? Will you come home with me?”

Shi Runrun’s cheeks flushed, lips pressing together—she didn’t know how to answer.

Before coming to see him in the hospital, she’d already made up her mind. After this brush with life and death, she realized just how much she cared for him, how reluctant she was to let him go, how deeply she loved him.

She intended to give them both another chance, to reconcile, to go home with him, and try again.

But now, she found herself unable to utter the word “yes.”

Saying yes was simple, but reality was not. Setting aside whether his alleged infidelity was just a misunderstanding, she no longer had the baby. When she returned to the capital, how would she explain to Grandpa and Grandma?

They had so eagerly awaited their great-grandchild. If they learned she’d lost the baby… surely, they would hate her…

So many women gave birth safely, yet she had failed to protect their child. They would blame her, say she wasn’t a competent mother…

Shi Runrun fell into silent contemplation, her eyes growing red again.

The man holding her hand spoke once more, “What are you thinking? Is it so hard to give me an answer? Or… do you really not love me anymore? Do you really want a divorce?”

Hearing those last two words made Shi Runrun’s heart clench painfully.

She knew she couldn’t bear to divorce him.

If they separated, she would cry until her heart broke; she couldn’t bear to leave him.

Shi Runrun lowered her almond-shaped eyes, gazing at his pale but still handsome face, and shook her head.

Seeing her reaction, a joyful smile spread across his lips.

Yet in the next moment, Shi Runrun looked at him with worry, furrowing her brows. “Xuezheng, but the baby is gone. How will we explain to Grandpa and Grandma when we go home?”

As she spoke, the man loosened his grip and gently touched her pale cheek, tracing the stains of yesterday’s tears.

He looked at her, and with utmost seriousness, said, “It’s all right. Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no matter what happens—even if the sky falls—I’ll be here for you.”

Shi Runrun’s breath caught.

It seemed that, from childhood to now, no one had ever said such words to her. Her foster parents had never cared; even after being claimed by the Shi family, they saw her as a burden. Only after marrying him was she cherished and valued like this…

Her heart twisted sharply—any claim of not being moved would be a lie.

Deep inside, she felt soft and achingly tender; her eyes grew moist again, but this time from gratitude. She forced herself not to cry.

“The baby’s gone, but we can try again. What matters is that from now on, we live well together.”

He spoke with sincerity. Shi Runrun looked at him, hesitated, then finally gave a quiet “mm” and nodded.

A voice inside her whispered: Shi Runrun, stop being stubborn—go home with him.

Everyone makes mistakes. Besides, Brother Yunan said the issue with his supposed affair might have been a misunderstanding. She shouldn’t miss out on someone who cares for her so deeply.

At that moment, Shi Runrun made her decision: to go home with him and start anew.

…

After their reconciliation and brief conversation, the doctor and nurses came to check on the ward again.

Though he was now out of immediate danger, his body remained weak and needed careful rest.

The nurse told her that, for his recovery and peace, she was allowed to visit him only twice a day.

Shi Runrun listened obediently, soon returning to her own room.

There, the doctor and nurses prescribed her medicine for strength. She followed their instructions, swallowing the pills with warm water. Her body needed to recover quickly, so she could go home safely with him.