She was crying so hard she could barely breathe. She tried to hold back her tears, but couldn't stop the sounds she made, which made her face flush and her heart race. The tears slid into the corners of her mouth, salty and bitter, reminding her of many past humiliations. Her current situation also made her feel deeply embarrassed.
The man pursed his lips slightly and silently wiped her tears away. His rough fingertips gently brushed across her cheek, his movements slow and gentle, tinged with a tremor.
Chang Xuyu leaned back, gritted her teeth, shook off his hand, and wiped her own stubborn tears haphazardly. Taking a deep breath, she apologized to him, "I'm sorry. I couldn't control my emotions."
Her eyes were very red. Sometimes she hated that her tear ducts were so developed, that she cried at everything, that she would secretly shed tears over the slightest grievance.
Because she always hid her crying from everyone, few people knew she was prone to tears.
Yi Zhuo's expression sharpened, a dark light flickering in his eyes, like the deep blue sea.
But he knew.
She had a soft personality. She was actually a very fragile person, but she pretended to have a very hard shell.
He suddenly wanted to hold her tightly and tell her that she hadn't done anything wrong.
The man's Adam's apple bobbed. He said hoarsely, "It's not your fault. It's my fault for not making you feel secure."
"I have very few friends, mostly business partners. If you don't believe me, you can take the trouble to ask around. There's no one else. Xuyu, I only have you."
Indeed, he never whispered sweet nothings to coax her. She was now gentle and quiet in temperament, but in his eyes, Chang Xuyu had always been that cheerful and strong little girl from the beginning.
She had always been very cautious, afraid of making mistakes and embarrassing the people around her, forgetting that people couldn't always accommodate others.
His heart ached for this version of Chang Xuyu.
Yi Zhuo leaned down and pulled the slender figure into his arms. His big hand gently patted her back, rhythmically, as if soothing whose heart it was.
"With me, you can be unrestrained."
He rubbed the top of her head and sighed softly.
Chang Xuyu had been trying hard to calm herself down, but hearing his steady voice, her eyes started to sting again.
She had just been throwing a tantrum, venting all the anger she had at home onto him. Although she had stopped in time, she still felt guilty.
She was the one who proposed the divorce. Yi Zhuo hadn't wronged her. He shouldn't have to tolerate all her bad moods.
Had she hurt his feelings too much?
"Call Dr. Song to remove the needle. This bottle is almost empty," she said, pursing her lips. "I'll cook you some egg noodles later. Let's eat at home today, okay?"
Chang Xuyu bit her lower lip lightly, her almond eyes filled with watery emotion as she calmly looked at him. She asked softly, but was somewhat afraid to hear his answer. Afraid of his silence, afraid of his rejection, afraid he would ignore her from now on.
Her cooking was average. She could make some home-style dishes, but her strength was in flavor, and fortunately Yi Zhuo wasn't picky.
In his arms, she occasionally poked his hard chest muscles. Her fine hair brushed against the man's chin, making his heart itch.
"Okay."
His chest rose and fell slightly, his voice barely restrained.
Sensing the change in his breathing, Chang Xuyu quickly withdrew her hand, blushed, and dared not be so bold anymore.
This man really...
Chang Xuyu pressed her ear tightly against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, her lips pressed together.
Yi Zhuo looked down at her docilely nestled beside him, emotions surging in his eyes. "Can you tell me what happened when you went home yesterday? Xuyu, how did it get so bad that you went drinking?"
Chang Xuyu looked up.
"Huh?"
She didn't know if he was the one saying strange things, or if she had really forgotten a lot.
So what had happened yesterday?
She couldn't remember. She tried hard to recall, but still couldn't think of anything. She only remembered going to see Yuan Zixu and telling her she wanted a divorce. The rest, she really forgot.
She shook her head and murmured guiltily, "I'm sorry, I forgot."
Chang Xuyu tried hard to remember, but the more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.
"Was I supposed to do something yesterday?" she asked softly.
Yi Zhuo's expression stiffened. He paused.
"No. If you can't remember, then don't."
...
After the IV drip was finished, Song Shuheng removed the needle for Chang Xuyu.
Chang Xuyu felt very sorry for troubling Song Shuheng and sincerely thanked him, "Thank you so much, Dr. Song. I'm sorry to have you make a special trip."
Song Shuheng smiled at her. "It's nothing. You're my patient, after all."
Yi Zhuo walked over, pulled Song Shuheng out, and gently closed the door behind them.
Song Shuheng shook him off, made a "tsk" sound, packed up his things, and was about to leave when Yi Zhuo stopped him halfway. They talked in the living room.
In front of the balcony, Yi Zhuo lit a cigarette, his brows tightly furrowed.
Seeing him like this, Song Shuheng shook his head and advised, "You should smoke less. It's bad for your lungs. While you're still not too old, take care of yourself. Otherwise, your wife might leave you."
"Haven't you watched TV? Nowadays, girls like energetic, sunny young hunks, especially your wife's type."