Chapter 142: Why must you be disobedient? Bonus chapter dedicated to the kind friends who gifted tourmaline and diamonds.

My heart suddenly softened—what fault did he truly have? When he saw us, he waved, but I didn’t know whom he was calling and remained still.

Zhou Yang nudged me, “Grandpa is calling you.”

I hurried over, bowed slightly, and greeted, “Grandpa.” He turned his face away, his voice hoarse, “Let him undergo the surgery first. Other matters can wait.”

I nodded, “I understand. Thank you for your understanding, Grandpa.”

I thought he was leaving, but unexpectedly, he said, “I have many grandchildren, but he is the one I cherish most. He has held grievances against me for many things—not his fault, but mine as a grandfather who failed him. Yet that doesn’t mean I agree to your marrying into the Luo family. He is the heart of my lifetime; I will never accept someone like you, from an unsuitable background, as his wife. The next matriarch of the Luo family must be someone like Yuan Shengxiao.”

Though I had told myself countless times that this path would be full of thorns, hearing Luo Lianchi’s words struck me deeply. I nearly lost my balance, seeing stars before my eyes.

But I maintained the last bit of dignity and nodded, “I understand what you mean, Grandpa. Rest assured, I know what to do.”

Luo Lianchi glanced at me, then turned and left with his entourage.

The moment he left, it felt as if all my strength had been drained. I leaned against a nearby tree, overwhelmed with a sudden wave of grievance and struggling to find my breath.

In the early hours, Luo Ange woke up. I had been so exhausted that I fell asleep by the bedside, when suddenly I felt a hand on my face.

I looked up in disbelief. Sensing I was awake, he quickly withdrew his hand.

I grabbed hold of it, “Luo Ange, if you try to send me away again, I swear I’ll jump from here.”

It was my last resort, a threat born of desperation, the only way to get through to him.

He said nothing, his unfocused eyes fixed on me. I pressed his hand against my cheek, “Your grandfather came by earlier. We talked. You should have the surgery first, okay?”

Only then did he speak, “Did he make things difficult for you?”

I shook my head, “No one made things difficult for me.”

I rested my head on his chest, holding back tears, “Luo Ange, why do you want to send me away? Don’t you believe I can endure hardship with you? Do you think if you die, I will survive alone?”

He remained still for a moment before finally reaching out to hold me, “Don’t worry, don’t worry…”

I understood the unspoken words behind his fears. Never before had I felt so bound to him in life and death.

When Yong Changzhi and Mei Xiuji came to relieve the night shift and saw Luo Ange awake, they were overjoyed. Hearing about the previous night’s events, they both gave me a thumbs-up.

Brad performed a routine check on Luo Ange, asking some questions before glancing at me.

I understood his meaning and signaled for Yong Changzhi and the others to stay with Luo Ange. I followed Brad to the office.

Brad pointed to the CT scans and explained, “These two shadowed areas are tumors, and they infiltrate many crucial nerves. So, blindness is just the surface symptom. There will be a series of adverse effects later on. You need to be prepared.”

“But didn’t we agree on surgery? Why tell me this now?”

Brad smiled helplessly, “His body isn’t ready for surgery yet. All indicators need to normalize first. So, for now, no one can help but you.”

I nodded, understanding. Still uneasy, I asked, “You’re such good friends; you wouldn’t just watch him suffer, would you?”

He was momentarily stunned, then smiled, “No, I wouldn’t. If anything happens to him, my medical career is over.”

His words felt like a promise, a reassuring vow.

In the following days, Luo Ange showed no unusual behavior and didn’t try to send me away again. Instead, he obediently cooperated with Brad’s treatment.

Everyone was pleased, but I harbored a faint worry—this was not his nature.

Yet why he had changed, I could not say.

One day, Xia Qi came to the hospital. Seeing several vice presidents discussing development projects with Luo Ange, I figured I had no business there and asked Xia Qi to accompany me back to the courtyard to pack.

Xia Qi, seeing my haggard face, was deeply concerned and urged me to rest, reminding me that final exams were coming and this exhaustion was unsustainable.

I quickly packed a change of clothes, then turned and hugged her, crying.

In truth, I was on the verge of collapse, but what choice did I have? If I fell, what would become of Luo Ange?

Xia Qi sighed, “Why is it so hard to love someone well?”

I didn’t linger. Once packed, I hurried back to the hospital. Only by keeping Luo Ange under my watchful eye could I find peace.

Stepping out of the elevator, I saw Amu, whose face looked grim. Instinctively, I feared something had happened to Luo Ange and took off running.

He called after me with news: the Shu family father and daughter had arrived and were in the ward.

I immediately wanted to hide somewhere. Handling one of them alone was difficult enough; how could I face both?

Xia Qi asked Amu if Shu Congxuan had come.

He shook his head, then asked quietly, “Miss, earlier the young master kept asking where you went. Are you… planning to go in?”

I straightened my posture, “Why not?”

At the door, I heard Shu Wen’an’s voice, gentle as the warmest spring breeze in Kang City: “Health is the foundation of revolution. Your grandfather is still waiting to see you settle down and start a family. He’s even looking forward to riding horses with you. Your ranch is almost ready, right? We’ll go together then.”

Shu Aiqing laughed, “Dad, Ange needs rest. Let’s not disturb her. We still have to visit Shengxiao later.”

I stood by the door, watching through the glass. Shu Wen’an was holding Luo Ange’s hand, patting it gently, while Shu Aiqing wore a look of worry.

Luo Ange said, “Thank you for coming to see me.”

Shu Wen’an smiled, “Nonsense, we are family.”

Then he stood, patting Luo Ange’s shoulder. “Ange, take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just tell Grandpa.”

Shu Aiqing added, “Ange, rest well. Aunt Shu will visit another day.”

The father and daughter left. Shu Wen’an showed no expression upon seeing me, but Shu Aiqing smiled slyly, giving me a meaningful look before walking away gracefully.

I hesitated, then called after her, “Can we talk for a moment?”

She shrugged, “With pleasure.”

Shu Wen’an glanced at us a few times. Shu Aiqing tapped him, signaling him to leave first.

At the end of the corridor, Shu Aiqing looked at me with a knowing smile, “Congratulations, finally getting what you wished for.”

I smiled back, “Isn’t this what you wanted? To ruin the union between the Luo and Yuan families, removing your greatest obstacle.”

“Oh, Miss Yi, don’t be so harsh. It’s not like I’m the only one benefiting. The biggest beneficiary is still you. Luo Ange—what woman wouldn’t be eager to marry him?”

I sneered, “Mrs. Shu, you surely know what Old Master Luo told me.”

She paused, leaning in slightly, “Miss Yi, forgive my frankness. It’s a pity you’re not with Congxuan. But now it’s getting more interesting, don’t you think?”

I couldn’t fathom her meaning. I didn’t want to discuss that. I just wanted to say, “I’m with Luo Ange now, and with his condition, please don’t disturb us.”

Shu Aiqing’s smile deepened. Just then, Luo Ange’s voice came from behind, “Don’t worry…”

I turned to see him standing with Amu’s support, one hand reaching out.

I glanced at Shu Aiqing, then quickened my steps to grasp Luo Ange’s hand, “Why are you out here?”

He caught my hand with his other, his voice low, “Why be so disobedient?”

I paused, recalling how she had warned me several times to stay away from Shu Aiqing.

I smiled, linking my arm through his, coaxing, “Xia Qi and I haven’t eaten yet. Stay and have something with us.”

He nodded, eyes briefly meeting Shu Aiqing’s direction. Then, holding my hand, we returned to the ward together.

Luo Ange’s meals were specially prepared. Brad, besides being a medical authority, was also a competent nutritionist. Every ingredient, every combination, every gram was strictly controlled.

Xia Qi and I ate lunchboxes brought from home by Gai Nie, prepared by his family’s chef—delicious, indeed.

Tasting dishes from various young masters’ homes over these days—from northern to southern cuisine—I suddenly longed for a simple bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles.

Xia Qi ate joyfully, then suddenly asked Luo Ange, “What’s that you’re eating? Shall we swap?”

Luo Ange seemed in good spirits and nodded.

Xia Qi mischievously offered her bowl of chopped chili fish head. I quickly pulled Luo Ange back and asked Xia Qi, “Don’t want your dad’s teaching building anymore?”

She paused, grinning like a bandit, “No worries, I’ll just withdraw investment. He Junxi will help me.”

It was the first time Luo Ange had smiled in a while. He asked Xia Qi, “I know Jiang Fuhai has what you need. Want me to help?”

Xia Qi jumped up excitedly, grabbing Luo Ange, asking if it was true.

After Xia Qi left, I asked Luo Ange what had happened between Jiang Fuhai and Uncle Xia, and why Xia Qi said such strange things that night at Nanfeng Club.

Luo Ange laughed, “Want to know? You give me a massage, and I’ll tell you.”

But as I massaged, he fell asleep, not revealing a word.

In the days that followed, while caring for Luo Ange, I was also busy with my final exams.

Fortunately, several professors took pity and canceled exams, only requiring short essays.

That was my strength—one essay a day, sent by email, done.

Two subjects still required exams. Having been focused on graduate studies for half a year, I had barely opened the textbooks. To avoid failing, I had to return to the courtyard to get them.

Unexpectedly, reporters swarmed the courtyard. I tried to escape but was quickly surrounded.