Chapter 34 - 1#

By the time I arrived at the hospital, I had barely passed the front desk when I spotted Li Ling sitting on a chair by the corridor, her hands tightly clasped together, her back slightly hunched, as if she was extremely uneasy.

“Li Ling!” I called out to her, walking quickly over. When Li Ling heard my voice, she looked around dazedly for a moment before finally seeing me and hurriedly standing up from the chair. As I reached her, I saw that her eyes were red and slightly swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time.

“Are you—Li Ling, are you okay?” I grabbed her shoulders and blurted out.

Li Ling’s lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but she held back, then hoarsely whispered, “Qi Ri,” before suddenly wrapping her arms around my neck. I froze for a moment, a bit flustered as I patted her shoulder. I could feel Li Ling shaking her head against my chest, murmuring, “I’m fine…”

She sniffled, lifted her head from my embrace, wiped her tears with her hand, and looked up at me with a smile, her voice still rough from crying. “…It was the doctor… a misdiagnosis. It’s nothing serious. I thought…”

My eyes widened. “You’re sick? Where do you feel unwell? Right—you’ve been saying you haven’t been feeling well lately, haven’t you? You…” I anxiously looked her over from head to toe.

Li Ling shook her head and let out a soft laugh, then pursed her lips and asked, “I’m sorry… did I trouble you? Coming all this way.” Perhaps because she had just been crying, her voice was much gentler than usual. I scratched my head, not knowing where to start. It felt like so many things had happened in one night, so I just waved my hand. “No—how could you say that? I was really worried just now. I thought…”

I thought something had happened to you.

Li Ling shrugged her shoulders, and I only then noticed she wasn’t even wearing a warm jacket. I quickly took off my coat and wrapped it around her small frame.

“You’re so careless… Here, put this on so you don’t catch a cold.” Li Ling lowered her head, grabbed the coat with both hands, and murmured a soft “Mm.”

“Li Ling.” I bent down to meet her eyes, still feeling something was off. “Are you really okay? Don’t… lie to me. If something’s wrong, don’t keep it to yourself. We can solve it together.”

Li Ling looked at me and smiled, then suddenly reached out and poked my shoulder hard. “If I had a problem, I’d definitely drag you into it, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be dragged down with me. But…” She turned her hand and gently touched my face, took a deep breath, and said lightly, “I’m really fine. I’m truly glad you were worried about me.”

“I’ve never, ever met someone as foolish and kind as you, you idiot.”

I twitched the corners of my mouth. Li Ling pinched my cheek playfully. After a moment, I said, “Don’t push yourself too hard either.”

Li Ling nodded, then linked her arm through mine. “Take me home, okay?”

I smiled—“taking her home” meant riding the subway together, since my salary wasn’t enough to afford a car yet. I was still in debt.

But we hadn’t taken more than a few steps when I heard a furious roar.

“Enough—! Are you satisfied now? You pissed Dad off so much he ended up in the hospital! Feel good about yourself?!”

I instinctively looked toward the source of the sound and was startled to see a familiar figure. Bai Junrui, his face twisted with rage, had knocked someone to the ground. Many people were staring, and even the hospital security guards had come over, trying to calm things down. Bai Junrui gritted his teeth and dusted off his jacket, but the murderous look on his face hadn’t faded. He started walking toward the person slumped on the floor again.

“Stop hitting him!” Shu Yuan suddenly appeared in front of Bai Junrui. “Enough! Don’t hit Eustace anymore!”

The person on the ground was Wang Zheng?

Bai Junrui was being held back by several people, but he still kicked a nearby chair in frustration. He pointed at Shu Yuan and roared, “Your own father was sent to the hospital with a heart attack because of this bastard! And you still have the nerve to protect him?! You—!”

“Qi Ri…” Li Ling tugged at my sleeve and whispered, “Let’s not watch this. Let’s go.”

I snapped back to reality, patted the hand she had hooked around my arm, and said, “Li Ling, wait here. I need to check on that person. He’s a friend of mine.”

I quickly walked over. There was more arguing ahead, and Bai Junrui seemed to have lost all restraint. He shoved aside the security guards blocking him and lunged at Wang Zheng, ready to fight. I heard Shu Yuan scream. In the chaos, as Bai Junrui grabbed Wang Zheng by the collar and raised his fist, I rushed forward and desperately grabbed his arm.

“Bai— wait! Don’t— Brother Bai!!” Bai Junrui was incredibly strong; I almost couldn’t hold him back. I yelled at the top of my lungs, and only then did he seem to snap out of it. He furrowed his brows and turned to look at me.

“Xiao Qi, what are you…” Before Bai Junrui could finish, Shu Yuan shoved him hard.

“Eustace, Eustace, are you okay? Does it hurt? Your lip is bleeding…” Shu Yuan sobbed as she helped Wang Zheng, frantically pulling out a handkerchief to dab at the blood on his lip. Wang Zheng staggered back a few steps, steadying himself against the wall, but his eyes were wide with shock as he stared at me. “Qi Ri…?”

“Bastard, who told you to say his name?!” Bai Junrui roared, losing control.

“Brother Bai, stop yelling!” I quickly wrapped my arms around his waist, afraid he would charge at Wang Zheng again.

The Shu family’s servants were also blocking the way between Bai Junrui and Wang Zheng. It was the Shu family’s old butler who dispersed the onlookers. Li Ling hurried over from behind me, looking at the scene with a bewildered expression. She stood to the side and called out, “Qi Ri, what’s… going on here?”

I nodded at her.

Bai Junrui’s face was cold as he struggled against my hold. After a moment’s hesitation, I slowly let go.

“Eustace, you, how are you? Get a doctor!” Shu Yuan wrapped her arms around Wang Zheng’s shoulders, crying, but Bai Junrui impatiently roared back at her: “How could he be?! This waste deserves to die! Whoever dares call a doctor, I’ll kill them!”

“You—! You’re impossible!”

“I’m impossible?” Bai Junrui let out a furious laugh. He pointed at Shu Yuan through gritted teeth. “What about you? Dad’s life is hanging in the balance right now, and you still have the energy to worry about this bastard—he called off the engagement and doesn’t want you anymore, yet you’re still clinging to him! Have you no shame?!”

Shu Yuan’s face turned pale. I froze as well, instinctively looking at Wang Zheng.

Wang Zheng lowered his eyes and slowly pushed away Shu Yuan’s hand from his shoulder.

“Eustace…?” Shu Yuan called out hoarsely. “No, it can’t be like this, Eustace. We were fine at the beginning, weren’t we? Why… why did you suddenly…”

Wang Zheng gently pushed away her hand again as she tried to grab him. He pursed his lips and said slowly, “I’ve already told you my reasons. If you want to hear them again, I can repeat them.”

“I… I don’t believe it, Eustace. I won’t believe it. Was everything between us a lie?!” Shu Yuan lost control and started hitting Wang Zheng’s shoulder.

Wang Zheng turned his head to look at her directly. His tone was extremely light. “You know the answer yourself.” Shu Yuan’s whole body trembled. She slowly stepped back, then suddenly collapsed to the ground, covering her mouth with both hands as she burst into tears.

I stood there stunned, watching everything unfold. When Shu Yuan’s gaze fell on me, a chill ran through my entire body. She sobbed as she stood up, her beautiful eyes fixed on me.

“Why are you here?” she said. “You…” She looked at Bai Junrui. “Did you call him here? To laugh at me?”

Bai Junrui’s brows were tightly furrowed. His tone was unpleasant as he replied, “Don’t drag innocent people into this.”

“Innocent—?” Shu Yuan let out a few sharp laughs, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. Then she pointed at me and screeched, “Him?! He’s the root of all evil!”

“Shu Yuan, this is between the two of us,” Wang Zheng said, pulling her back.

“The two of us? The two of us were destroyed by him! You act strange whenever you see him. Do you think I don’t know? Don’t think I don’t know where you’ve been going every night lately! You’ve been going to his place! You’ve been waiting for him outside every night!”

This…

I was stunned, looking at Wang Zheng in disbelief. But Bai Junrui put his arm around my shoulder and shouted, “Phillip!”

The Shu family’s old butler, who had just finished dismissing people, hurried over again.

“Phillip! Take this crazy woman back home. And if there are any reporters, tell them I don’t want to see a single word about the Shu family in the newspapers tomorrow!”

Old Butler Phillip looked troubled as he stepped forward. “Miss…”

“I’m not leaving! I’m waiting for Daddy to wake up! I won’t break off the engagement! I won’t let you have your way! And you—”

I hesitated, looking around, my mind blank. “Miss Shu… I think you might be mistaken.”

“Mistaken? How could I be mistaken?” She violently pushed aside the butler blocking her way, came at me with claws bared, and grabbed my arm, yanking hard. “Mistaken? Fine! Then you tell Eustace yourself! Tell him it’s all a misunderstanding between the two of you!”

“Miss Shu, please listen to me!” Shu Yuan was pulling at me frantically, completely losing her composure. Bai Junrui shoved her away forcefully, and Wang Zheng also rushed over to hold her back.

“Phillip! Get the bodyguards to take this young lady downstairs!”

Wait, wait, wait… Don’t get physical with a woman.

But in the chaos, someone shoved me. I stumbled back a few steps and then—thud—fell hard onto the ground.

“Qi Ri!”

Pain.

I touched the back of my head as Li Ling helped me sit up. That hit was no joke. I shook my head, my ears ringing. When I looked up, I saw Li Ling’s face flushed red. Both her hands were tightly wrapped around my shoulders as she slowly helped me stand. She looked at the group of people still bickering. Her voice still trembled from crying, but her gaze was resolute.

“Miss, I think you really are mistaken.” Li Ling took a deep breath and looked up at me.

She reached out and lightly touched my bandaged hand, then held it gently.

Looking around at them, she said, “Qi Ri and I… we’re together now. So… whatever you’re talking about, or whatever relationship your fiancé has with Qi Ri, I think that’s a problem between you and him.”

“So please, don’t take it out on Qi Ri.”

Li Ling looked at me. The corners of her dry lips lifted slightly, forming a small smile.

“He may be a big fool with nothing going for him except kindness, but I won’t allow you to bully him.”

I…

I looked up at them. Bai Junrui’s face was filled with disbelief, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. Wang Zheng was still holding Shu Yuan back, but his gaze flickered between Li Ling and me, finally settling on me. His voice was hoarse as he said, “No… impossible…”

Li Ling straightened her back. Her slightly pale face radiated confidence. “Why is it impossible? Sir, I hope you can explain things properly to your fiancée. I also wish you a happy and blissful marriage.” She tugged on my arm. “Right, Qi Ri?”

I avoided Wang Zheng’s gaze, lowered my eyes, and murmured, “Mm.”

Just then, the doctor walked out of the emergency room. Bai Junrui was the first to rush over, asking impatiently, “How is he?”

“He’s stabilized for now, but there are some things I need to discuss with the family. And…” The doctor lowered his voice for the rest. Li Ling and I stood awkwardly to the side. Wang Zheng was standing alone, his expression blank as if lost in thought. His hands were clenched into fists, and there was no trace of color on his face.

After a brief, quiet discussion, Bai Junrui’s face darkened as he shook hands with the doctor. He didn’t continue arguing with Shu Yuan and Wang Zheng. Instead, he just waved his hand, looking exhausted, and ordered Old Butler Phillip, “Take Miss Shu home. And…” He shot a cold glare at Wang Zheng. “I’ll deal with you later. First, let’s calm Dad down. We’ve had enough drama for today. Get lost.”

This time, Shu Yuan nodded obediently. Before leaving, she cast one last look at Wang Zheng, then followed the old butler out, looking utterly dejected. Wang Zheng stood frozen, not moving an inch. Bai Junrui snorted coldly and shoved him. Afraid they’d start fighting again, I quickly stepped in to hold Bai Junrui back. “Brother Bai, stop hitting him! Wang Zheng…” Only then did I notice his face was off. His hand was pressed against his chest, and he seemed to be in pain.

“Hmph, let him fake it. Let him keep pretending. Why didn’t he just die then and there? He’s been barely hanging on all this time, and all he does is cause a mess.” I signaled for Bai Junrui to stop. He cursed again under his breath, his eyes reddening as he turned his head away—clearly, Uncle Shu’s condition wasn’t looking good.

Li Ling also walked over. She looked at Wang Zheng and said uneasily, “Qi Ri, he really doesn’t look right…”

The moment she finished, Wang Zheng suddenly convulsed. His whole body pitched forward, collapsing limply onto me.

——————

—There was once a severe wound above his left chest. Oh, I mean, something like a scar left behind by a gunshot.

—He probably didn’t recover properly afterward. But that’s not directly related to his current symptoms. Our preliminary opinion is a lung contusion. It’s not serious, but don’t take it lightly either.

The lights in the hospital room were bright. I sat on the chair by the bed, carefully studying Wang Zheng.

That delicate face had lost its former radiance. His sharp chin and the dark shadows under his eyes—it was a sight I could never have imagined.

He seemed to be in a deep sleep, his chest rising and falling faintly, but his brows were tightly knitted together.

How… how did he end up like this…?

“Qi Ri.” Li Ling placed her hand on my shoulder, lowering her voice. “He’ll be fine. The doctor just said it’s not serious…” She paused abruptly and coughed a few times to the side. It was only then that I realized it was almost dawn. “Li Ling.”

I gently patted her back. “Are you sure you’re okay? Wait… I should take you home first.” I rubbed my brow. Li Ling pulled my coat tighter around herself, then slowly shook her head. She gave a soft laugh and said, “It’s okay. I can go back by myself.”

“You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?” Li Ling lowered her eyes, her expression hard to read. “I’ll borrow your coat for now. I’ll return it to you next time, alright?”

I hesitated for a moment, looking at her. Finally, I said, “I’ll call a cab for you. If anything’s wrong…” I clenched my fist. “You have to tell me.”

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll never know.” Just like back then.

Li Ling nodded slightly, then reached out and hugged me. She whispered softly in my ear, “Qi Ri, walk me out, okay?”

“I have something… to tell you.”

I nodded. I turned back to look at Wang Zheng on the bed, tucked his hands under the blanket, made sure he was covered properly, and then followed Li Ling out of the hospital room.

We waited for a cab outside the hospital for a while. The cool morning breeze swept over us, making everything feel surreal.

Li Ling stared ahead, her eyes slowly losing focus. I couldn’t help but call out to her. “Li Ling? Li Ling? What’s wrong?”

Li Ling paused, turned her head to look at me, and smiled faintly. She shook her head slowly, then said, “Qi Ri, are you this good to everyone?”

“Huh?” I didn’t catch it at first. I saw Li Ling twitch the corner of her mouth, as if she was forcing a bitter smile.

“I know. I know what you’re thinking, you fool.” She looked at me, her expression calm. “You like to play dumb. And sometimes, after playing dumb for so long, you can’t tell what’s real and what’s fake anymore.”

I looked at her in silence.

Li Ling continued as if talking to herself. “You’re good to everyone. But aside from being good, there’s nothing else. That’s how you protect yourself. You pretend you don’t know anything. You like to deflect things in other directions, whether good or bad…”

“Am I right?” Li Ling looked at me. The smile on her face made my eyes sting.

“Qi Ri, give me a clear answer, okay?”

The taxi pulled up in front of the hospital. Li Ling took a deep breath and said lightly, “The car’s here. I’m leaving.”

She slowly walked down the steps.

Just as she was opening the car door—

“Li Ling.” I called out to her.

Li Ling turned her head to look at me.

I pursed my lips.

“I’m sorry.”

Li Ling nodded, then smiled. “I know.”

“I really… am sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me.” Li Ling raised an eyebrow, as if she were smiling playfully. “That would make me want to kill you with my high heels.”

“…”

“Don’t make that face. Don’t be so full of yourself.”

“Mm…”

The smile on Li Ling’s face slowly faded.

She said, “Don’t be like this anymore. Qi Ri.”

“Don’t keep using your ’not understanding’ as an excuse to toy with everyone around you. It’s selfish.”

“Really. It’s… so, so selfish.”

She quickly got into the car. Through the window, I saw her cover her mouth with one hand as tears streamed out of her eyes.

One drop. Two drops.

The car sped away.

‘Don’t keep using your ’not understanding’ as an excuse.’

I clenched my fist unconsciously, my heart heavy as I turned around. I saw Bai Junrui standing at the hospital entrance, his hands behind his back. He’d been busy all night, and his face didn’t look good either.

“Want some coffee?”

I followed him to the vending machine.