But the next second, Gu Zheng felt relieved.
He had genuinely imagined that the person next to him was Xia Ran, so it was natural for him to show such emotions.
Aunt Gu also brought Gu Chen over to take a look, and after glancing at Aunt Gu, he couldn't help but nod.
“It’s really good, I’ll send it to Xia Ran.”
Chapter 344 My Heart Is Swaying
Xia Ran was playing games with Da Zhuang in the rest area when she received the photos. Her grandfather was old and went to bed early, so they didn't dare to disturb him in the ward.
Xia Ran originally wanted Da Zhuang to go back to sleep, since Da Zhuang was leaving tomorrow.
But Dazhuang insisted on playing a few games with Xia Ran before going back, saying that he didn't know when they would meet again.
But this time, Da Zhuang was clearly distracted while playing the game, his eyes constantly looking towards the elevator.
Xia Ran saw it and guessed what had happened.
But he didn't say anything, because he had already said everything he should and shouldn't have said in his conversation with Dazhuang during the day.
Dazhuang is already an adult. He knows what he should and shouldn't do, and he also knows what he needs.
When they saw the message from Aunt Gu, their game had just ended.
"I'm not calling anymore. Aunt Gu sent me a message. It's probably a photo of Gu Zheng. I need to send it to Yu Wu and then get it printed out, otherwise I won't have enough time."
Xia Ran also told Da Zhuang about Gu Chen's plan to take a family photo.
However, when Xia Ran clicked into the chat box and saw the photos inside, she was somewhat stunned.
He seemed to have never seen Gu Zheng like this before.
Even he could see the tenderness in Gu Zheng's emotions; he noticed that Gu Zheng was looking at the side with his face turned to the side.
A guess arose in Xia Ran's mind, but he didn't want to think about it too deeply.
When Dazhuang noticed Xia Ran's unusual behavior, he immediately went over to take a look.
"how………"
Da Zhuang's questions came to an abrupt halt, because he had also seen the photos.
But before he could say anything, Xia Ran had already forwarded the photo to Yu Wu and chatted with him in Yu Wu's chat box.
Actually, Xia Ran had already discussed this with Yu Wu, so all he had to do was send it over.
But at this moment, Xia Ran wanted to do something to distract herself.
Dazhuang noticed Xia Ran's mood and quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, is Grandpa going to be discharged from the hospital soon?"
"Yes, the doctor said the recovery is going well and he'll be able to nod soon. The doctor originally said it would be fine in a couple of days, but I'm still a little worried, so I wanted Grandpa to stay a couple more days."
Xia Ran turned off her phone screen and started chatting with Da Zhuang.
Dazhuang agreed, "Indeed, since you'll still be staying here after you're discharged, you might as well stay in the hospital for a couple more days of observation."
After exchanging a few more words, Dazhuang decided to head back.
Xia Ran wanted to go back together to see Da Zhuang off tomorrow, but Da Zhuang refused, saying that Grandpa Xia needed Xia Ran more than he did.
Xia Ran was eventually persuaded by Da Zhuang's words; her grandfather did indeed have some concerns about getting up at night.
However, Xia Ran still decided to get up early tomorrow morning to see Da Zhuang off.
Da Zhuang waved to Xia Ran and then entered the elevator.
Dazhuang was the only one in the elevator. The smile he had been maintaining disappeared, replaced by a look of sadness and disappointment.
Having waited until this late and still not seen anyone, He Xiu probably really has given up on him this time.
That's good, at least he won't have to think about so many things for now.
But it seems Xia Ran really hit the nail on the head, and there's still a slight sense of regret.
While waiting for a taxi after leaving the hospital, Dazhuang stared at the hospital in a daze for a moment, and finally let out a heavy sigh.
Forget it, it's all in the past, what's there to think about?
Anyway, he'll forget about it after a while; it's just a tiny bit of a feeling, and he doesn't really care.
The car arrived, and Dazhuang got in and drove away.
Unbeknownst to him, after he left, a car in a parking space across the street rolled down its window.
If Dazhuang were still here, he would know that this person is He Xiu.
He Xiu had a cigarette between his fingers and looked in the direction Da Zhuang had left.
Actually, he didn't leave the hospital after get off work; he just sat in his car.
From here, you can see the hospital entrance at a glance, and of course, you can also see the people coming out of it.
There were many people coming and going at the hospital entrance, but he wasn't afraid at all that he wouldn't see Dazhuang.
He did wait until Dazhuang left, but he didn't chase after him. He just kept asking himself what the point was. He was already someone who had been rejected.
After finishing his cigarette, He Xiu drove away and went home.
It's just a relationship; he'll forget about it after a while. If he wants, he can easily find someone else.
Isn't it said that the fastest way to forget someone is to quickly fall in love with someone else?
So, shouldn't he give it a try too?
Xia Ran did not return to the ward, but waited for Yu Wu to send the photos, and also for news from Lin Ziming.
Lin Ziming said he had already gone to investigate where Gu En was, and he should have found out by now, right? But why haven't we heard anything from him for so long?
Xia Ran fiddled with her phone, and finally couldn't resist sending a message to Lin Ziming.
He's really eager to know where Gu En is now, again and again. Does Gu En really think he's without a temper?
Lin Ziming was at home when he received Xia Ran's message. He sighed and called Xia Ran back anyway.
It's too late today, there shouldn't be any news yet, but there should be by tomorrow. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything tomorrow.
Actually, it wasn't that there was no news; he was just afraid that Xia Ran wouldn't be able to accept it if she found out.
Xia Ran saw Lin Ziming's message but didn't doubt it at all, and replied with a simple "okay".
I had just replied to Lin Ziming when Yu Wu sent over the photos.
Xia Ran sent a thank you and a message saying "Thank you for your hard work" before opening the photo.
It has to be said that Yu Wu's professional skills are truly outstanding; the photos were blended so seamlessly that it was impossible to tell that they were composites.
In the photo, he is holding Gu Chen, and Gu Zheng is standing next to him, looking at them with a slight smile on his lips. Anyone can see the affection in his eyes.
Those who don't know the situation would definitely think they are a very loving couple.
Xia Ran took a deep breath, suppressed the feelings in her heart, and then stood up and walked out of the hospital.
There's a print shop right outside the hospital. He'd seen its opening hours by chance; it's open until 2 a.m., so he figured he could still make it there now.
The photos were printed out quickly, and Xia Ran sent a message to Aunt Gu, asking her to pick them up when she took the child to kindergarten the next day.
After sending the message, Xia Ran was about to return to his ward when he looked up at the hospital entrance and saw Gu Zheng.
Gu Zheng was still wearing the same clothes he wore for the photoshoot, and he looked even more captivating standing under the streetlights.
Chapter 345 Just a Stranger
If this were the Xia Ran of the past, her heart would probably be pounding wildly right now, and she would have been completely captivated.
But now, although I still feel my heart racing, I no longer have that deep, visceral excitement.
Xia Ran only glanced at him briefly before turning her gaze away and walking directly into the hospital, as if she had only seen a stranger.
Gu Zheng instinctively wanted to follow, but ultimately stopped.
It's so late, what's the point of following them? It'll just be a waste of Xia Ran's time and energy.
Gu Zheng frowned and took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his body, skillfully lighting one and smoking it.
He used to never carry cigarettes with him. At most, he would keep a pack in his car or office and smoke one occasionally when he felt like it.
Sometimes I can't even finish a pack of cigarettes in a month.
But now he can only smoke a pack of cigarettes for two days, and sometimes he can even finish it in one day.
He wanted to get back together with Xia Ran, but each time he hesitated to approach her.
He was afraid to see Xia Ran's disgusted and hateful expression, and he was also afraid that Xia Ran would say things like she no longer liked him.
Every time he heard it, it felt like an invisible hand was pulling at his heart, as if it were going to crush it.
So all he could do was come and see Xia Ran every day. Just looking at her was already a luxury for him, but he wasn't satisfied with the status quo.
He wanted to go back to the time when Xia Ran was married, when she would call him A-Zheng with a smile, silently keep him company when he stayed up late, and even call him with the children to ask if he wanted to come home for dinner.
Looking back, Gu Zheng felt the pain in his heart deepen, and even tobacco couldn't erase that feeling.
Gu Zheng finished his cigarette, turned around, went back to the car in front, and left.
He had just come out of his house and couldn't resist coming over to see Xia Ran.
Xia Ran went back to her ward, set her alarm, and went to sleep. What she had just seen about Gu Zheng seemed like a minor incident that didn't affect her at all.
The next morning, Xia Ran was woken up by her alarm clock.
6:15.
Xia Ran sat up groggily, only to find that Grandpa Xia was already looking at the photos he had printed out the night before.
Xia Ran's mind cleared up instantly. He looked at Grandpa Xia, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He couldn't tell what Grandpa was feeling at that moment.
"Grandpa...I..."
"When was this photo taken? I've never seen it before," Grandpa Xia asked Xia Ran.
"This... wasn't taken before, it was taken yesterday. But don't worry, I didn't take a picture with Gu Zheng. I had someone Photoshop that photo in, it's a composite."