010
City First People’s Hospital
The VIP ward remained quiet. Lu Chengyang thanked the nurse, and after the door closed, he leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes to rest. The large windows let in abundant autumn sunlight, warming him pleasantly.
A knock—the distinctive knock of his bodyguard.
“Come in.”
The bodyguard, dressed in civilian clothes, opened the door and reported, “Mr. Lu, a woman is here to visit. She says her name is Tian Jing.”
Lu Chengyang’s hand trembled, his fingers instantly growing cold. He steadied himself and said gently to the bodyguard, “Please let her in.”
“Yes, sir.”
There was a pause before the door opened. Lu Chengyang got out of bed, put on his slippers, and adjusted his glasses. He smoothed his blanket before turning around. He heard the sound of high heels approaching. His heart pounded. From the moment he learned of her arrival to the moment he turned, a surge of nervous energy coursed through him. He stared at the woman walking toward him.
“Lu Chengyang, long time no see.” Tian Jing wore a tailored women’s suit, her elegant long hair neatly tied back. Her well-maintained hands held her bag as she smiled at him.
“Tian Jing, long time no see.” After saying this, Lu Chengyang felt his nervousness subside.
“Please sit down.”
The bodyguard brought two glasses of juice and left. Only the two of them remained in the ward. Tian Jing studied him for a moment, then burst into laughter, a thin sheen of tears in her eyes.
Lu Chengyang’s eyes welled up, and he laughed as well. “I’ve gotten old, but you’re still beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
The two silently looked at each other, no longer young. After a long moment, they laughed again.
“Where do we begin?” Tian Jing asked.
Lu Chengyang fell silent, then said, “I’m so sorry. It was my fault. If it weren’t for…”
He tapped his head. “If it weren’t for my car accident and the resulting amnesia, I wouldn’t have made you leave that city with Lu Tian.”
Their past love was like an old, sepia-toned photograph, preserving the most beautiful moments and sweetest smiles. But reaching out to grasp those memories proved impossible. Over two decades had passed, and the details of their life together were fading, but the shyness and excitement of their first meeting remained etched in their hearts, unforgettable.
Tian Jing let out a long sigh, wiping away her tears. She waved her hand and smiled. “It’s not your fault. Without that damn car accident, you wouldn’t have been in a coma, and you wouldn’t have forgotten me. It was simply fate.”
“I’m sorry,” Lu Chengyang murmured. Because of his parents’ prejudice, their relationship was not accepted, leading to his car accident. When he woke up, his mind was blank; he didn’t even remember his parents. He only vaguely recalled events from that time. The woman he had fallen in love with at first sight was forced to leave amid accusations and heartbreak. When they met again, everything had changed.
“I accept your apology. It’s been so long. All those emotions have faded. Besides, I hid Lu Tian from your parents and everyone else. Life wasn’t that hard back then; your parents gave me two hundred thousand yuan,” Tian Jing joked. But the pain she had experienced was known only to her. Her beloved had treated her like a stranger. Even with money, a broken heart is hard to heal.
“It’s all in the past.”
Lu Chengyang nodded with difficulty. “You’ve always been strong. That’s what I loved most about you, and I still admire it.”
“Thank you.” Tian Jing smiled elegantly, taking a sip of juice. “Are you doing well now?”
“Fairly… well,” Lu Chengyang replied earnestly, keeping his hands clasped on his lap.
“Meng Jingdong is your nephew?” Tian Jing asked, then added, “I’m sorry, I did some discreet research on your relationships before coming to avoid any awkwardness.”
Lu Chengyang chuckled wryly. “It’s alright, you don’t need to apologize. Jingdong’s aunt was my late wife. We married nine years ago, and she passed away from cancer six years ago.”
“When did you remember?” Tian Jing gradually calmed down. Two people who once loved each other, their love faded by time, sat facing each other like old friends, drinking and chatting.
With her gentle words, Lu Chengyang regained his composure and recounted the events of the past years.
“Four years ago, I had brain surgery. After the surgery, I gradually recovered my memories. Later, I confirmed it with my parents, and they told me everything about that time—our photos, mementos, everything about you. I tried to find you.”
Tian Jing smiled and continued, “I had already gotten married and had a child by then. It seems we both found new love around the same time; it’s quite coincidental.”
Lu Chengyang smiled shyly, nodding to wipe away his tears. “Yes, ultimately, I wronged you and Lu Tian…”
“Lu Tian, you raised her well. I cannot deny my responsibility and guilt. If possible, I want to make it up to her in the future. Please believe me and give me a chance.”
At the mention of Lu Tian, Tian Jing became calm. Lu Tian was very stubborn when she was young, unable to let go of the issue of her birth father. Although she rarely mentioned him as she grew older, it was an absolute taboo.
“I’m sorry, I never told her about you.” Since they had parted ways, they would have their own lives. Tian Jing had confidence in raising Lu Tian well but never considered whether her daughter wanted a father.
“It’s not your fault.” Lu Chengyang recalled something and quickly explained. “Jingdong brought her to see me a few days ago. I didn’t reveal my identity. I just wanted to see her. The bone marrow test was selfish of me…”
Tian Jing remained calm. She didn’t tell Lu Chengyang how Lu Tian had manipulated Meng Jingdong, although she was a little unhappy. She expressed understanding. “It’s fortunate that Jingdong’s status provided an excuse for her to undergo a bone marrow test for you; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to convince her. Lu Tian has reservations about you. I appreciate that you didn’t approach her directly to reveal the truth.”
“I won’t fight you for my daughter, and I assure you I won’t let my parents interfere. They don’t know about Lu Tian.”
“Thank you.” Her daughter was Tian Jing’s bottom line, not even Lu Chengyang could easily cross it.
“Actually, I came to see you today to settle my long-held concerns. Lu Chengyang, you don’t need to feel uneasy. Those days were good. You were a good person to me, but they are just memories of the past.”
Lu Chengyang thanked her earnestly. “Thank you.”
**
Lu Tian enjoyed three days of luxurious meals, making Lu Zhenzhe a celebrity in the dorm building. She didn’t like this attention. For the third delivery, Lu Zhenzhe hired two girls to deliver the food. Lu Tian found this strange and stopped them.
“Meng Jingdong didn’t ask you to deliver this, did he?”
Lu Zhenzhe answered honestly, “No, it’s my way of apologizing.”
“Stop apologizing, young man. The more you apologize, the more confusing it becomes. I’ve already promised I won’t say anything,” Lu Tian considered her credibility guaranteed, but if Lu Zhenzhe continued to send food after her assurance, she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Fortunately, he stopped on the fourth day.
Jiang Feifei, deprived of gossip and delicious food, complained, “I thought you two might become a couple!”
Lu Tian sneered. She and Lu Zhenzhe were impossible.
Two more days passed peacefully when Meng Jingdong suddenly called. Lu Tian guessed the reason and answered the call, hearing Meng Jingdong’s more excited than usual voice.
“Lu Tian!”
“What is it?”
Meng Jingdong steadied himself. “The doctor said the bone marrow match was successful. When are you free? We need to talk about what happens next.”
Lu Tian checked her calendar and schedule. “I’m free the day after tomorrow afternoon. Is that okay?”
“Okay, thank you.”
This was the first time he showed such emotion; Lu Tian found it strange, but it was understandable considering the original plot. Meng and Lu were old friends, and it was specifically mentioned that Meng Jingdong greatly respected Lu’s eldest son, who had saved his life but died young. The text didn’t elaborate much. Lu Tian and Meng Jingdong’s strained relationship and eventual breakup were because Lu Tian showed a lack of respect for that person.
That person was Lu Chengyang.
On the appointed day, Lu Tian dressed simply and went to meet Meng Jingdong. They chose the restaurant where Song Ci had ordered takeout. It was lunchtime, but the restaurant wasn’t too noisy. They sat by the window, the high sofas providing some privacy.
Lu Tian discovered a trait about Meng Jingdong: he was always punctual, usually arriving fifteen minutes early for their meetings. This time was no different. He had been waiting at the school gate, his tall, handsome figure attracting attention. Many boys and girls looked at him as they passed. Lu Tian walked past with many envious gazes upon her.
“What would you like to eat?” Meng Jingdong was in a good mood, unusually dressed in casual clothes. He was relaxed and exceptionally polite.
Lu Tian wasn’t very hungry, but the food at this restaurant was delicious. She looked at the menu and ordered two dishes, then gave Meng Jingdong the choice. He seemed very familiar with the restaurant and named two dishes without looking at the menu.
“The main branch is in the east of the city. I have some shares in this restaurant. The food is good; you can come here often,” Meng Jingdong explained gently, sensing her question.
Lu Tian nodded, not saying much. She then proactively brought up the bone marrow match for Lu Chengyang.
“Lu Tian, this is very important. You need to make a serious choice. Once you start, don’t regret it. You can name any condition, and as long as it’s within my ability, I’ll agree,” Meng Jingdong seemed very sincere in showing his cards.
This part wasn’t in the original plot. Lu Tian pondered for a long time. “Then, if I agree, I have two conditions.”
“Name them.”
“First, you have to forgive me for scheming against you.”
Meng Jingdong remained impassive. “And?”
“An amicable divorce,” Lu Tian said fearlessly.
Author’s Note:
The heroine’s birth parents’ story is a classic trope.
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