Chapter 195
Chairman Hu glared at Xu Ke with gritted teeth but still turned around to chase after Hu Jinzhi. After all, she was his only daughter.
Xu Ke watched the back of Chairman Hu leave and also turned to go. His original plan had to be postponed, and he feared he would have to delay his return to Luocheng. There was a flicker of dimness in Xu Ke’s eyes, as he hadn’t seen Lin Mengyao for almost a week. He didn’t know how she was doing in Luocheng, or if the Lin Family had been troubling her. A tinge of worry arose in Xu Ke’s heart as he picked up a call from Chu Lian, his expression showing a trace of disgust and impatience.
“Don’t go home, head to the Central Hospital.” Xu Ke put down the phone and said in a somber tone.
In the hospital room, Chu Lian’s face bore an unnatural flush. Her whole demeanor had visibly become more sullen, and her gaze was chillingly piercing, making people uneasy.
“Why didn’t you come to see me today, and why didn’t you bring lilies?” Seeing Xu Ke walk in, Chu Lian’s face showed no expression, only looking at Xu Ke with her eyes stripped of any light.
Xu Ke’s steps halted, “I don’t think our relationship has reached the point where I need to visit you every day. Besides, I was called here by you suddenly, where would I have time to prepare any gifts?” Xu Ke squinted his eyes, making it unclear what emotions lay within as he spoke.
Xu Ke’s icy tone snapped Chu Lian out of her self-pitying state, but what followed was an indescribable grievance, “Then what kind of relationship do you think we have? I believe we can at least call each other friends. Isn’t it normal for a friend like you to visit me when I’m sick?”
“But there’s no need to report in daily.” Xu Ke stood by the door, neither entering nor leaving, just looking at Chu Lian, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion.
“But I really need you by my side now. Without you, I don’t feel any sense of security, so can’t you stay and accompany me?” Chu Lian gazed at Xu Ke standing there, a panicked feeling surged in her heart, as if the next moment this person in front of her would suddenly disappear. Chu Lian’s hands clenched the bedsheet tightly, her fingers so tense they turned white.
“I can’t, I have my own things to do. If you called me here just to discuss these matters, then I think there’s no need for us to continue this discussion. I wish you a speedy recovery.” Xu Ke turned to leave but bumped into Mrs. Chu, who was about to enter the room.
“Mr. Xu.”
“Mrs. Chu.”
Both exchanged a polite greeting.
“Mom, please help me stop him, don’t let him leave.” Seeing Mrs. Chu, Chu Lian hurriedly spoke out loud.
Mrs. Chu’s body reacted faster than her mind, almost without thinking, she blocked the doorway, barring Xu Ke’s way out.
“What’s the meaning of this, Miss Chu?” Xu Ke turned his head, his gaze sharp like lightning as he looked at Chu Lian.
“I-I just don’t want you to leave now. Since you’re here already, what harm does it do to stay a bit longer? Besides, I still haven’t told you something.” Chu Lian’s initial response was weak, but then she spoke with newfound assertiveness.
“Sit over here, I really have something to tell you.” Chu Lian patted the spot on her bed, speaking to Xu Ke with a glimmer of anticipation.
“Mr. Xu, Xiao Lian’s emotions aren’t very stable right now. It’s rare for her to want to talk more, so please, could you stay and talk with her for a bit? Consider it a favor from a mother, please?” Seeing her daughter’s hopeful eyes, Mrs. Chu pleaded with Xu Ke.
“I’m begging you.” Mrs. Chu made a prayer gesture with her hands towards Xu Ke.
Seeing Mrs. Chu’s demeanor, Xu Ke turned and walked towards Chu Lian, but instead of sitting on the bed, he pulled a chair from the side and sat at the other side of the bed, maintaining a certain distance from it.
“Do you really have to stay that far away from me?” Chu Lian gave Xu Ke a slightly resentful look, instantly making his skin crawl with goosebumps. Chu Lian’s mental state caused a sense of foreboding in Xu Ke’s heart.
“What exactly do you want to say? I have other things to do and no time to listen to you ramble about irrelevant matters.” Xu Ke unabashedly frowned, revealing his displeasure in front of Chu Lian.
“Alright, I won’t say those things. Mom, could you step out for a bit? I have something to discuss with Xu Ke alone.” Chu Lian spoke to Mrs. Chu, who was sitting nearby peeling fruit.
Mrs. Chu stood up upon hearing Chu Lian’s words, wiped her hands, and addressed the two, “If you need anything, just call me. I won’t be far.” Mrs. Chu left after speaking, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
“What do you want to tell me?” Xu Ke asked directly.
“I want to work with you to bring down the Lian Family. Lian Xuan dared to treat me like this; I won’t let him have it easy. I’m curious to see if his beloved white lotus will still stay with him when he’s penniless and deeply in debt.” Chu Lian spoke with a sinister smile.
“If I remember correctly, your Chu Family has a better relationship with the Yang family, right? You two teaming up should be enough to handle this matter, why involve me?” Xu Ke asked, crossing his legs.
“Forget it, the Yang family doesn’t want to get involved at all. They’re just cowards, not even taking advantage of the benefits at hand.” Chu Lian said this while biting her back teeth hard, her eyes filled with anger.
“No matter how you put it, the Lian Family is a top-tier family. Even if they are at the tail end, their strength can’t be underestimated. Besides, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse; it’s normal for the Yang family not to want to interfere. But you have many potential partners in Shangjing to deal with the Lian Family, why come to me? Even if you don’t know my situation, your parents surely do. I have no value as a partner.” Xu Ke spoke indifferently, unconcerned with revealing his current predicament to Chu Lian.
“I don’t care. As long as you’re around, I feel at ease. Besides, I trust you more than those people. I need you by my side, even if you do nothing, as long as you talk to me it’s enough. I feel like every time after talking with you, a lot of ideas pop into my head. I need you, please don’t refuse me, okay?”
Seeing Chu Lian’s expression and demeanor, a suspicion gradually formed in Xu Ke’s mind, but it didn’t bring him joy. Instead, it left him with a heavy heart, as if something was weighing him down, causing discomfort. But there’s no turning back now.