She suddenly grabbed Dongfang Yuâs arm, staring intently at him as she interrogated, âSwear that everything youâve told me is true! You havenât deceived me?!â
Dongfang Yuâs voice resonated, âItâs true! I wouldnât lie about this. I originally didnât want to reveal this to you, but at this point, I need your cooperation.â
âCooperation? What do you want me to do?â Hai Xiaotang asked, perplexed.
âStay obediently by my side! Be my wife!â This was Dongfang Yuâs response.
Hai Xiaotang faltered, her heartbeat inexplicablyâ¦.. skipping a beat.
However, upon hearing Dongfang Yuâs next words, the sporadic flutter at the bottom of her heart was immediately extinguished.
âOnly if you are my wife, they wouldnât dare to escalate matters and harm you. If youâre unharmed, grandpa will be safe, understand?â
There was a flicker in Hai Xiaotangâs eyes, âSo until grandpa returns, I must cooperate with you?â
âYes.â
ââ¦Alright, I will cooperate with you!â Hai Xiaotang nodded with conviction.
She had to cooperate with him, as it was all for the sake of rescuing her grandfather.
âBut why would you go this far to help us?â Hai Xiaotang gave voice to her doubts.
After all, her grandfather had attracted the ire of certain influential individuals. It seemed Dongfang Yu also had no way to deal with them, so logically, he should prioritize keeping himself out of harmâs way.
Dongfang Yu responded, matter of fact, âThis is the debt I owe to grandpa. Iâve wronged him, and I naturally have to make amends!â
So they were together now, all for grandpa.
For her grandpaâs sake, she didnât care anymore about Dongfang Yuâs concealment of their non-divorced status.
For grandpaâs sake, the two who were supposed to become estranged are now carrying on their marital relationship.
And nobody had any objections. Hai Xiaotang wouldnât want to leave anymore, and he wouldnât have to rack his brain on ways to keep her by his side.
For some reason, Dongfang Yu felt incredibly grateful for this twist of fate.
Even though grandpa was in danger now, he couldnât help but feel luckyâ¦
Dongfang Yu pulled himself back to reality, âStarting from today, you will stay here. I am considering how best to help grandpa, and you may be needed.â
Hai Xiaotang nodded unconditionally, âNo problem, Iâll do anything!â
As long as it can resolve grandpaâs crisis.
âI have arranged a room for you. You should rest early.â Having said this, Dongfang Yu prepared to leave.
Hai Xiaotang unexpectedly blurted out, âDongfang Yu, after all this is over, will we divorce?â
Dongfang Yuâs steps faltered.
Without turning back, his eyes seemed distant and lost to Hai Xiaotangâs view.
âYes!â He answered instinctively, not so much addressing her, but seemingly persuading himself!
Dongfang Yu walked away, leaving Hai Xiaotang standing there for a moment before she left.
Starting from today, she became his wife againâ¦
Hai Xiaotang, lying on her bed after taking a bath, felt exhausted but unable to sleep.
The light from Dongfang Yuâs study remained on for a long time.
*****************
The night passed.
Early the next morning, Hai Xiaotang woke up in some disbelief that she had spent the night in Dongfang Yuâs room.
Their conversations from yesterday still felt surreal to her.
Was grandpa really safe, just merely hiding?
Hai Xiaotang immediately got out of bed, washed and changed her clothes before heading downstairs.
As it happened, Dongfang Yu hadnât left yet and was having breakfast in the dining room.