Twenty minutes later.
Lu's Hospital.
Lu Mingyu held Shi Xinxin's hand as they walked into the ward. By the bedside, Shen Manrong was peeling an apple.
"Mom," Lu Mingyu called out as he approached, "Where's Dad?"
"He just finished his IV drip and is resting," Shen Manrong said, turning to look. "Xinxin is here."
"Auntie, what happened to Uncle?"
"Sigh," Shen Manrong sighed. "This morning, when we went to the market to buy groceries, we met your Aunt Li. Aunt Li told your Uncle Li that he fell while selling fish at a small shop on the corner, and broke his leg."
"..." Shi Xinxin's delicate brows furrowed. "Is he seriously injured?"
"We don't know yet, but I heard it's very painful. The doctor said he needs to stay for observation for a few days."
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips, thinking it was probably serious.
She asked again, "What about A'yuan?"
"A'yuan drank too much last night and is still asleep."
"Then I'll go wake him up."
Shi Xinxin turned to leave, but Lu Mingyu stopped her. "No rush."
"Hmm?" Shi Xinxin looked at Lu Mingyu in confusion. What did he mean?
Lu Mingyu's deep eyes met Shi Xinxin's. "Xinxin, last night... did you... with me..."
"No, no, absolutely not." Shi Xinxin immediately shook her head and explained, "We're just ordinary classmates. We didn't do anything."
"Oh? Is that so?" Lu Mingyu raised an eyebrow.
"Of course," Shi Xinxin blinked her big eyes, feeling that something was odd about Lu Mingyu's expression.
She bit her tender cherry lips and tentatively asked, "Mingyu, don't you believe me?"
"I believe you," Lu Mingyu curved his lips slightly. "I'm just afraid you'll be bullied."
Shi Xinxin froze for a moment, her heart seeming to skip a beat. She smiled guiltily, "No one can bully me."
—
Noon, hospital cafeteria.
Shi Xinxin carried her tray and found a seat.
She took out her phone to check the news and saw a trending topic that caught her attention.
#Lu Mingyu's Fiancée Cheats#
The comment section below this news was filled with骂声一片 (scolding).
[Boyfriend is cuckolded and foolishly raising someone else's child.]
[This kind of man deserves to be cuckolded!]
[Lu Mingyu is not worth entrusting your life to!]
[Plus one for the above.]
[Plus two for the above.]
......
"Buzzzzzz—"
The phone suddenly vibrated, startling Shi Xinxin. She quickly pressed the answer button.
"Sister, it's Jiashu." Shi Jiashu's voice on the phone was trembling, as if he had been crying.
"Jiashu, what's wrong?" Shi Xinxin asked with concern. "Did something happen?"
"Sister, my dad..." Shi Jiashu sniffled and continued, choked with sobs, "My dad fainted. The doctor said he needs surgery as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, Jiashu. Tell me, did the doctor say how much the surgery will cost?"
"The doctor said it's at least 500,000 yuan."
"500,000 yuan?" Shi Xinxin gasped. "That expensive?"
"The doctor said my dad's condition is not optimistic. If he's not treated in time, he might die." Shi Jiashu became sadder as he spoke, and couldn't help but sob.
"Be good, Jiashu. I'll go to the bank to withdraw 200,000 yuan right away. You stay with Dad and absolutely do not let any strangers near him. I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, Shi Xinxin immediately stood up and ran out.
"Xinxin, where are you going?"
Shi Xinxin didn't look back. "My dad is in trouble. I'm going to the bank to withdraw some money."
Lu Mingyu chased after her.
Shi Residence.
"Husband, what should we do? Xinxin said she's going to the bank to withdraw 400,000 yuan. She's only 19 years old. Where would she get so much money?"
Shen Manrong frantically clutched her husband's arm, tears streaming down her face.
Shi Jinsong frowned. "This girl has been stubborn since she was a child. Once she decides something, you can't change her mind."
"But... but Xinxin is still so young. How can she borrow this money?"
"Sigh..." Shi Jinsong sighed heavily. "I'll call the bank and check the account to see how much Xinxin can borrow."
"Okay, hurry." Shen Manrong urged.
Shi Jinsong quickly dialed the bank's customer service number.
The customer service representative answered politely and gently, "Hello sir, how can I help you?"
"Could you please check for me if a girl has applied for a loan from your XX Bank, account number XXXXXX, today?"
The customer service representative smiled. "Sir, please wait a moment."
In less than half a minute, the representative replied, "Sir, yes, XX Bank did receive a loan application from a girl for the amount of 500,000 yuan."
"Thank you!"
......
After 500,000 yuan was transferred from the bank card, Shi Xinxin's pressure significantly decreased.
She breathed a sigh of relief, raised her hand to wipe the sweat beads on her forehead, and put her phone back into her pocket.
Just as she was about to sit down and eat, her phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
She hesitated for two seconds and answered, "Hello."
"Shi Xinxin."
The moment she heard the voice, Shi Xinxin's entire nervous system tensed up.
It was Lu Mingyu's voice!
"This is Lu Mingyu," Lu Mingyu's steady voice came through. "I'm at the hospital entrance. Come out, I'll take you somewhere."
Shi Xinxin froze for two seconds. By the time she reacted, she had already rushed out of the cafeteria.
Seeing Lu Mingyu leaning against the car, Shi Xinxin paused, a strange sense of sourness welling up in her heart.
Lu Mingyu strode towards Shi Xinxin with his long legs. "Get in the car."
"What for?" Shi Xinxin stared at Lu Mingyu's handsome face, suddenly very nervous.
Was he going to settle accounts with her for that night?
"You'll know when we get there."
"I'm not going!" Shi Xinxin turned to leave, but her wrist was grabbed by Lu Mingyu.
"Lu Mingyu, you... let go of me!" Shi Xinxin struggled hard, trying to break free from Lu Mingyu's grip.
"You're going whether you want to or not." Lu Mingyu pulled her forcefully towards the parking lot. "Shi Xinxin, you can't escape."
Shi Xinxin was shoved into the passenger seat by Lu Mingyu.
She wriggled her body and glared at Lu Mingyu angrily. "Let me go! What right do you have to kidnap me here? Do you know how dangerous this is!"
Lu Mingyu smiled and started the car.
"Screech—"
A white sedan suddenly blocked their path, and Lu Mingyu slammed on the brakes.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly, narrowly avoiding a collision with the car that had suddenly appeared in the road.
Shi Xinxin, still shaken, placed a hand on her chest. Just as she was about to question him, she froze when she recognized the license plate of the car.
Inside the car, a cold and handsome face appeared in Shi Xinxin's pupils.
Shi Xinxin's eyes widened, staring intently at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before her.
He was wearing a black suit and a white shirt, with a dazzling tie clip. His features were stern and angular, and his gaze was deep and captivating.
"Sheng Chenjin! You're back? How?" Shi Xinxin asked in disbelief, her head exploding.
Lu Mingyu narrowed his eyes. Upon seeing who was in the car, the smile on his lips deepened.
He turned sideways, put his left arm around Shi Xinxin's shoulder, and cupped her delicate chin with his right hand.
He looked down at her from above, "You know him?"