C36 He Believed Su Rann

It was deep into the night, and since Su Rann had been confined, she hadn't had a bite to eat or a sip of water.

No one dared to defy Lin Manyin by bringing her food.

It was common knowledge among the Lu family that Lin Manyin was to remain the future mistress.

Su Rann sat on the floor, her gaze icy and profound.

Even the rats and cockroaches kept their distance, as if repelled by the intense hostility she radiated.

For Su Rann, this was hardly the worst of her experiences; she had endured far harsher conditions before.

A soft "squeak" announced the arrival of someone tiptoeing in.

Su Rann's eyes fixed on the doorway, her expression chilling.

"Madam, First Madam, are you there?" Mrs. Lee whispered, careful not to alert the nearby security guard.

Mrs. Lee hadn't anticipated that the basement where Su Rann was imprisoned would be utterly devoid of light.

For any young woman, no matter how brave, enduring such a bleak and damp space was unthinkable.

And the basement was infested not just with rats and cockroaches, but rumored to be haunted as well.

It was no surprise that Mrs. Lee sensed an eerie chill upon entering.

"I'm here," Su Rann responded, startling Mrs. Lee into nearly falling over.

"Madam, how can they do this to you? I heard you've been without food and water for a day. Here, I've brought you some food and porridge I made fresh from the kitchen. Please, eat it while it's hot."

Mrs. Lee set the meal before her, her eyes brimming with tears.

Su Rann had cured her of a lifelong asthma, granting her what felt like a second chance at life.

Only after falling ill did she truly understand the value of health.

Mrs. Lee was also concerned about being discovered, so she only dared to visit after midnight, once everyone else was asleep.

"Thank you!" Su Rann gratefully accepted the food and began to eat earnestly.

A mouse scurried by, causing a rustling noise near Mrs. Lee.

"Madam, as soon as the Young Master returns, I'll implore him to rescue you. This place is unfit for anyone, let alone the First Madam!" Mrs. Lee lamented.

She herself couldn't bear a moment in such surroundings, much less expect the First Madam to endure it.

Mrs. Lee, known for her gentle nature, felt helpless since Huang Jiamin was the one who had confined Su Rann to the basement.

"There's no need. It's quite peaceful here," Su Rann said as she neatly placed the bowl and chopsticks back where they belonged, her voice cool and detached.

Mrs. Lee was taken aback. Could the First Madam be so upset that she was delirious? Was this really a place for anyone to stay? And yet, she found it peaceful?

Wiping away a tear, Mrs. Lee accepted her own helplessness.

"Madam, I'll take my leave now. I will return tomorrow to bring you food," she said, her silhouette heavy with concern.

Within the Lu family, the decision to keep Su Rann in the basement was made by Huang Jiamin, and no one except Lu Jinhan could rescue her. Mrs. Lee shook her head, her face the picture of despair.

Lo Boyuan's fever had finally stabilized after taking the medicine prepared by Su Rann, showing no signs of the high fever that had plagued him earlier.

"Brother, you haven't had a relapse in a day. If we can just get through tonight, we'll have made it!" Lo Xiaxuan's face lit up with a smile that had been absent for far too long.

She had sought out renowned doctors everywhere, but none could heal her brother's illness, which only grew worse with each passing day. Years of fruitless treatments had nearly extinguished her hope.

Now, at last, there was a glimmer of hope.

Lo Boyuan was still fighting to hold on, knowing that this night was crucial.

He had come to terms with the possibility of death, but his concern for his sister Xiaxuan remained. If he were to pass away, it would be a release for him, but Xiaxuan would then have to shoulder the burdens of the Lo family. He worried she might not be up to the task.

Just when Lo Boyuan's temperature had normalized, it spiked again. His face turned a deep red as he frantically tore at his clothes.

"Brother, what's happening?" Xiaxuan rushed to his side, shocked to see his fever return so suddenly.

The family doctor took Lo Boyuan's temperature and announced with urgency, "This isn't good. The Young Master's fever has shot up to 39.6 degrees!"

"It's even worse than before. I knew we shouldn't have trusted that woman's medicine. What do we do now?" the butler said, his anxiety palpable.

"She's just a naive girl, clueless about everything. Young Master, why on earth did you listen to her?" The butler was riddled with regret, realizing he shouldn't have let the young master endure such pain again.

"Why are you still bringing her medicine? Can't you see the young master's condition has worsened?" he berated the servant who was carrying the concoction Su Rann had prepared.

Lo Boyuan's skin was burning up. When Xiaxuan barely touched him, she felt the scorching heat.

She hesitated, unsure whether to let her brother continue with the treatment.

"Fetch the young master's previous medication. We need to bring his fever down immediately!" the family doctor instructed.

Lo Boyuan lay in bed, his body wracked with convulsions, his mind growing hazy. Yet, he could still envision the woman's cool, intelligent eyes, shining like a brilliant galaxy amidst the stars.

As the family doctor offered him his usual medicine, Lo Boyuan waved it away, sending it clattering to the floor.

"Big brother, what's wrong? Please, take your medicine," Xiaxuan pleaded, her eyes brimming with silent tears, unable to bear the sight of her brother in such agony.

Was his condition truly beyond hope?

"Xuanxuan, bring me the medicine," he murmured in her ear.

When Xiaxuan presented the fever medicine the family doctor had prescribed, Lo Boyuan adamantly shook his head.

"Miss, the young master must take the fever reducer immediately, or he may not survive the night!" the doctor urged from the sidelines.

Xiaxuan's hands shook as she offered the medicine to her brother, who continued to refuse.

"Brother, please take the medicine!" Tears streamed down Xiaxuan's face.

Yet, Lo Boyuan kept shaking his head, placing his trust in that woman and her untainted gaze.

"Do you want to keep taking Miss Su's medicine?" Xiaxuan asked quietly.

At that moment, Lo Boyuan finally gave a nod.

"Xiaotao, bring the medicine here!" Her voice was already raspy.

"Miss, this is a terrible idea. By doing this, you'll endanger the young master. He's already delirious. Are you really going to heed his wishes?" The butler, clutching the fever medicine, intended to administer it to Lo Boyuan himself.

"Stop!" Xiaxuan commanded, each word deliberate and firm.

"Regardless of the outcome, I will respect my brother's choice. Since he has chosen to take Miss Su's medicine, I will not interfere, and neither should you!"

Her voice was tinged with emotion at this point.

"Foolish, utterly foolish. You're going to be the downfall of the young master, and the Lo family will collapse because of you!" With that, the butler stormed off.