Chapter 143: She Will Grow Up

Luo Yixia sniffled repeatedly, looking up from his arms with tear-filled eyes.

"I don't care about them at all."

"But since it has already happened, what good will crying do?" Song Chengyi's tone was gentle, yet his words were stern.

"I... I feel terrible. I feel like I can't do anything right. I didn't even know Dad was sick," Luo Yixia said, feeling aggrieved.

"And so? Does your distress or your crying make him better? Or does it mean he won't get sick?"

Song Chengyi's words were, in truth, quite cutting. Luo Yixia had expected him to comfort her, but instead, she felt as though she were being criticized.

"I... I didn't mean that... I just couldn't help it... I couldn't help but feel upset..." Luo Yixia instinctively tried to explain.

"I'm not blaming you." Song Chengyi pressed her into his embrace, sighed, and said slowly, "Xiaxia, since it has happened, you must learn to face it."

Luo Yixia nodded in his arms. "I understand. I will grow up."

She would grow up. She would learn what she needed to learn. She would mature.

Song Chengyi did not move; he held her quietly, giving her time to compose herself.

"I'm okay now." Luo Yixia wiped away her tears and pulled away from his embrace.

"Let's go back." Luo Yixia took a deep breath.

"Alright." Song Chengyi nodded, and the two returned to the hospital.

This time, Luo Yixia did not lose control of her emotions again.

"Mom, Dad, have you eaten yet?"

"Yes, yes, your mom and I ate a while ago. Haven't you two eaten yet?" Luo Hongtao replied.

"I'm not hungry. Song Chengyi, you haven't eaten yet; you should go get something," Luo Yixia said, standing up.

"I'll go buy something, and you should have a little something to eat as well." Song Chengyi's eyes were deep.

"Mom, you should go back tonight. I'll call a car for you," Luo Yixia said, checking the time.

"You and Chengyi should go back. I'll stay here and watch over your father tonight. You two go back and get some rest," Yu Wenjing urged them to leave.

"Mom, let Xiaxia and me stay here. You've been busy for so long; go back and get some proper rest. I'll go outside and call a taxi to take you home." Song Chengyi agreed with Luo Yixia.

Seeing how determined both of them were, Yu Wenjing found it difficult to refuse their kindness.

Song Chengyi escorted Yu Wenjing out of the hospital and arranged for a car.

"Chengyi, I leave Xiaxia and her father in your hands. If anything happens, just give me a call," Yu Wenjing said as she opened the car door.

"Mom, don't worry. Go back and get some rest. Xiaxia and I are here in the ward," Song Chengyi smiled.

Yu Wenjing sighed. "After all, she is still just a young girl. She has never suffered any hardships since she was small; she's been pampered and spoiled."

Song Chengyi said nothing as he saw Yu Wenjing off.

Using the hospital's streetlights, he walked to a nearby convenience store to buy toiletries and ordered two takeout meals.

When Song Chengyi returned to the ward with the items, Luo Yixia was sitting by the bed talking to Luo Hongtao.

"Xiaxia, go eat something. The night is long, and you'll get hungry," Luo Hongtao said as he saw Song Chengyi bring in the food.

Luo Yixia had initially wanted to say she wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat, but eventually, she sat at the table and took a few bites. She still had to take care of her father, after all.

"I bought some toiletries and clothes. Go take a shower," Song Chengyi said, handing her the items.

Luo Yixia held the items and walked listlessly toward the bathroom.

Once the bathroom door closed, shutting out all sound, Luo Yixia stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes and nose were red and swollen.

She felt completely dejected.

Luo Yixia, you must be strong. You must work hard. You have grown up; you are no longer a child.

In the ward, Song Chengyi was reading the medical report. Luo Hongtao suffered from high blood pressure, and this time, a sudden surge of anxiety had caused him to faint, leading to his hospitalization. However, the prognosis was optimistic.

"Chengyi, you're starting your internship soon, right?"

"Yes, early next year," Song Chengyi nodded.

"I heard from her mother that Xiaxia is moving out of the dormitory, is that right?"

Song Chengyi poured a glass of water for Luo Hongtao.

"Yes, the application has been approved."

"When Xiaxia was very young, I never pressured her to learn how to manage my company. Her mother and I didn't want to restrict her; we let her do whatever she liked. That included the way she liked you when she was young. At the time, we thought she was just playing around. After all, you didn't think much of our Xiaxia, and we kept thinking that when she got older, she would forget about you. We figured that when she found a boyfriend in the future, if he was willing, he could help us manage the company. But we never expected—"

Song Chengyi smiled and finished Luo Hongtao's sentence: "Never expected that she would choose me in the end."

Luo Hongtao laughed helplessly and indulgently. "No, it should be said that you chose Xiaxia. You could have clearly made a better choice. For the past few months, I have truly been worried. I was worried that Xiaxia would be wronged, but I can see that Xiaxia genuinely loves you, and you genuinely love her."

"But liking someone isn't enough for a marriage. In the future, you and Xiaxia will need to keep working at it. In my heart, I hope you can take care of Xiaxia, be patient with her, and be tolerant of her. But in my eyes, you are still just a child yourself, so I cannot demand anything of you."

"Dad, since I married her and am willing to call you Dad, I have considered all of this. Xiaxia is... wonderful, and very talented." At the mention of Luo Yixia, a smile tugged irresistibly at the corners of Song Chengyi's mouth.

Of course, Luo Hongtao caught this subtle gesture, and his heart felt all the lighter for it.

"Xiaxia doesn't understand business. Back then, she blindly followed you into medicine. Don't tell me that Xiaxia getting into A University and entering the medical department wasn't because of you? Actually, her mother and I were both clear about that; only she herself keeps thinking no one knows." At this, Luo Hongtao remembered the guilty look on Luo Yixia's face when she filled out her college applications.

"I know. I've seen it all along."

How could Song Chengyi not know? He wasn't a fool. Besides, when Luo Yixia was accepted, she had run over to him to ask for praise. Even though the Song Chengyi of that time had only given it a faint glance, he had been as clear about it as a mirror.

"Xiaxia studied medicine, and her personality isn't suited for business. Logically, I should hand the company over to you, but I know your heart isn't in it. Furthermore, you gave up the best universities abroad to stay in A City to study medicine, abandoning your own family's company—how could you possibly accept a small company like mine?"

Luo Hongtao was right. Song Chengyi didn't care about his family's business at all and rarely visited the firm. When he chose to study medicine, his family had been strongly opposed. His father had been even angrier, having once struck him with a cane. The family business was meant for him and his older brother.

Song Zeming had secretly changed his college application to a military academy behind their parents' backs and eventually became a soldier. All the family's hopes were pinned on Song Chengyi, yet he had remained headstrong.

He didn't know why he had been so persistent about studying medicine back then. He had considered many careers, but never once had he considered inheriting the family business.

Later, his brother compromised to prevent their father, Song Shaohui, from beating him to death, saying he would return to inherit the company when their father wanted to retire. Only then did the family allow him to study medicine.

Even though both brothers were excellent students, intelligent, and had studied business, neither loved being a merchant.

In truth, even if Song Zeming hadn't agreed, their parents would have eventually compromised.

Song Chengyi wasn't sure now—if his father were to become like Luo Hongtao in the future, and his brother still refused to return, would he give up being a doctor to inherit the company? He surely would, wouldn't he? After all, the company was his parents' lifelong effort.

"I... I am sorry. Right now, I only want to study medicine." Song Chengyi's answer was firm.

"What is there to be sorry about? I am very proud to have a son-in-law like you. A long time ago, I envied Old Song for having such an outstanding son—and not just one, but a pair!" Luo Hongtao laughed heartily, trying to lighten the mood.

Luo Yixia tightened her grip on the doorknob, hesitating to turn it.

She had heard their entire conversation...

A while later, after hearing them talk about inconsequential matters, Luo Yixia finally opened the door and entered.

That night, separated by a curtain, Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi slept on a small companion bed.

The bed was narrow, and it was a tight fit for two people.

"You sleep first; I'll sit for a while," Song Chengyi said, sitting on the edge.

"No, you sleep, I'll keep watch."

"Be good. You have to wake up early tomorrow," Song Chengyi smiled and reached out to stroke her hair.

"No." Luo Yixia shook her head.

Song Chengyi sighed, pulled back the edge of the blanket, lay down, and pulled her into his arms.

The clock on the wall ticked away, second by second, and under the cover of night, everything gradually quieted down.

It was late, and rest was necessary.

Behind the curtain, Luo Yixia heard Luo Hongtao in the next bed already fast asleep, his breathing steady.

However, she felt no trace of sleepiness.

By the moonlight streaming in through the window, she looked up and saw his eyes were unexpectedly bright in the darkness.

Luo Yixia asked silently: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Song Chengyi leaned in close, kissed her forehead, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Go to sleep."

The night was calm. Some tossed and turned, some drifted into dreams, and some were lost in deep thought.

Luo Yixia was awakened by her phone ringing. She fumbled for the phone, silenced the alarm, and found that the space beside her was already empty.

She climbed out of bed quietly; her father was still sleeping.

Luo Yixia went outside to wash up.

When she returned, she happened to run into Song Chengyi, who had just bought breakfast.

Luo Yixia went back to put away her toiletries and followed Song Chengyi out of the hospital. The two of them sat on a bench outside, eating breakfast.

"If you're busy, you can head home once Mom gets here later," Luo Yixia said, sipping her soy milk.

"It's fine. I'll stay here and keep you company."

"I heard everything you and Dad said last night," Luo Yixia said, bowing her head, her shoulders slumping as she stopped eating.

"I know." Song Chengyi didn't react much.

"I've been thinking for a long time. I don't know the first thing about running a company. I think I'll just focus on studying medicine well. Although I definitely can't compare to you, I will work steadily and won't waste my days like I used to." Luo Yixia spoke as if telling Song Chengyi, but also as if trying to encourage herself.