Liang Qiao almost thought she misheard, "What did you say?"
The assistant handed her a Weibo trending search on her phone, "Look, they're all discussing it online now. It's a multi-car pile-up. They're likely in critical condition!"
Liang Qiao focused on the details. The accident happened on Gongqing Road.
It was the necessary route to the awards ceremony.
As if a thought struck her, Liang Qiao's face turned pale, "Do you know which hospital he's in?"
The assistant paused, recalling the gossip trending about the two of them.
She quickly said, "Sis, don't worry, I'll check."
Soon, the assistant found Lian Sen's hospital address through industry connections.
Liang Qiao was so flustered she forgot her sunglasses. It was only after the assistant reminded her that she put them on.
She rushed to the ward, but Lian Sen was not in the bed.
A sudden sense of foreboding washed over Liang Qiao.
Just then, a nurse entered. Liang Qiao grabbed her wrist, "Where is the patient in this bed?"
The young nurse was stunned and stumbled over her words. This woman looked so much like her idol!
Seeing this, Liang Qiao's tears began to fall, streaming down her cheeks.
Even with sunglasses on, one could sense the woman weeping profusely.
The young nurse panicked, scared by her reaction, "Don't cry... it's not..."
From outside the door, Lian Sen stood at the entrance, "What's going on?"
The young nurse looked embarrassed, "I don't know either. This lady started crying as soon as she arrived."
Through tear-filled eyes, Liang Qiao looked over. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she lunged forward, embracing him, her voice choked with sobs, "Lian Sen..."
Lian Sen had been intending to find Liang Qiao, but his father's people were watching him closely.
They wouldn't let him leave until his check-ups were complete.
He had no choice but to cooperate with the nurses.
He didn't expect to see the woman he'd been longing for the moment he stepped into the ward, and to be held by her.
He hesitated, then put his arm around her back, "What's wrong?"
Her scalding tears soaked his neck, "Waaah... Lian Sen... I really thought you were dead... I was so scared... I saw the trending search..."
She poured out her fear incoherently.
When the nurse remained silent, she had truly believed this man had passed away and was taken to the morgue.
Lian Sen suppressed the pain in his back, his heart overflowing with sweetness.
He gently patted Liang Qiao's back to comfort her, "It's okay, I'm here. I was just trying to go find you. Don't cry, it breaks my heart."
Liang Qiao lifted her head, her hands still clasped around him. Tears streaked her face, making her look endearingly fragile.
"Lian Sen, I was so scared... I'm sorry... I'm truly sorry."
Lian Sen sighed, "What do you have to be sorry for? Liking you has always been my problem. If I were gone, you wouldn't have to keep being bothered by me."
"No... that's not it," Liang Qiao shook her head, disagreeing, "You don't bother me."
He was always so considerate, carefully maintaining a distance between them, afraid of making her uncomfortable.
She knew it all.
Lian Sen smiled, "Can you tell me why you came to find me?"
Liang Qiao buried her face in his chest, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. The moment she saw Lian Sen standing before her, unharmed,
Liang Qiao suddenly felt she didn't want to consider anything else.
She didn't want to regret it when she was old, nor did she want Lian Sen to be with someone else.
Being bold in love and hate was her true nature, wasn't it?
She said, "Lian Sen, I want to be with you. But you know, I was with Luo Fei, I even had a child for him, and the online rumors about him and me are true... If you mind, it's okay..."
Lian Sen didn't want her to continue.
He lowered his head, cupped Liang Qiao's face, and kissed her for the first time without any reservations.
He did care about Liang Qiao's past, but he cared more about himself. Why did he meet her so late?
If he had met her earlier, he would have protected this girl well, ensuring she never suffered any harm.
The day they officially announced their relationship.
Many people sent their blessings on Weibo.
Liang Qiao's photo showed a diamond ring the size of a pigeon's egg and a marriage certificate.
Everything she had once yearned for, she now possessed.
Lian Sen was a rich second-generation heir, an only child, and his parents were very strict.
Liang Qiao had always known this.
When she went back to Lian Sen's home, she was prepared for the possibility of not being accepted.
At the same time, she would strive to earn their approval.
But to her surprise, Lian Sen's parents showed no sign of astonishment at their relationship.
After dinner, Lian Sen went to the kitchen to peel fruit for Liang Qiao.
Liang Qiao cautiously voiced her doubts to the elders.
Lian's mother chuckled, her gaze distant, "He liked you long before. You were the only actress he liked. You were young then, and he was young too. You were invited to an event at a mall, and Lian Sen met you then. This boy really liked you at the time, but later his father and I sent him abroad to study finance. We didn't expect him to secretly apply for directing-related programs. After returning to China, he dedicated himself to the entertainment industry."
Liang Qiao suddenly realized that in places she hadn't known about, someone had done so much for her.
After an event, Liang Qiao clutched her chest, vomiting for a long time.
She had an idea about this reaction but wasn't entirely sure. Her assistant handed her a bottle of water, "Sis, rinse your mouth."
A voice suddenly echoed from above, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Liang Qiao looked up in surprise, her expression calm, "Thank you, Mr. Luo, I'm fine."
In recent years, she had never paid deliberate attention to Luo Fei.
But she had vaguely heard some rumors.
For example, the Luo family was in a fierce internal struggle, the eldest son had stumbled because of a woman and was even imprisoned...
Madam Luo was going mad, causing constant unrest in the Luo family.
The Luo Corporation was becoming precarious under the rivalry between Luo Fei and another illegitimate son.
However, what did any of that have to do with her?
The distance in her eyes was clear. She was no longer the Liang Qiao that Luo Fei remembered.
In the past few years, he had paid little attention to Liang Qiao, but he wasn't entirely ignorant of her.
He heard she was married.
Luo Fei suddenly remembered the child Liang Qiao had mentioned back then.
A flicker of complexity crossed his eyes, "Is it still there?"
Liang Qiao paused, then realized what he was asking about.
She didn't even have the inclination to explain. She took out a tissue to wipe her mouth and remained silent.
Luo Fei gave a self-deprecating smile. It was only much, much later that he realized that besides Liang Qiao, no one around him had ever been truly sincere.
He sank into his thoughts.
Liang Qiao's eyes brightened. She stood up and walked over, "Honey."
Lian Sen naturally wrapped his arm around her waist, "I've booked a Thai restaurant you like. I'll take you there for lunch, okay?"
"How did you know what I wanted to eat?"
"I picked it based on your taste, you'll definitely like it."
"But I want something sour."
Neither of them spared Luo Fei a glance as they walked away hand in hand.
The late autumn wind carried a hint of coolness.
Luo Fei stood rooted to the spot, his expression unreadable.
The connections between people are so fleeting. His relationship with Liang Qiao had long ended.
But he couldn't turn back.
What he wanted, he had not yet obtained.
...
Author's Notes: This is a side story for Liang Qiao and Luo Fei, as requested by a lovely reader.
I hope you enjoy it.
It's unrealistic to expect Luo Fei to settle down. Strictly speaking, he isn't a major villain.
In his heart, a seed of hatred has long been sown, and he will not rest until his goal is achieved.
I'll write a more lighthearted side story in the next chapter.