Chapter 2584 - 2648: I Do
Li Yifei meditated for an hour. When he opened his eyes, he exhaled a breath of white air and saw several people standing in front of him, including Xu Yang, whom he had treated. The little girl had changed into a new set of clothes. Although she was still very weak, with the support of Xu Yang’s parents, the family of three was about to kneel.
"This is not necessary!" Li Yifei swiftly stepped down from the bed and raised a hand to stop the trio’s action.
"Thank you, benefactor, thank you for saving our daughter!" Xu Yang’s parents were in tears. They had been in despair, but Li Yifei did what he promised and truly saved their daughter, which made them immensely grateful.
Li Yifei glanced at Zhang Tianxing, who was also very excited. Obviously, after the girl woke up, they already had some exchanges. Li Yifei said, "This is also your daughter’s fortune, so there’s no need to thank me anymore."
"We must thank you, not just you, but also Tianxing. You are both benefactors to our family, the benefactors of our daughter!" Xu Yang’s parents insisted.
Zhang Tianxing repeatedly said there was no need. From the start, he just hoped the girl could be healthy, even waking up was fine. Now that not only is she awake, she can even walk a few steps on her own, it’s a huge change, and he couldn’t be more satisfied. However, between him and Li Yifei, there was no need for so many words of thanks.
Xu Yang had just woken up. Although physically very weak, her spirits were relatively good. Li Yifei gave some instructions on how to recuperate in the coming *** days and decided to leave a pharmacy note, advising Xu Yang not to eat too much food. In the past few years, she had mainly lived on liquid food or nutritional injections, and her digestive system had long since degraded, so she needed to recuperate slowly.
Through their chat, Xu Yang learned about Zhang Tianxing leaving money and also about him losing an arm. Even his foot was only cured today, which prompted the girl to ask more. Zhang Tianxing originally didn’t want to talk much about it. For today, Xu Yang’s healing was enough for him; the marriage proposal could come later.
Li Yifei noticed his thoughts and agreed. But thinking about the many people waiting at home, he had no choice but to break the current situation and said to Xu Yang and her parents, "Uncle, Auntie, actually, we came today for a particular reason."
"Hm?" Xu Yang’s mother held her daughter’s hand tightly and wouldn’t let go. Upon hearing this, she looked up at Li Yifei, eyes full of confusion.
Xu Yang’s father promptly said, "Mr. Li, please go ahead."
"Just call me by my name, you are Tianxing’s elders and also mine!" Li Yifei smiled. Zhang Tianxing moved his mouth but ultimately held back from speaking, instead tightening his grip on his thigh, feeling nervous.
"Yifei, what’s the matter? Just say it!"
"Here’s the thing. I actually came today to save someone, and also... to help my inarticulate brother propose!" As Li Yifei said the final two words, the expressions of the three Xu family members indeed changed, some were stunned, some seemed not to have heard clearly.
Li Yifei smiled and waited without rushing anyone.
"You mean... a proposal? To my daughter?" Xu Yang’s father was the first to react, frowning slightly as he spoke. For them, their daughter’s awakening today was certainly a tremendous surprise, but the following proposal caught them unprepared.
"To help Tianxing propose!" Li Yifei reiterated, "Of course, this can be explained, no need to rush, allow me to recount the events of the past few years, so you and Xu Yang can make a judgment!"
The three across nodded somewhat bewilderedly. From their perspective, Zhang Tianxing indeed left a substantial amount of money back then, but that alone isn’t grounds for Xu Yang to marry him. Frankly speaking, they could repay the money gradually; using money as a basis for Xu Yang’s marriage is somewhat excessive, hence the change in Xu Yang’s parent’s expressions.
Yet, Li Yifei truthfully recounted what happened to Xu Yang and the actions Zhang Tianxing took thereafter.
It was only then that Xu Yang’s father suddenly recalled Zhang Tianxing’s limping appearance at the hospital. At that time, his mind was elsewhere, and he just casually asked but didn’t expect such events had taken place; that he actually went to seek justice for his daughter, even losing an arm in the process and becoming lame. Such news changed the mindset of the Xu family elders once more.
Xu Yang, with reddened eyes, looked unblinking at Zhang Tianxing, the latter with his head lowered, stating repeatedly as Li Yifei narrated, "It was my willingness."
"Tianxing, why are you so foolish?" Xu Yang asked, her voice trembling with tears.
"It’s nothing, nothing, I willingly did it at the time. I just wanted to get justice for you. Later, when things happened, I was also injured and had to choose to escape or face being caught. Returning home with some low spirits, so for years, I haven’t come to see you... also fearing that if you woke, you’d see me crippled!" Zhang Tianxing said softly.
Her parents sighed. They genuinely hadn’t thought in this direction, yet now understanding the entire situation, they were surprised by the depth of this boy’s feelings for their daughter. Not saying impulsively seeking revenge means deep feelings for her. As parents, they rather see a rational handling of matters. Also, leaving almost his entire property for their daughter doesn’t necessarily imply extraordinary character. What truly moved them was, upon reuniting with his comrade, he first thought of asking for help to save her.
Li Yifei candidly mentioned the wedding that was initially planned but wherein the other party backed out, also noting Zhang Tianxing’s ensuing despondency and reckless behavior, but finally realizing the truth.
Ultimately, Li Yifei reaffirmed his and Zhang Tianxing’s intentions, absolutely not using these events to coerce the girl into accepting the marriage. Li Yifei simply laid it out; if Xu Yang, upon waking, still liked Zhang Tianxing and wanted to marry him, it would be her decision. If she had fewer thoughts about this, or none at all, they would absolutely respect her stance.
"I..." Xu Yang bit her lip, at a loss for words. She looked at the anxious and even slightly uneasy Zhang Tianxing, tears streaming down her face. After a minute or two, she reached out her hand, "Can I see your arm?"
"Sure!" Zhang Tianxing raised his arm, rolling up his sleeve. Since it had been severed, the healed area appeared bare. Xu Yang immediately held the stump, sobbing.
"Why were you so foolish, why, just to avenge me? I can’t even imagine how you passed these years!"
Zhang Tianxing suddenly became flustered, not knowing whether to embrace the girl or what to do with his other hand. He said, "Don’t cry, don’t cry, you just woke up, your body is weak, please don’t cry. There’s no need to agree to the wedding, I’m fine with it... It just coincidentally came up, the captain helped me mention it, but I initially didn’t want to bring it up. While the preparations were made at home, it wasn’t originally meant for you. I feel guilty; your waking and returning to normalcy is more than anything. Really, I wouldn’t dare wish for more!"
In critical matters, a person’s character is revealed. Here, Zhang Tianxing acts in consideration for the girl, allowing Xu Yang’s parents to form their judgment. Xu Yang cried for a good while before stopping, emerging from Zhang Tianxing’s embrace with tearful eyes, looking at her parents, "Mom, Dad, I’ve been obedient since childhood, listening to you for many things. You’ve suffered these years, but... I want to make the decision myself on this matter."
Her parents nodded in unison, already anticipating what their daughter would say.
Xu Yang gripped Zhang Tianxing’s hand firmly and said with determination, "I want to marry Tianxing. I have little experience. I don’t know how many men in the world would sacrifice so much for their partner, but I know Tianxing has done many things for me. I know he expects no reciprocation, and I don’t want to use such words to insult the feelings between us."
At this point, Xu Yang looked back earnestly at Zhang Tianxing and continued, "I do like you. If not for the accident, we might have been together by now. I had even prepared to tell my family then!"
Zhang Tianxing nodded eagerly, biting his lip in nervousness, as Xu Yang continued, "So, I agree, I’m willing to marry you! Tianxing, do you want to marry me?"
"I do, of course, I do, a hundred times I do!" This was undoubtedly Zhang Tianxing’s happiest day in years. Xu Yang not only woke from her vegetative state but also spoke directly of her willingness to marry him, making his life feel infinitely beautiful. But amid happiness, he again hesitated, asking, "You... please don’t force yourself. I like you, so I respect you more."
"Of course, I know. Everything you did was like my dream of love. I trust you and my judgment. Tianxing, I want to marry you, become your wife," Xu Yang replied once more.
Zhang Tianxing spoke awkwardly, "But I have nothing now... I mean currently, I’ll work hard in the future to improve our life. But if you marry me now, I really have nothing to offer. These years, I’ve let myself go, something I need to reflect on."
"I never said I wanted anything, Tianxing. I’m healthy now and can go to work and earn money!" Xu Yang smiled with lips pursed.
Zhang Tianxing nodded vigorously, holding Xu Yang’s hand excitedly, unsure of what to say, only feeling excitement wash over him.
Li Yifei nodded with a smile, knowing this was the most beautiful outcome. His brother was about to complete one of life’s significant milestones, which was what everyone hoped to see.