The old lady felt more uneasy the more she thought about it, staring at her son.

King Jingyao felt a bit uneasy too, and with two women present, he found it even harder to say anything.

Over here, Lin Hua had already sat down, while Jiang Chaoge was trying to get closer to Old Wang, vying for status. Moreover, as a woman, she could clearly see that between her and Lin Hua, King Jingyao admired Lin Hua more, and she knew very well that it was likely for the sake of her project.

Lin Hua had the talent and gentleness of a woman, qualities men liked.

It was impossible for Jiang Chaoge not to feel jealous, but what could she do despite her jealousy? She still had to coax King Jingyao gently and sweetly, although with Gu Anxi not around, it was a bit easier for her.

Lin Hua was never her biggest rival; it was Gu Anxi.

Gu Anxi was married, but still held a significant position beside King Jingyao. Although they had fallen out, after this surgery, she feared they might reconcile, so she couldn’t let her guard down.

Knowing her own shortcomings, Jiang Chaoge became even gentler, a stark contrast to her domineering attitude from the previous day. Old Wang seemed to appreciate it, speaking softly, which made the old lady cringe with embarrassment.

Looking at Lin Hua, even the child didn’t get upset, always speaking and laughing.

The old lady deliberately spoke up: "You can still laugh now, child. If it weren’t for that brat Anxi yesterday, I’m afraid Jingyao would have been in danger."

Lin Hua, being clever, feigned surprise: "There’s such a thing? You must tell me, old lady."

The old lady’s sharp gaze landed precisely on Jiang Chaoge.

Jiang Chaoge knew things weren’t good; she knew the old lady didn’t like her but didn’t expect her to embarrass her so openly. She felt somewhat uncomfortable.

However, the old lady was a person of decorum. Besides vividly describing how amazing Anxi was and how she saved people, she only subtly mentioned that despite Jiang Chaoge coming over to help, she couldn’t manage to assist.

Jiang Chaoge breathed a sigh of relief.

Old Wang was astute, understanding well the part Jiang Chaoge played and knowing all too well her intentions toward him. Wasn’t she the one drawn to his age and ignoring his hygiene?

The one referenced by that little brat was indeed Jiang Chaoge.

Though aware of this, Old Wang smiled and said, "Chaoge did well, showed her intentions."

Hearing this, Jiang Chaoge’s slightly disheartened heart was somewhat comforted.

Old Wang continued, "When I get discharged, I should thank you properly."

After he finished speaking, he smiled.

Old Wang was very good-looking, maintained well, and despite being ill, carried himself with grace. Although Jiang Chaoge had ulterior motives, being treated with such warmth by a man made her feel a bit sweet inside.

The old lady watched coldly, sneering.

Such pettiness!

Clearly, her son saw Lin Hua differently, yet Jiang Chaoge was still daydreaming.

Jiang Chaoge knew too but didn’t care; she was ambitious. Unlike Lin Hua, who simply wanted to marry King Jingyao, she planned to leverage his status to accomplish many things.

So, she pretended to see nothing, to understand nothing.

Old Wang maneuvered around her, partly for some project assurance and partly because Lin Hua was present. A man had to save face. Lin Hua was aware, wisely keeping silent.

At this moment, Jiang Chaoge wanted to bring up Jiang Bin’s son’s matter, but her phone rang with an essential call, forcing her to leave.

She was reluctant because Lin Hua hadn’t left yet.

Hinting several times that she was leaving, Lin Hua remained unmoved.

Do your thing, it has nothing to do with me.

Jiang Chaoge had to leave by herself, glancing subtly at Lin Hua as she left. Lin Hua merely glanced back, unfazed.

After she left, the room quieted considerably, and Old Wang’s gaze fell directly on Lin Hua, not even bothering to disguise it. The old lady knew she was extraneous there and cleared her throat: "Alright, I’ll leave you two to talk, I’ll go check on that brat Anxi."

King Jingyao laughed, "The old lady’s confused; Lin Hua and I are very transparent, there’s nothing private to say."

The old lady sneered, "Even if you wanted to say something too personal, you should consider her current status, she’s taken, you old fool shouldn’t think about it."

Lin Hua felt a bit embarrassed, lightly coughing, "Jingyao and I are just very good friends."

The old lady laughed.

Friends who’ve hugged each other?

She opened the door and left, taking Old Wang along, while the nurses consciously distanced themselves, pretending not to hear anything, avoid overhearing any private words from Mr. Wang.

It was rumored Mr. Wang’s illness was from drinking, triggered by the engagement of Miss Lin Hua, unable to endure the shock at the time...

Just thinking about it seemed somewhat romantic.

Once cleared, Old Wang smiled and asked, "How are things?"

"Hmm?" Lin Hua smiled, "How are things going?"

Old Wang felt a tinge of jealousy, his gaze landing on the large diamond ring on her hand, suppressing his feelings, "Feng Sheng is not bad, and her family’s background is good too."

Lin Hua smiled lightly, "That’s not what’s important."

After speaking, King Jingyao fell silent, taking a while before softly whispering, "I wasted several years of your time. Lin Hua, don’t blame me."

Lin Hua didn’t mind, "You win some, you lose some. Later on, I felt rather light."

Old Wang couldn’t tell if the sour feeling in his heart was regret; he only knew the woman before him was like a butterfly spreading its wings, never to return. Her past might have included him, but her future never would...

Old Wang softly said, "The old lady told me to pick something decent for you personally, something presentable."

He spoke with a smile, "The old lady still cares for you."

Lin Hua felt a bit uncomfortable at that moment, smoothing her skirt before speaking again, "It wasn’t that serious; things are good now. You have Jiang Doctor with you, talented and good-looking...when the time is right, settle down. Like yesterday, friends couldn’t be there, but Jiang Doctor gave her all, a sentiment others can’t match."

She said a lot, and Old Wang just chuckled, "You’re not being honest; when did you learn this from that brat Anxi, pretending to be generous when you clearly don’t like Xiao Jiang at all."

Lin Hua didn’t deny it, smiling, "Just for her to show off in front of me, naturally I can’t grow fond of her; Anxi, though, is a good kid."

King Jingyao looked at her beauty and playful charm, feeling deep emotions—

After so many years, she was missed.

After a while, he asked, "Do you genuinely have feelings for him? Or is it just age catching up, finding someone suitable?"

Lin Hua didn’t answer directly, instead emphasizing, "I’m not someone who settles."

Old Wang felt a surge of jealousy again.

This is true love she’s found!

Old Wang remained silent for a long time, Lin Hua smiled, "Once you let go of obsession, you’ll find there’s so much good out there, you’ll see stubbornness isn’t always right."

King Jingyao wryly said, "Do you think I’m obsessed now? Every day I’m swamped with work."

To him, women were really just embellishments.

Heart fluttering, it only ever happened once.

Even Lin Hua was suitable, yet not quite fitting...

The two chatted intermittently, while the old lady went to Bo Xichen’s office, leaving Old Wang outside, entering alone.

Gu Anxi was inside, sitting quietly behind a desk, staring at a computer screen.

The old lady entered without a reaction from her, and when she looked closer, she saw it was a photo of Gu Anxi as a child.

The person holding her was Wang Keru.

The old lady gently patted her head without speaking.

Gu Anxi leaned her head against the chairback, speaking softly, "To this day, I don’t have a single photo with her, and I don’t even know if I hate her, but she left just like that."