Before he left, Hai Xiaotang was a freshly blossomed flower, vibrant and dripping with life.
But now, she seemed to him as wilted.
He didnât need to ask to know how much painful ordeal she had gone through during his absence.
Dongfang Yu couldnât even imagine how she survived those daysâ¦
Thinking of this, Dongfang Yuâs heartache for her only deepened.
Gently touching her face, he apologised, âMy dear, Iâm sorry, you had to suffer in my absence.â
Hai Xiaotang shook her head with a smile, âI didnât suffer. As long as you returned, nothing else mattered!â
Dongfang Yuâs eyes trembled, he was so deeply moved that he was at a loss for words.
âXiaotang, I will never leave you again, never again!â He could only make a solemn promise, âI will always be by your side, never again to cause you sadness or pain.â
Hai Xiaotangâs eyes were immediately moistened by tears.
âYou said it, donât forget!â
Dongfang Yuâs eyes held sadness, he smiled and nodded, âI wonât forget. As long as I am alive, I will be by your side, never leaving you.â
Hai Xiaotang gripped his hand tightly, promising in return, âSame here. As long as I am alive, I will never leave you alone!â
âHai Xiaotang, you really areâ¦â Dongfang Yu suddenly took a deep breath, moved beyond words, âWhy do I love you the way I do!â
Holding her tight, Dongfang Yu confessed, âWhat would I do, I cannot leave you now! If you dare leave me, I will surely die!â
âDonât you dare say that word!â Hai Xiaotang refuted excitedly, âDongfang Yu, I donât want to hear that word now!â
She was referring to the word âdeathâ.
Dongfang Yu was taken aback, and immediately softened his gaze, nodding, âOkay, I wonât say it.â
Only then did Hai Xiaotang smile satisfactorily. Then she wrapped her arms around him asking, âDid you just return today?â
Dongfang Yu gently stroked her body and nodded, âYes.â
âSo Dongfang Henâs plan did not succeed, the company is still yours?â Hai Xiaotang asked exuberantly.
Dongfang Yu smiled and nodded again, âYes, it is still mine.â
âThatâs so great!â Hai Xiaotang happily kissed his face, âDongfang Yu, you came back just in time! But where had you been? During this time, were you okay, did you suffer a lot?â
Dongfang Yu didnât answer, only gently watched her.
Hai Xiaotang was bewildered by his gaze, âIâm asking you.â
Gently caressing her cheek, Dongfang Yu sighed, âHai Xiaotang, itâs so good to see you again.â
Hai Xiaotang was puzzled, not understanding what he meant by that.
A hint of melancholy passed Dongfang Yuâs eyes.
âI thought, Iâd never see you again, Iâd lost you foreverâ¦â
Hai Xiaotang didnât understand the deeper meaning of his words, taking it to mean that he almost died, hence his words.
Instantly, she anxiously asked, âDid you almost die? Are you hurt somewhere, let me take a look!â
As she talked, she was about to examine his body.
Dongfang Yu caught her hand and smiled, âIâm fine now, itâs all in the past.â
âWhich part of you was hurt?â Hai Xiaotang persisted.
Reluctantly, Dongfang Yu unbuttoned his shirt with one hand. With that, Hai Xiaotang saw a scar on his chest!
It was a scar left by a bulletâ¦
The wound was dangerously close to his heart, had the bullet deviated just a bit, it would have pierced his heart!