Chapter 977: Chapter 966: Send Xu Rongfei Away!
Xu Rongfei had been lying in the hospital for two days now. Both Xu Ruolan and Xu Xiaoqing were worried sick. Even though Ning Fan assured them that Xu Rongfei was not gravely injured, her prolonged unconsciousness still made them uneasy.
Ning Fan didn’t share the specifics of what had happened, and Xu Ruolan, being a clever woman, refrained from asking further questions. However, she had already begun to form her own suspicions in her heart.
Situ Qingfeng had vanished—completely. The man, who had arrived with such force and arrogance, had now erased all traces of himself from Zhonghai. Xu Ruolan instinctively connected this disappearance to Situ Qingfeng.
Noticing the fleeting emotion in Xu Rongfei’s eyes as she looked at Ning Fan, Xu Ruolan sighed softly to herself. She had keenly caught onto it.
“Aunt, how are you feeling?”
Xu Ruolan approached, her concern prompting Xu Rongfei to withdraw her gaze.
“It’s nothing serious. I should be discharged soon.”
After two days of rest in the hospital, Xu Rongfei’s voice had grown lazier, but her condition had largely improved. She would likely be able to leave after another couple of days of rest.
At this moment, Ning Fan also carefully studied Xu Rongfei’s complexion. Once he was certain she was truly out of danger, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already checked her condition thoroughly. With two more days of recovery, she’s likely ready for discharge!”
Ning Fan added from the side.
“Hmph! You just take one look? Don’t you even bother to check the pulse?”
Xu Xiaoqing protested, her mock reprimand lightening the mood in the room considerably.
Ning Fan chuckled at her words, remarking, “Little girl, have you forgotten my skills? Traditional Chinese medicine—look, listen, question, and feel the pulse. I only need one glance to know… your ‘special day’ is just around the corner!”
“Pah! What nonsense are you babbling about?!”
Xu Xiaoqing’s cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, glowering at Ning Fan in a mix of shame and indignation. Of course, she understood what Ning Fan meant by “special day.” Being called out like this made her face grow even redder.
Judging by her reaction, Ning Fan had hit the mark. He shook his head, refraining from teasing her further.
Then, Xu Rongfei spoke seriously, “Once I’ve rested up in the next couple of days, I’ll leave. I had already made arrangements over there, and I didn’t expect anything like this to happen. If I continue delaying, it would be disrespectful.”
The moment these words were uttered, everyone’s expressions changed, especially Xu Xiaoqing, who voiced her concern immediately. “Aunt, you still want to leave? After all that’s happened, maybe you shouldn’t go abroad anymore!”
“I can’t. I’ve already made an agreement with them; going back on my word would be entirely my fault!”
In reality, this was merely an excuse. Xu Rongfei understood that staying any longer wouldn’t serve any purpose.
Just as Xu Xiaoqing was about to continue persuading her, Xu Ruolan spoke up first. “Aunt, have you truly decided to leave?”
“Yes.”
The atmosphere turned heavy in an instant. Xu Ruolan and Xu Rongfei exchanged a long glance, as if silently communicating something unspoken.
In the room, Ning Fan felt the most awkward of all. Upon hearing that Xu Rongfei still intended to leave, he didn’t know what to say.
Truthfully, Ning Fan believed that leaving this heartbreaking place might be the best choice for Xu Rongfei. Yet even so, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.
“Please make sure to come back and visit us!”
After a long while, Xu Ruolan finally said solemnly.
Xu Rongfei looked surprised for a moment but soon revealed a faint smile. Her niece was perceptive; although Xu Ruolan didn’t show it on her face, Xu Rongfei knew that she had likely understood everything.
“I’ll definitely come back. This is my home, after all!”
She would undoubtedly return one day, but as for when—it was hard to say. Even Xu Rongfei herself didn’t know.
Ning Fan didn’t say anything. He had come today simply to check on Xu Rongfei. As for her decision, he had no right or ability to intervene.
After some thought, all he could manage to say was, “It’s all over now.”
Situ Qingfeng was dead; Xu Rongfei shouldn’t encounter any more trouble after this.
Thinking back on it, Ning Fan felt somewhat guilty, knowing that this matter ultimately stemmed from his own actions.
Situ Qingfeng had returned seeking revenge on Ning Fan, which was why Xu Rongfei ended up being abducted.
Despite all that had transpired, Xu Rongfei still resolved to go abroad. Her decision wasn’t something anyone could change.
…
Three days later, at Zhonghai International Airport, Xu Rongfei stood outside the security checkpoint with her luggage. In front of her were Ning Fan, Xu Ruolan, and Xu Xiaoqing, all there to see her off.
This time, with Xu Rongfei boarding the plane, Ning Fan felt compelled to be here to send her off.
“Aunt, please take care of yourself while you’re abroad. Contact us whenever you can!”
Xu Xiaoqing spoke to Xu Rongfei, her tone steeped in reluctance.
Seeing Xu Xiaoqing’s expression, Xu Rongfei smiled and said, “Don’t worry, little girl. I’ll send you gifts during the holidays. And of course, I’ll send gifts to Ning Fan and Ruolan, too—don’t any of you forget about me, okay?”
Heading abroad alone, Xu Rongfei wasn’t afraid of the isolation or the unfamiliarity of a foreign land. What scared her the most was the thought of those she had left behind in Zhonghai forgetting her.
Ning Fan understood Xu Rongfei’s feelings clearly. He replied with conviction, “Rest assured, we won’t forget you!”
Although Xu Rongfei would be alone in a foreign country, both Xu Ruolan and Xu Xiaoqing would undoubtedly support her in their hearts. Nobody would ever forget her.
“Aunt, please take good care of yourself over there!”
With the boarding time fast approaching, Xu Ruolan seized the opportunity to say her final words.
Xu Rongfei nodded. Her smile remained on her face as her gaze lingered on each of their faces in turn. Her nose tingled, and her eyes began to redden.
“It’s about time. I’m leaving now!”
Her voice trembled slightly, choked with emotion, but she didn’t cry. Despite her deep reluctance, she refused to show any weakness at this moment.
Watching Xu Rongfei’s departing figure, Ning Fan felt a deep, indescribable ache. A sense of regret washed over him—not for himself, but for Xu Rongfei.
With a heavy heart, his gaze carried a hint of helplessness.
Was this what people called “having fate but no destiny”?
That seemed the best way to explain it. Xu Rongfei had already confessed her feelings to him, but, tragically, Ning Fan couldn’t reciprocate them.
Now, as she embarked on a solo journey to a foreign land, Ning Fan was left with a swirl of complicated emotions.
Standing in the airport’s departure hall, Ning Fan watched Xu Rongfei’s figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance, his eyes full of conflicting feelings.