Wealthy Beauty in the 60s

Chapter 718 - 720: Can’t Be Righteous Anymore

"The granddaughter of the Gao family is not bad, if you like her, then go after her with effort. If you can’t catch up, it’s due to your own lack of ability. If you succeed, then treat her well, otherwise, I will not recognize you as my grandson," He Xuebing’s voice carried an unprecedented weakness.

Yu Zhen moved her lips, wanting to retort, but at this moment, she dared not.

At the entrance of the hospital, they met Yu Shijie and Yang Xuehua. Everyone was somewhat silent, and after greeting each other, nothing much was said.

They were all of the same generation, and with He Xuebing in poor health, they all felt somewhat sad, even wondering when it might be their turn.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural laws that no one can resist. Everyone will have this day, but naturally, they hoped it would come later rather than sooner.

Upon reaching He Xuebing’s ward, there were already quite a few people there.

Xia Xiao also saw Dong Meihua’s son and only then found out Dong Meihua had died of illness ten years ago. Xia Xiao and Yang Xuehua remained silent; they hadn’t forgotten Dong Meihua after all. As people age, memories of the past often resurface.

But they hadn’t expected Dong Meihua to have passed away so early on.

Now in He Xuebing’s ward, everyone’s mood was heavy, especially for Yu Shijie and Yang Xuehua, who had been frequent visitors. They hadn’t expected that in just a few short days, He Xuebing had appeared to age significantly and even looked very pale.

Seeing Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao arrive brightened He Xuebing’s dim gaze momentarily, "Gao Er, Xia Xiao, you’re here."

Gao Jiaxing stepped forward to hold He Xuebing’s hand, and Xia Xiao also sat beside them. Upon seeing Xia Xiao, Yu Zhen’s face turned sour instantly, and she even refrained from greeting Xia Xiao.

Xia Xiao, on the other hand, greeted Yu Zhen. Yu Zhen kept an impassive face and didn’t want to respond, but seeing He Xuebing’s complexion, she let out a slight grunt.

Xia Xiao sighed inwardly upon seeing Yu Zhen behave this way; Yu Zhen cared about He Xuebing, but unfortunately, she wasn’t that bright and was also incompatible in personality.

At this time, He Xuebing spoke up, "Having you all come to see me off, I have no regrets in this life."

"We are brothers for life," Gao Jiaxing’s voice was a bit choked up. Though he and He Xuebing didn’t grow up wearing the same pants, they had played together since childhood, always thick as thieves.

Over the years, Gao Jiaxing and He Xuebing had never lost contact, though he had not mentioned it to Xia Xiao.

He Xuebing felt content. Although, according to the relations from Zheng Xianghong’s side, He Xuebing was Gao Jiaxing’s maternal uncle, from the Gao family’s perspective, he was just a cousin.

Thus, they didn’t care about familial seniority; regardless, they were close brothers who had grown up together.

At that moment, He Xuebing also glanced at Xia Xiao, feeling a hint of regret, but seeing Xia Xiao living well also made him happy.

Moreover, He Xuebing had to admit, Xia Xiao really suited Gao Jiaxing well. Marrying Gao Jiaxing would definitely make her happier than being with him.

Because Gao Jiaxing had a happy and fulfilling family and a kind mother, this was what He Xuebing envied the most.

This look from He Xuebing made Yu Zhen almost lose her composure, wanting to lash out at Xia Xiao but holding back, feeling frustrated as she walked out.

Xia Xiao stood up, saying, "You brothers haven’t seen each other for a long time, have a good chat. I’ll go check on Yu Zhen."

When Xia Xiao came out, she saw Yang Xuehua and Yu Shijie outside the ward, but Yu Zhen was not there.

"Where is Yu Zhen?" Xia Xiao asked Yang Xuehua.

"She went towards the restroom," Yang Xuehua pointed in the direction.

"I’ll go check on her," Xia Xiao said.

Yang Xuehua shook her head, "You don’t need to bother with her. She’s always been petulant like this. After so many years, she still hasn’t changed despite her age."

But Xia Xiao still went toward the restroom. However, Yu Zhen wasn’t there; instead, she was in a corner by a trash can, secretly wiping her tears.

As Xia Xiao approached, she took out a small pack of tissues from her pocket and handed one to Yu Zhen, "Here, wipe it off."

Seeing it was Xia Xiao, Yu Zhen reluctantly took it, "What are you doing here, mocking me?"

"Why would you think I’m here to mock you?" Xia Xiao said.

"Hehe, my man has been in love with you all his life; you must feel very proud," Yu Zhen eyed Xia Xiao, who was dressed simply yet still could not conceal her grace and poise, feeling envious inside her heart. Life was too unfair, clearly favoring Xia Xiao.

If Xia Xiao was just ordinarily beautiful, just an ordinary woman, He Xuebing wouldn’t have pined for her all these years.

Yu Zhen had thought about outshining Xia Xiao, but she and Xia Xiao were from different professions and types; she couldn’t compete with Xia Xiao.

Moreover, comparing her weaknesses against Xia Xiao’s strengths only highlighted her own shortcomings, but Yu Zhen didn’t have many strengths to speak of, falling short of Xia Xiao in every aspect.

In the past, she could at least claim to be of a nobler birth than Xia Xiao, but that was all.

"You, after all these years, are still the same, Yu Zhen. You’ve got the wrong mindset," Xia Xiao seemed to grow younger with age.

Yu Zhen glared, ready to retaliate against Xia Xiao, who remained calm and serene,

"I did have a crush on He Xuebing, but that’s long past. We both look forward, yet you cling to the past. He Xuebing is a great man, you know it, that’s why you liked him initially. I don’t feel I owe you anything; He Xuebing and I were not officially together back then, so you weren’t really intruding between us. He Xuebing’s mom didn’t like me, and even without you, there would have been Li Zhen, Wang Zhen, or Zhang Zhen, in the end, He Xuebing and I just weren’t meant to be."

Yu Zhen found some agreement in these words, her expression slightly brightening, recalling past events. She didn’t think she had done anything wrong, after all, He Xuebing was not committed to Xia Xiao back then.

A man unwed, a woman unmarried, she naturally had the right to pursue.

She had once been proud to have He Xuebing, but never anticipated that she would never be able to drive Xia Xiao out of He Xuebing’s heart all her life. She seemed to have won, but in truth, she had lost.

Xia Xiao continued, "He Xuebing is actually a very responsible person, and your relationship came about somewhat reluctantly. He has had his good moments too, right? It wasn’t always so strained between you two from the start, was it? How did your relationship become so tense, and your life turn out this way? Is it really because of me?"

Yu Zhen didn’t answer, she neither nodded nor shook her head, but deep inside, she could no longer assert herself boldly against Xia Xiao.

Since their marriage, their relationship had always been lukewarm, but Yu Zhen wasn’t satisfied with that, often causing quarrels with He Xuebing, hoping that He Xuebing would fall in love with her and show her more passion.

And it was always Yu Zhen who took the initiative, and over time, that naturally became a source of discontent.