Lin Xiao remained silent.
He knew it was difficult, very difficult.
If it weren't for the elder's help, Luo Qinghan's family would have been at the very bottom of the Luo family's hierarchy. Moreover, a prominent family like the Luo clan valued face above all else. Otherwise, when Luo Qinghan became pregnant, the elder would not have fallen ill from anger. The elder, who had previously doted on Luo Qinghan, also harbored some disappointment towards her after falling ill.
Not to mention the so-called "relatives" who would undoubtedly surface to kick them while they were down.
"You..."
Li Xin was quite satisfied with Lin Xiao at the moment. His medical skills, and what he had shown today in saving her daughter from the wedding hall, made him a good son-in-law. However, her daughter had suffered too much these past four years, and she was unwilling to forgive Lin Xiao so easily.
"Mom, I will use everything I have to compensate Qinghan."
"No, it's not compensation."
Li Xin shook her head. "You need to do everything a husband should do for her. It's not about compensation."
"Yes."
After saying this, Li Xin glanced once more at the room occupied by Luo Buwei and his family.
The Luo Buwei family had used every means to suppress them within the Luo clan. If possible, she wished that Luo Buwei, who was in the hospital, and his family would never return.
Luo Qinghan looked at her mother, her lips moving slightly, but she said nothing.
She didn't know how she had gotten through these four years, but now that they had reached this day, she no longer wanted to dwell on the past.
"Mom, you don't need to say anymore."
Luo Qinghan quickly said.
Hearing her daughter's words, Li Xin didn't press further. "I'm going back to my room to rest."
After Li Xin left, Lin Xiao looked at his wife. He walked over and gently embraced her. "I will definitely be a good husband to you."
Luo Qinghan struggled slightly, then said, "I haven't acknowledged you yet..."
"You haven't acknowledged me, but you've gotten the license?" Lin Xiao asked playfully.
"It's just that... I didn't want Xun'er to be without a father..." Luo Qinghan's eyes darted away as she quickly replied.
"Oh, I see."
Lin Xiao said, looking at the two hands holding the toy Lin Xiao had just brought, as she was about to fall asleep. Leaning against his leg, she could barely stand.
Seeing this, Qinghan bent down and held her. "Let's go to bed."
They returned to the room.
Xun'er was placed in a small bed nearby, but now both Luo Qinghan and Lin Xiao found themselves in a dilemma.
Logically, as newlyweds, they should share a bed. But what about their situation?
Their so-called marriage was only formalized today. They hadn't seen each other for four years, and their relationship had almost vanished... though there had been something four years ago.
Now, both Luo Qinghan and Lin Xiao could feel the awkward atmosphere between them.
These past four years, Lin Xiao had traveled far and wide. Even facing thousands of enemy soldiers alone, or fighting his way through a thousand elite soldiers, he had never encountered such a difficult situation.
In matters of the heart, he was almost a blank slate.
Before joining the army, he hadn't had any experience. After his service in the Northern Frontier, he had few opportunities to even meet a woman. This could be considered his first love.
"Then... you sleep first, I'll find another room."
Lin Xiao said quickly.
He didn't want them to continue feeling awkward. Moreover, Luo Qinghan was clearly feeling a bit uncomfortable about their situation. Rather than prolonging the awkwardness, he thought it would be better for both of them to calm down and maintain some distance.
Having said that, he prepared to leave.
"No!"
Luo Qinghan quickly rushed over and held Lin Xiao's hand. "If you go out to sleep... people will laugh."
This was the Luo family, with so many eyes watching them. If Lin Xiao went out, it would give the other members of the Luo family fodder for gossip!
"Who dares to laugh?!" Lin Xiao's eyes widened. "I'll make them all the same as that scoundrel Luo Buwei!"
"Lin Xiao!" Luo Qinghan quickly said, "Calm down."
She knew Lin Xiao was capable. He could make Master He look foolish, and no one else in the Luo family could resist him. However, not everything could be solved with such methods. What about later? What if they encountered an even bigger family? If the three great families found out, if their business partners learned of this, wouldn't all of the Luo family's collaborators disappear?
All her efforts, all her years of enduring silently, she had managed to get through them. She didn't want it all to be in vain.
Seeing Luo Qinghan's pleading eyes, Lin Xiao's heart softened. He owed her too much... even now.
He sat by the bed and looked at Luo Qinghan seriously. "Don't worry, from this day forward, no one will dare to utter a single word against you."
"You... try to use less violence."
"Of course, I won't use violence."
Lin Xiao chuckled lightly. What kind of person was he?
Violence?
He had already taken control of everything belonging to the three great families. Why would he need to resort to violence? It was something that could be resolved with a single word.
"Don't worry, you sleep. I won't touch you. Until you get used to me, I won't touch you." Lin Xiao drew a line in the middle and said, "I won't cross this boundary."
Luo Qinghan looked at the serious Lin Xiao and felt a bit strange. Was she not beautiful enough?
With so many people in Shashi, even after having a daughter, there would be enough men lining up to pursue her to fill several blocks. Yet, Lin Xiao, when faced with her, could act this way?
Afterward, Lin Xiao found a quilt from the closet and prepared to sleep.
His actions were so decisive that Luo Qinghan could tell Lin Xiao genuinely didn't want to touch her.
"Let's sleep."
Lin Xiao said to Luo Qinghan before lying down.
"Ah... Mm."
Luo Qinghan turned off the lights in the room.
They were so close.
This was the first time another man had been on her bed, besides that one accidental night. She hadn't experienced sharing a bed with someone since then.
Even though they weren't sharing a pillow, the masculine presence beside her was undeniable.
Lying on the bed, Luo Qinghan could feel her heart beating rapidly, as if it would leap out of her chest at any moment.
Normally, she would have fallen asleep long ago, but tonight... as soon as she lay down, her mind began to race, replaying all the events of the day and the wonders she had witnessed.
She couldn't believe it. She was truly free.