Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

Fu Lingye was rushed to the operating room as soon as they reached the hospital.

The surgeon asked Mu Tongrui, “Are you a family member?”

“I'm not.”

“The patient needs to undergo an operation immediately. Please contact his family now.”

Mu Tongrui worried doing so might take up more time. Thus, she asserted, “I am! I'm his family.”

The doctor frowned, “Are you or are you not? You can't sign the paper if you're not a family member.”

“I'm his spouse. I only said that because we were in a fight.”

Mu Tongrui's voice faded at the end, knowing how senseless she sounded.

What spouse? He's not my husband!

The doctor was unfriendly when he snatched away the agreement paper signed by Mu Tongrui. He

scoffed, “Your husband is at death's door, yet you still care about your fight. I'm stunned.”

Mu Tongrui took the insult in silence, knowing how she might have sounded earlier. After the doctor left,

she bit her lower lip and rested on a bench outside the operating room.

Mu Tongrui was in such a hurry that she was currently still in her nightgown and flip-flops.

Who is Fu Lingye to me anyway? Why should I worry more than his actual family?

She wished she could be heartless to him, but her uncontrollable concerns for him denied her that

right. Troubled by her own contradictions, Mu Tongrui dropped her head.

Three hours later, just when Mu Tongrui was about to doze off on the cold bench, an opened door woke

her up.

The surgeon walked out of the operating room and took off his mask.

Mu Tongrui shot up and dashed to the surgeon, “Doctor, how is he? Is it serious?”

The surgeon calmly explained, “The brain hemorrhage was under control, and he only suffered a slight

concussion. His right arm, however, needed the most attention. That being said, everything has been

taken care of. He wouldn't have to worry about any after effect. He needs to focus on getting good rest

from now on.”

Mu Tongrui felt a weight being lifted off her shoulder, “Got it. Thanks so much.”

Seeing the doctor off, she wrapped her arms around herself. Suddenly, she sneezed.

I might have caught a cold from sleeping in the hallway.

Fu Lingye isn't waking up anytime soon. Now that he's fine, I don't have to stay here anymore.

Mu Tongrui took out her phone. After a moment of hesitation, she called Xiang Nanqian.

Xiang Nanqian's voice sounded croaky when she picked up. She was most likely wakened by the call,

“Hello?”

“Fu Lingye broke his arm. He's in the hospital now and just done with surgery. You might wanna come

and help him.” Mu Tongrui informed.

The news startled Xiang Nanqian. She raised her voice, “What? He broke his arm?”

Xiang Nanqian kept the phone next to her ear as she threw on some clothes.

Mu Tongrui indifferently confirmed, “Yeah. Come over. He's in Public Hospital.”

After Xiang Nanqian hung up, she quickly got dressed, ran downstairs, and got into her car. On the way

there, Xiang Nanqian found this situation to be off.

Why doesn't Mu Tongrui take care of him? She could make use of this opportunity and bond with him.

Why did she call me over?

Is she not jealous at all?

How strange.

Mu Tongrui stayed until Xiang Nanqian arrived.

“He's in this room -- all yours.”

Xiang Nanqian was taken aback, “Why do you let me have him?”

Mu Tongrui coldly returned, “You can take it however you want, but he and I are so not happening

anymore. If you want him that much, you really should go after him.”

After that, Mu Tongrui took off.

As soon as Mu Tongrui stepped out, she felt the chilly night breeze outside. It was only early autumn

yet the wind was so cold as if it could pierce through her that she could feel it in her bones.

She gave herself a hug then proceeded into a cab.

In the dark car, Mu Tongrui's gloomy face was lit up by the faint light of her phone screen.

On her phone, she scrolled down her contact list. When Mu Tongrui found Fu Lingye's number, she put

her fingers on the red button.

Mu Tongrui was done with the same old despair and disappointment in love. She knew these feelings

too well from three years ago. At this point, she was done getting her heart broken.

Her finger lingered on the red button for a few seconds. In the end, she pressed on it, nonetheless.

Contact deleted.

In the hospital VIP suite.

After the effect of anesthesia worn out, Fu Lingye woke up in distress.

As he opened his eyes, a word escaped his lips, “Rui.”

Despite being thrown off by that, Xiang Nanqian leaned forward caringly, “Lingye, what's wrong? Does

it hurt a lot? Should I get the doctor?”

Fu Lingye blinked until he gained a clear vision.

Let down by what he saw, Fu Lingye asked, “Where's Mu Tongrui?”

“She... she left.” Xiang Nanqian bent the truth as she pretended to be bothered, “She called... saying

she was too tired. When I got here, she was already gone.”

Fu Lingye's eyes cast a sharp look.

He was obviously displeased.

Xiang Nanqian poured him a glass of water as she added fuel to the fire, “I don't mean to meddle, but

that was pretty cold coming from her. You were in agony, yet she wasn't even willing to stay the night.

Instead, she was desperate to be away. Think about it. She's Sweetheart's mom. I can't imagine how

she'll treat Sweetheart going forward if this is her attitude to you now...”

Fu Lingye interrupted her rant, “Are you done?”

“Lingye, I...”

Xiang Nanqian saw Fu Lingye's stoned face and quickly changed the subject. She placed the glass by

his lips, “Drink some water. Your voice sounds raspy.”

Not intending to drink from it, Fu Lingye looked at the glass and raised his left arm to hold it.

Xiang Nanqian looked down, “Oh. Why are you so aloof?”

“I told you. You're my sister-in-law and nothing more. So, we should act that way around each other.”

Fu Lingye was straightforward. This time, he did not beat around the bush.

Xiang Nanqian pondered for a moment and asked, “Lingye, are you serious about Mu Tongrui? She

doesn't care about you...”

“Xiang Nanqian, I honestly don't think my love life concerns you.”

Fu Lingye distant tone of voice killed Xiang Nanqian's every desire to continue.

The next day, Xu Kun came over early in the morning.

“Boss, how did you get such a serious injury?”

Fu Lingye skipped his question and asked, “Did you get the phone I asked for?”

“Ah, yes. I also applied for a new SIM card with your old number. I already inserted it.” Xu Kun

reported.

Fu Lingye took the phone. Other than some calls from his business contacts and the phone company,

there were no other calls.

That woman did not think to call after going home last night.

Fu Lingye's face fell in dismay.

Xu Kun acknowledged Mu Tongrui's absence and asked bluntly, “Is Ms. Mu not here with you?”

Xu Kun instantly regretted his question when he felt the tension in the air.

Gosh, stupid me.