Chapter 631 Two People Promise the Future
In the ward, the dim light cast a hazy shadow, making the figures of Yang Xiaohua and Zhao Shuzhuo look slightly unreal.
Zhao Shuzhuo's sincere and warm words penetrated into Yang Xiaohua's ears one by one, like a gentle breeze under the warm spring sun, blowing across her heart, making her feel an indescribable warmth surge in her heart.
Looking back, Yang Xiaohua's growth path was full of ups and downs.
During those carefree young years, her father and brother were like a solid barrier, protecting her firmly behind them, shielding her from the winds and rains of the outside world and allowing her to live in a harbor of love and peace.
She was used to being awakened by the care of her father and brother every morning, and used to the backs of her father and brother standing up to her when she encountered difficulties. That was the warmest and most reassuring support in her heart.
However, the wheel of fate ruthlessly crushed this tranquility. In the flames of war, in order to protect his country and for the justice and ideals in his heart, the elder brother resolutely went to the front line and finally died heroically.
The bad news was like a sharp blade that pierced Yang Xiaohua's heart, causing a corner of her world to collapse in an instant.
Before she could recover from her grief, her father fell ill again. The home that was once full of laughter was suddenly shrouded in gloom.
In this darkest moment, the weak Yang Xiaohua had to grit her teeth and shoulder the burden of the family alone.
She ran around hospitals and various places of livelihood. In order to raise enough medical expenses for her father, she put aside her former tenderness and did the heavy work, which resulted in thick calluses on her hands.
In order to take care of her unconscious father, she stayed by his bedside day and night, her eyes became red and her body became increasingly haggard.
The hardships of life piled up one after another, almost crushing her completely.
But just when she thought she had to grope forward alone in this long darkness, Zhao Shuzhuo appeared.
He was like a ray of dawn that penetrated the clouds and quietly illuminated Yang Xiaohua's world.
During these days in the hospital, Zhao Shuzhuo silently paid attention to her every move, expressing his meticulous care with actions.
He seemed to have a pair of eyes that could see through everything and easily understood her fragile heart hidden under her strong appearance.
Now, when Yang Xiaohua heard Zhao Shuzhuo say in person that he would protect her forever, she felt her eyes warm and tears welled up in her eyes.
It was a long-lost feeling that came from the deep desire for warmth and support in one's heart.
For a long time, she has faced the ups and downs of life alone and is already exhausted both physically and mentally.
At this moment, there is suddenly a man standing firmly beside her and promising to protect her for life. How can she not be moved and warm?
This warmth was like a bonfire in winter, dispelling the long-accumulated chill in her heart and rekindling her hope for life and the future.
The light and shadows fell dappled on Yang Xiaohua and Zhao Shuzhuo. Yang Xiaohua sat on the hospital bed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes. She lowered her head slightly, and a few strands of hair fell from her cheeks, making her look even more shy.
After a long while, as if she had mustered up all her courage, she slowly raised her head, looked at Zhao Shuzhuo evasively, opened her lips slightly, and said with a barely perceptible tremor in her voice:
"Brother Zhao, Brother Jianguo said you guys are leaving tomorrow, so will you...will you stay in the hospital with me today?"
As soon as the words came out, Yang Xiaohua felt her heartbeat suddenly quicken, as if it was about to jump out of her throat.
Her cheeks instantly became hot, as if they were burned by fire, and they turned red. She felt extremely regretful and secretly blamed herself for being so impulsive and asking such a straightforward question.
In that era when modesty was regarded as a virtue of women, would her words make Zhao Shuzhuo feel that he was too frivolous and did not know how to respect himself?
She nervously clenched the corner of her clothes, her fingers turned white from the force, her eyes were fixed on the ground, and she didn't dare to look at Zhao Shuzhuo again.
I was thinking anxiously, now that the words have been spoken, it is hard to take them back. I can only wait and see how Zhao Shuzhuo answers.
At this moment, the ward was so quiet that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard. Only the wall clock was still ticking slowly. Every tick seemed to hit Yang Xiaohua's heart heavily, making her more and more uneasy.
When Zhao Shuzhuo heard this, he was stunned at first. He obviously did not expect Yang Xiaohua to express her inner desire so directly.
But in just a moment, he came to his senses and looked at the girl in front of him who was so nervous and at a loss, his heart full of pity.
He knew that Yang Xiaohua was an extremely reserved woman in normal times. It must have taken her a lot of courage to say these words, and behind this courage was her deep attachment to and reluctance to let go of him.
Zhao Shuzhuo leaned forward slightly, looking at Yang Xiaohua tenderly, trying to comfort her with his eyes. He cleared his throat and said in a low and magnetic voice:
"Xiaohua, of course I want to stay with you. This is our last night, and I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to stay by your side, but..."
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand, wanting to hold Yang Xiaohua's hand and give her some real comfort, but halfway through, he hesitated, and finally slowly withdrew his hand, only to add in a more determined tone:
"Don't worry, we still have a lot to say and a lot to do. I won't leave just like that."
When Yang Xiaohua heard Zhao Shuzhuo's answer, a big stone in her heart finally fell to the ground. She secretly raised her eyes, looked at Zhao Shuzhuo, and the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a shy smile.
Although the blush on her face had not faded yet, at this moment, her heart was full of sweetness and peace of mind, as if as long as Zhao Shuzhuo was by her side, even if she had to face separation tomorrow, she would have the courage to face it.
In the ward, the lights were dim, illuminating Yang Xiaohua's expectant face and Zhao Shuzhuo's slightly conflicted expression with exceptional clarity.
As soon as Yang Xiaohua asked softly and with a hint of shyness, Zhao Shuzhuo's heart felt as if being caressed by the warmest spring breeze, and he was filled with joy.
He looked at the girl in front of him who made his heart beat fast, and really wanted to agree immediately, stay by her side all the time, and turn every minute and every second before their separation into sweet companionship.
However, almost at the same time, a thought rang in his mind like a warning bell.
He thought of Wang Jianguo, who was still waiting for him patiently at the door. The two of them had agreed to go together to say goodbye to Secretary Dong.
Secretary Dong always takes great care of them. It would be unreasonable and rude not to visit him when he is about to leave.