CHAPTER 438: CHAPTER 438: HEARTACHE

Who knows if it’s fate playing tricks on them—when Gu Qixiao woke up, his condition had indeed improved. At least, he no longer looked as haggard as before.

Ji Yu stood nearby, watching the situation unfold. Only when she confirmed that there were no major issues did she let out a sigh of relief. The torment she had endured to reach this decision finally seemed worthwhile.

"Gu Qixiao, I hope we can have a happy ending. I know your heart must be aching right now, but this is the trial we’re meant to face together."

Perhaps it was the heavens testing whether their love was strong enough.

Ji Yu stayed at a distance, watching everything unfold. Fortunately, Gu Qixiao woke up briefly before passing out again.

"Since he’s doing okay now, let’s get him sent home first. Things should be safer in the country; at least he won’t face the same dangers there."

No one knew what that lunatic Jiang Huai might do next, so it was better for them to prioritize their own safety.

The doctor, observing her calm demeanor, couldn’t help feeling curious.

"Do you really love him? Why don’t I sense much concern from you? If you truly loved him, how could you accept this so calmly?"

"Because I understand this situation all too well. I have no other options left. This is the only outcome I can accept. Why shouldn’t I accept this with peace?" Ji Yu didn’t think this was particularly hard to fathom. When something is your sole choice, is there really another option?

"You’re an extraordinary young woman. But if you keep going on like this, you might end up hurting yourself," the doctor remarked with a meaningful smile, though Ji Yu had long grown accustomed to people speaking cryptically around her.

She didn’t care about their words; all she cared about was what the final outcome would be.

"I’ll head back and rest now." She watched Gu Qixiao being taken onto the plane. With everything resolved for now, she had no reason to linger.

"You really should get some proper rest. Look at those dark circles—they’re practically taking over your entire face. But before you go, I just want to remind you, if you find the antidote, make sure to inform me."

He was also curious about what the antidote might be.

Ji Yu nodded in agreement. What she needed most at the moment was a good night’s sleep.

She slumbered in a dazed state for a long time. When she woke again, the familiar presence by her side was gone.

It seemed she had truly accepted everything calmly, yet at the same time, she couldn’t completely let it all go.

Hu Jianyu watched her struggle day in and day out, feeling a deep ache in his heart. It pained him to think his daughter was being hurt by that wretched boy.

If Gu Qixiao were fine, his daughter wouldn’t have to suffer like this. At the very least, the two of them should have been happily together.

After some thought, he reasoned that instead of waiting for the couple to reconcile, it might be better to find someone else to fill the void in her life.

And so, Ji Yu stared speechlessly at the variety of men standing before her.

"Dad, what exactly are you trying to do? Look at these people you’ve arranged. Are they supposed to... what, become male escorts?"

To be fair, "male escorts" wasn’t too far off the mark. After all, the goal was to comfort Ji Yu, so logically, they ought to be somewhat presentable.

"No worries—if you don’t like this group, I can arrange for others. I’ve screened quite a few promising candidates here."

At times, Ji Yu wondered if her father might have suddenly lost his mind.

Otherwise, how could he be acting in such a bizarre way? And judging by the look of these men, their intentions were far from innocent.

"Let’s just drop this, Dad. You already know there’s someone in my heart. Arranging blind dates like this is completely pointless."

No matter what these people’s motives were, they had nothing to do with her. She had no intention of dating anyone at the moment.

Perhaps noticing her discomfort, Hu Jianyu sighed in resignation. By now, it seemed unlikely any of this would pan out.

"Since you’ve made your stance clear, I won’t persist. I know you’re overwhelmed, but these things are truly not a big deal."

Everyone has desires. Matters of attraction and affection are nothing unusual.

"Dad, please stop creating unnecessary trouble. I’ve been busy focusing on antidote research and dealing with other pressing matters lately."

Jiang Huai had been keeping a close eye on her, and it was hard to say whether he had planted someone among these men.

"Yu, I don’t want to see you lonely and isolated like this. I can tell you’re deeply lonely inside. If you had someone to provide you comfort, you might feel better."

As her father, he had a generational gap with her. But if some handsome men could cheer Ji Yu up, perhaps she could finally forget about that troublesome boy Gu Qixiao.

"Dad, there’s only one person in my heart, and I’ve already given it away. How could I ever take it back?"

That’s simply the nature of love.

"Ah, I can’t stand seeing you like this. You’re my darling daughter, my precious treasure. How can you be hurt like this? I know you chose this path, but it’s hard for me to witness your suffering."

Hu Jianyu wasn’t trying to be difficult; he simply wanted his daughter to be happy. Though his methods might be extreme, his intentions came from a place of love.

"Dad, I don’t need any of this. What I need is some brief rest and the chance to deal with Jiang Huai once and for all."

This matter had always been a thorn in her heart. As long as Jiang Huai lived, there would never be peace for her.

"Since you’ve already made up your mind, as your father, I have nothing more to say. Just don’t regret the decisions you’ve made."

Ji Yu froze momentarily, then mulled it over. Truly, there wasn’t anything to regret. Every decision had been her own.

Every choice had followed the path she intended.