Pei Xiubai and his bodyguards also left soon after.
After such a commotion, Xu Ciye was no longer in the mood to stay in the counseling room. He simply took the rest of the afternoon off.
As soon as he walked out into the corridor, he overheard several nurses whispering together:
> "I don't know what was so urgent. She left in such a hurry right after waking up, didn't even finish her IV drip…"
"Exactly. She fainted right outside the entrance earlier. If she hadn't been lucky enough to have someone pass by and send her here, it could have ended much worse this time!"
"What's the point of being lucky if you don't take care of yourself? She was just rescued, sent to the ward for fluids, and the moment she woke up she yanked out the needle and left. Wouldn't listen no matter how much we tried to persuade her! Apparently, her urgent business is more important than her own life."
"Still… it's understandable. With such a serious illness—advanced gastric cancer—it's already too late for early treatment. By now…"
Xu Ciye caught part of their conversation and frowned. "What are you talking about? Advanced gastric cancer?"
One nurse sighed. "A disobedient patient just now. We were persuading her to be admitted, but she flat-out refused. Then she even called her assistant, had all her medical history and personal information destroyed, as if we'd harm her."
She curled her lip, then looked at him as if something occurred to her. "Eh, what a coincidence, Doctor Xu. She collapsed right outside your counseling room."
Xu Ciye blinked. "What a coincidence?"
"Yes! Could she be one of your patients?"
He saw many patients every day; it was certainly possible. "What's her name? Maybe she really is my patient."
Advanced gastric cancer… people like that rarely lived long. Many, fearful of death, would often seek out a psychologist.
"We don't know her name," the nurse said. "She was very guarded about her information. But I remember her surname… let me think… ah! It seemed to be Song!"
…
These past few days, Lu Junhan had been busy with company affairs.
And frankly, those affairs were all thanks to the old man.
Even if the old man hadn't come to him, Lu Junhan had already planned to head back to the old house.
He postponed his next meeting with a brief word to his assistant, hung up the phone, and then noticed that Little Loli had pulled out a large bag of brightly wrapped toffees from the car.
Most likely the assistant had left them there on purpose for her.
"Dad! Is this candy for Lili?"
The little girl, with her two high ponytails, sat obediently in the child's seat, clutching the bag of candy with both tiny hands. Her soft, round cheeks glowed pink with joy, and her long lashes fluttered like a doll's. Utterly adorable.
When his assistant had first brought them, Lu Junhan had frowned, thinking no one could possibly enjoy such cloyingly sweet things. Unexpectedly, this little one liked them very much.
"Dad!" She blinked her big eyes when he didn't answer, her sweet, milky voice ringing out, "This is the candy you gave Lili, right? Since you didn't say no, that means yes! Then I'll eat it. Thank you, Dad! I love you so much!"
She cheered and began unwrapping one, about to pop it into her mouth—
"Put it down. That's not for you."
Lu Junhan shot her a glance, remembering how she'd once declared she liked her uncle more than her father. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. "They're for feeding the pigs."
"…"
"Are you a pig?"
"…?"
"Oh, wait, I forgot—you're not. You're a carp spirit."
"…?"
He leaned back, thin lips curving with mockery, and let out a single, derisive "Oh."
Lu Li: "…"
Fortunately, Song Qingwan wasn't in the car with them. Otherwise, seeing Lu Junhan bullying his daughter like this, she might just have strangled him on the spot.
…
Song Qingwan's car reached the Lu family's old house a few minutes before theirs.
The Lu family's estate was enormous, situated in the eastern suburbs. The villa, designed in a European aristocratic style, resembled a royal palace from afar. Expansive lawns surrounded the property, dotted with artificial lakes—all built to the old man's specifications.
Song Qingwan and her assistant were waiting in the yard when Lu Junhan and the little one arrived.
Her face was pale, drained of blood, but her makeup was flawless. Dressed in a long black gauze dress that brushed her ankles, she stood tall and elegant, like a goddess descended to earth—hardly showing her forty-plus years.
As they approached, Song Qingwan's gaze swept over them. Lu Junhan's handsome face was as cold as ever, while the little girl looked slightly dejected.
She paused, then bent down and gently touched the child's head, her voice soft despite its usual chill: "Why the unhappy face? Did someone bully you? Tell Auntie—Auntie will help you beat them up."
The little girl, clutching the large bag of toffees, puffed out her pink cheeks. Hearing her aunt's words, she immediately pointed a tiny finger at the man beside her, cheeks bulging with candies: "Daddy wouldn't let me eat candy! And he called me a pig!"
Lu Junhan: "???"
Song Qingwan's expression shifted instantly. She straightened and fixed Lu Junhan with a cold glare. "You've gone too far! Lili is your daughter—calling her a pig is like calling yourself one!"
Lu Junhan: "…"
This little tattletale… just wait.
Song Qingwan, however, softened immediately as she looked back down at the child. "It's okay. Even if we are pigs, Lili would be the most beautiful little piglet."
The little girl's black eyes lit up instantly. Beaming, she grabbed a fistful of candy from the bag and chirped, "Auntie, eat Tangtang!"
Song Qingwan's heart melted at the sight. "Alright. Auntie will eat it later at home." She slipped the candy into her pocket.
Encouraged, the little girl grabbed another handful and held it up to her father. "Daddy, eat Tangtang! They're yummy!"
"Don't want it." He didn't even look at them, his refusal swift and cold. He'd never liked overly sweet things.
"Dad…" Her voice dimmed, lashes lowering. "They're really delicious, I'm not lying… I already ate lots."
Her words quavered, eyes turning red as her voice caught. "…Daddy, don't you like me?"
"…No."
"You don't even eat my candy!" Her eyes welled over. "You don't like me! You dislike me! Wuu—"
His brow furrowed. "Shut up. Cry again and see what happens."
"Wuu~"
"…!"
She rubbed her eyes. "Wow~"
"…"
"Wuu—"
"Shut up! Give me the candy!"
…
In the living room, the old man was already seated.
Nearly eighty, with white hair at his temples, he still sat with a straight back, the air of his years in the army evident. Even in old age, he had never stopped exercising, and his body remained strong. His lined face was stern and unyielding.