Chapter Twenty-Nine: Come at Me Instead

What exactly was written on those sheets of paper Rong Luozheng showed to Yi Huayang? Does she truly love Du Fanchuan or Rong Luozheng? And what is the relationship between Luo An’ge and Mu Ying—why is he so anxious about her?

These questions swirled in my mind until my head ached, yet I couldn’t make sense of any of it. I decided to close my eyes and rest for a while.

I can’t even remember when I drifted off to sleep. All I know is that by the time I woke, Luo An’ge was already gone. Panic-stricken, I leapt down and ran outside, only to crash into a nurse.

I seized her arm and asked how Mu Ying was doing.

She paused for a moment. “You mean Mrs. Rong? The surgery was very successful—she’s been moved to the ICU.”

Step by step, I made my way to the ICU and stopped outside. Through the glass, I saw that woman, wrapped like a mummy, lying motionless with an oxygen mask on. Luo An’ge stood at the bedside; I could only see his back.

I didn’t dare go in or leave. I just huddled by the door as the nurses changed shifts, but Luo An’ge still didn’t come out.

In the small hours of the morning, he finally emerged. My feet were numb from the cold, my stomach twisted with pain, and my eyes ached, but I forced myself to approach him and asked in a hoarse voice how Mu Ying was.

It was as if he saw me for the first time. He gave a cold laugh. “What, trying to play the pitiful card?”

Leaning against the wall, I fought the growing pain. “Just tell me—has Mu Ying pulled through?”

He brushed past me, took a few steps, and his voice grew even colder. “Anyone who’s ever hurt Mu Ying—I won’t let a single one go. That includes you.”

I caught my breath. “What do you want? This is all my fault. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Come at me if you must.”

His gaze became a poisoned blade, slicing me apart with every word. “Of course I’ll come for you, but the others won’t escape either.”

In the empty corridor, his footsteps faded into the distance. I slid down the wall, squatting on the floor, feeling all strength drain from my body.

Downstairs, I saw Xia Qi crouched by the fountain. When she saw me, she ran over, threw her arms around me, and wept, apologizing over and over…

We struggled back to the courtyard I rented. By then, tears could do nothing to change things. I tried to comfort Xia Qi, and when she finally fell asleep, I lay awake, unable to rest.

The next day, I made chicken soup and brought it to the hospital, arriving just as Luo An’ge left the ward. He looked furious when he saw me.

Scalding soup spilled all over my arm, but I didn’t make a sound. I crouched down, picked up the thermos, and turned into the elevator.

He followed me in, pressing me into a corner, his anger murderous. “Don’t ever show your face here again, or I’ll kill you.”

I braced myself. “What right do you have to control me?”

The next instant, my feet left the ground—he gripped my neck and hoisted me up, gritting his teeth. “Right? Let me tell you, Yi Lanshan, I don’t care what trouble you cause me, but Mu Ying is someone incredibly important in my life. Anyone who hurts her is my enemy.”

I struggled to breathe. “I didn’t mean to—I never thought things would turn out like this. I…”

Tears streamed down my face. “Luo An’ge, I swear I didn’t do it on purpose…”

I never got to finish, for his grip tightened until I couldn’t even see his face.

He let go, and I collapsed to the floor, eyes locked on his retreating back as he disappeared.

For days afterward, bodyguards blocked me at the elevator. I tried to resist a few times, making excuses, saying I had to return things to Luo An’ge, but the bodyguards took my documents and phone and forcibly ejected me from the hospital.

When I tried again later, the doctor told me Mu Ying had been transferred abroad for treatment.

It was only from Qilin that I finally learned the whole story—fifteen years ago, Luo An’ge was kidnapped overseas. Mu Ying risked her life to save him. At the time, she was pregnant and was shot twice by the criminals. She lost the baby, and with it, the chance to ever be a mother.

Suddenly, I understood Luo An’ge. Mu Ying was the one who saved his life. That’s why he could tolerate anyone giving him trouble, but never allow anyone to harm her.

Qilin patted my head. “Don’t be afraid. He’s just angry right now. When Mu Ying recovers, we’ll go together and beg his forgiveness.”