Chapter 382 - 226: This Night, Lu Fan and Yixia Slept Together, a Wish Fulfilled

Chapter 382: Chapter 226: This Night, Lu Fan and Yixia Slept Together, a Wish Fulfilled

"Time to eat," she said, sitting down at the table. She kept her head down, not daring to look at him.

Lu Fan sat down across from her. He picked up his bowl of porridge and took a sip, hissing at the heat, but still said with a smile, "It’s delicious."

Jiang Yixia said nothing, just sipped her porridge. Her face was flushed, and the blush spread to her ears and neck.

Lu Fan watched her, his spoon pausing.

He just watched her, a smile playing on his lips.

Jiang Yixia grew uncomfortable under his gaze. She looked up, frowning. "What are you looking at?"

Lu Fan chuckled. "You."

Jiang Yixia’s face grew even redder, and her voice softened, losing its edge. "There’s nothing to look at."

"You’re beautiful," Lu Fan said earnestly.

Jiang Yixia ignored him, focusing on her porridge. But after a couple of sips, she couldn’t help but look up again. She looked like she wanted to say something, but held her tongue.

She cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Are you going to the hospital to see my mom today?"

Lu Fan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his lower back, a look of pure innocence on his face. "I probably can’t make it today. My back’s still a bit sore. It’ll probably be fine if you give it a rub for a couple of days."

"Oh, cut it out." Jiang Yixia rolled her eyes at him.

Lu Fan chuckled. "I do have something I need to take care of in a bit."

Jiang Yixia finished her porridge and stood up to clear the dishes.

"If you have something to do today, go ahead and get it done," she said as she washed the dishes. "I can go to the hospital on my own."

"I’ll give you a ride," Lu Fan replied. "It’s on my way."

Jiang Yixia didn’t refuse.

The two of them left, with Lu Fan driving and Jiang Yixia in the passenger seat.

As the car headed toward the hospital, they passed the flower shop. Jiang Yixia glanced over. The door was shut and the rolling security gate was pulled down, silent and still.

"I’ll keep the shop closed for now," she murmured, as if to herself. "I’ll wait until Mom is out of the hospital."

Lu Fan nodded without a word.

When they reached the hospital entrance, Jiang Yixia got out of the car and looked back at him. "Go on and get to your business. You don’t have to come up with me."

Lu Fan nodded and offered, "I’ll pick you up tonight."

Jiang Yixia wanted to refuse, but seeing the matter-of-fact look on his face, she swallowed her words and turned to enter the hospital instead.

...

In the hospital room, Pan Lanfang’s complexion was much better than the day before.

She was propped up against the headboard, looking at her phone. When she saw Jiang Yixia enter, her face lit up with a huge smile.

"You’re here, honey! Did you eat breakfast yet?" She put down her phone and took Jiang Yixia’s hand.

Jiang Yixia sat down on the edge of the bed and nodded. "I did. How are you feeling today, Mom?"

Pan Lanfang replied, "Much, much better. My back doesn’t hurt so much anymore. It’s just boring lying in bed. Your dad went out to get some things; he’ll be back soon."

Jiang Yixia tucked in the corners of her mother’s blanket, not saying a word.

Pan Lanfang watched her, then suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "Where’s Xiaolu? He didn’t come today?"

"He dropped me off at the hospital entrance and left. Said he had something to do," Jiang Yixia explained.

Pan Lanfang nodded, smiling again. "That boy is so thoughtful. He stayed with me all day yesterday, keeping me entertained, and he even peeled an apple for me. When your father peels apples, the peels are thicker than the fruit! Not like Xiaolu—his are so thin and even."

Jiang Yixia just gave a small smile and didn’t reply.

Seeing her reaction, Pan Lanfang pressed on. "Honey, listen to your mother. The more I see of that boy, Xiaolu, the more I like him. He’s handsome, speaks well, and he’s reliable. He’s good to you, and he’s respectful to us. I know how much he helped you with the flower shop, and I only just found out yesterday that he was the one who arranged your brother’s job. Where else are you going to find a man that good?"

Jiang Yixia kept her head down and mumbled a quiet, "Mhm."

Pan Lanfang patted her hand and said in a heartfelt tone, "Honey, I know you have things on your mind, but the past is the past. You have to look forward. Xiaolu is good to you, so just accept him. Don’t be so guarded all the time. You’re in your thirties now. If you don’t find a partner soon, what will you do all by yourself after I’m gone?"

Jiang Yixia lifted her head to look at her mother. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Mom, if... and this is just a hypothetical... if Silu and Sifan’s biological father was as good a man as Lu Xiaofan—good to me and the kids, and respectful to you both—could you accept him?"

The words had barely left her lips when the hospital room door was pushed open.

Jiang Guoqiang stood in the doorway, a thermos in his hand, his face a grim, ashen color.

He had obviously heard Jiang Yixia’s words. His hands were shaking so badly he almost dropped the thermos.

"Absolutely not!" His voice was as hard and cold as a stone striking the ground. "That man... I will never forgive him in this lifetime! Haven’t you caused us enough misery? Raising two children all by yourself, all the hardship you’ve endured, all the pain you’ve gone through—have you forgotten all of it?"