"Grandpa, don't you know my feelings? I am determined to marry Lin Jing, and if not her, I would rather remain single my entire life."
Zhan Yichen spoke to Grandpa Zhan to express his resolve. The incident concerning Wen Yulan's harm had already been thoroughly investigated, and since it had no connection to Mu Lin Jing, there was no longer any conflict between them.
"Grandpa, although the Mu family's breaking of the engagement was a humiliation, think about it. My mother nearly caused Lin Jing's death back then. Which is more important, life or face? For Lin Jing to marry me despite everything, it's like she's risking her life for me. Why should I be concerned about losing face? Grandpa, please grant us our wish. I, Zhan Yichen, will marry no one but Lin Jing in this lifetime!"
Grandpa Zhan looked at him with a frown. Although he was frail, his eyes were firm, indicating that these words were not mere lip service.
In him, Grandpa Zhan once again felt the same determination as Zhan Mohan. He recalled how his opposition to Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng's relationship had eventually led to his acceptance. If he were to go through the same process again with Zhan Yichen's situation, why waste time?
After much consideration, he sighed, "Since you've put it this way, if I were to disagree again, you might think I'm unreasonable. But don't blame me for not reminding you. The two of you are destined for an unequal match. Even if I agree now, will her parents consent? Don't forget how resolute they were when they broke the engagement."
This was indeed a difficult hurdle, but Zhan Yichen was not afraid of challenges.
As long as Grandpa's side relented, and as long as Mu Lin Jing was still willing to marry him, he would move heaven and earth to gain the approval of Mu Lin Jing's parents.
He was still young and had plenty of time to spend a lifetime trying to win them over.
This was the first good news he had heard since waking up. As the saying goes, good news lifts the spirits. With his grandfather's approval, his spirits improved considerably, and his appetite followed suit. He devoured the meal sent by Wei Yumeng, feeling even emptier afterward.
"Sister-in-law, when Lin Jing finishes her detoxification, please let me know. I want to see her."
He knew that Mu Lin Jing didn't want him to see her in her disheveled and haggard state during the detoxification. He naturally respected her wishes, but he also needed to know the moment Mu Lin Jing completed her detoxification because he was eager to share this good news with her.
In the days that followed, he focused on recovering from his injuries. Perhaps because he was in good spirits during his recovery, he healed quite quickly. Every day, he would inquire with Wei Yumeng about Mu Lin Jing's detoxification progress. However, even after he was discharged from the hospital, Mu Lin Jing's detoxification was not yet complete.
At this point, Wei Yumeng also sensed something was amiss and quickly went with him to the hospital to find Mu Lin Jing.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they were informed that there was no patient named Mu Lin Jing.
Wei Yumeng became anxious, thinking something had happened to Mu Lin Jing again. "How is that possible? Please check thoroughly. She's been here, admitted for over half a month."
When she mentioned the timeframe, the nurse recalled, "There was indeed a Miss Mu admitted here previously. Her condition seemed quite peculiar. The director mentioned she was merely occupying the hospital bed, and everything else depended on her own will. Are you looking for her?"
Wei Yumeng nodded repeatedly. "Yes, that's her. Which ward is she in?"
The nurse closed the medical chart. "Then you can stop looking. She was discharged a few days ago. Are you her friend? Why weren't you aware of her discharge?"
"Discharged?"
Wei Yumeng exclaimed, "How is that possible? I call her parents every day to check on her. She's been hospitalized all along."
"I apologize, but I truly don't know. However, if you are certain that the person you're looking for is the one I just described, then I can tell you with certainty that she has indeed been discharged."
Since the person was not there, they couldn't argue with the nurse. Wei Yumeng immediately called Aunt Mu. "Auntie, where are you? I came to the hospital to see Lin Jing, but the nurse told me you had already been discharged."
Aunt Mu's voice on the other end carried an apology. "I'm sorry, Yumeng. Your Uncle Mu and I have returned to our hometown. Don't worry, Lin Jing's health has improved. She asked me to tell you that she has left Pengcheng. She also left the key to the apartment at home. Please pick it up when you have time."
Hearing that Mu Lin Jing had left Pengcheng, Zhan Yichen froze for a few seconds and then turned to leave.
Wei Yumeng chased after him, still on the phone with Aunt Mu. "Auntie, why is Lin Jing doing this? Why did she leave without a word? Where did she go? I'll go find her."
Wei Yumeng had intended to persuade them to reconcile today, but she never expected Mu Lin Jing to leave without saying goodbye.
"Yumeng, Lin Jing knows you'll look for her, so she didn't even tell us where she was going. She wants to lick her wounds alone. We shouldn't disturb her. This is her home, and she will return eventually."
"But what about Yichen?" Wei Yumeng couldn't help but speak up for Zhan Yichen. She had seen how much he had suffered for Mu Lin Jing. How could it be met with a simple "she will return eventually"?
Mu family's hometown was where Mu Lin Jing's parents lived. She would naturally return there, but what did Pengcheng hold for her?
If she never returned, what would Zhan Yichen do?
Aunt Mu's words were too casual, which displeased Wei Yumeng, primarily out of concern for Zhan Yichen.
Hearing Wei Yumeng's question, Aunt Mu felt guilty. "Yumeng, please convey my apologies to Yichen on behalf of Auntie. It's thanks to him going to save us. I know he risked his life to protect Lin Jing. We can never repay such a great kindness, we can only offer our apologies."
"Auntie, what good are apologies?"
Before Wei Yumeng could finish speaking, the call was disconnected. She sighed deeply at the dial tone, wondering if this was the only way.
Catching up with Zhan Yichen, they arrived at Mu Lin Jing's home together. The house was exceptionally tidy and clean, yet empty, as if the person who had lived there all this time had been a figment of their imagination.
Mu Lin Jing had taken all her belongings, leaving only a set of keys on the table and a letter.
Zhan Yichen picked up the letter but did not open it. After some thought, he handed it to Wei Yumeng. "Sister-in-law, she probably wrote it for you."