Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  He held tightly onto Li Manni’s hand. There was a profound look in his eyes. Had she told them?

  Li Manni noticed the tiny hint of accusation in Chu Lui’s eyes, and she turned her face away. “I’m sorry, Lui. I just don’t wish for you to be in any danger.” She wouldn’t have involved her parents-in-law if she had any other choice. She could not dissuade him, but she had not expected them to be persuaded by him.

  Chu Lui’s hands tightened around Li Manni’s again. He wasn’t upset. It was more like he was frustrated because he did not like this feeling. He liked to be in control of everything, and he did not appreciate someone manipulating him. He felt suppressed and suffocated. He had his right to live his life without being manipulated.

  Especially over this matter of saving someone’s life. From the moment he knew about it, he had made up his mind.

  “I will be visiting the child tomorrow. If everything goes smoothly, we will have the operation at the soonest possible. The child does not have much time.”


  “We understand.” Both his parents nodded. Their hands were clasped together. They consented to their son’s decision and did not try to dissuade him further.

  Li Manni lowered her eyes. “I will go with you tomorrow.” She raised her head at Chu Lui with a kind and gentle smile on her face. She would accompany him tomorrow to visit the child. She was curious to see the looks of the child whom he had decided to save regardless of the danger.

  Even though the doctor had said there were no risks, but she could not stop herself from worrying.

  “Alright.” Chu Lui nodded as he agreed to her request. It was only for a visit. She could come along if she wanted to.

  In the morning, Li Manni tied the tie for Chu Lui. Faint traces of eye bags could be seen beneath her eyes. Apparently, she did not sleep well last night.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Chu Lui replied simply as he reached out with his long arms to embrace her in an attempt to comfort her. His cold heart softened. He had such a kind and considerate wife; he could not ask for more.

  Li Manni choked back a sob as she hugged him at his waist.

  “Lui, I love you so you must not leave me.” Her voice was so hoarse she could not speak. Chu Lui put a hand around her shoulders out of habit. He did not say if he loved her.

  “I won’t leave you. You may rest assured.” He thought he was making her a promise that would last through their lifetime, but it was also a promise he was less likely to fulfill.

  In the hospital, Xia Ruoxin put the newly bought dress on her daughter. Then, she squatted down to help her with a pair of shoes which was of the same color. In the past, it was challenging to put on her shoes. This time, Rainy did not wriggle her feet at all.

  “Wow, you are being very cooperative with wearing your shoes today. Didn’t you feel like dying the other day?” She carried Rainy off the bed and pinched her daughter’s cheeks gently.

  ‘That’s because I am a grown-up. I must listen to you,” she replied mischievously, but her face was dead serious. She was a big child now, and she would protect herself and her mother in the future.

  “Yes, you are a big girl now.” Xia Ruoxin pinched her daughter’s tiny nose and wondered where she had acquired these new but weird thoughts.

  Xia Ruoxin squatted down again and looked her daughter in the eyes.

  “Rainy, do you remember what I’ve told you?

  “If you see a tall, handsome, but surly-looking uncle, you must remember to smile and be polite. If there is……”—at this point, she felt the dryness on her lips—”and if there is another pretty auntie, you must also remember to be polite. Do you understand?”


  Both her hands were plastered at her daughter’s cheeks as she instructed the little girl. She must be obedient. She was worried that man would not like Rainy and, thus, refused to save her. This was her one and only chance. Otherwise, both Rainy and her mother would be waiting for death.

  Rainy nodded her head hard. “Mommy, I will be good. I will greet Uncle and Auntie.” She smiled coyly. At times, she could be a shy girl, but she would listen to whatever her mother has said.

  Besides, she has always been a courteous child. Every nursing aunty adored her. That uncle would definitely like her, too.

  “That’s my good girl. You are Mommy’s clever baby.” Xia Ruoxin gave her daughter’s head a loving pat before she put on the little sun hat. Rainy was so pretty when she appeared in front of everyone. Even when she was sick and bald, she was still a lovely child.

  Xia Ruoxin took her daughter’s hand and walked towards the hospital entrance. By then, a black sedan had stopped, and a charming couple emerged from within.

  “Mr. Chu, Mrs. Chu, you have come.” The hospital director came and met them personally. Chu Lui was, after all, a prominent leader in the city’s business industry. Naturally, his status was special. He was flattered by the attention because he had come today as a bone marrow donor. This actually surprised him.

  Being a donor was not something a man like him would do.

  “How are you?” Chu Lui nodded lightly. To outsiders, he was always quiet and distant. Li Manni laced her arms tightly around Chu Lui’s and followed him into the hospital.

  Chu Lui sat inside the quiet and spacious VIP room. He had already done a full-body check-up. The results showed he was healthy in all aspects, and he was able to go through with the operation anytime.

  At this moment, the door to the room opened. A nurse entered holding a child’s hand. The child was exceptionally small, and she had a beautiful doll in her other hand. She was also wearing an extremely adorable little sun hat. One could vaguely see her bald head.

  The first thing that Li Manni noticed was the doll in the child’s hand. Abruptly, she started to feel uncomfortable. Wasn’t that the doll she had wanted to buy at the shop? How did it end up with the child?

  Her eyes roamed up and landed on the little girl’s face when she lifted her head.

  At first glance, Li Manni could hear a ringing sound in her head. She could only hear it, not see it.

  The child had an extremely beautiful face. Perhaps, it was because she had been sick for a long time, there wasn’t much color on her face which was about the size of an adult’s palm. Nevertheless, she still looked adorable and beautiful. She had a pair of big eyes with curly and long eyelashes. Her little lips were pursed into a line which showed that she was slightly frightened and nervous.

  However, she lowered her head again when she saw Li Manni. Then, she turned her attention towards Chu Lui.