Unexpected Second Chance at Love

The morning of Ji Jingxu’s discharge arrived beneath a clear winter sky. Snow had fallen through the night, blanketing the hospital grounds in a pristine white layer. The morning sun shone brightly overhead, its golden rays glistening against the snow-covered trees and rooftops.

Despite the cold weather outside, warm sunlight streamed through the hospital windows, filling the room with a gentle warmth.

After nearly three weeks of recovery, Dr. Dong had finally permitted Ji Jingxu to return home.

Although he still needed to attend follow-up examinations and avoid strenuous activity, his condition had improved considerably.

For Ji Jingxu, the news could not have come sooner.

He sat on the edge of the hospital bed, already dressed in comfortable clothes, watching as Yue Ling carefully packed the remaining belongings into a small travel bag.

”Jie, you know I can do that myself, right?”

Yue Ling did not look up.

”I know.”

”Then why are you doing it?”

”Because if I let you, you’ll probably forget half your things.”

Ji Jingxu opened his mouth to protest, but after glancing at the belongings scattered across the bedside table, he decided against it.

Lu Tian, who had been reviewing the discharge documents, noticed the exchange and faintly smiled.

”Your sister has a point.”

Ji Jingxu sighed.

”Brother-in-law, you’re supposed to help me.”

”I am helping you.”

”By agreeing with her?”

”Exactly.”

Yue Ling shook her head, amused by the two men.

Not long after, Grandfather Ji arrived with Xu Long, who had been instructed to bring the car around once everything was ready.

The old man appeared to be in exceptionally good spirits.

”Jingxu! Are you ready?”

”More than ready, Grandfather.”

Grandfather Ji chuckled and approached his grandson, carefully examining him as though he had not seen him just the evening before.

”Good, good. Your room has already been prepared. We’ll have a proper meal once we get home.”

Ji Jingxu smiled.

”Anything is better than hospital food.”

”Then eat as much as you want.”

”Within reason,” Yue Ling interjected.

Grandfather Ji paused before laughing.

”Yes, yes. Within reason.”

Ji Jingxu stared at his grandfather for a moment, a hint of hesitation flickering across his face. He parted his lips as though wanting to say something, but the words seemed to catch in his throat.

After a brief silence, he finally asked.

”Grandfather, how is Assistant Zhong?”

The old man paused then looked at his grandson.

”Zhong Yang?”

Ji Jingxu nodded.

”Is he alright?”

Ever since regaining consciousness, he had been meaning to ask about the old man who had been injured during his kidnapping.

Grandfather Ji gave him a reassuring smile.

”He’s recovering well. He sustained minor injuries but nothing threatening.”

Ji Jingxu released a quiet breath of relief.

”That’s good.”

”He still needs time to recover, but there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Ji Jingxu lowered his gaze.

”He got hurt because of me.”

Grandfather Ji’s expression softened.

”Jingxu, what happened wasn’t your fault.”

The young man remained silent for a moment before nodding.

”Can I visit him before we leave?”

”Of course. He’s at the house so you both can recover together.”

Ji Jingxu was flabbergasted by his words but chuckles a smile.

”I suppose that’s not a bad idea.”

The room was filled with a lighthearted atmosphere.

For the first time since Ji Jingxu’s kidnapping, the family could finally look forward to returning home together.

However, their peaceful morning was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Before anyone could respond, the door slowly opened.

”Jingxu?”

A woman’s voice drifted into the room.

Everyone turned.

Standing in the doorway was Ji Chu Hua.

She wore a pale cream-colored dress that complemented her delicate appearance, her brown hair falling neatly over her shoulders. In her hands was an expensive-looking gift bag, and her face carried an expression of carefully arranged concern.

The moment she spotted Ji Jingxu sitting on the bed, her eyes widened.

”Oh, thank goodness.”

She hurried inside.

”Jingxu, you’re awake! I was so worried about you!”

Ji Jingxu’s smile gradually disappeared.

He looked at her without saying anything.

Ji Chu Hua appeared not to notice.

She approached his bedside and reached toward his arm.

”I heard what happened, but no one would tell me anything. Do you know how frightened I was? I kept trying to find out where you were, but—”

Ji Jingxu subtly moved his arm away.

Her hand stopped in midair.

For a brief second, her expression stiffened.

Then she quickly recovered and offered him a sympathetic smile.

”Look at you. You’ve gotten so thin.”

She placed the gift bag on the bedside table.

”I brought you something. I wasn’t sure what you could eat, so I thought—”

”How did you know he was being discharged today?”

Yue Ling’s voice interrupted her.

It was calm.

Almost indifferent.

Ji Chu Hua turned.

Only then did she seem to acknowledge her cousin’s presence.

”Yue Ling. It’s good to see you too.”

She forced a smile.

”But I heard from someone at the hospital.”

”Someone?”

”Yes. I asked around because I was worried about Jingxu.”

Yue Ling slowly zipped the travel bag.

”I see.”

Two simple words.

Yet something about the way she said them made Ji Chu Hua’s smile falter.

Yue Ling straightened and finally looked at her.

Her bluish-green eyes were devoid of warmth.

”How thoughtful of you.”

Ji Chu Hua felt an inexplicable chill.

She had expected Yue Ling to be cold toward her, but the woman’s expression was unsettlingly composed.

There was no anger.

No accusation.

Not even the slightest indication that she suspected anything.

And somehow, that made Ji Chu Hua more uncomfortable.

What Ji Chu Hua did not know was that Yue Ling had already learned of her involvement with Hung Woo.

She knew about the arrangement.

She knew about the part her cousin had played in Ji Jingxu’s kidnapping.

And she knew that the woman standing before her, pretending to be a concerned family member, had helped place her younger brother in the hands of people who nearly took his life.

The knowledge had been eating away at her ever since the truth surfaced, especially the things she read in the folder Liu Shan left her.

There had been countless moments when Yue Ling imagined confronting Ji Chu Hua.

Demanding answers.

Making her explain how she could harm someone so easily out of greed.

But she had no intention of doing so here.

Not in front of Ji Jingxu. They still haven’t told him it was Ji Chu Hua who ordered his kidnapping.

Not on the day he was finally being discharged.

And certainly not before she had finished dealing with everyone involved.

Ji Chu Hua was still unaware of how much Yue Ling knew.

For now, Yue Ling intended to keep it that way.

She calmly placed the travel bag beside Lu Tian and returned her attention to Ji Jingxu.

”Are you feeling tired?”

Ji Jingxu shook his head.

”No.”

”Good. We’ll leave once the paperwork is finished.”

Ji Chu Hua watched the exchange, feeling as though she had been deliberately excluded.

She cleared her throat.

”Yue Ling, I know things have been difficult, but you should have told me Jingxu was hospitalized. We’re family, after all.”

Yue Ling’s fingers paused briefly against the strap of the bag.

Family.

The word almost made her laugh.

She slowly turned her head.

”Are we?”

Ji Chu Hua blinked.

”What?”

”Nothing.”

Yue Ling gave her a faint smile.

”You’re right. Family should look after one another.”

Her voice remained perfectly even.

But Ji Chu Hua found herself unable to return the smile.

Grandfather Ji had remained silent since Ji Chu Hua entered.

He stood near the foot of the bed, watching his great-grandniece with an increasingly displeased expression.

He had never been particularly fond of her behavior, but her sudden appearance today only deepened his dissatisfaction.

For weeks, she had been nowhere to be seen.

Yet now that Ji Jingxu was being discharged, she had somehow found the time to visit.

”Grandfather.”

Ji Chu Hua finally turned toward him.

”I was going to visit earlier, but I couldn’t get any information. I was so worried.”

Grandfather Ji looked at her.

”Were you?”

His tone was neither warm nor welcoming.

Ji Chu Hua’s smile stiffened.

”Of course. Jingxu is my cousin.”

The old man gave a quiet hum.

”Then you should understand that he needs rest.”

”I know. I only wanted to see him.”

”You’ve seen him.”

The words left little room for argument.

Ji Chu Hua lowered her eyes, pretending to be hurt.

”I understand.”

However, she made no move to leave.

Instead, her gaze drifted toward the tall man standing beside Yue Ling.

Lu Tian.

The moment she had entered, she had noticed him.

Dressed in a dark knitted sweater and tailored trousers, he stood with his usual composed demeanor, his attention focused on the discharge documents in his hand.

Even in the simple hospital room, there was something undeniably commanding about his presence.

Ji Chu Hua’s eyes lingered.

She had not seen him in some time.

And seeing him standing so naturally beside Yue Ling only stirred the possessive desire she had been trying to suppress.

She tightened her fingers around the handle of her handbag.

Then, as though remembering something, she brightened, while not forgetting to be careful of how she addressed him.

”Mr. Lu.”

Lu Tian did not look up.

Ji Chu Hua’s smile remained in place.

”It’s been a while. You must have been exhausted taking care of Jingxu and Yue Ling.”

Silence.

Lu Tian turned another page.

Ji Chu Hua felt her cheeks grow warm.

She took a small step closer.

”I heard you’ve been staying at the hospital too. You really are thoughtful.”

Still nothing.

It was as though she had not spoken at all.

Ji Jingxu glanced at his brother-in-law before looking at Ji Chu Hua.

A trace of amusement flickered across his face.

Ji Chu Hua noticed and quickly redirected her attention.

”I was thinking, perhaps once Jingxu is feeling better, we could all have dinner together.”

She looked back at Lu Tian.

”There’s a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try. I’m sure you’d like it.”

This time, Lu Tian finally moved.

But instead of acknowledging her, he stepped toward Yue Ling and took the travel bag from her hand.

”Everything packed?”

Yue Ling nodded.

”Almost.”

”Leave the rest to me.”

He gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.

”Have you eaten?”

”Not yet.”

”I’ll get you something once we leave this place.”

”Mm.”

Their exchange was quiet and natural.

Neither spared Ji Chu Hua a glance.

Her smile slowly froze.

It was one thing to be ignored.

It was another to be treated as though she did not exist while the man she desired openly displayed his affection for another woman.

Especially when that woman was Yue Ling.

Ji Chu Hua’s gaze fell on the diamond ring adorning Yue Ling’s left hand.

A sharp bitterness spread through her chest.

She forced herself to smile.

”Yue Ling, you’re fortunate to have such a considerate fiancé.”

Yue Ling looked at her.

”Yes.”

The answer was immediate.

Her expression softened as she glanced at Lu Tian.

”I am.”

Lu Tian met her gaze.

The corner of his mouth lifted.

Ji Chu Hua felt her nails dig into her palm.

She had hoped to draw his attention, even if only for a moment.

Instead, every word she spoke seemed to bring his attention back to Yue Ling.

Unable to tolerate the sight any longer, she turned toward Ji Jingxu.

”Anyway, Jingxu, if you need anything after you return home, you can always call me.”

Ji Jingxu looked at her.

”There’s no need.”

Ji Chu Hua blinked.

”What?”

”Jie and Brother-in-law are taking care of me.”

He paused.

”And Grandfather.”

His tone was not particularly harsh, but the meaning was unmistakable.

Ji Chu Hua was not needed.

Her smile became strained.

”Of course. I just meant—”

”Chu Hua.”

Grandfather Ji’s voice cut through the room.

She turned.

”Yes, Grandfather?”

The old man’s expression had darkened.

”That’s enough.”

Ji Chu Hua’s heart skipped a beat.

”I don’t understand.”

”You came to see Jingxu. You’ve seen him. Now leave.”

The room fell silent.

Ji Chu Hua stared at him.

”Grandfather, I—”

”Did you not hear me?”

His voice was stern.

”I said leave.”

Her face paled.

She glanced toward Yue Ling, hoping to find some indication that the woman might intervene.

But Yue Ling merely stood beside Lu Tian, watching her with an unreadable expression.

There was no sympathy in her eyes.

Ji Chu Hua swallowed.

”I only wanted to show my concern.”

Grandfather Ji’s gaze remained fixed on her.

”You’ve shown enough.”

She pressed her lips together.

The way he spoke those words told her there was something deeper beneath them, something left unsaid. She could sense it, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

For a moment, resentment flickered across her face.

But she quickly lowered her head.

”Alright.”

She picked up her handbag and turned toward the door.

Before leaving, however, she glanced back at Lu Tian.

”Mr. Lu, perhaps we’ll see each other again soon.”

Lu Tian did not respond.

He was busy adjusting Yue Ling’s coat over her shoulders.

Ji Chu Hua’s fingers tightened around her handbag.

Humiliation burned beneath her skin.

She forced one last smile.

”Take care, Jingxu.”

Then she left.

The door closed behind her.

Silence lingered in the room.

Ji Jingxu looked toward the door before releasing a long breath.

”Well, that was uncomfortable.”

Grandfather Ji shook his head.

”Don’t pay attention to her.”

He turned toward his grandson, his expression softening.

”Today is a happy day. We shouldn’t let anyone ruin it.”

Ji Jingxu nodded.

”Yes, Grandfather.”

Yue Ling quietly picked up the gift bag Ji Chu Hua had left behind.

She looked at it for a moment.

Then she handed it to Xu Long.

”Dispose of this.”

Xu Long accepted it without hesitation.

”Yes, Miss.”

Ji Jingxu glanced at the bag but did not object.

He had no interest in keeping anything from Ji Chu Hua.

Grandfather Ji watched Yue Ling for a moment.

Although she appeared calm, he knew what was troubling her.

However, he did not question her.

He knew his granddaughter well enough to understand that if there was something she wished to say, she would do so when the time was right.

”Come,” he said, turning toward Ji Jingxu. ”Let’s go home.”

Outside the hospital room, Ji Chu Hua’s expression changed the moment she was certain no one was watching.

The gentle concern vanished.

Her eyes darkened with resentment.

She could still picture the way Lu Tian had looked at Yue Ling.

The tenderness in his gaze.

The natural way he touched her.

The complete indifference he had shown everyone else.

Especially her.

Her jaw tightened.

What does she have that I don’t?

She had dressed carefully that morning, choosing something elegant but understated. She had even rehearsed what she would say, hoping to appear thoughtful and considerate.

Yet Lu Tian had barely acknowledged her existence.

Worse, Grandfather Ji had humiliated her in front of everyone.

She stopped near the elevator and glanced back toward the corridor.

Her thoughts returned to Yue Ling.

There had been something strange about her cousin’s behavior.

The coldness was expected.

But the questions, the carefully measured responses, and that faint smile...

Ji Chu Hua felt a small knot form in her stomach.

Does she know something?

The thought made her uneasy.

But after a moment, she dismissed it.

If Yue Ling knew about her arrangement with Hung Woo, surely she would have confronted her already.

She would not have stood there so calmly.

Ji Chu Hua convinced herself that her cousin was simply being her usual unpleasant self.

The elevator doors opened.

She stepped inside, her expression gradually settling into one of determination.

Lu Tian might have ignored her today.

But she refused to believe he would remain indifferent forever.

Back inside the hospital room, Yue Ling stood near the window while Lu Tian finished gathering their belongings.

Her gaze rested on the hospital entrance below.

A few minutes later, she spotted Ji Chu Hua emerging from the building.

The woman paused beside her car before climbing inside.

Yue Ling watched until the vehicle disappeared.

Only then did the faint smile on her face vanish.

Her bluish-green eyes turned cold.

She had wanted nothing more than to seize Ji Chu Hua by the throat the moment she entered the room.

To demand how she could stand before Ji Jingxu and pretend to care when she had been involved in the very reason he had nearly died.

But anger was not enough.

Not yet.

Ji Chu Hua had walked into that room believing her secret was safe.

Yue Ling intended to let her continue believing it.

A familiar warmth settled against her back.

Lu Tian wrapped an arm around her waist.

”Are you alright?”

Yue Ling looked up at him.

”Mm.”

He studied her face.

Unlike the others, he had noticed the subtle change in her expression the moment Ji Chu Hua appeared.

The way her fingers had tightened around the travel bag.

The unnatural stillness in her eyes.

He knew his wife was angry.

Very angry.

But he also knew she was deliberately keeping it under control.

He did not press her.

Instead, he gently squeezed her waist.

”Ready to go?”

Yue Ling glanced toward Ji Jingxu, who was laughing at something Grandfather Ji had said.

The coldness in her eyes gradually softened.

”Yes.”

She turned in Lu Tian’s embrace and gave him a small smile.

”Let’s take Jingxu home.”

Lu Tian leaned down and kissed her forehead.

”Alright.”

As they walked toward the door, Yue Ling spared one last glance at the empty corridor.

Ji Chu Hua could enjoy her ignorance a little longer because Fate is coming for her.