Chapter 95

Bai Xinya looked at Zhou Feng, seeing his affirming gaze toward her, Bai Xinya no longer had any reservations, she reached out her hand and placed it on Su Ruo's hand.

Su Ruo then looked toward Li Zhaodi, the three hands clasped tightly together, striving toward China's largest and strongest clothing and luxury brand.

Decades later, when the three, now having reached the pinnacle of the industry and grown old, recalled this scene again, they still could not help feeling emotionally stirred, sighing in their hearts, "Youth is truly wonderful!"

While Su Ruo and they were striving for that, Li Yanhong, who had been hospitalized for over a month, was finally discharged.

During the month Li Yanhong was in the hospital, Li Zheyu basically devoted all his time to studying.

Even when he was keeping Li Yanhong company in bed, he never put down his textbooks.

Li Zheyu silently swore in his heart that no matter what, he would get into university; this was his only chance to change his fate, and he would absolutely not spend his life in the countryside as a farmhand.

Li Yanhong initially felt happy seeing Li Zheyu studying, thinking she was one step closer to becoming a college student's wife.

Therefore, every time Li Zheyu read, Li Yanhong would gaze at him with an adoring expression, but gradually her look changed.

When she saw Li Zheyu studying again, her eyes no longer held admiration and affection, but were replaced by anxiety and unease.

Although Li Yanhong was love‑brained, she was not stupid; over the years she had seen many male educated youths abandon their wives and children to return to the city.

Li Yanhong dared not imagine whether, if one day Li Zheyu got into university, he would abandon her.

Even if Li Zheyu wouldn't, given his excellence he would surely meet many equally outstanding girls at university; Li Yanhong could not guarantee he wouldn't change his heart, and this unease filled her heart, making her ever more anxious.

If at this moment Li Zheyu could promptly notice Li Yanhong's emotional shift and offer comfort, perhaps later events would not have occurred.

But Li Zheyu's entire focus was on studying for the college entrance exam; in his heart Li Yanhong was merely a pawn, and he had never placed her in his heart, so how could he notice her emotional changes?

Therefore, when Li Yanhong was discharged, the Battalion Commander said that Li Zheyu should go to the mine to break stones to supplement the family income, and Li Zheyu was completely stunned.

Initially, he married Li Yanhong just to avoid hardship, but he never expected that after making such a great sacrifice he would still have to return to the mine—what was all this for!

But the Battalion Commander gave Li Zheyu no chance to refuse, saying: "Yanhong is about to give birth; once the child is born, money will be needed everywhere, you have no savings at all—how will you get by in the future?"

"I and your mother can help a bit, but the key is that you yourselves must work hard; you cannot rely on us for everything, otherwise over time Yanhong's in‑laws will also have objections."

Li Zheyu hated this child intensely in his heart; although he now tolerated its existence, must he still, for the sake of this child, give up his future and life?

Li Zheyu could not rebut the Battalion Commander's words, so he turned to Li Yanhong beside him, hoping she could help him.

But Li Yanhong said nothing, simply turning her head away.

Li Yanhong loved Li Zheyu, but this love was a double‑edged sword, mixed with crazy possessiveness.

These days Li Yanhong carefully considered her father's words. If letting Li Zheyu study entailed a risk that she might lose him.

She would rather Li Zheyu not attend university; even if they stayed in the village with their parents looking after them, life would not be worse.

Seeing Li Yanhong's reaction, Li Zheyu's heart instantly turned cold halfway, and he knew this matter now had no room for maneuver.

The Battalion Commander was determined not to let him study properly; even if he were forced to stay, there would be no good outcome.

After a long while, Li Zheyu swallowed, his Adam's apple moving, and said: "Okay!"

That afternoon, Li Zheyu went to the mine; although the Battalion Commander wanted to cut off his path to university, he did not treat him poorly.

He had his wife prepare plenty of food and winter cotton clothes for Li Zheyu, and when he was leaving he slipped him ten yuan, telling him to buy whatever he lacked and not to wrong himself.

But Li Zheyu felt no gratitude; he silently shouldered his pack and left, not saying a word to Li Yanhong.

In Li Zheyu's heart, if the Battalion Commander and his family truly treated him well, they should support his college entrance exam; wanting to keep him forever in the countryside is no different from killing him, and he has no need for these petty favors.

But Li Zheyu forgot that if he had not harbored scheming intentions from the start, he would not be facing this predicament now.

After Li Zheyu left, Li Yanhong cried bitterly, but to keep him she had no other choice.

Li Zheyu was carried back a month later; as the year's end approached, every household in the village hung red lanterns, Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi were bustling preparing New Year goods, and because this year's harvest was abundant, Su Ruo spent money without hesitation, preparing many things.

When Li Zheyu was carried back covered in blood, it immediately stirred the whole village; upon seeing his miserable state, Li Yanhong fainted on the spot.

After the Battalion Commander got a clear look at Li Zheyu's condition, his pipe fell from his hand to the ground; the villagers had never seen him so flustered, and they all showed some sympathy.

But the Battalion Commander quickly steadied himself, ordering people to carry Li Zheyu to Su Ruo's clinic.

When Su Ruo heard the commotion and came out, Li Zheyu had already fallen into a coma from excessive blood loss.

The coworkers who brought Li Zheyu back said that during this period at the mine he had persisted in working during the day and studying at night; because he was overly fatigued, he would nod off while working, and that's how a rolling stone struck and injured his leg.

Su Ruo examined Li Zheyu's wound; his leg was severely injured, almost a comminuted fracture, and even if she exerted her utmost effort, she might not be able to save it.

If the person brought in today were someone else, Su Ruo might give it her all to try to save them, but since it's Li Zheyu, better just forget it!

In her previous life, Li Zheyu had caused her such misery; now Su Ruo not taking advantage of his illness to kill him, or even seizing the chance to retaliate, would already be merciful—how could she possibly risk herself for him?

Su Ruo said sternly: "Battalion Commander, his injury is too serious; I can't treat him—you had better hurry and send him to the county hospital!"

Although anyone can see that Li Zheyu's leg is likely unsalvageable, the Battalion Commander still harbored a sliver of hope in his heart.

After all, everyone knows Su Ruo's medical skill is superb; perhaps she might have a solution, but at this moment her words amount to a death sentence for Li Zheyu.

Upon hearing this, the Battalion Commander nearly lost his footing, but a nearby villager steadied him, preventing him from falling.

"'Is there really nothing at all that can be done?' the Battalion Commander said with trembling lips, his eyes filled with an old father's worry for his children's future."