Chapter 25: The Arrival of the Xiao Family

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The sun had just risen.

A crimson glow spread across the horizon, casting its light into the hospital ward.

Lin Tian suddenly felt a harsh beam shine across his face. Frowning, he opened his eyes.

Still drowsy, he glanced around. Just as he was about to enjoy a little more sleep, he heard the door creak open.

A petite figure in a nurse’s uniform entered, carrying an IV drip.

“You’re awake.” Liu Qingqing’s eyes narrowed as she studied him carefully. “Have we met somewhere before? You seem strangely familiar.”

Lin Tian looked at her in confusion, as though he had already forgotten. “No… I don’t think so. I don’t remember meeting you.”

Liu Qingqing did not ask any further questions. She swiftly removed the old IV bag and replaced it with a new one, then cautioned him, “Whatever you do, don’t touch this. If you have an allergic reaction or feel unwell in any other way, press this button and someone will come check on you.”

Lin Tian nodded and watched her leave.

It was not long before Xiao Ruoli finally woke up. Still half-asleep, she rubbed her forehead. Her hair cascaded loosely over her fair shoulders like a waterfall, while her close-fitting clothes rose and fell faintly, revealing the indistinct hint of something red beneath…

Lin Tian merely glanced over by accident, then quickly turned his gaze away and slowly closed his eyes.

After all, a normal man was usually full of vigor first thing in the morning.

“Xiaotian, you’re awake?”

Xiao Ruoli rose lazily, her voice cool yet gentle. “You slept very soundly last night. You didn’t sprawl all over the bed like you used to when you were little.”

She had woken several times during the night to watch over Lin Tian, leaving her rather exhausted.

Seeing the weariness in her face, Lin Tian said calmly, “You could have gone home to sleep. I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself.”

“How could I do that?” Xiao Ruoli replied firmly, opening her beautiful eyes, which were threaded with blood vessels. “I wouldn’t be able to relax leaving you here alone!”

“Then could you at least put your clothes on properly first?” Lin Tian could not help reminding her.

Even if she did not regard him as an outsider, she could not be so careless. Just looking at her was uncomfortable.

Only then did Xiao Ruoli come to her senses. Embarrassed, she smoothed her long hair. “All right.”

After straightening her clothes and putting on her outer garment, she went to the washroom to freshen up. When she returned, she asked, “Xiaotian, are you hungry?”

“A little.” Lin Tian braced himself against the bed and slowly shifted his body. “But I think I should use the bathroom first.”

Xiao Ruoli hurried over to support him. “I’ll help you there.”

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Lin Tian said nothing. The faint fragrance of her hair drifted into his nose, leaving him momentarily dazed.

In the corridor, scarcely had the two of them left when several hurried figures entered the ward.

“Where is Xiaotian? Where is he?” Madam Xiao asked anxiously.

“Mother, please don’t worry. Brother has probably gone to the bathroom.” Xiao Chusheng’s frail voice rang out.

Xiao Caiyue paced irritably back and forth across the room. “The fact that he can get out of bed at least means that he isn’t seriously injured. Mother, don’t worry too much.”

The three of them waited in the room for a while before Lin Tian slowly returned with Xiao Ruoli supporting him.

The moment he entered, his gaze swept across the room, and he froze where he stood.

Xiao Ruoli cried out in surprise, “Mother, what brings you here?”

Madam Xiao did not have time to answer her. She hurried toward Lin Tian, tears filling her eyes and heartbreak written across her face.

“My son, how are you feeling? It’s all Mother’s fault. I’m sorry. I was the one who let you suffer out there…”

Lin Tian did not stop her from touching his face, but his expression remained indifferent, and he said nothing.

When he saw that Lin Tian remained silent, Madam Xiao was stunned for a moment. Then she grew even more distressed and sobbed, “My son, come home with Mother from now on. I promise I’ll never let you suffer again!”

Lin Tian parted his lips slightly and spoke. “No need. How could I possibly bear such kindness?”

As he said this, he stared directly at Xiao Caiyue, his voice full of unmistakable sarcasm.

“You…” Xiao Caiyue had intended to lash out, but she knew she was in the wrong, and with Madam Xiao present, she could only suppress her anger. She stepped forward and offered an apology that was at least somewhat sincere.

“Lin Tian, I was in the wrong this time. I only wanted to teach you a lesson. I never thought things would… would turn out like this. Of course, if you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. In any case, I was the one at fault.”

After speaking, she glanced at Madam Xiao. “Mother, I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m leaving.”

“You are not leaving!”

Madam Xiao shouted furiously, stopping her in her tracks.

Xiao Caiyue had never seen her mother so enraged before, so she obediently remained where she was.

Seeing that the situation was taking a turn for the worse, Xiao Chusheng gently patted Madam Xiao’s trembling back. “Mother, please don’t be angry. Eldest Sister didn’t mean it that way. Besides, anger is bad for your health. It pains me to see you like this…”

After his persuasion, Madam Xiao’s anger indeed subsided considerably.

Perhaps it had all been nothing more than an act.

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At least, that was what Lin Tian believed.

So he watched the entire scene without expression, as though he had long since grown accustomed to it.

“Xiaotian?” Xiao Ruoli patted his arm, signaling for him to return to the bed and lie down. Then she leaned close and whispered, “Please, consider it your second sister begging you. Don’t hate them anymore. They’re your family. Can’t you say something kind?”

Lin Tian was unwilling to yield to the Xiao family over this matter. Once he lay back down in the hospital bed, he remained utterly silent.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Ruoli grew frantic inside.

If the conflict between them could not be resolved, the family would fall apart sooner or later!

Madam Xiao’s tears began to fall again, as though they cost her nothing.

“Lin Tian, don’t be so ungrateful! Can’t you see how hard your mother is pleading for you? Are you determined to drive her to her death?”

Xiao Caiyue’s chest heaved with anger, her delicate body trembling all over. Her usually aloof face was marked by undisguised disgust.

If Madam Xiao had not insisted that she come and apologize today, she would never have set foot in a place like this, even if someone beat her to death.

Even though she was the one who had been at fault from the beginning.

“Eldest Sister, Brother is only upset right now. Don’t speak to him like that.”

Xiao Chusheng began his performance once again, like a saintly Mary. He lowered his head, his eyes glistening with tears, and spoke in a choked voice. “Brother, if you refuse to come home because of me, then I’m willing to leave. I only ask that you speak to Mother.”

“Chusheng…” Madam Xiao immediately pulled him tightly into her arms. “Mother can’t live without you. You’re Mother’s precious darling, the one she loves most!”

“Mother…” Xiao Chusheng buried his face against her chest and began to cry.

Yet to Lin Tian, this display of motherly love and filial affection only made him feel increasingly disgusted.

So the two of them were deeply devoted to each other. What did that make him?

Had they come to see him today merely to flaunt their affection in front of him?

At that thought, Lin Tian frowned and could not hold back a few coughs.

“Get out. I don’t want to see any of you!”