She still remembered that when Lu Jinnan's father was recounting the truth of why Lu Jinnan had killed someone back then, Lu Jinnan chanced upon their conversation… and was really infuriated.
Everyone had their own painful past that they didn't wish to bring up in front of others. Even if Lin Nuan was Bai Xiaonian's best friend, she didn't wish to reveal that which didn't concern her and couldn't be said.
She pursed her lips before speaking to Lin Nuan. "I've promised Lu Jinnan's father to keep it a secret. But Nuan Nuan, regarding Lu Jinnan's murder case… I feel you should trust your husband's judgment in choosing friends. Isn't there a saying that goes, 'birds of the same feather flock together'?"
Bai Xiaonian's words reminded Lin Nuan of how violently she had reacted when Fu Huai'an said he believed in Lu Jinnan that day.
Once those words were out of her mouth, Bai Xiaonian realized she said something wrong.
Lu Jinbei had told her all about what happened yesterday when she was sent to the hospital. Lin Nuan was someone with a stuffy personality, yet she hadn't only bashed up the Lu brothers for her sake, but also argued with her husband over this matter.
Bai Xiaonian was incredibly touched when she heard all of this from Lu Jinbei.
Her eyes suddenly reddened as she grabbed Lin Nuan's hand. "Nuan Nuan, I really wouldn't have imagined you would bash someone for me, much less argue with your husband for my sake."
Lin Nuan didn't utter a sound and only sat down by Bai Xiaonian's bed.
Some words didn't need to be said out loud. However, Lin Nuan knew that if it were her lying in the ER yesterday, even though she could tell Bai Xiaonian feared Fu Huai'an, she would most certainly have charged up to Fu Huai'an and bashed him as well.
Some friends enter your heart, whereas some only stay for a season.
Lin Nuan and Bai Xiaonian were friends who had undergone adversities together. When Lin Nuan was at the lowest point in her life, Bai Xiaonian had never once let go of her hand. In the future… regardless of the circumstances, Lin Nuan would likewise never let go of Bai Xiaonian's hand.
Their gazes met. It was rare for Bai Xiaonian to look so serious. She raised a hand to cup the back of Lin Nuan's head and gently put their foreheads together, tear droplets on her lightly fluttering eyelashes as she closed her eyes.
"I've always felt that amongst you, me, and Song Yao, you're the one who needs the most protection because you're the most decent and stuffed-up one of us. For you to have beaten up Lu Jinbei and Lu Jinnan for my sake, I feel especially warm at heart! Nuan, you're the one who made me feel that regardless of what difficulties the future has in store for me, I would at least have you by my side! Thank you, Nuan…"
The golden sunlight shone into the room through the windows, outlining the duo's delicate and beautiful silhouette…
Outside the ward, Fu Huai'an and Lu Jinnan saw the wonderful scene within.
Lin Nuan raised a hand and gently held Bai Xiaonian's forearm, her throat so swollen and painful that she couldn't say a word.
All these years, Bai Xiaonian had beaten up, scolded, and offended countless people for Lin Nuan!
When it came to saying thanks, how many times would it suffice for Lin Nuan to thank Bai Xiaonian?
It was unknown how long had passed before the nurse came by to hang the IV drip for Bai Xiaonian. Lin Nuan wiped away her tears and stood by the side while waiting for the nurse to be done with her duties. After the nurse left, she bent over and laid the blanket properly for Bai Xiaonian, asking, "Can we consider you have gotten together with Lu Jinnan?"
Bai Xiaonian gave the question some thought before answering, "Probably… should be?"
Lin Nuan was momentarily at a loss for words.
What did she mean by should be?
"Since you've gotten together, why did Lu Jinnan claim it was him who forced you?" Lu Jinnan sat by the side of the bed. Although she had no desire to hear of the process of Lu Jinnan and Bai Xiaonian's first time, she had to clarify matters of the heart.
"He wasn't wrong in saying that!" Bai Xiaonian's initially pale face had now turned a shade of crimson. "He caused me so much pain, I told him to stop…"
"You don't have to continue!" Lin Nuan rubbed her temples, truly not wishing to hear about the process.
It was the first time for both of them, and it actually resulted in an injury! How brutal must Lu Jinnan have been?
"I was quite angry initially, but my anger subsided by quite a bit after seeing that you scratched the faces of that big jerk Lu Jinnan and that little jerk Lu Jinbei…" Bai Xiaonian tried to smile but felt the pain almost immediately as her facial wound was stretched. While trying not to wince in pain, she didn't forget to flash a thumbs-up at Lin Nuan. "It's said that someone who usually doesn't beat people up is actually ruthless when they do hit a person. This is so true…"
Lin Nuan didn't know how to respond to that…
Which girl didn't have romantic fantasies about their first time? Bai Xiaonian had fantasized before, and her first time should have been associated with terms like flowers, yachts, or rooms with ocean views!
But, not only were none of those involved, her first time with Lu Jinnan ended up so awkward and terrible; Bai Xiaonian truly had an urge to beat someone up!
"Lu Jinnan is Lu Jinbei's brother…" Lin Nuan's gaze swept over Bai Xiaonian, who had covered her face with her hands. She furrowed her brows and fixed the blanket on the bed. "If you get together with Lu Jinnan, you need to have some idea of how you're going to deal with this relationship."
Lu Jinbei's anxiety and heart-wrenched emotions outside the ER that day didn't escape Lin Nuan's eyes…
Even after he learned that Lu Jinnan had forced himself upon Bai Xiaonian, Lu Jinbei had remained by Bai Xiaonian's side and didn't step away for a moment.
"It was Lu Jinbei who betrayed our relationship back then. Of all people, why did he have to find…" Bai Xiaonian's throat choked with emotion. "The most well-endowed girl in the entire school? Isn't he bullying the fact that I am flat-chested?"
Lin Nuan was rendered speechless.
Knowing Bai Xiaonian was unwilling to rake up the past, Lin Nuan grabbed Bai Xiaonian's hand.
"There's no need to deal with this matter. I have a clear conscience!" Bai Xiaonian's attitude was firm. "If Lu Jinbei feels awful when he sees me, we could very well never see each other again. If Lu Jinnan forces me to associate with him, then what's the point in us getting together?"
As an outsider, Lin Nuan had no grounds to overly-participate in Bai Xiaonian's relationship matters. As her friend, she could only do her best to remind her of the pitfalls and make sure Bai Xiaonian didn't get hurt.
Bai Xiaonian had always been headstrong and rigid, so Lin Nuan feared she might get hurt when it came to matters of the heart.
While they were still talking, Lu Jinnan had already pushed through the door and entered the room. His actions were gentle, but the sound of the lock turning still caused Lin Nuan and Bai Xiaonian to look in the direction of the door involuntarily.
Lu Jinnan had already washed up and shaved, and he had also changed into a fresh set of clothes…
Lin Nuan adjusted the blankets and stood up before saying to Bai Xiaonian, "I'll come and visit you again in the afternoon."
"Nuan Nuan!" In a moment of desperation, Bai Xiaonian grabbed hold of Lin Nuan's wrist with the hand that had the IV drip inserted. "Don't go first! I have something to say…"
Lin Nuan's brows knitted together, but she didn't dare to exert force as she carefully placed Bai Xiaonian's needled hand back on the bed. "Don't move this hand recklessly. If the needle shifts out of place, you'd have to re-insert the needle. Aren't you afraid of pain?"
"Then don't go first…"
Bai Xiaonian turned around and stared at Lu Jinnan. "Lu Jinnan, Nuan Nuan is my bestest bestest bestest best friend! I'm giving you one strike here for your constant bullying of Nuan Nuan with that mouth of yours in the past!"