Chapter 141 — Old Buffon's Origins
Years of Heartflutter · Page 112 of 214
And how to untie that knot was beyond what the hospital's doctors could accomplish. So the doctor suggested that Mother Zhou spend more time with Zhou Yanning, talking to her—perhaps that might loosen the knot in her heart.
If Zhou Yanning had a lover or friends, it would be best to have them keep her company as well; perhaps they would know what wishes or burdens weighed on her heart.
So, following the doctor's advice, Mother Zhou sought out Zhou Yanning's good friend Wang Xue, and from Wang Xue learned the whole story of her daughter and Yan.
Hearing Wang Xue's account, Mother Zhou suddenly realized—could it be that her daughter's knot was Yang Ce? If Yang Ce could spend more time with her, perhaps she might wake quickly.
And so the scene from before had come to pass.
Yang Ce had not expected Mother Zhou's request to be this, and could not help saying earnestly, "Aunt Hua, Zhou Yanning was hurt because of me. Even if you hadn't asked, I would come visit Jiajia often. There's no need to plead with me at all."
"That's good, that's good." Mother Zhou nodded. "You stay and talk with Jiajia. I'll go get something to eat."
"All right." Yang Shuo did not think much of it and sat down at the head of Zhou Yanning's bed.
Mother Zhou, however, meant to give them some privacy. She truly hoped that, with her gone, Yang Ce might say some intimate things to her daughter, and perhaps that would help her wake sooner. If she stayed, Yang Ce would surely feel too embarrassed to say anything.
After Mother Zhou left, Yang Ce took Zhou Yanning's hand with tenderness. It was somewhat cold, yet smooth to the touch, and it stirred something in Yang Jue's heart for no reason at all. Looking at Zhou Yanning's pale face, Yang Ce sighed softly.
His debt was great now. From the moment he had made that promise, Yang Ce had decided that he could never again be indifferent to this girl. Whether Zhou Yanning woke or not, Yang Ce would care for her, forever.
If possible, he would even put a wedding dress on her—this too was a promise he had made her, a man's promise, a promise for a lifetime. Though at the time, much of Yang Yanzhou's reason for saying it had been to keep Zhou Yanning holding on until she reached the hospital; it could be called a white lie.
But as for words he himself had spoken, Yang Yongjin would not go back on them even if he wanted to. Though Yang Duo admitted he was no gentleman, he was not the sort to grow fat on broken promises either.
Yet although Yang Ce now felt deep remorse toward Zhou Yanning, he had not fallen in love with her. Matters of the heart do not simply appear on demand. Yang Ce did not understand Zhou Yanning at all—he could not even fathom why Zhou Yanning liked him. So he could accept Zhou Yanning, but truly falling in love with her would have to wait until he came to know this girl.
"Jiajia, wake up soon. I will keep the promise between us," Yang Ce said softly, holding Zhou Yanning's small hand tightly.
But Zhou Yanning showed no change of expression at all. Yang Shuo did not expect it to work on the first try; he had seen similar scenes on television. This was slow, painstaking work, and one could not rush it.
Just as he was speaking, the ward door was pushed open. Yang Puqi looked up and saw Wang Xue walk in.
"Eh? Yang Ce, you're here?" Wang Xue asked, somewhat surprised.
"Wang Xue, why are you here too?" Yang Shuyu said. Wang Xue was on good terms with Zhou Yanning and was also Tian Yan's girlfriend, so he nodded to her amicably.
"I've been coming often these days," Wang Xue said with a sigh. "Jiajia is my good friend. Seeing her like this makes me very sad, so I come to talk with her whenever I have time."
"Mm, thank you," Yang Ce said. He now regarded Zhou Yanning as his own woman, so he was naturally courteous about Wang Xue's gestures.
"Why thank me?" Wang Xue was puzzled. "If anyone should be thanked, it's Aunt Hua."