RGL – Chapter 192

Because her throat had been scorched by the smoke, speaking was still a bit difficult. When she saw Su Min, her eyes widened, filled with urgency.

Su Min held her hand tightly. “Mom, don’t worry, it’s fine now. Everything is fine.”

“Ah… ah…” Tears streamed from Sun Qiufang’s eyes as she looked around, as if searching for someone. Su Min knew she was looking for Su Changrong. “Dad is still in the ward. The doctor said his condition has improved, and it won’t be long before he wakes up.”

Hearing this, Sun Qiufang finally calmed down, nodding gently as she clutched Su Min’s hand.

Looking at her mother like this, Su Min felt all her fear and worry turn into pure heartache.

No matter if it was in her previous life or in this one, her parents had endured far too much hardship. She thought they had already escaped the shackles of their past fate, but destiny had suddenly taken a cruel turn, forcing them to experience this brush with death.

Still, at least Sun Qiufang was now out of danger, and all that was left was recovery. According to the doctor’s examinations, with a few more months of rest she would be fine.

Xue Mian had already stayed here for a long time, even though his company was extremely busy. He had received countless phone calls urging him to return, but he still hadn’t left.

After giving Sun Qiufang some water and helping her lie down to sleep, Su Min asked Zhaodi to keep watch, then pulled Xue Mian downstairs.

“You should go back and take care of work. Things are better here now, there’s no need for you to keep watching over us. Besides, my parents’ illness isn’t something that will heal overnight—you can’t stay here forever.”

Xue Mian pressed his lips together, his brows furrowed. “Su Wenwen still hasn’t been found.”

As long as that madwoman was on the loose, he couldn’t feel at ease leaving Su Min alone.

“I’m not afraid of her.” Su Min looked at him firmly. “We don’t need to treat her like she’s someone important.”

“She’s insane.”

Xue Mian still couldn’t relax. As far as he was concerned, unless someone was by Su Min’s side, he wouldn’t be at ease.

Seeing that he refused to listen, Su Min grew annoyed. “Are you going to listen to me or not? Hurry back to work. Don’t give that lunatic the satisfaction of being taken so seriously—it only makes her look important. Go back, finish your work, and then come back. Otherwise, I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Xue Mian shuffled his foot against the floor, clearly hesitating.

Su Min grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her, her serious expression showing her determination. “If you don’t go back, then I won’t speak to you.”

Xue Mian couldn’t help but laugh and sigh at the same time. In all the time he had known Su Min, she had always been mature, never once throwing a tantrum. And now, the first time she did, it was in this situation.

“Alright, alright, I promise I’ll go back and deal with work. But I’ll find someone to stay here with you—otherwise, I can’t rest easy.”

Su Min raised an eyebrow. “You’re hiring me a bodyguard?”

“Someone who might be a little more useful than a bodyguard.”

It wasn’t until the third day that Su Min met the person Xue Mian had mentioned as being “a little more useful than a bodyguard.” He was tall, dark-skinned, and had a rugged, tough look about him.

She thought he looked vaguely familiar, but couldn’t quite place who he was.

However, when Liao Zhaodi in the ward saw him, her expression instantly changed, and she quickly slipped out with the hot water flask in hand.

Xue Mian patted the man on the shoulder with a smile. “He’s from the army, on leave right now. I asked him to stay here for a while.”

The man grinned. “My name’s Han Lei. Sister-in-law, no need to be polite with me.”

“Han Lei?” Su Min was taken aback, then her eyes suddenly widened. “You’re that Han Lei?”

Han Lei chuckled and nodded. “That’s right, I’m Han Lei.”

Su Min immediately understood why Liao Zhaodi had left in such a hurry just now. So this was the very man she had once secretly liked, but who had rejected her. Looking at Han Lei’s nonchalant attitude, Su Min couldn’t help thinking—either he was very good at pretending, or his heart was simply that big.

She smiled faintly, tugging Xue Mian out into the corridor and whispered, “Do you know about Han Lei and Zhaodi?”

“Of course I know.” Xue Mian nodded.

“And you still brought him here?” Su Min puffed her cheeks in protest.

Xue Mian laughed. “He insisted on coming—what could I do? Besides, he helped investigate the arson case down south this time. Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I can vouch for his character; he won’t hurt Zhaodi. Anyway, either he stays here, or I do. You pick one.”

His rare stubbornness left Su Min a bit helpless. After hesitating for a moment, she didn’t want Xue Mian to keep putting off his work for her sake, so she nodded. “Fine, let him stay. But once you’re done with work and come back, you’ll switch him out.”

“Alright, whatever you say.” Xue Mian rubbed her head gently.

Since he had to catch a flight, Su Min didn’t have time to see him off, so she simply asked Han Lei to drive him. Before leaving, Xue Mian reminded her again not to leave the hospital alone under any circumstances—wherever she went, she had to take someone with her.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, Han Lei watched the two of them being lovey-dovey. Once Xue Mian got into the passenger seat, Han Lei teased, “You’re so mushy, it’s really unmanly.”

“And what counts as manly? Being like you, making a girl run away at the sight of you?”

Han Lei’s smile faded. “Between her and me… you don’t understand.”

“There’s nothing to understand—you’re just slow, that’s all.” Xue Mian shook his head, clearly unimpressed with the way Han Lei handled feelings. He could tell Han Lei liked Zhaodi. But Han Lei had always been free-spirited, unwilling to be tied down, too afraid to take on the responsibility that came with a relationship.

He raised an eyebrow at Han Lei. “So this time, have you made up your mind?”

Han Lei pressed his lips together and gave a faint smile. “If I hadn’t, what would I be doing here?”

Xue Mian gave him a sidelong glance. “I just don’t get it—why’d you suddenly decide to give up your carefree life and throw yourself into the graveyard of love?”

Han Lei drove silently, the car already on the highway, the road ahead smooth and clear. “Do you remember the mission I had last year?”

“I do. That was your first mission abroad. My grandfather even scolded your old man for being heartless, sending you to such a place.”

“That time, I got stuck in the rainforest with a comrade. We were both injured, and his wounds were especially serious. There wasn’t even medicine, let alone food or water. I watched him die right in front of me… At that moment, I thought I was going to die too. And what came to my mind was—throughout my life, I’d never taken anything seriously. I thought of my grandpa, my parents… and then I thought of her.”

“So…”

“At that time, I finally understood—when a man’s about to damn well die, only then does he realize how precious the things he once missed really were!”

“……” Xue Mian felt fortunate that he had always known what mattered most to him from the very beginning, unlike Han Lei, who had to die once before realizing it.

A few days after Xue Mian left, Su Changrong was finally out of danger, but he still hadn’t woken up. Sun Qiufang, however, recovered rather quickly. Within a few days, she regained her strength and, with Su Min’s support, was able to visit Su Changrong.

“That day, your father and I were in the office. When we heard someone shouting about a fire, we ran outside. Then we heard someone say you were in the warehouse. Without thinking, we both rushed in. But the iron door was locked behind us. Who would have thought—living so many years, only to nearly lose our lives to the trick of a young girl.”

Whenever Su Min recalled that scene, she gritted her teeth in hatred. “She only knew how much you and Dad love me, so she knew exactly how to trick you.”

“Any news from the police?” Sun Qiufang asked anxiously. The incident had left her shaken. She truly feared that if Su Wenwen wasn’t caught, their family would remain in constant danger—especially with Minzi being so young.

Su Min shook her head. “They’ve searched all the hotels, but there’s no trace of her. They’ve also checked several rental houses. But now the police have set up a net across the city. They’ll definitely catch her.”

Sun Qiufang was still doubtful. “She’s really not the same as before. Back then, even if she was spoiled and unruly, she would never have done something like this. Now she’s like a lunatic—and smarter than before. Minzi, you must be careful. Don’t go out alone for the time being.”

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry. Isn’t Xue Mian’s friend still around? I heard he’s from the military, smart and skilled.”

“That young man really is good.” Sun Qiufang had a very good impression of Han Lei. These past few days, he had been helping them constantly and seemed like an honest person.

Although Sun Qiufang’s judgment of people hadn’t been very accurate this time, she still had a sharp eye. “He’s always sticking to Zhaodi. Does he perhaps have something in mind?”

Su Min hadn’t expected her mother to be so observant. She laughed. “I think so.”

Sun Qiufang smiled. “That’s good too. Zhaodi is also a pitiful child. If she can find someone she can entrust her life to, that would be wonderful.”

These days, Liao Zhaodi had been feeling restless. She didn’t really want to see Han Lei, but he kept sticking to her, which made her uncomfortable. After all, she had once liked him first. Even though it was only for a short time, it had been her first crush, leaving a deep impression. Now whenever she looked at Han Lei, she couldn’t help but feel awkward.

Han Lei, however, acted like nothing had happened. He still chatted and laughed with her, ate meals with her, even picked food into her bowl, behaving as though they were already very close.

One evening, feeling troubled, Liao Zhaodi confided in Su Min.

She saw Su Min as her closest confidante. Some things she couldn’t say to her sister but could share with Su Min. After hearing her out, Su Min gave her advice: “You should go back to B City.”

Zhaodi widened her eyes in shock and hurriedly said, “What are you saying? I’m not trying to leave.”

“I know. I’m only suggesting it. School has already started, and you’ve missed so many classes. Do you plan to keep skipping? You know my situation—I can only take a break from school for now, and maybe return later if I get the chance. But you shouldn’t follow my path. You should graduate early, so you can focus on your career later.”

Zhaodi lowered her head, frowning, deep in thought.

Su Min sighed again. “My mom is already better now. As for my dad, we don’t know when he’ll wake up. I’m planning to dedicate this year mainly to running Rongfang Supermarket. As for Xiuse’s business, I’ll need your help to manage it. I’ll keep designing here, and each month I’ll take a few days to visit. So, Zhaodi, you must go back.”

Zhaodi looked at her. “Can you manage alone?”

Su Min smiled. “How am I alone? Han Lei is still here, and later Xue Mian will also come to check on me. My mom’s better now, and my uncle’s family can help too. So don’t worry. We’re still young—we need to treat life rationally.” Zhaodi was too sentimental, always hesitant when problems arose. That wasn’t good. Su Min hoped she would change. After this ordeal, Su Min herself felt more clear-headed: life is full of unexpected accidents, so one must have a strong and decisive heart.

“…Alright then, I’ll leave in a couple of days.” Zhaodi still hesitated.

Su Min didn’t press further. She knew Zhaodi had accepted her words.

The next day, Su Min told Han Lei about Zhaodi leaving. Han Lei was surprised. “Why is she suddenly going back?”

Zhaodi pursed her lips and went to fetch hot water to wipe Sun Qiufang’s face.

Only when Zhaodi had stepped out did Su Min say, “It’s not really sudden. Zhaodi has her own life. She can’t stay here forever. Besides, you’re being way too obvious—it makes her uncomfortable.”

“……” Han Lei’s face showed embarrassment.

Su Min continued, “I know about you and Zhaodi. Since you refused her before, I can’t say you did wrong—it was your choice. But Zhaodi is my friend. After you turned her down, she was depressed for quite a while. She’s finally back to normal now, and I don’t want her hurt again. If you’re still uncertain, don’t toy with her. Zhaodi is a simple girl—she can’t take it.”

Han Lei lowered his head without speaking. After a long breath, he said, “I’m serious.”

Su Min nodded and didn’t press further. Feelings weren’t something outsiders should meddle in. Since Han Lei was Xue Mian’s friend and knew her relationship with Zhaodi, if he said he was serious, then it shouldn’t be a joke.

With Su Min’s persuasion, Zhaodi decided to go back.

Han Lei didn’t try to stop her. He only carried her luggage, ready to take her to the airport.

But just as they reached the hospital gates, they were stopped.

“Zhaodi, so you really are here. I even went all the way to B City to look for you.”

It had been years since Liao Zhaodi last saw her mother, Zhang Hui. Now she looked much older, her clothes worn and shabby. Seeing her like this, Zhaodi couldn’t help feeling a pang of pity. “Why are you here?”

Zhang Hui’s face was lined with hardship. “I’ve been looking for you for so long. You didn’t come home for New Year. I went to B City to find you, but your school said you were on leave. Then I went to your company, and they said something happened to Su Min’s family, so you came back.”

Zhaodi lowered her eyes. “I’m on my way back to B City now.”

“Zhaodi…” Zhang Hui began to cry. “Go see your uncle. He’s paralyzed now, in very poor health. The family is struggling, we don’t even have money for his hospital bills. He’s dying.”

Hearing that Zhu Qiang was dying, Zhaodi was stunned. “Wasn’t Uncle in good health? How did he get so sick?”

“He didn’t take care of himself when he was younger, and then he had another fall. Now the business is gone too—it’s hard times.”

From Zhang Hui’s words, Zhaodi understood the truth. Her heart grew cold. She had thought her mother came because she missed her. But no—it was because the family needed money.

Still, she couldn’t completely turn away. After all, Zhu Qiang had once paid for her schooling. She pulled out 500 yuan from her wallet. “This is all I have on me. Take it for now. When I get back, I’ll send you more.”

That was all she could do. Ever since her mother had tried to stop her from studying and forced her to marry Zhu Xiaobing, she had seen through much of her mother’s ways. She could no longer treat her like before.

Zhang Hui’s weathered hands reached out to take the money. Then she said, “Go see your uncle. He has always felt guilty these years. He doesn’t have long left. After all, he raised you for a few years. Back then, he even advised me not to marry you to Xiaobing—I just didn’t listen. Don’t blame him. Go see him one last time. He has suffered a lot too. Think of it as your mother begging you.” Zhang Hui spoke as she bent down, about to kneel.