Su He, who had spoken of a long future together, hadn't seen Lu Yanbei for a full week.
He had gone abroad on a rainy night, to handle matters in person.
Although Su He worried about his safety, she didn't stop him.
It was the responsibility of the heir to the Lu family, a duty he could not shirk.
With Lunar New Year fast approaching, he was still away, and it was unlikely he'd make it back for the reunion dinner.
Su He sighed, turned over, and continued counting sheep.
It was truly difficult to fall asleep without Lu Yanbei by her side.
Ever since he left, it had been persistently rainy, and the howling north wind shrieked like a banshee, particularly terrifying in the quiet night. The raindrops pattered against the windowpane with a restless rhythm, making it even harder for her to sleep soundly.
"I wonder how he's doing over there." With a heart full of unease, Su He finally managed to drift off just before dawn. By the time she woke, it was already noon.
These past few days, Su He had been holding back from calling him, afraid of disturbing him.
On New Year's Eve, Old Master Lu returned from the sanatorium and moved directly into their small home. With Lu Yanbei away, the elder could not leave her alone in the house.
"Susu, come and help Grandpa check if the couplets are hung straight?" The old man, wearing his reading glasses, stood on a stool, looking as hale and hearty as ever.
Seeing this, Su He's blood pressure immediately spiked. "Grandpa, the servants can handle these things. Please, come down quickly."
Her heart fluttered, terrified that he might fall.
"It's a small matter. You're just being overly dramatic," Old Master Lu remained unfazed, continuing to hold up the couplets in his hand.
To coax the elder down quickly, Su He gave a cursory glance and nodded repeatedly. "Straight, straight. Grandpa is so amazing!"
The old man raised his eyebrows triumphantly and pressed the couplets firmly against the wall.
Once the couplets were affixed, Su He immediately helped the elder down from the stool. "It's cold outside. Let's go inside and warm ourselves by the fire."
When Lu Yanbei had the house renovated, he had specifically installed a fireplace. When the heating wasn't on, putting some firewood in and lighting a fire was quite warm. It could also be used to roast sweet potatoes, killing two birds with one stone.
Sweet potatoes were the perfect companion for winter.
Occasionally, when Su He craved them, she would ask Sister Li to light the fireplace so she could warm herself and enjoy the delicacy.
However, eating too many sweet potatoes caused bloating, so Sister Li dared not let her have too many. Su He could only taste a little each time, never quite satisfying her craving.
Approaching the fireplace, Su He reached her hands towards the flames and was instantly warmed.
The old man, having just climbed up and down, didn't feel cold. "Indeed, I'm getting old. I don't have the stamina I used to. I get breathless even with a little movement."
The butler brought over hot tea and gently patted his back to help him breathe easier.
These tasks were meant for the staff, but the old man insisted on doing them himself, and no amount of persuasion worked. It was the young madam who was remarkable, managing to coax him down with just a few words.
"Has Yanbei said when he'll be back?" After drinking a cup of tea and eating two biscuits, the old man asked.
Su He gave a wry smile and said, "The matters over there are quite complicated. He might not be able to rush back on time."
"New Year comes every year. It's not the end of the world if we miss this one," the old man said, perhaps comforting her or himself. "It's just that the house feels a bit empty without him."
"But we still have the young master in Madam's belly to keep you company," the butler said with a smile, trying to prevent him from feeling melancholic.
"That's right! How could I forget my darling great-grandchild!" Old Master Lu's mood immediately brightened. "We'll be able to meet in a few months. That's wonderful!"
Su He placed a hand on her lower abdomen, gently caressing it. "Grandpa is so sure it's a great-grandson. What if it's a great-granddaughter?"
"Whatever it is, as long as it's a descendant of the Lu family, I will love them," Old Master Lu didn't actually have a preference for sons over daughters. He had only one daughter, whom he had doted on like a princess.
Hearing this, Su He felt a warmth spread through her heart.
No wonder people said she was blessed! To marry into such an open-minded family, to have a husband who loved and cherished her wholeheartedly, and to have kind and benevolent elders—she was indeed very fortunate.
As they were chatting, Su He's phone suddenly vibrated.
Su He picked it up and glanced at it. It was an unfamiliar number from abroad.
She hesitated for two seconds, then answered, "Hello?"
"May I speak with Mrs. Lu? This is..." The other party spoke a string of broken English, and Su He only managed to grasp the gist of it.
"Yes, I am Lu Yanbei's wife." Su He replied in standard English.
To avoid worrying Grandpa, Su He got up and went to a room on the second floor.
"Mrs. Lu, Mr. Lu was unfortunately shot and is currently in the hospital undergoing emergency treatment..." This time, the other party slowed down their speech, trying their best to describe Lu Yanbei's condition.
Hearing the word "shot," Su He's heart leaped into her throat. "You said my husband was shot? Is his condition serious? Which hospital is he being treated at, and is anyone with him?"
She fired off several questions in rapid succession. The other party clearly lacked the vocabulary to describe the situation.
After a flurry of hurried footsteps, a familiar voice reached Su He's ears. "Madam, it's Cheng Jue... Boss Lu was shot while returning to China and is in the hospital for emergency treatment... But please don't worry, the doctors say he's not in life-threatening danger, he just won't be able to return on time to celebrate the New Year with you..."
Hearing this, tears welled up uncontrollably in Su He's eyes. "Where was he injured? Is it serious?"
"His shoulder," Cheng Jue replied. "The bullet has been removed, but he's still unconscious and we don't know when he'll wake up."
Su He took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound less choked. "The medical conditions over there are basic. Can you think of a way to arrange a plane to bring him back to China for treatment..."
"We're already making arrangements. He's safe for now," Cheng Jue dared not tell her the full truth.
This was what the boss had instructed before he lost consciousness—not to let Madam worry.
She was pregnant; they had to keep it from her.
Although Cheng Jue had downplayed the severity of the injury as per his boss's instructions, Su He couldn't find peace of mind. But with her pregnancy, she couldn't undertake long-distance travel.
This child was something they had long hoped for, and she couldn't risk anything happening to him.
Moreover, what about Grandpa if she left? He was old and couldn't handle such a shock. Therefore, despite the torment in her heart, she had to abandon the idea of going abroad and stay home to accompany the elder.
"Find the best hospital, use the best medicine, spare no expense," Su He said, clenching her fists. She then asked Cheng Jue for his bank card and transferred a sum of money to him.
There were many expenses abroad, and she didn't want Lu Yanbei to suffer any hardship because of this.
"Please, ensure you bring him back safely," Su He pleaded.
"Madam, rest assured. As long as I am here, I will not let Mr. Lu come to any harm," Cheng Jue said, looking at the pale man on the hospital bed and vowing bitterly.