Cheng Yuan was in a panic.
She could feel Nan Juechen's gaze on her.
But she dared not move.
She dared not look at him.
Hadn't heaven heard her pleas?
She didn't want to have anything to do with such a powerful figure as Nan Juechen, even though they had shared a scandalous night.
Because he might also be her aunt's brother, Xin Yu's uncle…
"It's alright," Nan Juechen said, shifting his gaze from Cheng Yuan to the emergency staircase.
Liu Shuihan had suggested speaking with Xin Yu alone earlier, perhaps feeling the bedroom wasn't suitable, and feeling awkward about kicking Cheng Yuan out.
Hearing Nan Juechen's deep voice, which seemed to offer comfort, Cheng Yuan's heart clenched even tighter.
…
"Ayu, I'm sorry." Liu Shuihan's murmur was pleading, his amber eyes fixed on Xin Yu. "This whole thing is my fault."
"Brother Shuihan, don't say that." Xin Yu's cherry lips pressed into a straight line. "Really, even if the website shuts down, it's okay. We can just start over."
Xin Yu actually wanted to tell Liu Shuihan about her past experiences. She had failed so many times that she didn't care anymore.
But she was afraid that telling him would cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
After all, his feelings were so obvious, his affection so deep.
"Ayu, please give me a chance to make it up to you." Liu Shuihan reached out and grabbed Xin Yu's hand. "Ayu, give me a chance to take good care of you."
Xin Yu frowned, trying to pull her hand away. "Brother Shuihan, please don't do this."
"Why can't I?" The question in his heart was unbearable. Why did their deep affection, after only a few years of separation, slip away like this?
Xin Yu sighed. She didn't know why things had turned out this way. She truly felt nothing for him.
Her intuition told her it had nothing to do with that past memory.
"Ayu, tell me, what is so good about Mu Yichuan? I can change," Liu Shuihan pleaded sorrowfully, his utter lack of dignity tearing at Xin Yu's heart. "Ayu, I love you more than Mu Yichuan!"
"…" But she loved Mu Yichuan!
"We have such a long past, can't it outweigh the six months you've known each other?" Liu Shuihan accused, each word dripping with resentment.
Xin Yu lowered her head, unable to answer.
Love, often, isn't proportional to time, is it?
"Ayu…" Liu Shuihan called urgently, pulling Xin Yu into his arms and holding her tightly. "Will you marry me?"
Then he leaned down and kissed her.
Xin Yu turned pale with fright and struggled to break free.
"No, Brother Shuihan, let me go! Ah! Help!" Xin Yu was terrified and incoherent, but Liu Shuihan ignored her, showering her with kisses until she could barely breathe.
"Yuanzi, Commander Nan, save me, ah—" she cried out, struggling and trying to escape.
Cheng Yuan and Nan Juechen exchanged a glance and rushed to the emergency staircase.
But they were too late.
Xin Yu bit Liu Shuihan's arm, and his grip loosened instinctively, causing her to fall.
She fell straight down the stairs.
Ten steps…
"Ayu!" Cheng Yuan screamed in fright, trying to rush over.
But Nan Juechen grabbed her. "Stand here."
He took three steps down to the turn of the stairs, gently moved Xin Yu, and quickly pulled out his phone to call an ambulance.
He dared not move her, fearing she might have broken a bone. ...
Cheng Yuan leaned weakly against the cold wall, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on the three large characters for "Emergency Room," completely forgetting the pressure and panic brought by Nan Juechen's presence.
She was even gripping his arm, completely unaware.
"It'll be alright," Nan Juechen said, surprisingly offering words of comfort, his voice so gentle. "The doctor said there were no broken bones."
Cheng Yuan nodded blankly, her heart filled with worry for her best friend's safety.
She had no family left in this world, only Xin Yu, whom she had finally met, and she couldn't lose her too.
She had nothing left to lose...
*Plop.*
Tears streamed down her face, landing on Nan Juechen's wrist.
His skin felt as if burned, and he frowned.
"Mr. Jiu!" Mu Feng called out urgently, but could only watch helplessly.
*Thump!*
Mu Yichuan punched Liu Shuihan in the face, but the latter didn't react.
"What did you do to Xin Yu!" Mu Yichuan's icy voice was like a drawn sword, its chilling edge piercing.
Liu Shuihan didn't respond; her mind and eyes were fixed on the emergency room.
This only provoked Mu Yichuan more. He grabbed Liu Shuihan's collar, his dark eyes blazing with fury.
"Are you planning to wipe the Liu family off the face of the earth?"
Mu Feng quickly stepped in to calm him down. "Mr. Jiu, calm down. Madam will be out soon."
Hearing the word "Madam," Liu Shuihan turned to look at Mu Feng.
"Mr. Liu, do you have a problem with that title?" Mu Feng tried to remind him of his position.
"Even if Xin Yu doesn't remember, she will always be my woman!" Mu Yichuan stared at her menacingly.
"Why? Can't you let her go?" Liu Shuihan finally snapped out of it. "You know we were deeply in love before, yet you used such despicable means—"
Thump!
Another punch. This time, however, it was Mu Feng who struck him.
"You have no right to judge Mr. Jiu like that."
Cheng Yuan's hand paused. She quickly stood up, rushed over, and supported Liu Shuihan. Even if she had truly given up on him, she still felt heartache.
"Brother Shuihan, are you alright?" She wanted to reach out and touch the injury on his face, but ultimately stopped herself in mid-air. She then looked down at Mu Feng, pleading, "Assistant Mu, please don't hit him anymore."
Nan Juechen frowned, looking at Cheng Yuan. Was she worried about Liu Shuihan?
Mu Feng glanced at his boss and Commander Nan, said nothing, but released his hand.
"Brother Shuihan, why don't you… go back first?" Cheng Yuan leaned closer, trying to comfort him. "I'll let you know as soon as Ayu wakes up, okay?"
Her voice trembled, clearly showing heartache and fear.
But Liu Shuihan didn't appreciate it. He raised his hand and refused Cheng Yuan's suggestion.
"Ah!" She hadn't expected to be pushed; her body swayed, and she was about to fall to the ground.
Fortunately, Mu Feng reacted quickly, catching Cheng Yuan with one hand. "Miss Cheng, are you alright?"
"President Liu, I have to go back now. Let me see you off." Nan Juechen's deep voice carried an air of authority.
Although it was said to be a farewell, the tone was an order that couldn't be refused.
Military orders are ironclad.
Liu Shuihan was startled, then understood, and had no choice but to leave with Nan Juechen.
Cheng Yuan secretly stared at his cold, hard back, pursed her lips, and lowered her head.
...
"Mu Yichuan, look how beautiful it is here!"
"Mu Yichuan, come play basketball with me... Wow, so handsome!"
"Mu Yichuan, you're bullying me!"
"Mu Yichuan, you bastard! You ambushed me... Yichuan, Yichuan..."
Suddenly, Xin Yu opened her eyes.
What was she doing? She had many dreams, but it all ended with a whimsical, lovestruck dream?!
This was too embarrassing…
"Ayu, you're awake?"
Mu Yichuan's voice made Xin Yu instinctively flinch, still immersed in her dream, wanting only to hide.
But in his eyes, it conveyed a different feeling—Xin Yu hadn't forgiven him yet?
"Is there anything else bothering you?" His gentle tone and soft movements made Xin Yu tremble, looking at him with some confusion.
"Does your head hurt?" A flicker of panic crossed Mu Yichuan's mind; he was afraid Xin Yu had hurt her head and forgotten him.
Head?
Xin Yu's eyes widened, her memory returning; she had fallen down the stairs.
"Where's Liu Shuihan?"
Mu Yichuan's sharp, cold gaze shot over her, as if he wanted to devour Xin Yu.
Her first question was about Liu Shuihan?
Just how much did she care about him! Seeing that Mu Yichuan didn't answer, Xin Yu turned her head slightly; she hadn't really thought much of it.
She'd angered that petty guy again!
"I want some water," she said, trying to sit up to find some herself.
Mu Yichuan quickly helped her, watching her gulp down a cup before gradually relaxing.
But the ensuing silence made him extremely uncomfortable.
"You still can't forgive me?" he said directly, gripping Xin Yu's shoulders with both hands.
"It hurts..." she whimpered, shifting slightly.
Mu Yichuan released her as if electrocuted; he'd forgotten she'd just fallen down the stairs.
He couldn't help but sigh.
"I—" Xin Yu's words were barely out of her mouth when Mu Yichuan got up and left.
He...left?!
Wouldn't he listen to her at all?
Her heart ached more than her body. "Ayu's awake. Why don't you go in and see her?" Mu Yichuan walked to the door and said to Cheng Yuan, who had also been keeping vigil all night. "If you can, please… talk to her."
Cheng Yuan's almond-shaped eyes widened; she clearly hadn't expected the usually aloof Mu Yichuan to actually ask her for a favor!
She quickly nodded and went into the ward.
"Yuanzi!" Xin Yu called out, sounding aggrieved, upon seeing her friend.
"Ayu, are you alright? Can you move? Do you recognize me?"
Pfft, Xin Yu burst into laughter through her tears.
"I'm perfectly fine. How could I not recognize my best Yuanzi!" She hugged her friend tightly. "I'm sorry, Yuanzi, I made you worry."
"Silly girl! Why are you apologizing to me!" Cheng Yuan pouted, displeased, and gently tapped Xin Yu's head.
"Ouch…that hurts." Xin Yu covered her head, squinting her eyes.
Cheng Yuan shuddered, completely flustered, looking at Xin Yu with panicked eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I... I hurt you! I'll go find a doctor right now!"
"Haha!" Xin Yu laughed, quickly grabbing Cheng Yuan's hand. "I was just teasing you!"
Cheng Yuan was furious, shaking off her hand, her almond-shaped eyes glaring angrily. "Who would joke about their own body like that!"
She was infuriated.
"If you do this again, I promise I won't talk to you!"
Xin Yu pouted. It seemed she'd gone too far this time; a lot of begging for forgiveness was needed to put an end to it.
"Ayu, you... Mu Yichuan stayed with you in the ward all night."
"Yes." Xin Yu nodded slightly. Of course she knew; she could tell from Mu Yichuan's expression.
What did that mean?
Cheng Yuan was puzzled, staring at her. "Then you don't want to see him?"