He enfolded her in a warm embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Very well, your husband understands now—besides forbidding me from sharing your bed, what other schemes could you possibly have?"
Gu Lili's spirits lifted at his acquiescence; she cast him a sidelong glance. "I know you haven't fallen back in love with me yet, but at the very least, you do care for me, don't you?"
"Of course. If I didn't care for you, why would I have married you?"
"Then what is it that you love about me?"
"I love making love to you."
"You scoundrel! Get lost!"
Long Yubei protested, "Did I misspeak? I'm merely speaking the truth. I adore every moment with you—you have no idea how adorable you look when I'm with you. Your little face flushes like a rosy apple."
Gu Lili pushed him onto the bed, smiling playfully. "Then how about you let me take my turn tonight?"
"Your husband would be delighted, my dear."
Her face blossomed with joy as she lowered her eyes, closing them to kiss him softly and slowly—like a feather lightly brushing against his skin. Long Yubei wrapped his arms around her slender waist, deepening the kiss.
Her delicate form drove him wild—he longed to meld her into the very marrow of his being, to cherish and discipline her with tender devotion.
He had never truly understood the allure of passion before, but now it consumed him utterly, maddeningly.
He Meiwei's surgery commenced the following afternoon.
The hospital urged prompt intervention; such a condition could not be delayed.
As she was wheeled into the operating room, He Meiwei looked up at him beseechingly. "You'll wait for me to come out, won't you?"
"I will. Don't burden yourself with worry. The doctors are highly skilled."
Her trembling eyelashes fluttered as she nodded. "With you here, I feel at ease."
Long Yubei seated himself quietly in the corridor outside.
Gu Lili had not accompanied him—she was attending a specialized computer class, taught privately.
Nearly three hours passed before the surgery concluded.
It had been a complete success.
Once she was returned to the ward, Long Yubei waited until she awoke from anesthesia.
"Awake?"
She blinked faintly, her strength diminished.
"The operation was very successful. With daily medication to prevent rejection, you will live a normal life. This time the donor matched differently from before, and the compatibility is excellent. You must still avoid strenuous labor, so take good care of yourself. Please give me your parents' contact information—I will notify them to come."
Her voice trembled. "For what purpose?"
"To have them come keep you company."
"No need." She recoiled. "I don't want that."
Long Yubei ceased pressing. "Very well, it's your choice. The nurse will care for you until discharge. I won't come again after this."
He Meiwei's eyes widened; pale and choked with tears, she asked, "Is it because she won't let you come?"
"It's my own decision. I feel there's no need anymore. I have done all I ought to for you. I owe you nothing, so to avoid resentment, it's best we never see each other again."
He glanced at his wrist in habit, noting the time. "I must go now. One more thing—I won't be able to help with your medical expenses anymore. That will be your own responsibility."
"That's Gu Lili's doing, isn't it? You said you'd help me before—she must have interfered to stop you!"
"If you possessed any self-awareness, you wouldn't speak so of her."
With that, Long Yubei departed.
"Don't go… please… Bei Bei… Long Yubei, stop right there!"