Ling Xuejiu’s heart skipped a beat as she turned her head and saw that Leng Xuan was not only pale as a ghost but was also covered in cold sweat and bleeding from the corner of his mouth. She was taken aback; the anger and embarrassment she felt earlier disappeared, replaced by fear. She thought to herself, ’Could it be that when I accidentally knocked him to the ground earlier, he ended up like this? Oh, if he, he...’ She didn’t dare to continue the thought and, although her pride as a young lady was strong and she was scared inside, she retorted, "This is not my fault. It’s his own doing for opening the door at that time. Humph!"
Li Mengjie turned around and glared at Ling Xuejiu. This was the first time she had ever been angry with Ling Xuejiu. She said, "Xue Jiu, it was obviously you who bumped into him and even slapped him. And now you’re here talking nonsense? Call the hospital already!
After being scolded by Li Mengjie, Ling Xuejiu felt unjustly criticized and thought to herself, ’You’ve only known him for a few days and you care so much about him, even getting mad at me.’ With her eyes reddening, she was about to argue back, but seeing Leng Xuan’s pale face, she couldn’t bear to make a scene. So, she was about to dial the hospital when Leng Xuan suddenly said, "I... I’m fine. No need... no need to call..." Struggling, he used his hand to support himself and stood up.
Li Mengjie quickly supported Leng Xuan’s arm and said softly, "Are you sure you’re okay? I think you should still go to the hospital, look at your injuries!"
Leng Xuan hadn’t expected Li Mengjie to be so concerned about him, and a warm feeling unexpectedly swept through his heart. He turned to smile faintly at her and said weakly, "Don’t worry, I... I really am fine. The Old Master is also all right now; I’m just a little tired."
"Ah, the Old Master is okay now?" Upon hearing this, Uncle Liu felt as if a great fortune had descended from heaven. Grateful, he glanced at Leng Xuan and then rushed with Auntie He to see how the Old Master was, just as the noise in the room was making Ling Tian regain consciousness. Ling Tian’s fingers twitched slightly, and at once, they heard Auntie He say, "It’s great, it’s really great; the Old Master is all right, his fingers moved."
Uncle Liu also chimed in, "Yes, the Old Master’s breathing has become smooth too. It’s really wonderful. Mr. Leng, I really don’t know how to thank you this time!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Xuejiu felt a tug at her heart and sneakily glanced at Leng Xuan. Realizing that it was to save her grandfather that he had become so exhausted, and knowing that she not only had failed to be grateful but had also knocked him down and ruthlessly slapped him, without even apologizing or taking responsibility, she suddenly felt as if she was pricked by something. Just as she was about to apologize to Leng Xuan, she saw Li Mengjie with a face full of concern saying to Leng Xuan, "You’re tired? Let me help you to the sofa outside to rest a bit! Walk slowly..." And with that, she helped Leng Xuan out.
For some reason, Ling Xuejiu found herself unable to voice the apology she intended and instead felt a sourness in her heart as she involuntarily rubbed her lips where Leng Xuan’s saliva had been. Just then, Ling Tian coughed twice, and Ling Xuejiu’s thoughts shifted away; she turned and walked to the bedside, finding that Ling Tian had already opened his eyes and was giving her a kind smile.
Not knowing whether it was out of happiness or some other reason, Ling Xuejiu felt a sourness in her heart and hugged her grandfather, crying, "Grandfather... sob, Grandfather..." as though she had suffered a great injustice, complaining to an elder!