Li Xiyan's gaze snapped to him, and he saw the determination in her eyes.
She wasn't ready to stay, not here, not with the past between them.
Shen Yuze's heart sank, knowing he couldn't undo what had already been said and done.
He could feel his daughter's grip tightening around his hand, her small fingers curling around his in silent plea.
The silence stretched for a few moments before Shen Yuze spoke again, his voice lower. "Then, can you please stay—for Rui'er? She just wants to see you get better."
Li Xiyan's gaze flickered to the little girl, and something in her expression shifted.
She noticed how Shen Rui shyly averted her eyes, pressing her lips together, dimples appearing.
Recalling how, upon waking, the little girl had been at her side, attentively hovering as the doctors examined her, Li Xiyan felt her resolve begin to waver.
Shen Yuze knew, deep down, that his words weren't just for Shen Rui.
He wanted Li Xiyan to stay—not only for his daughter but for himself, to atone for the mistakes he had made.
He sighed, his gaze steady on Li Xiyan. "Ms. Li, I understand that asking you to stay for Rui'er's sake places me further in your debt. But as a father, my foremost concern is her well-being. She's been deeply worried about you and won't find peace until she sees you recover. Please, consider staying to help ease her mind."
Li Xiyan hesitated again, her gaze moving from Shen Yuze to Shen Rui, who was still clinging to his hand.
Something in the way Shen Rui looked at her, so hopeful, so trusting, made her chest tighten.
Shen Yuze saw the moment Li Xiyan's resolve finally cracked.
He knew she wasn't staying for him, not yet—not after everything. But maybe, just maybe, she would stay for his daughter.
Li Xiyan bit her lip, a familiar habit when deep in thought.
Shen Yuze, observing her hesitation, sensed that pressing further might backfire.
He softened his tone, "Take your time to consider. For now, just focus on your recovery."
Li Xiyan looked up, meeting his gaze briefly before offering a slight nod.
The doctor and nurse resumed their examinations, ensuring her condition was stable.
As they worked, Shen Yuze prepared to leave the room to give her space. However, before he could step out, his daughter, Shen Rui, unexpectedly hurried past him, exiting the room first.
Shen Yuze raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Shen Rui had never voluntarily left Li Xiyan's side before.
Shen Yuze stepped out of the room. He found Shen Rui standing in the hallway, her large eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
The moment their gazes met, a single blink released the flood, tears streaming down her delicate cheeks.
It was evident she'd been holding them back in Li Xiyan's presence, not wanting to show her distress.
Witnessing his usually resilient daughter in such a state tightened Shen Yuze's chest with guilt.
Shen Rui had seldom cried; he could count those instances on one hand. Yet now, confronted with Li Xiyan's firm intent to leave, the young girl was visibly shaken.
Lowering himself to her level, Shen Yuze gently inquired, "Rui'er, why are you crying?"
Shen Rui's voice quivered as she asked, "Father, why doesn't she want to stay here?"
Shen Yuze sighed deeply.
Softly removing the small mask she was wearing, he wiped the tears from Shen Rui's face, "It's my fault, Rui'er. I made mistakes that hurt her, and that's why she doesn't want to stay. It has nothing to do with you."
Shen Rui fell silent, processing his words. After a moment, she hesitantly asked, "Is it because of the things you said when you apologized?"
He nodded solemnly.
Her voice grew even softer as she ventured, "So... it's not because she doesn't like me?"
Shen Yuze shook his head firmly.
"No, Rui'er. She likes you very much and cares deeply for you. You don't need to worry about that." He paused, then added with determination, "I'll do my best to make things right so that she might choose to stay."
Reassured by his words, Shen Rui's tears ceased and she straightened up.
Shen Yuze adjusted the mask on Shen Rui's small face, his voice firm yet gentle. "You can go back inside. Now that she's awake, I'll arrange for a nutritionist to help with her recovery."
Shen Rui nodded and went back inside.
She returned to her side of the room, where her books and papers were neatly arranged. However, instead of engaging with them, she sat quietly, her eyes fixed on Li Xiyan.
Li Xiyan could feel the child's unwavering gaze and couldn't help but sigh.
She wanted to leave, to recuperate in her own space, perhaps with a nurse arranged by Shen Yuze, as even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through her body.
Yet, recalling Shen Yuze's words about how deeply Shen Rui cared for her and how the little girl had been anxiously awaiting her recovery, she found herself hesitating.
The doctors finished their checkup, and the nurse remained in the room, quietly monitoring the situation.
Li Xiyan sat up in the bed, which had been adjusted to a 45-degree angle to make her more comfortable. Despite the discomfort in her body, she couldn't help but let out a sigh, her mind still swirling with everything that had happened.
Turning towards the nurse, she spoke up, her voice firm yet soft, "I want to try standing and walking."
The nurse hesitated, concern evident on her face. "You're still not in a condition to do that, Miss Li. The trauma from the gunshot has left your body weakened. Even though the wound is healing, standing or walking would cause you immense pain. Also, you also haven't been active for a long time. Your muscles have weakened from lack of use, and it might be too difficult to regain your balance and strength right away."
Li Xiyan nodded her head, "Thank you, but I still want to try. Can you just please help me please?"
Now that she was considering staying, Li Xiyan knew she needed to recover quickly so she wouldn't have to remain in this place any longer than necessary.