"Susu!" Qin Tianyi's expression was pained, his eyes reddened as he looked at her. "Is this how you truly feel? Do you know how hurtful those words are? After all we've been through, is this how you see me? Can our love not withstand a test?"
Susu couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She lowered her head, weeping, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't want to say these things, and I want to forget those nightmares. But ever since I escaped Yang Sijie, my heart has been in turmoil. I still remember the past from time to time. I hate him as much as you do, yet I can't bring myself to hate him completely. I truly wish I could lose my memory again, to completely erase all memories of him. I really don't know if I can overcome this hurdle."
Especially after learning about Yang Sijie's experiences abroad, she couldn't bring herself to hate him entirely.
After all, he had once been the most important person in her life, but he had become too terrifying later on.
She should have hated him to the extreme, but she couldn't. This complex emotion had been tearing at her heart.
Qin Tianyi's voice was hoarse as he said, "Alright, I understand. You don't love Yang Sijie, but you treated him like family or a close friend. That's why you trusted him completely, only to have him deceive and harm you with various schemes. What you can't accept is that, isn't that right?"
Susu stopped crying and nodded.
"If Xiao Anjing had done that to me, I would have reacted the same way you did. Since you can't bring yourself to hate him, don't. Forget him, gradually let go of him and those memories. I can accompany you through this."
Susu wiped away her tears and looked up at him. "Can you really do that? You won't blame me?"
"Yes, I'm angry with you, and I resent you for exchanging your life for mine. I would rather die!" Qin Tianyi's eyes lost their proud sparkle as he hung his head dejectedly. This was the hurdle that truly weighed on his heart.
Susu knew his suffering was no less than hers. Tears welled up again as she said, "In my eyes, your life is more important than anything. You would risk your life for me, so why can't I do the same for you? If you died and I lived, what would be the point of who I love or don't love?"
Qin Tianyi put himself in her shoes and realized he would have made the same choice. Fortunately, everyone was safe, so there was no need to dwell on it.
He picked up a spoon and began eating the tangyuan, saying, "Alright, I understand your feelings. It's good that we're both alive. From now on, let's forget all the unpleasant things and live even better than before. That's how we'll honor the hardships we've endured."
Susu nodded, a mix of tears and laughter on her face. She sat beside him, watching him swallow the tangyuan one by one, and quickly said, "Eat slowly, blow on them, be careful they're hot."
Tonight, they had finally spoken the words that had been weighing on their hearts. Her emotional knots had loosened considerably. From now on, she would smile more, greeting each day of her hard-won extended life with a smile.
Qin Tianyi also knew that his love for Susu had long surpassed everything else. In this life, he would fulfill his responsibility to protect her.
As for Allen, he had other plans. To be safe, he would still have someone thoroughly investigate Allen's background.
If things were as Susu described, then so be it. But if not, he would show no mercy. He would rather kill those associated with Yang Sijie by mistake than let any of them go.
...
Qin Tianyi spent another half month recovering in the hospital. His injuries had almost healed, and he wanted to be discharged.
However, Susu was reluctant to let him leave. She feared that with such severe injuries, he might not have fully recovered and could develop lingering problems. She believed it would be safer for him to continue treatment in the hospital for a while longer.
Qin Tianyi was displeased. He felt like he was becoming completely useless lying in the hospital. He insisted that even if he needed further rest and recovery, he would do so at their villa. Home was much more comfortable.
Susu coaxed him, hoping to keep him in the hospital for one more day, as there were dedicated medical staff here who would benefit his recovery.
"You can be discharged if you want, but only after I bring Xiao Xingxing and Xiao Mei back, and Chen Ma too."
Qin Tianyi realized she was right. During his time in the hospital, with Susu by his side, he worried about her health and indulged in their intimate moments together. He had forgotten that the seaside villa had been empty for a long time. Apart from Xiao Lin watching the house, Chen Ma and Xiao Mei hadn't returned.
Xiao Xingxing was still in Tokugawa. Now that his injuries were almost healed, it was time to bring them all back.
"I'll have Xiao Lin drive to pick up Xiao Xingxing and Xiao Mei first. As for Chen Ma, I'll contact her and see about her health and her wishes."
Susu hadn't contacted Chen Ma since returning to Lancheng. She asked, "Is Chen Ma not well? Is she sick, or is something bothering her?"
"No, she's fine," Qin Tianyi said. "I just feel that she's getting old. She's been back to her hometown for such a long time this time. I wonder if she wants to spend her twilight years there or come back to be with us."
"Yes, when people get old, they want to return to their roots. We should respect Chen Ma's wishes," Susu said, resting her head on Tianyi's lap. "But I miss her. It's more reassuring to have an elder in the house."
Qin Tianyi ran his fingers through her hair, agreeing, "An elder at home is like a treasure. No matter what Chen Ma decides, I will treat her as family and take care of her until the end."
"She is my family too," Susu said, imagining the scene. "Once we bring them all back, we'll be a lively family. There'll be you, me, Xiao Xingxing, Chen Ma, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Lin. Who knows, maybe Xiao Mei and Xiao Lin will hit it off, wow, the seaside villa will be so bustling."
"You're quite the matchmaker," Qin Tianyi said with a chuckle.
"I'm not! I think there's something between them, but you're the one who's usually not attentive to these things, too slow."
Qin Tianyi playfully pinched her ear, unable to resist. "Alright, alright, you're the one who's so meticulous. Then why don't you mention that Xiao Xingxing might have more younger siblings in the future, making it even more lively?"
"Hey, hey, do you even know how tiring and difficult it is for a woman to give birth? Are you treating me like a broodmare? I refuse," Susu said, shaking her head reluctantly with a smile.
"What tiring or difficult? I'll carry it for you. You just give birth, and I'll take care of the babies. I won't let you suffer any hardship, alright?" Qin Tianyi lowered his head and kissed her cheek, saying playfully, "Look at you, always complaining about being tired. It's always me who's doing the work, and you just lie there and enjoy."
Susu's face immediately flushed to her neck. Annoyed, she sat up straight and reached out to pinch his face, growling, "Qin Tianyi! What are you thinking about all day? Even with such severe injuries, you can't behave yourself. This is a hospital room..."
Qin Tianyi smiled and interrupted her, "I'm thinking about getting better quickly so we can exercise together."
"You're still talking! Are you ever going to stop..."
"What are you afraid of? This is a VIP single room. Who else will hear besides you?" As he spoke, he pulled her into his embrace.
"Qin Tianyi, you big bad wolf..."
He gently kissed her lips. She hesitated for a moment, but then chose to close her eyes and embrace him.