Lu Jincheng watched her hold his hand. Her fingers were cool from nervousness, but her palm was warm. That faint warmth seemed to gradually transmit into his heart through his own palm.
This feeling was quite peculiar.
So this was what it felt like to interlock fingers with a woman?
It was rather pleasant; he didn't dislike it at all.
When they reached the fire escape, Chen Yuxin finally spoke. "Mr. Lu, do you know how much this place costs per day? My family can't afford it. Please change me to a regular ward. For this kind of suite, my monthly salary isn't even enough to cover two days of hospitalization fees."
So that was the reason.
"Chen Yuxin, I told you, didn't I? I will take responsibility for you. Your matters are my matters from now on. I've already paid for Grandma's hospitalization fees. She can stay comfortably until she's discharged.
Grandma is old, and Auntie isn't young either. If they move to a regular ward, it will be very taxing for Auntie to care for Grandma. This is a suite with two beds, making it convenient for Auntie to look after Grandma.
Plus, this place provides three meals and fruits all day. Auntie won't have to go downstairs to buy food and can focus entirely on taking care of Grandma. Isn't that better?"
Chen Yuxin was stunned. He truly meant what he said about taking responsibility.
Chen Yuxin was reluctant. "But I'm not married to you yet, Lu Jincheng. I can't bear everything you're doing."
How many years would it take her to repay such a large sum?
She also wished her circumstances were better, to provide her mother and grandmother with everything superior, to give them a healthy, happy, and worry-free old age, free from concerns about their children or about food and shelter.
For their small family, as long as no one was sick, life was not difficult.
Lu Jincheng knitted his brows. He knew he couldn't rush things.
"Chen Yuxin, don't take to heart what I said when I woke up that night. Women scheme against me every day, but none have succeeded. I don't expect you to understand my feelings, but I just want to tell you that I was indeed wrong to say those words, and they were very hurtful. Please don't dwell on them."
Seeing him apologize again, Chen Yuxin was once more taken aback.
This was beyond her understanding of him.
Lu Jincheng looked at her slightly dazed expression, pursed his lips, and smiled, as gentle as the night breeze.
"By the way, compared to this matter, another issue might be more serious," Lu Jincheng said with a furrowed brow, looking at her.
"What... what is it?" Chen Yuxin's heart sank.
"When I gave your sister my business card earlier, I noticed bruises on her wrist and clear deformation in two of her fingers. She might be a victim of domestic violence."
"Ah..." Chen Yuxin exclaimed in shock.
"That scoundrel Zhou Shen. I only know he parties every day and never bothers with my sister. My sister is treated worse than a nanny in their house. Nannies get paid a salary each month, but my sister..."
Chen Yuxin couldn't continue.
Lu Jincheng was perplexed. "Why doesn't she divorce him?"
Chen Yuxin had asked her sister the same question. "She can't bear to be separated from the child. You also know our family's financial situation; gaining custody would be impossible."
"No, if he is indeed committing domestic violence, as long as there's sufficient evidence, the child won't be awarded to him; it will be awarded to your sister."
Chen Yuxin knew this too, but she hadn't realized her sister was being subjected to domestic violence before.
"Alas! My sister is perhaps too kind. As long as life is bearable, she generally won't divorce."
Lu Jincheng did not think so.
"When you told her about what happened tonight, I saw her fear firsthand. I'm afraid her life will be difficult once she returns home tonight. I've already sent people over. Whether she's being abused or not, we'll know soon."
Chen Yuxin was alarmed by his meticulousness.
But she became even more worried.
"Don't worry. If this is indeed the case, I'll have them film the evidence and help your sister gain custody. Our Lu family's legal department is not just for show."
Lu Jincheng turned to leave after speaking.
Chen Yuxin, unable to rest easy, called her sister.
"Sister, have you reached home?"
"Oh! Yuxin, I'm almost home. Has Grandma come out?"
"Not yet. Sister, tell me honestly, does brother-in-law hit you?" Thinking of the scoundrel's words, she wished she could strangle that man.
He wanted both sisters, to enjoy the fortune of others. How could such a detestable man exist in this world?
"Yuxin." Chen Yuwei called out her name heavily. "Don't worry about my affairs. Take good care of Grandma."
Chen Yuxin said, "Okay! I will. Yuxin, in the future, you must take good care of Grandma and Mom. You are the hope of our entire family." Chen Yuwei's tone was still somber.
Chen Yuxin knew then that Lu Jincheng's suspicions were likely correct.
She cried, "Sister, are you an idiot? You've been beaten, and you still want to live with that kind of man? Even for Lele, you shouldn't live like this! You'll be driven to death. As long as you get evidence of his domestic violence against you, you can get custody of Lele."
"Yuxin, I..."
"Sister, think about it carefully. Do you want to reach a point where you can't bear it anymore and commit suicide, or use the law to defend your dignity and future? Do you think it's good for Lele to grow up in such an environment?"
Chen Yuxin's tears flowed.
She felt like she had been a terrible sister, failing to notice those details. Every time she saw her sister speak, she seemed so restrained.
It must have been extreme restraint for her to show that expression.
"Sister, Mr. Lu has people going over. If you've really been hit, they'll find a way to capture the evidence. Then, you take Lele and escape. No, I'll come over immediately. Grandma is fine now; Mom can stay here to watch her."
"No! Yuxin, please, don't come. Please don't come!" Chen Yuwei's voice trembled.
Chen Yuxin felt a pang of heartache.
"Sis..."
"Let's not talk anymore. I'm going home first." Chen Yuwei hung up the phone.
Chen Yuxin wiped away her tears, washed her face, and then returned.
She went to the ward. Lu Jincheng was chatting with her mother. He was very engaging and patiently answered her mother's questions.
Generally, people of his noble status were very arrogant and conceited.
When he spoke with her mother, his eyes and smile were sincere. He listened attentively, and only after her mother finished speaking did he reply.
Lu Jincheng's actions stemmed from genuine sincerity.
At this moment, Chen Yuxin's heart suddenly became unsettled.
A man like Lu Jincheng could easily make a woman fall in love with him.
"Yuxin, you're here. You and Jincheng should go back and rest. The doctor said your grandmother won't wake up until tomorrow morning. We can sleep here, and I can also get some rest."
Lu Jincheng, however, said, "Auntie, you go back to sleep. Yuxin and I will stay here to keep watch."