When Lu'er got home, she was already out of breath. The warmth from all the running made her forget that it was raining and that her clothes were completely soaked. She hurriedly opened the door and stepped inside.
Old Man Li was seated on the couch, watching the evening news. Mrs. Li was in the kitchen preparing supper.
"Is that you, Lu'er? Did you bring the ingredients I asked you to buy?" her voice echoed from the kitchen.
Old Man Li turned his head toward the entrance, only now noticing her. He had been too absorbed in the news to realize she had come in.
"What in the heavens happened, Lu'er?" he gasped, his eyes widening at the sight of her tattered clothes. If not for the coat covering her, she would have been far more exposed.
His concerned voice reached Mrs. Li, who rushed out from the kitchen. She froze when she saw Lu'er's condition.
"What happened, dear? Who did this to you? We should go to the police!" Mrs. Li said, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"It's alright…" Lu'er said softly, her eyes already misting over.
The moment she was in Mrs. Li's arms, the tears she had been holding back finally broke free, streaming down her cheeks and soaking into Mrs. Li's blouse.
She cried for a while before finally calming down.
"Come, take a warm bath, dear. It's not good to stay in damp clothes you'll catch a cold," Mrs. Li said gently, leading her deeper into the apartment.
Half an hour later, Lu'er came out of her room. She had just blow-dried her hair, which now fell softly over her shoulders. She wore a pair of shorts and an oversized T-shirt she had gotten from Old Man Li.
When she entered the sitting room, Mrs. Li had already prepared hot cocoa and some biscuits for her.
"Come, sit down, dear," Mrs. Li said, patting the space beside her on the sofa.
Lu'er sat down and began slowly sipping her cocoa. Warmth spread through her body, and she couldn't help but smile at the old couple, who treated her like their own daughter.
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Li, if you keep treating me like this, I'm afraid I might get fat," she said, picking up another biscuit.
Mrs. Li smiled. "That's exactly what we want, dear. Look at you you're so skinny. You should eat more and put some weight on."
Soon, Lu'er finished eating.
Old Man Li cleared his throat. "Lu'er, dear… what exactly happened today at the market?"
Mrs. Li also looked at her, her face filled with concern.
Lu'er nodded slowly and began recounting the events.
"It all started when I noticed three men following me…They chased me into an alley…Then this man came and rescued me…He said he was looking for me…"
Knock. Knock.
Lu'er was halfway through her story when a knock suddenly interrupted them.
"Who could it be at this time?" Old Man Li asked, trying to stand, but his back refused him.
"I'll go, Mr. Li. Don't force yourself," Lu'er said, hurrying to the door.
Outside, Ren Zichen stood calmly. Wei Jun had already tracked her down to this apartment.
He knocked a few times, but there was no response.
"Let's go," he said to his bodyguard.
Just as they turned to leave, the door creaked open behind them.
A young, beautiful girl stepped out now dressed in dry clothes.
Looking at her, Ren Zichen couldn't help but compare her to the cold, distant woman he once knew the one who rarely spoke to him.
"Can I help you, sir?" Lu'er asked cautiously.
"Hello. My name is Ren Zichen," he said, extending his hand.
"My name is Lu'er," she replied politely. "I would like to thank you for saving me today… but it seems you are mistaken. I don't know you."
Her tone made it clear she had no intention of letting him in easily.
Ren Zichen nodded, as if he had expected this.
"May I come in? I would like to discuss something with you."
Lu'er hesitated for a moment… then stepped aside.
"Please, come in."
Ren Zichen entered first, followed by Wei Jun.
The apartment was small. The front room was divided into a living area and a kitchen. Despite its size, it was neat and well-kept, showing the effort the couple put into maintaining it.
Old Man Li, seated near the television, noticed the guests.
"Lu'er, who are these people? Are they bothering you?"
"No, Mr. Li," she quickly reassured him.
"These are the men I told you about… the ones who rescued me at the market."
Old Man Li's face lit up with gratitude. He stood up hurriedly.
"Thank you thank you very much for helping her," he said, grasping Ren Zichen's hand.
Mrs. Li rushed out of the kitchen, still holding a ladle. Soon, both of them were showering Ren Zichen and Wei Jun with thanks and blessings.
After a few minutes, the old couple finally calmed down.
"Dinner is almost ready. Please, have a seat," Mrs. Li said warmly. "You can tell us more about yourselves while you wait."
She returned to the kitchen.
Old Man Li sat back down and looked at the two men opposite him.
"From what Lu'er said, you seem to know her… and you helped her today. How do you know our Lu'er?"
Ren Zichen paused.
His gaze shifted to Lu'er.
Then he spoke.
"I am your husband."