Chapter 86: Never Short of Suitors

The next day, many new items were delivered to Ruan Li’s room, including her favorite quilt, clothes, and even a new carpet. Almost everything had been replaced.

She looked over at Shi Mu, a bit confused. “What’s all this for?”

Shi Mu glanced at her with a slightly apologetic tone. “Your brother wasn’t sure what you usually use, so we replaced everything just to be safe.”

Ruan Li noticed familiar logos on the items, instantly guessing who was behind this. Only one person knew her so well.

Sure enough, Fu Huaizhou appeared at her door moments later.

These days, it was rare to see Fu Huaizhou and Shi Mu together without them clashing. Ruan Li found it surprising.

Shi Mu cast a cold glance at the man next to him. If Fu Huaizhou didn’t have such a deep understanding of Ruan Li’s preferences and hadn’t gone out of his way to cater to them, he would never have allowed him to be there.

With the room being cleaned, dust was inevitable, so it wasn’t suitable for Ruan Li to stay. She decided to go downstairs to the front lawn, where she joined Shi Xun for some sunbathing.

He sat in his wheelchair, looking completely immobile, though it was clear he was just being lazy.

“Why are you down here? Not staying upstairs for the show?” Shi Xun asked, opening his eyes when he heard footsteps.

“What’s there to watch?” Ruan Li gave him a light glance. “If it’s so interesting, why didn’t you stay upstairs?”

Shi Xun fell silent, not admitting that he felt guilty. He was afraid Shi Mu might see through him, knowing that betrayers never have a good ending.

“By the way, are you really not going to tell Ye Mian about your surgery?” Ruan Li recalled Shi Xun mentioning that his surgery preparation was nearly complete, and the operation was imminent.

Judging by Shi Mu’s anxiousness, it was clear this surgery was far more serious than Shi Xun let on.

“What’s the point?” Shi Xun’s face froze momentarily. “If she knew, she’d just make a fuss or start crying. It’s a total mood killer, you know?”

Ruan Li thought back to her recent chats with Ye Mian, who mentioned how much quieter Shi Xun had become since going abroad. She even wondered if he had gone wild overseas.

Ye Mian didn’t know that Ruan Li was also with Shi Xun, only assuming Shi Mu was involved.

“You’re the most stubborn person I know,” Ruan Li muttered.

For years, she had wondered why Ye Mian and Shi Xun childhood friends and constant rivals hadn’t progressed beyond that. Asking either of them was a dead end, both too stubborn to admit anything.

But now, she understood. Shi Xun had always been worried about his health, refusing to commit and even avoiding the topic. Ye Mian, too proud to confess, wouldn’t admit she liked Shi Xun first. And so, they remained stuck.

Ruan Li was at a loss. The best she could do now was pray that Shi Xun’s surgery would go smoothly so that all these issues would be resolved.

“Want me to push you for a walk?” she offered, glancing at the seemingly thoughtful man in the wheelchair.

“No, I don’t feel like moving,” Shi Xun replied, resting in the shade without even opening his eyes.

Seeing that he wasn’t interested, Ruan Li left him and began walking slowly around the lawn. The doctor had advised her to move more, breathe fresh air, and not stay cooped up in her room all day.

“Dr. Chi?” Ruan Li was surprised to see a man in a white coat approaching.

She couldn’t help but admire him for a moment. Certain professions, like doctors or police officers, naturally added a filter of admiration. Unlike Fu Huaizhou, who wore a suit all year round as if to scream he was a gentleman though that was just a facade. In reality, he was anything but.

“What are you thinking about?” Chi Che asked as he approached, noticing the faint sadness lingering on her face, giving her a fragile look.

“I was thinking about Shi Xun’s surgery,” Ruan Li replied honestly.

Chi Che understood her worries. If the surgery were simple, there wouldn’t be this gathering of specialists from all over. He could only comfort her gently, “We’ll do our best.”

Ruan Li nodded softly and was about to turn back when Chi Che suddenly called her name. She turned around, puzzled.

“What is it?” she asked.

Chi Che moved slightly closer, his voice gentle and teasing. “Don’t move.”

Ruan Li froze and followed his gaze.

A tall figure stood on the second-floor balcony, watching them. Even from a distance, she could tell it was Fu Huaizhou.

Understanding his intentions, Ruan Li looked up at Chi Che.

“Dr. Chi, you seem to enjoy these kinds of scenes,” she remarked.

Chi Che’s lips curled into a smile. “No one’s immune to gossip, Miss Ruan. My apologies.”

“Hmm?” Ruan Li looked at him with confusion.

In the next second, Chi Che reached out and gently removed a leaf from her hair, holding it out for her to see. “You had something on your head.”

“Thank you,” Ruan Li said, holding the leaf in her hand.

On the balcony, Qin, Fu Huaizhou’s assistant, hesitated before speaking. “Mr. Fu, the old master wants to know when you’ll be coming back.”

“I’m not,” Fu Huaizhou responded coldly, his mind replaying the scene of Ruan Li with the man in white.

His gaze remained fixed on the white-coated figure. He thought about having someone investigate the doctor but then decided against it. If Shi Mu had hired him, he couldn’t be ordinary. Besides, the doctor looked younger than him, making Fu Huaizhou unsure whether Ruan Li kept the baby because she still had feelings for him or just because she couldn’t bear to part with the child.

Shi Mu suddenly appeared behind him, scoffing.

“Surprised to see that Ruan Li never lacks suitors, Fu? You’ll get used to it,” he said with a mocking smile, noting the suppressed emotions on Fu Huaizhou’s face.

“It’s your first time seeing this, but trust me, it won’t be the last.”

Fu Huaizhou shot him a cold glance. He knew that Ruan Li’s current situation pregnant and unmarried was his fault. Yet, the pain in his chest was undeniable.

Now, Ruan Li had family, friends, and countless admirers. There was no space for him by her side anymore a space that had never truly been his to begin with, only obtained through calculation and manipulation.

As Fu Huaizhou turned to leave, brushing past Shi Mu, Shi Mu’s tone became taunting.

“Mr. Fu, need me to get the doctor to prescribe you some heart medication?”