Volume One, Chapter 34: Love and Hate

When Song Qingyu hurried to the hospital, chaos had already erupted outside the old lady’s ward. Besides Chu Xingzhi and Wu Yijun, she saw two unexpected faces—Lin Tiange and Sheng Yuru.

Lin Tiange stood with her head bowed, looking wronged and deeply worried for the old lady. Sheng Yuru, on the other hand, was domineering; as Gu Chengde’s niece, she represented the Gu family, which even the Chu family dared not offend. Wu Yijun had to curry favor with her.

“Xingzhi, Miss Sheng is only standing up for you—why are you yelling at her?” Wu Yijun demanded.

Chu Xingzhi’s face was etched with exhaustion and frustration. “I don’t need anyone to stand up for me!”

Sheng Yuru snapped, “You’ve been bewitched by that wretch! She’s the reason you and Song Qingyu broke up, yet you still keep her by your side to take care of your grandmother!”

Tears shimmered in Lin Tiange’s eyes. She spoke softly, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

“Of course it’s your fault, you shameless woman! How dare you show your face here?” Sheng Yuru was livid. Upon hearing that Chu Xingzhi’s grandmother was hospitalized, she had brought expensive supplements, never expecting to find Lin Tiange in the ward.

Sheng Yuru envied Song Qingyu, admitting that in every aspect she was outmatched. But what she truly hated was Lin Tiange—not because she had split up Chu Xingzhi and Song Qingyu, but because Lin Tiange, whom she considered inferior in every way, had managed to sleep with Chu Xingzhi.

What infuriated her most was that, despite all her scheming, she couldn’t separate Chu Xingzhi and Song Qingyu, while Lin Tiange had done so with ease. Even Chu Xingzhi’s grandmother favored Lin Tiange. Consumed by jealousy and resentment, Sheng Yuru lost all restraint.

In a fit of anger, she blurted out to the old lady that Chu Xingzhi and Song Qingyu had broken up because of Lin Tiange. The old lady immediately questioned Lin Tiange, who did not deny it. Unable to bear the blow, the old lady fainted.

Seeing the clamor at the doorway, Song Qingyu frowned and stepped forward. “Are you trying to anger Grandmother to death?”

Spotting Song Qingyu, Chu Xingzhi hurried over. “Qingyu—”

Sheng Yuru, jealous of Chu Xingzhi’s attitude toward Song Qingyu, glared coldly at her. Despite her own guilt, she forced a strong front. “It’s your fault! If you’d told Grandmother about the breakup sooner, would she be so devastated?”

Song Qingyu shot her a chilling look. “If anything happens to Grandmother, you’ll be the one who killed her. You’ll never know peace.”

Her words were harsh enough that Sheng Yuru dared not retort.

Ignoring the others, Song Qingyu turned to Wu Yijun. “Aunt Wu, I’ll go check on Grandmother.”

Wu Yijun knew that at this moment, only Song Qingyu could calm the old lady down. Though reluctant, she nodded.

The last time Song Qingyu had visited, the old lady, though fresh from surgery, was in good spirits. Now, she seemed crushed by grief, her face ashen and haggard.

She was awake, though no one knew when she’d come to. It was certain, however, she’d overheard the commotion outside.

Song Qingyu’s heart clenched. She hurried to the bedside. “Grandmother…”

“Qingyu,” the old lady said. Her voice was worn and weary, making Song Qingyu’s heart ache. She rushed to grasp her grandmother’s hand.

“Grandmother, I’m sorry…”

The old lady stroked her hand and asked, “Is it true? You and Xingzhi have broken up?”

Song Qingyu pressed her lips together and nodded.

The old lady sighed. She had long sensed something was wrong. With the wedding approaching, her grandson—once so eager to show off Qingyu—rarely mentioned her, and avoided any talk of the wedding. The last time Qingyu visited, she kept apologizing. She hadn’t come again since.

But the old lady had assumed they’d merely quarreled. She’d even arranged that invitation, hoping to bring them together again. Never had she imagined they’d truly ended things, and because of Chu Xingzhi’s infidelity.

“It’s Xingzhi who failed you. He didn’t deserve you.”

Unlike the others, the old lady didn’t urge Song Qingyu to give him another chance. Instead, she felt regret and heartache for her. She knew Song Qingyu well; only deep hurt could have led her to this point.

The old lady reached for her nightstand.

“Grandmother, what do you need? I’ll get it for you,” Song Qingyu said, opening the drawer. Inside were two pairs of red baby shoes and socks, alongside balls of yarn and knitting needles—clearly handmade.

The old lady took out the shoes and socks. “I thought when you and Xingzhi married and had children, I’d help raise them so you wouldn’t have to worry. I never expected it would come to nothing.”

Looking at the tiny shoes and socks, Song Qingyu felt a pang in her heart. She too had once dreamed of having a lovely child with Chu Xingzhi, growing old together.

But now, everything was lost.

At the door, Chu Xingzhi grew anxious. He had hoped his grandmother would help him, but she showed no such intention.

“Grandmother, I know I was wrong,” he said.

The old lady looked at him. “Come here.”

As he approached, she slapped him across the face. “What good is admitting fault now? You hurt Qingyu and lost your chance!”

Her agitation triggered pain in her chest, and she grew dizzy.

Song Qingyu gently soothed her back. “Grandmother, please don’t get upset.”

Chu Xingzhi, desperate and helpless, pleaded, “Grandmother, once you’re better, you can hit me as much as you want. Just don’t get worked up now.”

If only being hit could solve everything.

“Leave. I don’t want to see you for a while!” the old lady ordered.

Chu Xingzhi opened his mouth, but dared not protest. He cast a long look at Song Qingyu before leaving the room.

Song Qingyu continued to calm her grandmother. “Grandmother, I’m fine. Please take care of your health.”

The old lady clasped her hand. “I heard you’re married now.”

It could no longer be hidden. Song Qingyu nodded. “Yes.”

“Oh, child, why must you take such a drastic step? Did you marry just to spite Xingzhi?”

“No…” Song Qingyu insisted, though the old lady clearly didn’t believe her.

“Don’t worry, Grandmother. He’s a good person. He treats me well.”

When Song Qingyu had married Pei Jingmo in haste, she’d known little about him. But in their time together, she had come to feel his care and protection.

The old lady sighed again. “You’re all so young, always seeing love and hate in black and white.”

Song Qingyu fell silent.

“Qingyu, you’re a good child. I’ve always liked you. I hope you’ll think carefully before making decisions—don’t act on impulse. Above all, I wish you happiness.”

Song Qingyu’s eyes grew moist. “I promise, Grandmother. No matter what happens between me and Chu Xingzhi, you’ll always be my grandmother.”

The old lady stroked her head, full of emotion.

Once her grandmother was calm, Song Qingyu took her leave.

Lin Tiange and Sheng Yuru had already disappeared—presumably sent away by Chu Xingzhi.

It was time for her to go as well.

Just as she reached the elevator, she heard Chu Xingzhi’s furious voice, “I don’t like Sheng Yuru. I only love Qingyu!”

Wu Yijun was beside herself with anger. “Song Qingyu is already married. Wake up!”

“So what if she’s married? People divorce all the time!”

“You must be mad! Song Qingyu married someone else so quickly, and you don’t find that suspicious? Maybe she cheated before you did!”