Luo Jingshu leaned against the cold wall, afraid he wouldn’t even have the strength to stand if he didn’t.
The cold indifference and neglect he’d shown Xiao Cheng in the past felt like a sharp thorn stabbing his heart.
Luo Jingshu didn’t dare imagine: if Xiao Cheng had been this uncomfortable the last time, who had been there to take care of him?
Seeing Luo Jingshu remain silent, Xie Zhao let out another cold laugh. “If you really care about Xiao Cheng, then stop clinging to him.”
Luo Jingshu snapped out of his chaotic memories and stood up straight, exuding an unyielding aura.
All his guilt and regret were reserved for Xiao Cheng. In front of a rival, Luo Jingshu refused to appear weak.
“I’ll make it up to Brother Cheng for everything I owe him and beg for his forgiveness,” he said in a low voice. “But Xie Zhao, don’t even think about making a move on him.”
Xie Zhao knew reasoning with Luo Jingshu was pointless. This man was stubborn and obsessive, latching on and refusing to let go once he made up his mind.
Even Xiao Cheng couldn’t deal with him, so what could Xie Zhao possibly do?
“Suit yourself,” Xie Zhao said curtly. As he turned to go back to the room, he suddenly added, “If you want to know what happened last time, ask Jiang Zihe.”
Xie Zhao didn’t actually know much. Last time, Jiang Zihe had only mentioned it in passing and hadn’t spoken to him much afterward.
Perhaps Jiang Zihe had realized Xiao Cheng wasn’t interested. Afterward, he even apologized to Xie Zhao, saying that trying to play matchmaker was a mistake and offering to return the event tickets.
Xie Zhao had comforted him instead. Honestly, Xiao Cheng’s attitude had been exactly what Xie Zhao had expected.
From the very beginning, Xiao Cheng had never given him a chance.
Thinking of this, a sense of loss surged within Xie Zhao.
No matter how harsh he was with Luo Jingshu, it wouldn’t change the fact that Xiao Cheng liked Luo Jingshu.
Xie Zhao was usually someone who could let things go, but when it came to this, he couldn’t help feeling jealous.
Why was it that someone like Luo Jingshu, who treated feelings so casually, could win Xiao Cheng’s love, while he—who had only ever liked Xiao Cheng—was never given a chance?
Did love really just come down to who got there first?
Xie Zhao pressed his lips together. His frustration melted into a sigh when his gaze landed on Xiao Cheng’s slightly reddened eyes.
Forget it. If everyone got what they wanted, there wouldn’t be so many unfulfilled desires in the world.
Xiao Cheng rubbed his dry, sore eyes. He had been staring at his phone for too long, and now his eyes felt uncomfortable.
Unbeknownst to him, his reddened eyes gave the impression that he was either in pain and quietly enduring it or feeling dejected and silently nursing his wounds.
Either way, it was enough to turn Xie Zhao’s lingering resentment into overwhelming heartache.
He sat down next to Xiao Cheng. “Does your stomach still hurt?”
Xiao Cheng instinctively pressed a hand to his stomach, his fingers massaging the muscles. “Not really.”
Still, the lingering discomfort made him feel a bit out of sorts. He aimlessly swiped through his phone, hesitating over whether to tell Bai Yiheng about being at the hospital. It felt a little embarrassing to admit.
After Xiao Cheng didn’t reply for a while, Bai Yiheng sent another message:
[Let me know when you’re done eating, and I’ll pick you up.]
Xiao Cheng told him he was going to a friend’s gathering earlier. Since they commuted to work together in Bai Yiheng’s car every day, Xiao Cheng hadn’t driven himself.
In fact, Bai Yiheng had already offered to drive him to the hotpot place when he left over two hours ago.
Xiao Cheng didn’t want Bai Yiheng to know he was meeting Luo Jingshu, and he worried that if Bai Yiheng found out, Xiao Yu might learn about it too.
He didn’t want his family worrying about him.
Even though he knew Bai Yiheng wasn’t the type to gossip, Xiao Cheng still felt uneasy.
Yet in the end, he would likely need to trouble Bai Yiheng anyway.
Xiao Cheng replied to Bai Yiheng: [Actually, I’m at the hospital.]
He briefly explained the allergic reaction and glanced up at the IV, now more than halfway done.
[Bai Yiheng: I’ll come pick you up.]
Xiao Cheng put away his phone and ran a hand over his face, accidentally tugging on the IV line. Blood flowed back into the tube, startling Xie Zhao.
“Don’t move!”
Xiao Cheng asked, “Why are you at the hospital, Senior?”
Xie Zhao didn’t look sick. His complexion was fine, and his voice was full of energy.
“Too much stress. Couldn’t sleep,” Xie Zhao said briefly before changing the subject. “You and Luo Jingshu…”
Why was Luo Jingshu the one who brought Xiao Cheng to the hospital?
Xiao Cheng realized Xie Zhao still didn’t know about what had happened to him a few days ago.
He didn’t want others to know, so he vaguely said, “He helped me with something recently, so I treated him to a meal.”
Seeing Xiao Cheng’s subtle expression, Xie Zhao knew he didn’t want to share the full story. He didn’t press further, only noting, “He didn’t look so good just now.”
Xiao Cheng could guess what Xie Zhao had said to Luo Jingshu, but discussing feelings wasn’t an option given their awkward relationship.
Xie Zhao unexpectedly asked, “Would you be angry?”
“What?” Xiao Cheng was confused. How did this conversation shift to whether he would get angry?
Xie Zhao stared at him intently. “I scolded Luo Jingshu. Would that make you unhappy?”
No matter what, Luo Jingshu was once someone Xiao Cheng liked. Xie Zhao wasn’t sure if Xiao Cheng still had feelings for Luo Jingshu or if seeing him hurt would stir up sympathy.
Xiao Cheng froze for a moment, then realized what he meant. He couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. “Senior, would you be angry over someone who doesn’t matter?”
The footsteps at the door suddenly stopped. The corner of a light gray coat came into view, though no figure was visible.
Someone who doesn’t matter.
Xie Zhao pressed his lips together, silently observing the expression on Xiao Cheng’s face. Eventually, he concluded that Xiao Cheng was being honest.
“You don’t like him anymore?”
Xiao Cheng felt his hand with the IV drip getting cold and instinctively tucked his fingers under the blanket.
“Who would like someone who can’t stop causing harm?”
Even though Luo Jingshu repeatedly promised that his feelings for Xiao Cheng were genuine now, the damage had already been done. No matter how much they tried to patch things up, the scars would remain.
When Xie Zhao seemed to want to say more, Xiao Cheng suddenly realized that talking about this in front of him might give the wrong impression.
“Senior, you… you’re not feeling well, so you should go back and rest.”
Xie Zhao frowned. “Are you here alone?”
Xiao Cheng blinked. “A friend is coming to pick me up.”
After a long silence, Xie Zhao couldn’t find an excuse to stay and reluctantly said, “Alright, I’ll leave once your friend arrives.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Jingshu appeared at the doorway, holding a warm water bottle.
“Brother Cheng, I bought you a warm water bottle.” He handed it over. “Press it against your stomach—it’ll feel better.”
Although Xiao Cheng didn’t really want to interact with Luo Jingshu, he wouldn’t reject something that could ease his discomfort. He reached out, took it, and pressed it against himself, letting out an involuntary sigh of relief.
Luo Jingshu took the opportunity to sit on the other side of the bed, directly across from Xie Zhao. He glanced at Xie Zhao and commented, “Senior Xie, you have dark circles under your eyes. Haven’t been resting well, have you?”
“You should head back early to rest.”
Xie Zhao didn’t believe Luo Jingshu could tell he wasn’t sleeping well—Xiao Cheng hadn’t even noticed.
He recalled how Luo Jingshu was already at the door earlier. Who knows how much he had overheard?
Xiao Cheng, meanwhile, was inclined to agree. It wasn’t that he preferred Luo Jingshu’s company over Xie Zhao’s; he just didn’t want to trouble Xie Zhao. As for Luo Jingshu, no matter how much Xiao Cheng inconvenienced him, he wouldn’t feel guilty.
He deserved it.
Seeing Xiao Cheng nodding in agreement, Xie Zhao had no choice but to sigh. He pointedly said, “Xiao Cheng, take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything.”
Xiao Cheng blinked. “Alright.”
Xie Zhao felt slightly better hearing that. He was holding a bag filled with medicine, indicating he wasn’t feeling well.
After a brief hesitation, Xiao Cheng added, “If you ever need someone to talk to, you can message me.”
Xiao Cheng felt guilty since Xie Zhao had helped him multiple times, yet he couldn’t return the favor.
Xie Zhao turned back with a smile. The previously heavy emotion in his eyes seemed to fade, replaced with a lightness that reached his brows and the corners of his eyes. “Alright.”
He had never regretted liking Xiao Cheng. Even though this person never reciprocated his feelings, Xie Zhao still felt it was worth it.
Luo Jingshu watched their interaction, his gaze heavy. His legs shifted restlessly, and his expression grew darker.
Of course, his frustration was directed at Xie Zhao. Luo Jingshu didn’t dare to show any dissatisfaction toward Xiao Cheng.
Xie Zhao left without a backward glance. Watching his departing figure, Xiao Cheng’s gaze shifted through the half-open door. Not far down the hallway, he saw what seemed to be an argument brewing.
It was hard to tell whether Xie Zhao had deliberately or accidentally left the door ajar, but from Xiao Cheng’s vantage point, he could see everything happening in the corridor.
He watched with interest—he was just too bored.
With his body immobilized during the IV, his phone offering little entertainment, and someone he wasn’t keen on being around sitting next to him, eavesdropping on a quarrel seemed a good distraction.
Luo Jingshu didn’t notice the commotion outside and mistook Xiao Cheng’s focused gaze as reluctance to see Xie Zhao leave.
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Luo Jingshu’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped. “Is Bai Yiheng coming to pick you up later?”
Xiao Cheng, still half-distracted, turned toward him, his expression slightly dazed and his lips slightly parted—red and soft. “Huh?”
Luo Jingshu stared at his lightly flushed eyes for a moment and repeated, “Bai Yiheng.”
He clarified, “Is he coming to pick you up?”
Xiao Cheng wasn’t sure if Luo Jingshu had overheard their earlier conversation. He nodded. “Yes.”
Bai Yiheng was probably already on his way.
Luo Jingshu licked his dry lips, his dark eyes fixed on Xiao Cheng without blinking. “Brother Cheng, why didn’t you tell me about the last time you had an allergic reaction?”
Xiao Cheng had expected this question.
The previous incident had been far worse. At that time, Xiao Cheng didn’t trust anyone and felt like an outsider. When the pain overwhelmed him, it was Jiang Zihe who bought him medicine.
Looking back now, Xiao Cheng still felt sincerely grateful to Jiang Zihe.
“There was no need.” Xiao Cheng shifted slightly, clutching the warm water bottle. His fingertips were toasty.
“At the time, I thought it wasn’t worth troubling you.”
Back then, Xiao Cheng had foolishly treated Luo Jingshu like a treasure. Even though he was in unbearable pain, he kept quiet because he didn’t want to worry Luo Jingshu.
Looking back now, Luo Jingshu probably wouldn’t have worried at all.
Luo Jingshu understood immediately. Because he had once held Xiao Cheng’s love, the thought made the current situation much more bittersweet.
Xiao Cheng, on the other hand, had moved on. What once felt unbearable now seemed trivial in hindsight.
“Brother Cheng,” Luo Jingshu took a deep breath and suddenly stood up.
To Xiao Cheng’s surprise, he knelt by the side of the bed, resting his hand lightly on the edge.
“Brother Cheng, I’m just a jerk.” His strikingly handsome face was filled with regret and pain.
“You have every right to hate me.”
Xiao Cheng was about to say something when a familiar figure appeared at the door.
It was Bai Yiheng.
