Overdo

She didn't understand why he was so angry and whispered, "It's your aide-de-camp."

He suppressed his rage, "I have so many people around me, how can you be so foolish? You wouldn't even know when you'd lose your life!"

She bit her lower lip lightly, as if trying to escape from his presence. This expression often angered him, but today, for some reason, he restrained himself and ignored her, turning to look out the car window. The car fell into silence. Just as they were about to enter the city, she could no longer bear it and let out a soft moan. Only then did he turn back and immediately sensed something was wrong—her forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat. His face changed drastically, and he asked, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and said, "I'm feeling a bit unwell." He grabbed her hand, his eyes blazing as if with two flickering flames, "What did they give you?" Lei Shaogong called out worriedly, "Third Young Master." He paid no attention, only gripping her as if he wanted to crush her, "Tell me quickly, did you eat or drink anything just now?" The pain made her vision blurry, and all she could see was his face, twisted almost beyond recognition. Why was he asking this? She weakly replied, "I didn't eat anything—I only drank milk tea."

His expression was terrifying, like a trapped beast filled with despair and fury. He let out a low growl, and Lei Shaogong immediately said to the driver, "Turn around, go to Jiangshan Hospital."

The car changed direction and headed toward Jiangshan. She was in excruciating pain and didn't understand why he was acting this way. He held her tightly, his arms like iron bands, as if trying to force her into his very body. She heard his teeth grinding, his demeanor so fierce it seemed he wanted to devour someone. Lei Shaogong's face was also extremely grim as he said with difficulty, "Third Young Master, it can't be." She didn't understand what they meant, but Murong Qingyi's eyes seemed to spit fire. He gritted his teeth and said, "I know you people—you plotted against Second Brother, and now you're coming after me with the same old tricks."

Lei Shaogong's face grew even more troubled, and he called out again, "Third Young Master." She broke out in cold sweat, her ears ringing faintly. She didn't understand his words, but his expression was so terrifying it filled her with fear. The car arrived at Jiangshan Hospital and drove straight to the emergency building. She was nearly faint from the pain when he scooped her up in his arms. Lei Shaogong hurried ahead to find a doctor.

Amid the chaotic sounds of people, all she could hear was his heavy breathing, close to her ear yet distant as if from another world. His sweat dripped down one drop at a time; in such cold weather, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. Even when the doctors arrived, he refused to let her go. Lei Shaogong urgently said, "Third Young Master, put Miss Ren down so they can examine her." Only then did he place her on the hospital bed. Three or four doctors quickly gathered around to check her. Weakly, she clutched the corner of his clothes, as if it were her only remaining support.

Unexpectedly, he drew his pistol and slammed it onto the medicine tray with a loud crack, startling everyone into staring at him in fear. His eyes seemed almost bloodshot, and his voice sounded as if it were squeezed through his teeth, "I'm telling you, if anyone dares to play tricks today, if anything happens to her, I'll go with her! You decide what to do!"She gradually understood. The immense pain and unprecedented terror made her dizzy. She struggled to open her eyes and saw Lei Shaogong rush forward to grab Murong Qingyi's arm, yet he dared not snatch the gun away. The doctors grew tense as well. She still clung to the hem of his clothes, two lines of tears silently tracing down her cheeks.

He had actually said that... he would accompany her... Tears streamed down uncontrollably. The physical agony seemed to transform into heartache. Death loomed menacingly just a step away, and all she had in her grasp was the edge of his clothes—only him—and everything had happened so abruptly, too rushed for anything to be done. She dared not look at his face again; the expression there scorched her. She had never known until today, and now it was all too late. He was actually like this—even in death, he wanted her with him. It was too late. Her heartbeat became the most painful throbbing, her vision and consciousness already blurring...

When she woke, it was deep into the night. Her right hand was held warmly in someone's palm. With some effort, she turned her head and saw him—haggard, as if he had become a different person. Her tears fell in streams, her voice choked. "I'm alright." His voice was hoarse too. "I frightened you—the doctor said it's just acute enteritis—I was so afraid... I actually thought..."

She simply wept silently. The medicine in the IV drip fell drop by drop, yet each drop felt like a heavy hammer pounding straight into her heart. His embrace was so warm. He kissed her gently, with the care of touching the most delicate petals. Through her tear-blurred vision, she closed her eyes and sank powerlessly into the moment.

Madam Murong summoned Lei Shaogong, who recounted the entire incident in detail. After a long silence, Madam Murong sighed and said, "What meaning is there left for me as a mother?"

Lei Shaogong remained quiet. Jin Rui, standing nearby, remarked, "Judging by this, Third Young Master is truly serious this time. I'm afraid we'll have to let him have his way."

Madam Murong waved her hand, signaling Lei Shaogong to leave. After sitting in a daze for a while, she said to Jin Rui, "We can only let him be. The way Third Young Master is so suspicious and paranoid... thinking about it truly saddens me."

Jin Rui consoled softly, "He's truly bewitched, that's why he thinks this way." Knowing Madam Murong disliked bringing up the past, she spoke vaguely, "How could Mother make the same mistake again?"

Sure enough, Madam Murong let out a long sigh and said, "Since he's so determined to marry her, I doubt anyone can stop him. For us, it's one thing, but I'm afraid he won't easily get past your father."

After Susu was discharged from the hospital, she rested for several more days. It was already the end of the twelfth lunar month when Murong Qingyi sent someone to bring her to Yixin Restaurant for Suzhou cuisine. The upstairs of Yixin Restaurant was heated. Upon entering, a waiter helped take her coat, leaving her in a honey-colored cheongsam with subtle floral patterns. Only after walking in did she realize that besides him, there was another guest. Murong Qingyi said to her, "Greet him. This is Uncle He." She softly addressed him as instructed, and the man politely responded, "No need for formalities." After looking her over briefly, he smiled at Murong Qingyi and said, "Third Young Master has excellent taste."

Susu's face flushed slightly as she sat down beside Murong Qingyi. Murong Qingyi said, "Mr. He, I'd rather strike the golden bell once than tap the wooden fish three thousand times. I only ask for your advice on this matter."The man was none other than He Xu'an, renowned as the "Most Capable Official." Upon hearing this, he smiled faintly and said, "I am honored that Third Young Master holds me in such high regard—but this matter requires meticulous effort and cannot be rushed. Before you, sir, allow me to devise a method gradually. Perhaps in two or three years, there might be some progress."

Murong Qingyi replied, "You know my temperament, Master He—I am unwilling to wait even a year or two, let alone three. Delays may bring complications. For my sake, if not for others, I implore you to think of a way."