Free Web NovelChapter 1301: Chapter 1298: Is Xie Jingzhe Reluctant to Get More Intimate?
Aurora arrived in Imperial City after ten o’clock at night, and for Imperial City, nightlife was just beginning.
Following the crowd out, the shadow of her last outing still lingered, making her feel a bit uneasy and highly focused, only to find everyone was hurried and paying her no mind. She realized she was frightening herself unnecessarily; this was the Imperial City, not a small, remote place.
"Miss Aurora, I’m outside the arrival hall. The boss sent me to pick you up." Cornelius had been waiting for an hour; upon getting through on the phone, he quickly said with a smile.
"Has Mr. Griffith come out?" Aurora’s eyes lit up as she asked softly.
"The boss is in the hospital. I’ll take you straight to the hospital later."
"Okay." Aurora held her phone, feeling a bit excited; as she came out, she noticed Cornelius’ tall figure standing out among the crowd.
She only carried a small suitcase as she got into Cornelius’ car. Looking at the bustling scene outside, her eyes were overwhelmed, finding everything somewhat novel.
"Miss Aurora, Imperial City has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Once the boss is well, you can explore some beautiful sights in the city with him, enjoy some music, and have tea." Cornelius said with a smile as he drove. Staying in the city for half a month, he often heard the Shaw family’s matriarch listening to opera, and his interest grew, cultivating a new hobby.
"How is Mr. Griffith’s injury? Is it severe?" Aurora asked softly.
"The boss is tough; now that you are here, he’ll probably recover in a few days." Cornelius grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.
Aurora nodded, feeling slightly relieved, and a trace of joyful excitement showed in her eyes.
By the time they reached the hospital, it was already past eleven. Leah and Richard Shaw hadn’t slept, waiting until now.
Originally, when Griffith came out, Leah was quite excited, and hearing that Aurora also arrived in Imperial City, she became even more excited, not wanting to sleep. Richard Shaw had no choice but to stay up with her.
Richard Shaw’s schedule was absurdly regular; he went to bed at ten every night and woke up at six in the morning, maintaining eight hours of sleep. Of course, this was when he was alone; during marital life, his routine was thoroughly disrupted.
However, the man’s vigor was good, and even if he stayed up all night, his spirits wouldn’t be affected the next day. He remained full of energy.
After coming out, Richard Shaw and Leah rarely did more than kiss, though Leah clearly felt the man’s passionate desires when near her, he always restrained himself, seemingly internally rejecting further intimacy?
This feeling was very vague, but Leah was too occupied with recent events to dwell on these matters.
Upon receiving Cornelius’ text about the car’s arrival at the hospital, Leah saw Griffith fidgeting restlessly, and she chuckled with squinted eyes, "Stay put; you still look handsome. If you keep moving, even your back will swell."
Griffith was still receiving a drip; he thought about pulling it out but reconsidered and lay back pretending to be weak, glancing sidelong at Richard Shaw sitting as immobile as a statue, seemingly oblivious.
The man just couldn’t read faces; why won’t he leave?
"I’ll go pick her up." Bored from sitting, Leah rose with a smile and winked at Richard Shaw.
Only then did he get up, grabbing the thick knitted coat she’d left on the sofa, his voice low, "It’s cold outside, wear this coat and don’t catch a chill."
A mocking laugh from Griffith came from behind.
Leah pinched his firm arm, playfully chiding, "You shouldn’t stay in the hospital tomorrow; my brother is going to get injured internally from frustration."
Griffith couldn’t fight Richard Shaw now, and out of consideration for Leah, couldn’t scold him either, so he held back his anger urgently, almost cross-eyed with frustration, while Richard Shaw remained expressionless.
Smiling faintly, the man nodded and said, "Yes."
He naturally saw Griffith itching to drive him away, but Richard Shaw had strong endurance. Especially since his future happiness depended on it, he could tolerate this level of cold shoulder.
The pair hadn’t descended yet when they saw Cornelius already bringing Aurora up in the elevator. The young lady dragging her suitcase had a simple, artistic, minimalist coat with a furry hat, radiating a tranquil aura. Seeing Leah, she instantly smiled slightly and said, "Miss Leah."
"Just call me Leah. My brother is waiting for you in the ward." Leah stepped forward, took her hand, and smiled.
Aurora nodded, her gaze turning to the calmly formidable man behind her.
The man’s aura was powerful; he merely nodded gently with a smile at her, his gaze immediately returning to Leah, where his tea-colored eyes shined with subtle affection. Aurora was slightly taken aback, suddenly recalling Griffith once cursing the Imperial City’s famed Major General Shaw. Having heard bits about Leah’s and Major General Shaw’s past, this must be the renowned Major General Shaw of Imperial City?
"This is Richard Shaw; he’s like a block of wood, with a deadpan face, don’t mind him. I’ll take you to see my brother." Leah chuckled.
When Aurora heard Leah mention ’block of wood,’ clearly delighted, what seemed belittling was actually a sweet, exclusive term, and she smiled slightly, realizing that Leah, so bold and vibrant before others, transformed into someone quite demure in front of this man.
The man referred to as a block of wood showed no displeasure, only gazing at Leah with helpless affection, his expression becoming cold and unfathomable when looking at anyone else.
Aurora, upon mentioning seeing Griffith, felt a subsiding unease; near yet anxious of home, she suddenly ran over, wondering if Griffith might find her clingy or useless.
While Aurora was lost in thought, Leah had already taken her hand and pushed open the ward door inside.
Griffith reclined on the bed, his handsome, mischievous face showing signs of weakness. Seeing the girl he’d missed for half a month standing by the door, her large, clear eyes shone like the sparkling waves of spring, his lips curled, reaching out hoarsely and deliberately lowering his voice, "Aurora, come help me, I want some hot water."
His meticulously nurtured little bunny for over two years remained so lovely. Griffith was in high spirits, feeling an odd sense of fatherly pride, though, bah, he wasn’t that old; he repeated in his mind a hundred times ’he was still young.’
Aurora reflexively dropped her suitcase and quickly walked over, helping him up. Seeing his pallid face and bloodless lips, he must have suffered, causing her eyes to instantly redden.
Griffith noticed her silent tears, becoming flustered and softly said, "I’m fine, don’t cry, otherwise you won’t be cute."
Leah had never seen Griffith tenderly comforting a young girl before, her eyes wide in surprise, ready to lean against the door for a spectacle.
The man placed his hand over her eyes, firmly hugging her slender waist and escorting her out of the ward, saying in a low voice, "Time to sleep now."
Leah: "..."
