Chapter 101: Hand in Hand Yet Apart

ion. Her daughter would then truly become part of the Li family and could receive their share."Aunt, it's true. Luo Xi and I have registered. Luo Xi is your daughter. For not getting your blessing bef...Chapter 101: Holding Hands Yet Parting

Lì n left Yantai with a heartbroken soul and did not return home but flew directly to Inner Mongolia. No matter how desperate or hurt he was, he still remembered his responsibilities. He was no longer a child and had lost the right to act capriciously.

Upon arriving in Inner Mongolia, Lì n didn't immediately convene a meeting but first called in the vice president who had been temporarily in charge of the company as well as Dù Zhijun for an update on recent operational conditions.

When Dù Zhijun entered the office, she saw Lì n sitting at his usual position. His face was slightly pale but his eyes were clear and bright. Seeing her enter, he showed no change in expression, simply pointed to a chair beside him and indicated for her to sit.

The vice president came in afterward and sat beside Dù Zhijun, placing his laptop on the desk and diligently narrating what had transpired at the company these days along with recent decisions made.

Lì n listened with intense focus, nodding occasionally while asking questions. His voice sounded somewhat hoarse and coupled with his current pale and haggard appearance, it was far from his usual energetic self, presenting a kind of melancholic beauty.

Dù Zhijun meticulously took notes at the side, interjecting softly now and then as if afraid to exhaust Lì n; indeed, she made for an attentive secretary.

After focusing all his efforts on handling the accumulated work over these days, when Lì n stood up, he suddenly felt dizzy and saw black before his eyes. He swayed slightly, feeling even more dizzy...

These past few days had truly exhausted him; after hearing about Yán Luoxi's pregnancy one day, he drove around aimlessly in Yantai for a small period before deciding to leave. During the flight back, he hadn't slept and upon returning to Inner Mongolia, stayed up all night reviewing documents, approving pending contracts and plans, then spent another late-night session on paperwork today followed by an entire morning meeting.

Because he was preoccupied with something in his heart, he had to muster all his energy, which made him much more exhausted than usual at work.

Since leaving Yantai, Li An felt possessed by a demon. He couldn't eat, drink, or sleep; every function of his body was pushed to the limit, and he was always on the verge of collapse. As soon as his eyes closed, an image of Yan Luoxi with Shao Junhe would appear before him.

Today, he could no longer hold out and collapsed onto the sofa, falling into a deep sleep.

Li An gradually woke up due to a slight pricking sensation on his hand. Upon opening his eyes, he saw a nurse in white standing before him, with Du Zhijun beside her looking extremely anxious.

"Mr. Li, you're finally awake! You scared me half to death..." Du Zhijun's voice was choked with emotion as tears welled up in her red-rimmed eyes.

"What... happened" Upon speaking, Li An realized his voice was hoarse and that his throat felt like it was on fire. His nose and eyes also hurt terribly; he must have caught a cold.

"Mr. Li, you fell asleep in the meeting room yesterday afternoon. When I left work, I found you with a high fever and delirious. It's all my fault for being too careless and not realizing that something was wrong with you earlier...," Du Zhijun said as tears streamed down her face.

Li An's complexion was extremely pale, making his eyes appear even darker and more radiant, deep and bottomless. He stared at Du Zhijun intently for two minutes before nodding weakly towards her and then shaking his head helplessly before closing his eyes and leaning against the pillow.

Previously, whenever he was hospitalized or sick, it had always been Yan Luoxi taking care of him by his side. Today, if he wanted to see her again, it would likely be at Shao Junhe's wedding.

Pondering the thought of Yan Luoxi potentially marrying Shao Junhe, Li An immediately felt a sharp pain in his chest, unable to resist touching it.

"Mr. Li, are you okay Do you feel unwell" Du Zhijun asked with concern from beside him.

Li An opened his eyes and glanced at Du Zhijun, shaking his head wearily, "I'm fine, just feeling tired." With that said, he closed his eyes again.

The past few days had severely drained his body, and after recently recovering from a high fever, he soon fell asleep as soon as his eyes closed.

Du Zhijun stayed by Li An's bedside the whole time. It was her first time seeing him sleep; curled into a ball with his head buried in the pillow, lacking his usual sharpness and vigor, making him look innocent like a child.

Her heart softened immediately as she gently touched his forehead to find it no longer warm but slightly sweaty. After some thought, she got up to get him an extra blanket.

This time around, Li An was clearly different; he looked haggard and pale with a changed demeanor that seemed worn out, pained, and hopeless—utterly devoid of any vitality, as if he had aged several years, his spirits low and dejected.

Du Zhijun didn’t know what had happened to Li An in these days, but she knew for certain that whatever it was, it must have been a severe blow for him. Otherwise, with his proud and arrogant nature, he wouldn't fall so easily.

Sickness comes like a mountain collapsing; recovery is like unwinding silk—it's slow. Li An’s illness came suddenly but left gradually, yet he insisted on not staying in the hospital and instead returned to his company apartment to be alone.

Lying in the hospital, he would不經意地 think of Yan Luoxi, recalling how she accompanied him with her playful and tender presence during his previous stays.

The hospital without Yan Luoxi's company was unbearable.

Since Li Yi told Li An Shaojun He’s address, he had been closely monitoring his little brother's whereabouts. Upon hearing that Li An was ill, he flew over specially and felt relieved to see that despite the situation, Li An still managed the company very well.

Considering Li An's current condition and poor health, Li Yi couldn't bear leaving him alone here; with the company now running smoothly as per regulations, he wanted to bring his brother back south.

Li An didn’t comment on his brother’s suggestion. He was indifferent about everything at this moment, unlike before when he would be meticulous and picky. It seemed nothing could stir his emotions anymore.

Li Yi took the silent Li An to the airport; despite the bustling streets with traffic and pedestrians, Li An felt an emptiness as if the surroundings were vast like a universe. The shops lining the street and the people passing by lost their meaning for him.

He mechanically followed Li Yi onto the plane and off again at home, where the family driver picked them up. Seeing the tense atmosphere in the car, Li Yi tapped the driver’s seat back lightly and whispered, "Turn on the CD."

The car was a good one; its sound system produced excellent quality music. With a button press, sorrowful melodies filled the car, along with Me Gu's enduring voice: "Both travelers on life’s journey, both dreamers in youth, meant to be together yet not realizing it until too late... Before parting, unaware of how precious the moments shared were; holding hands yet letting go, loving and losing love… Ten years later, a pair again; after ten thousand years, still a match but alas, unable to see..."

Li An was struck as if hit by lightning, his body involuntarily shaking. He turned his face away from the window, not wanting his brother to see his pained expression.s, she tilted her head away; but Li An didn't give up and continued to chase after her lips, his heavy breaths exhaling by her ear."Luoxi, my dear..."He called out to Yan Luoxi with deep affection in...