Chapter 49
Since receiving the settlement letter, Li Lihua never came to the hospital again. Only Xu Ke almost lived in the hospital, clocking in daily until Lin Mengyao was fully recovered and discharged.
“Impatient to leave, aren’t you? Let’s go. I’ve already processed the discharge papers. I’ll cook you a nice meal to celebrate your release today,” Xu Ke said with a smile. The sunset’s glow reflected in Xu Ke’s eyes, making them look like endless seas of flowers and stars, so breathtaking that Lin Mengyao was momentarily lost.
“No need for all that. I need to go check the construction site. I’ve been in the hospital all these days and haven’t seen it with my own eyes, which makes me uneasy. You should go home first. If my mom says something harsh to you, don’t take it to heart or go along with it. Didn’t I send you some money? Find a place to move out to, and when I’m done with this project, we’ll go back together,” Lin Mengyao rejected Xu Ke’s proposal, instead offering some advice to him.
“Can I come visit you often then?”
Seeing the hopeful look in Xu Ke’s eyes, Lin Mengyao nodded. She then saw Xu Ke’s eyes light up instantly, his whole being radiating joy as if he’d encountered the greatest fortune, making him exceptionally happy, and causing Lin Mengyao to unconsciously smile a little.
“It’s getting late. I’ll take you to the construction site for a look and then drop you off at the place you’re renting now. Then I’ll go home; I just can’t leave you alone. Is that okay?”
Lin Mengyao nodded. Ever since the incident, although she spoke words of encouragement, she was actually very afraid inside, worried that some punks might jump out and cause trouble again, so she didn’t refuse Xu Ke’s good intentions and instead found him to be incredibly caring.
What she didn’t know was that the thugs who had troubled her, along with their leader, had already been sent to jail by this man who smiled with eyes that curved into crescents. They probably wouldn’t meet again in this lifetime.
Time flew by, and half a month had passed just like that. Xu Ke didn’t hide from Lin Mengyao that he was living upstairs, so over the half-month, they’d gotten along quite well, like old friends.
On this day, while Xu Ke was home alone, his usually quiet phone suddenly rang. As soon as Xu Ke answered, a voice as loud as a bell came through, “Xu Bro, I haven’t seen you at the market lately. Where have you been? When are we going to have a few drinks together?”
The caller was a skinny man with a broad smile, who went by the name Yang Hui. He met Xu Ke at the market where they got to know each other over two years. When Xu Ke shopped at his stall, he was always well cared for, and the two would often hang out for a drink or a chat. Even knowing Xu Ke’s less-than-ideal family status, Yang Hui never looked down on him, so they remained on good terms.
“Maybe in a few days. I’m a bit tied up lately, looking after my wife,” Xu Ke replied, with a gentle expression that belied his words when he mentioned ’wife.’
“There you go again, flaunting your love. I don’t like talking to you; your wife is all you ever talk about. Anyway, no drinks, but three days from now is your younger brother’s big day. I’ve saved a spot for you as a groomsman—you must come! Whether I get to marry depends on you.”
“Quit gloating before me first. Where’s the venue? I’ll definitely be there,” Xu Ke said, amused. Despite the banter, he was genuinely happy to be asked by a friend who stood by him during tough times to be a part of his wedding, and it showed in his uncontrollable smile.
“At Minghui Hotel, you know it, right? Be sure to come early, as we need to pick up the bride bright and early. Heh heh heh,” Yang Hui chuckled over the phone, sounding silly but infectious enough to lift one’s mood.
“Alright, alright, I know. Look at you all goofy.”
“Why not? It’s rare for me to get a wife, so why shouldn’t I be happy? And, Xu Bro, when you come, don’t dress too handsomely to outshine me, but don’t come too shabbily either and embarrass me. Dress just nice, okay?” Yang Hui’s cheeky voice came through the line.
“Got it. I’ll be there,” Xu Ke assured him.
Three days passed in a blur, and Xu Ke arrived early at Minghui Hotel. Upon his arrival, he saw Yang Hui, wearing a white suit, pacing back and forth at the hotel’s entrance. Spotting Xu Ke from afar, Yang Hui immediately ran over, giving Xu Ke a hearty slap, “What took you so long? All the groomsmen are here, just waiting for you. Hurry up and join me to get the bride.”
Yang Hui didn’t give Xu Ke time to respond, pushing him into the rented Maserati Quattroporte adorned with floral arrangements. Following behind were nine Mercedes S-Class cars, neatly lined up, headed to the bride’s home, attracting quite a lot of attention.
Watching his friend who had been grinning foolishly ever since getting in the car, Xu Ke felt genuinely happy for him but couldn’t help teasing, “Is getting married really that joyful?”
“Hahaha, Xu Bro, you don’t know. This guy was drinking with a few friends last night and got so drunk that he kept shouting his wife’s name—couldn’t be stopped. It embarrassed me to death,” one of the groomsmen said. Xu Ke knew these five men through Yang Hui; though not as close as with Yang Hui, they were still good friends. The speaker was Xie Fei, the one closest to Xu Ke among the five.
With that, the rest of the groomsmen joined in on the teasing, each adding their jibe, leaving the groom Yang Hui red-faced and wishing he could hide from embarrassment.
“Alright, that’s enough. If you tease him too much, we might lose the groom before picking up the bride,” Xu Ke joked, ending the teasing and rescuing the groom, earning a grateful look from Yang Hui.
“Xu Bro, I knew you’d look out for me. When we get to Xiaojun’s house, I’ll be counting on you to handle those bridesmaids. Your brother’s happiness is in your hands—make sure I get the girl, okay?” With the bride’s house now in sight, Yang Hui, despite his still-flushed cheeks, clung to Xu Ke’s hand, pleading earnestly as if not letting go until Xu Ke agreed.