Xie Zhao was momentarily stunned; although the two police officers in front didn’t turn around, they cast curious glances through the rearview mirror.
Luo Jingshu stared at him intently, seemingly unaware of how strange his earlier words sounded.
Xie Zhao met his gaze and spoke softly, but the silence in the car allowed the two police officers in front to hear him clearly.
“You’ve broken up with him. Don’t you think it’s strange to say something like that?”
So it was a romantic dispute.
Luo Jingshu wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, the dried blood on the back of his hand leaving lines on his skin.
“We’ve indeed broken up, but it’s none of your business.”
Xie Zhao wanted to laugh but suppressed the anger rising within him in front of the police.
“Luo Jingshu, that statement is a bit laughable.” Xie Zhao took a deep breath, his hand resting on his knee slowly forming a fist, “I’m pursuing Xiao Cheng; what does that have to do with you?”
He added, “Although I don’t know the reason for your breakup, Xiao Cheng has clearly told me that he will not reconcile with you.”
In fact, Xiao Cheng had never said such a thing; ever since Xie Zhao guessed his feelings, Xiao Cheng had been avoiding discussions about relationships with him.
Xie Zhao had made several observations and guessed that their breakup was likely not amicable, and it was probably Luo Jingshu’s fault.
His words were somewhat probing, but it was clear that Xie Zhao had hit the nail on the head.
Upon hearing this, Luo Jingshu’s injured hand tensed up suddenly, and the wound that had just stopped bleeding began to ooze blood again, the bright red color flowing down his hand.
One of the police officers caught the scent of blood and turned to look: “Hey, why are you bleeding again?”
There were no better supplies for treating wounds in the car. Luo Jingshu smiled at the police officer in the passenger seat, “Uncle, could you give me two sheets of paper? Thank you, Uncle.”
His appearance was misleading; he looked obedient and not very old, and because he was injured while trying to help others, the two police officers had a good impression of him. The older officer in the passenger seat quickly handed a whole newspaper to Luo Jingshu, “Quick, wipe it.”
Having no one to talk to just a moment ago, the older police officer began to inquire about what had happened earlier.
Luo Jingshu recounted everything he knew; when he passed the alley, he heard a noisy commotion, both male and female voices.
Initially, he only intended to call the police; after all, not knowing the specific situation, it made no sense for Luo Jingshu to recklessly rush in and risk his own safety to save others.
Some might call him cold-hearted, but helping to call the police was already his maximum goodwill.
Just as Luo Jingshu was about to leave, he suddenly heard someone inside shout “Ziyue.” He remembered that Xiao Cheng’s sister seemed to be named Xiao Ziyue, which prompted him to look inside, only to find it was indeed her.
After he finished speaking, Xie Zhao asked, “If the person inside wasn’t Xiao Ziyue, would you have just ignored it?”
He remembered that Luo Jingshu was very skilled at fighting and able to take on many opponents without losing ground.
Luo Jingshu gave him a light glance, “After all, I’m just an ordinary person. I’m afraid of pain, and even more afraid of death.”
Blood was still on his hand, and his face was paler than usual. The police officer driving the car interjected, “There’s nothing wrong with that approach. When the situation is uncertain, it’s best to ensure your own safety first and wait for the police to arrive.”
Given that Luo Jingshu was capable of fighting, if someone with lower combat ability had rushed in to save someone, it might not only fail to help the victim but could also further provoke the suspect.
Xie Zhao understood that his previous words sounded like moral coercion, so he pressed his lips together and said, “I’m sorry.”
He might have been influenced by past events, feeling that Luo Jingshu should definitely be able to handle it.
When he knew he might have been able to save the victim, he still chose to only call the police without making any attempt—what if, by the time the police arrived, the situation had already become irreversible?
Xie Zhao was momentarily overwhelmed by emotion, but soon calmed down; after all, Luo Jingshu saved the person. As an observer, he had no right to blame Luo Jingshu for something that hadn’t even happened.
Moreover, all of this was merely his assumption. Luo Jingshu was not omnipotent, and his wounded hand was the best evidence.
Luo Jingshu did not respond to his apology. He simply pressed on the wound on the back of his hand and turned to look out the window. His dark, quiet eyes were filled with desolation, and his figure somehow appeared lonely.
Xie Zhao seemed to want to say something but hesitated, considering the presence of others; in the end, he said nothing.
When Xiao Cheng and Xiao Ziyue arrived at the hospital, Luo Jingshu and the others had just gotten there.
Xiao Ziyue immediately noticed the fresh blood flowing from Luo Jingshu’s hand. She wanted to express her concern but feared it might upset Xiao Cheng, so she could only sneak a few glances without saying anything.
Instead, Xiao Cheng asked, “Should we take care of your hand first?”
Luo Jingshu looked up at him; the area around his eyes was red, and the corner of his slightly pursed lips bore faint bruises from the punch Xiao Cheng had thrown a few days prior.
His eyes were red, yet his face was a bit pale. His vibrant facial color lost some of its dazzling brilliance, replaced by a somewhat pitiful, sickly aura. Coupled with the injury on his hand, he resembled a stray puppy bullied by other beasts.
Xiao Ziyue suddenly thought of four words: “damaged beauty.”
At that moment, she, a girl, felt that Luo Jingshu looked weak and pitiful, like a willow branch in the wind, even though he was a whole head taller than her.
When Luo Jingshu had been fighting earlier, Xiao Ziyue was so preoccupied with Jian Lin’s injuries that she hadn’t paid much attention to Luo Jingshu’s expression; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had such a thought.
Xiao Cheng patted Xiao Ziyue on the head. “Ziyue, go with these two police officers to find your friend. Senior, you should go too.”
Xie Zhao looked at him with a complex expression. “What about you…?”
Xiao Cheng’s face remained unchanged; compared to his earlier avoidance, he seemed much more natural now.
“I’ll take Luo Jingshu to bandage his wound.”
Xie Zhao glanced at Luo Jingshu’s current expression, feeling inexplicably irritated.
Luo Jingshu was once again playing the pity card in front of Xiao Cheng.
But now, he had no standing to criticize Luo Jingshu. Xie Zhao nodded to Xiao Cheng, “Alright.”
Once everyone had left, Xiao Cheng turned to Luo Jingshu and said, “Let’s go.”
Luo Jingshu immediately stepped forward, a small smile appearing on his face. “Brother Cheng, do you believe me now?”
He genuinely hadn’t meant to appear before Xiao Cheng; today’s events had nothing to do with him.
Xiao Cheng’s expression was very indifferent, his eyes looking straight ahead. “Thank you for today.”
He had indeed been momentarily taken aback when he saw Luo Jingshu earlier. After all, just a few days ago, he had said they should act as if they didn’t know each other, and now just days later, Luo Jingshu had saved his sister; Xiao Cheng found it hard to pretend not to recognize him.
On the way to the hospital, he had already adjusted his mindset. At this moment, Luo Jingshu was merely a kind person who had helped his sister in Xiao Cheng’s eyes.
As for whether he was Xiao Cheng’s ex-boyfriend or a complete stranger, it didn’t matter.
Walking alongside Xiao Cheng, Luo Jingshu’s expression gradually turned cold when Xiao Cheng wasn’t looking, and his hand pressed against the wound was somewhat perfunctory.
It wasn’t until they arrived at their destination that Xiao Cheng suddenly turned to look at him. Luo Jingshu’s previously indifferent expression transformed into one of weakness; his lips tightened, and his brows furrowed slightly, as if he was enduring pain.
Xiao Cheng was momentarily stunned, not saying anything, merely redirecting his attention to Luo Jingshu’s wound.
There was too much blood, and the used tissues were stuck on top, so they had to clean the wound first before applying medicine and bandaging it.
Xiao Cheng stood at a distance, quietly watching the doctor work.
Luo Jingshu didn’t look at him either, just lowering his eyes to watch his wound. When the doctor was cleaning it, he suddenly recoiled, a hissing intake of breath escaping his throat.
The kind-looking female doctor glanced up at him. “Hang in there; it might hurt a bit.”
Luo Jingshu’s hand had been cut by a fruit knife, a long diagonal gash running across the back of his hand, but fortunately, it wasn’t very deep and hadn’t reached any blood vessels.
Luo Jingshu bit his lip, his long, pale fingers trembling slightly, while the other hand gripped the hem of his shirt tightly.
The doctor added, “Try not to look at the wound; it might feel a little better.”
He had no choice but to look up at Xiao Cheng. His usual upward-turned peach blossom eyes were slightly downcast, not only were his eye sockets red, but there was also a faint glimmer of tears in his eyes.
The redness in his eyes made him look even more pitiful and harmless. As he gazed up at Xiao Cheng, he resembled a small animal begging for its owner’s mercy.
Xiao Cheng remained unmoved. He simply whispered, “I’ll cover all the medical expenses. If there are any further issues, you can contact me.”
Luo Jingshu blinked. His voice was a bit hoarse and carried a subtle nasal tone. The last syllable lifted slightly, laced with a strong hint of coquetry.
“Can I contact Brother Cheng?”
Xiao Cheng gazed into his reddened eyes, and his hand at his side unconsciously moved. “If it’s unrelated to your injury, then it’s unnecessary.”
He had deleted Luo Jingshu from his contacts just a few days ago, not expecting to have to add him back so soon. Xiao Cheng felt a sense of absurdity; this was simply too dramatic.
The first time he mentioned their breakup, he had also deleted Luo Jingshu from his contacts, only to add him back a few days later.
Could it be that it was destined from the start that he could never delete Luo Jingshu’s contact information?
Luo Jingshu retrieved his phone with his uninjured hand and struggled to tap a few times. “Brother Cheng, let me scan your QR code,” he said.
A wave of irritation rose in Xiao Cheng’s heart; he suddenly didn’t want to see Luo Jingshu in this state, feeling that it was somewhat unfair to him.
Yet when he looked down, he clearly saw the pitiful pleading on the other’s face, with no trace of arrogance.
He slowly took out his QR code, just as he was about to let Luo Jingshu scan it, Luo Jingshu’s hand holding the phone suddenly slipped, and at the same time, a muffled groan escaped his throat.
Xiao Cheng reacted quickly, instinctively catching his phone. However, Luo Jingshu did not let go, and Xiao Cheng’s hand ended up covering the back of his hand, enveloping it in his palm.
This moment lasted about two seconds before Xiao Cheng immediately withdrew his hand, his expression growing serious, his brows furrowed tightly. “Hold on to it properly.”
Luo Jingshu tightened his grip on his phone, his lips slightly parted as he blinked his reddened eyes at Xiao Cheng. “Sorry, Brother Cheng , that hurt too much just now.”
Xiao Cheng did not respond, quickly allowing him to finish scanning before tapping twice on the phone screen, then shoving the phone into his pocket, preferring to keep it out of sight.
Luo Jingshu quietly dimmed the brightness of his phone screen, then clicked on Xiao Cheng’s profile, having noticed that Xiao Cheng had done something just now.
A few seconds later, he found out what it was.
Xiao Cheng had blocked him from seeing his Moments.
Luo Jingshu stared at his phone’s empty homepage for a while, then turned off the screen and put the phone back in his pocket.
It’s okay; being able to add him as a friend is already a big step forward.
After the wound was dressed, Luo Jingshu’s face looked even paler than before, closely following Xiao Cheng without leaving his side.
When Xiao Cheng inadvertently stopped, Luo Jingshu bumped into him from behind.
Caught off guard, he leaned forward slightly after the collision, and his arm was tightly grabbed by Luo Jingshu, who was behind him. Fortunately, he managed to steady himself.
Xiao Cheng shook off Luo Jingshu’s hand with a bit more force than necessary, seemingly pulling at Luo Jingshu’s injured area. The next second, Luo Jingshu clutched the shoulder on the side of his wound.
Xiao Cheng frowned. “Can you stay a little farther away from me?”
Luo Jingshu licked his lips. “Sorry, Brother Cheng.”
It seemed he had figured out how to soften Xiao Cheng’s heart quickly or prevent Xiao Cheng from getting angry with him. From the moment he saw him tonight until now, Luo Jingshu had said “sorry” several times.
Xiao Cheng, unable to endure it any longer, simply reached out and pulled him by the arm to a less crowded area.
Luo Jingshu did not resist, letting him lead him forward until they reached the balcony, where Xiao Cheng finally let go of his arm.
The cold wind blew outside, and Xiao Cheng’s anger eased a little as he frowned and shouted quietly at Luo Jingshu, “Can you stop already?”
Luo Jingshu’s dark eyes were fixated on Xiao Cheng, unable to tear his gaze away for a moment.
“Brother Cheng, are you annoyed with me?”
Xiao Cheng took a deep breath, took a small step back, and leaned on the railing. “Do you really not think your actions right now are annoying?”
“I need you to remember that our breakup wasn’t graceful; we’re not friends who can chat peacefully.”
His patience with Luo Jingshu just now was all due to his gratitude for saving his sister. Being willing to add him as a friend was the greatest concession he could make; beyond that, he didn’t want any further entanglement with him.
“I hope you can remember what I said and keep your distance from me.”
“Keep your mind and body away from me.”
Xiao Cheng recalled how Luo Jingshu had just held him in his arms and felt a surge of anger, wishing he could punch him right then.
“Stop using your little tricks to bait me; it won’t work.”
He wasn’t very smart, especially when it came to matters of the heart, and he often had difficulty distinguishing what was genuine and what was fake.
But he was very clear that Luo Jingshu was not as fragile as he had just appeared.
Just knowing this was enough.
“Can you be a little more sincere?” Xiao Cheng rubbed his temples, staring at Luo Jingshu’s red eyes for a few seconds. “It’s too fake.”
Luo Jingshu’s expression suddenly tensed up, his voice hoarse and trembling slightly. “Brother Cheng !”
His voice was urgent, as if he could no longer bear the pain in his heart.
Xiao Cheng’s words stung him deeper than anything he had heard before. Xiao Cheng’s distrust had reached a point where it seemed that everything he did was an act in Xiao Cheng’s eyes.
He was good at fighting and had specifically learned combat techniques; the pain he felt was real. His pain sensitivity was higher than that of most people.
But in front of others, Luo Jingshu would never show it. So earlier, even when he was in so much pain that his fingers trembled in the car, his expression remained indifferent and aloof.
When he was cleaning his wound just now, he truly felt pain.
But Xiao Cheng thought he was acting.
Just like he didn’t believe Luo Jingshu when he said he liked him; no matter what Luo Jingshu did, it all seemed to carry a hint of falseness to Xiao Cheng.
Luo Jingshu covered his chest with his hand, feeling a tearing pain in his chest, making him gasp for breath.
He looked like he had a heart problem, provoked into an episode by Xiao Cheng.
When emotions fluctuate too intensely, the body can indeed feel unwell. Especially with overwhelming negative emotions, a suffocating pain can rise in the chest.
Xiao Cheng watched him coldly, simply not understanding why Luo Jingshu reacted so strongly.
“You don’t have to put on a show of suffering and grievance in front of me, Luo Jingshu. I liked that innocent and harmless Nian Nian, not you.”
Xiao Cheng paused, the cold wind seeping into his collar, stiffening his body.
“The boy I liked is no longer here.”
Since the night he heard Luo Jingshu say those words, the Nian Nian he liked had already disappeared.
Xiao Cheng caught a glimpse of the wound on Luo Jingshu’s hand; it seemed to have torn open again, the white bandage faintly stained with blood.
He remained unmoved. After saying that, he strode down the corridor, his figure gradually disappearing from Luo Jingshu’s sight.
Luo Jingshu staggered back a step, his back pressed against the cold, hard railing, his crimson eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xiao Cheng’s retreating figure.
Uncertain how much time had passed, Luo Jingshu suddenly pulled out his phone from his pocket and opened WeChat. It was only when he saw that familiar profile picture that he let out a slight sigh of relief.
A few days had passed, and Xiao Cheng’s hatred for him intensified.
Luo Jingshu thought he needed to be patient, just like he had been in his previous life dealing with Jiang Ying.
Luo Jingshu knew he was despicable and hypocritical, but his inherent obsession and possessiveness never allowed him to let go easily. From the moment he fell in love with Xiao Cheng, it was destined that Xiao Cheng could never shake him off.
“Brother Cheng …”
Luo Jingshu’s fingers traced the familiar profile picture. His eyes were devoid of light, but his lips curled upward as if he were smiling.
“You are a gift sent to me by heaven.”
The only gift that uniquely belongs to me.
He was reborn, and Xiao Cheng was not the same Xiao Cheng as before; they both held untold secrets, making them a pair destined to be together.
No one could take Xiao Cheng away from him.
Even if Xiao Cheng refused to get back together, he wouldn’t let him be with anyone else.
Luo Jingshu would guard his treasure, surround him, and chase away all those who covet him.
No one could come close.
When Xiao Cheng found Xiao Ziyue, Jian Lin’s leg injury had also been mostly treated. Two police officers were sitting beside her asking questions, and a middle-aged man was nearby.
Xiao Ziyue sniffed, her eyes red. When she saw Xiao Cheng, she softly called out “Brother” and quietly tugged at his sleeve.
“Who is that…?”
Xiao Cheng vaguely recognized the middle-aged man as familiar, and when he saw Jian Lin on the hospital bed, he suddenly realized that this must be Jian Lin’s father.
Sure enough, Xiao Ziyue said, “It’s Linlin’s dad.”
When Jian Lin was taken to the ambulance, no one had called her father; Xiao Ziyue didn’t know Jian Lin’s father’s phone number or know how to contact him.
So she came to the hospital, worried that Jian Lin would be scared alone.
Jian Lin was terrified, all her composure was a façade. Initially, she wanted to keep it from her father, but after the doctor kindly persuaded her for a while, she borrowed the doctor’s phone to call her dad.
Jian Lin’s father was a kind-looking middle-aged man. Upon hearing that his daughter had been stabbed and was being treated in the hospital, he panicked, his speech jumbled as he rushed in, drenched in sweat.
By the time Xiao Cheng arrived, Jian Lin’s father had calmed down, but his eyes were still red, holding Jian Lin’s hand and speaking comforting words.
“We’ve basically understood the situation. We’ll definitely provide you with an outcome,” one of the police officers said as they put away their notebooks and pens, glancing at Xiao Cheng before asking, “Is that young man’s injury taken care of?”
Xiao Cheng nodded slightly, “He’s in the back.”
“We have a few questions we’d like to ask him.”
Xiao Cheng then informed them of Luo Jingshu’s location. “What about Senior Xie?”
Xiao Ziyue returned to her senses, saying, “That brother went to pay the bill. Linlin might need to stay in the hospital for observation for a few more days.”
Jian Lin had also bumped her head and suffered a mild concussion, so she would need to stay in the hospital a bit longer. When Jian Lin’s father hadn’t arrived, Xie Zhao had suggested going to pay the bill and complete the admission procedures.
Xiao Cheng sighed lightly, “That’s fine too.”
He glanced at the father and daughter speaking softly, not far away, and then turned to Xiao Ziyue, “I’ll take you home. It’s fine since her dad is here; you should rest early.”
Xiao Ziyue had also been startled; she was no longer needed here, so it was better to go home and rest.
Xiao Ziyue agreed, “Then I’ll say a few more words to Linlin.”
“You go ahead.”
Xiao Cheng stepped back to wait at the door of the ward. Today’s events had been too sudden; his emotions had been through great ups and downs, and after everything settled down, a wave of profound fatigue washed over him.
Xiao Cheng closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall, finally finding a moment to relax.
Suddenly, his phone in his pocket vibrated, startling him awake. Everything around him was still a bit blurry when he opened his eyes.
He slowly pulled out his phone and found a new message from his friend, Mr. Bai.
He seemed to have told Bai Yiheng that he would have dinner with friends tonight.
Xiao Cheng maintained basic contact with Bai Yiheng, exchanging greetings and goodnights even when they weren’t chatting. Perhaps Bai Yiheng noticed it was getting late, and he asked if Xiao Cheng had returned to the dorm.
Holding the phone with one hand and tapping slowly on the screen with the other, he exuded a sense of weariness.
[Xiao Cheng: Not yet, still in the hospital.]
Bai Yiheng responded quickly, as if his phone was beside him: [Not feeling well?]
[Xiao Cheng: No, it’s a complicated situation.]
[Xiao Cheng: Mr. Bai, haven’t you rested yet?]
Moments later, Bai Yiheng sent him a picture; in a dark environment, only the light from the computer screen illuminated a man’s hand, which seemed to be next to a coffee cup.
[Mr. Bai: Working.]
It seemed that money wasn’t that easy to earn.
Xiao Cheng sighed and replied: [Drinking coffee at night makes sleeping hard.]
Bai Yiheng chuckled lightly on the other side of the screen. Xiao Cheng could easily imagine the expression on his face when he said that; the youth must have been very serious.
[Mr. Bai: That’s exactly why I’m drinking it—to avoid falling asleep.]
When chatting with Bai Yiheng, Xiao Cheng felt like he was facing a close confidant. The fatigue that filled his body seemed to lessen a bit as he joked: [I hope I won’t end up living this kind of life in the future.]
[Mr. Bai: Not necessarily, but it’s quite possible.]
Xiao Cheng: …
So honest, huh?
Not even giving the employees the courtesy of sugarcoating things.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.
Saying he didn’t want to feel like he wouldn’t be a qualified employee, while saying he was looking forward to it would feel like a lie.
Bai Yiheng probably guessed his thoughts and didn’t continue on that topic, instead asking: [Can you take a call?]
Xiao Cheng peeked into the ward; Xiao Ziyue was sitting by the bed, holding Jian Lin’s hand and saying something. Jian Lin’s father was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing him peeking, Xiao Ziyue shyly said, “Brother, wait a moment; Linlin’s dad went to get hot water.”
Xiao Cheng then replied to Bai Yiheng: [Sure.]
The next second, a call request from Bai Yiheng popped up.
After answering, he heard two sounds of typing on a keyboard before a deep voice came through:
“What are you doing in the hospital?”
“Hmm?” Xiao Cheng was taken aback.
Bai Yiheng said, “Is it inconvenient to disclose?”
“No.” Xiao Cheng chuckled, “Is Mr. Bai concerned about me?”
Bai Yiheng chuckled lightly, “As your dad’s friend and your future boss, I think it’s only right to care for you.”
“You’re not home tonight, but in the hospital.”
Bai Yiheng’s voice softened a bit, “Xiao Cheng.”
“Of course, I worry about you.”
