Zhang Shu looked at her for a few seconds before leaving.
Wang Wei slung an arm over Zhang Shu’s shoulder and sighed, “Kid, you’ve really landed me in big trouble. If both of your studies get affected because of this, how am I supposed to explain it?”
“She hurt her leg, not her brain.”
Wang Wei was still worried. “Running back and forth to the hospital, plus the mental toll—it’s bound to have some impact.”
“She’s not as fragile as you think,” Zhang Shu said.
“Huh?” Wang Wei didn’t catch it.
Zhang Shu shook off his arm and said, “I said it won’t, so it won’t.”
“Once this cast is on, it’ll be almost finals by the time it comes off. How is this going to work? Sigh…” Wang Wei sighed again.
“I’ll make sure it works.” The boy left with those words and walked away.
Wang Wei rubbed his nose. What do you do when a student gets all profound?
“Hey! Zhang Shu,” Wang Wei suddenly realized he’d turned left to go upstairs. “Where are you going? Aren’t you heading back to school?”
The boy’s voice drifted back, “You go ahead first.”
Zhang Shu entered the department head’s office alone. The doctor, thinking something had happened to Sheng Xia, stood up with a kind expression. “What’s wrong, young man?”
“She… Sheng Xia, can she get painkillers?” Zhang Shu asked.
The doctor frowned. “She can, but it’s not necessary. It’s normal to feel some pain after the anesthesia wears off.”
“If there aren’t any side effects, could you give her some?”
The doctor said, “She didn’t mention any pain.”
“She’s sweating from the pain—how is that not pain?”
The boy’s urgent tone at this age was quite intimidating. The doctor hesitated, unsure how to respond. How could he argue? You’re not the fish—how do you know the fish’s pain?
Sheng Xia frowned as she watched Zhang Shu return.
Xin Xiaohe was also puzzled. “You didn’t leave?”
Zhang Shu sat down on the neighboring bed and said calmly, “Lao Wang was too noisy. Didn’t want to listen to him the whole way back.”
Xin Xiaohe burst out laughing and nodded in agreement. “True, that half-hour ride would’ve been torture.”
The room fell quiet until a nurse pushed the door open. “Sheng Xia?”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s move you to the infusion room for some painkillers.”
“But they didn’t mention that earlier?” Sheng Xia asked.
The nurse smiled. “Your classmate said you were sweating from the pain. I can see it too—your face is pale. Why didn’t you say anything? Pain tolerance varies from person to person. If you don’t speak up, the doctor can’t tell.”
Sheng Xia froze slightly, and Xin Xiaohe looked surprised. Both turned to Zhang Shu.
The boy was holding his phone sideways, having started a game, prepared to wait for a long time.
The nurse added, “You should eat something first. Can one of you go buy her some food?”
Zhang Shu closed the game and was about to stand when Xin Xiaohe said, “I’ll go. You… you’re more attentive. You stay here.”
“Thanks, Xiaohe. I’ve really caused you so much trouble today.” Sheng Xia was too exhausted to speak much, but seeing everyone bustling around for her—including Zhang Shu…
She wasn’t used to inconveniencing others and always felt indebted.
“What are you talking about? No more thank-yous! I’ll be back soon.”
The nurse went to prepare the medicine, and Xin Xiaohe left too. Just as Sheng Xia reached for her crutches, a warm presence suddenly approached, and the next moment, she was lifted into the air…
Zhang Shu carried her to the infusion room. These observation rooms had beds, smaller than regular hospital beds, with three beds per room. At the moment, it was empty.
He gently set her down, took the pillows from the neighboring bed to prop behind her, then went back to fetch her crutches.He held her with such practiced ease. Actually, she could have walked on her own.
Sheng Xia lowered her head, deciding it was better not to initiate conversation and risk awkwardness.
"Sheng Xia," he suddenly called her name.
"Hmm?" She responded instinctively, lifting her gaze.
Their eyes met, and she saw him press his lips together before speaking. "I'm sorry."
Sheng Xia's fingers twitched slightly.
Why was he...?
"I didn't protect you well enough. I'm sorry." He met her puzzled expression and repeated his words, his tone solemn.
Today she had written: "The youth's path adorned with fresh clothes and flowers, witnessed together."
In Zhang Shu's mind, the image had been of her standing at the end of a broad, smooth road, wearing a beautiful dress, holding a bouquet of flowers, smiling serenely.
But reality had been her pinned beneath him on the ground, her face contorted in pain...
All day, that expression of hers had haunted him.
An inexplicable thought surfaced in his heart—he never wanted to see her in pain again.
It pained him. He wouldn't allow it.
"It's okay, it was just an accident. Not your fault." Sheng Xia didn't know what else to say.
Zhang Shu wasn't used to talking like this either and coughed awkwardly.
Silence fell over the infusion room again.
Urgent footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, entering the observation room next door, followed by the hushed but heated argument of a man and a woman.
They must have been arguing the whole way and couldn't stop in time.
"Why isn't Sheng Xia here? Isn't this the observation room? Not this one?"
"Wang Lianhua, if you can't speak calmly later, it's better not to speak at all. Look at what you've done to our daughter—Sheng Xia was such a lively child when she was little!"
"Then why don't you raise her? See if she'd even want to live with you! What's wrong with Sheng Xia now? What's wrong with a girl being obedient? What's so great about being lively? Like me, so lively and stubborn, betraying my whole family to marry into yours?"
"We're talking about our child. What's the point of bringing up the past? Must you drag things out every time we meet? And there's no need for such harsh words. Solving the problem is what matters!"
"Solving the problem? If you didn't create problems, would we need to solve anything here? Do you want your daughter to attract even more attention? For years, I haven't dared to buy her a simple dress. And look at the clothes your wife bought for my daughter!"
"Wang Lianhua!"
"If you have the guts, take your daughter away completely. Don't leave her with me and then complain about how I raise her!"
"You—! Not here."
"Hah, you care about appearances. I don't."
"Fine. Whatever you want to say, let's not do it here. Later, say whatever you want, okay?"
"You think I want to say anything? Weren't you the one who started it? Which room is it? Did we get the wrong one?"
"Wait for Li Xu to park the car and come up to ask. Calm down. Control your emotions."
"Don't bother."
Their voices weren't actually loud—both were furious but restrained, practically hissing at each other. But the infusion room was so quiet that every word was audible.
Perhaps it was the medicine entering her bloodstream, but Sheng Xia felt icy cold all over, yet her eyes burned, and a sour ache spread through her nose.
Zhang Shu turned his head and saw the girl's eyes already reddening.
She tilted her head back, trying to force the tears away, but once the floodgates opened, they weren't so easily closed. She instinctively raised her hand to wipe them, and Zhang Shu quickly stood, grabbing her IV hand...
"Don't move. There's a needle," he warned in a low voice.The next second, Sheng Xia was pulled into a cool embrace. The boy's movements were gentle and restrained as he cradled the back of her head. Her face buried into his chest, the scent of sun-baked grass filling her nostrils.
She could hear the vibrations from the boy's abdomen near her ear, and then, a very low voice from above—
"I don't have tissues... but, go ahead and cry."
It was as if a floodgate had been opened. Zhang Shu's clothes were instantly soaked through.
At the same time, Sheng Xia felt her ears grow warm, gently enveloped by a pair of large hands. A sound similar to tinnitus grew from far to near before finally settling into silence.
She wept without a sound.
This was already the second time she had cried in front of him.
The last time, he had said, I don’t have tissues, don’t cry...
The door to the infusion room suddenly opened, and Sheng Xia quickly pulled away from Zhang Shu’s embrace, looking at the doorway in alarm.
Xin Xiaohe stood there gripping the doorknob, eyes wide, her expression screaming, "What did I just see? Should I leave?"
Sheng Xia sniffled and leaned back against the hospital bed pillow.
"Zhang Shu..." she began, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper.
Xin Xiaohe looked at the two of them, baffled by their secretive behavior.
"Can you leave first, please?" Sheng Xia glanced toward the door connecting to the observation room. "My mom... might lash out at you."
Zhang Shu understood—her parents probably didn’t want to see the person responsible. "It’s fine. I should take responsibility."
Responsibility...
What kind of responsibility?!
From the next room, Li Xu’s voice could be heard saying they had just been there and that he’d ask the nurses.
Panicked, Sheng Xia pushed at Zhang Shu. She was sitting on the bed, while he stood—her hands landed on his... lower abdomen.
Zhang Shu frowned, then suddenly laughed silently. Before he could tease her, he met the girl’s anxious, helpless gaze.
He schooled his expression and ruffled her hair. "Alright, I’ll go then."
Xin Xiaohe stood frozen at the door, the takeout box in her hand nearly slipping. What... exactly... was happening here?
Sheng Xia was also stunned. The strands of hair on her head felt like fuses, about to set her aflame.
How could he...?
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Zhang Shu cooperatively left the infusion room, and Sheng Xia exhaled in relief. Faced with Xin Xiaohe’s exaggerated expressions, she had no time to explain. Clearing her throat, she called out, "Mom, is that you?"
Xin Xiaohe gasped. "No need, no need! I just bought some food—"
"Ah, Xiaxia, where are you?" Wang Lianhua’s voice came as she followed the sound.
Xin Xiaohe froze awkwardly.
Sheng Xia replied, "Over here, by the infusion—"
Before she could finish, several adults pushed the door open.
Wang Lianhua and Sheng Mingfeng also looked slightly uncomfortable.
They hadn’t realized they’d been arguing right next to their daughter all this time.
Had she heard them?
Xin Xiaohe greeted them, "Hello, Uncle, Auntie..."
"Thank you for your help today, dear," Wang Lianhua said, her voice gentle, completely different from before.
"No trouble at all, Auntie, you’re too kind. It’s the least I could do. I bought some congee and fish—Xiaxia, you should eat now." She nearly tripped over her words. Ugh, Sheng Xia’s parents had such a strong presence!
"Thank you, Xiaohe."
"Stop being so polite!"
Sheng Mingfeng noticed Sheng Xia’s reddened eyes and asked, "How are you feeling now?"
"Much better," Sheng Xia said, then added after a thought, "It hurt a lot earlier."
"Did it hurt enough to make you cry?" Wang Lianhua asked.
Sheng Xia nodded. "Mhm."Wang Lianhua seemed to let out a sigh of relief before asking, "How did a simple sports meet turn into this mess!"
Sheng Xia replied, "An accident."
"Your Teacher Wang already explained," Sheng Mingfeng interjected in a gentle tone. "It's alright, these things happen during sports events—"
Wang Lianhua's face darkened. "This will delay her studies so much. Did they say how long before the cast comes off?"
"Let her eat first!" Sheng Mingfeng cut her off. "Ask the doctor about the rest."
The room fell silent. Xin Xiaohe, as an outsider, felt awkward. Noticing this, Sheng Xia told Sheng Mingfeng she should first escort Xin Xiaohe back to school and preferably take her to eat.
Xin Xiaohe waved her hands. "No need, no need! I can grab something near the school's north gate."
Li Xu then led Xin Xiaohe away.
Outside, the city lights had begun to glow in the evening.
"What about that male classmate of yours?" Li Xu asked.
Xin Xiaohe felt slightly uncomfortable speaking with someone so formal and simply answered, "He left earlier."
Li Xu said, "Then, is that him over there?"
Xin Xiaohe followed Li Xu's gaze.
Under the dim streetlights, by the building's steps, a young man sat on the ground with his elbows resting on his knees, idly playing a game on his phone held sideways.
The scene looked somewhat desolate—if not for his striking demeanor and handsome face, he might have resembled a down-and-out vagrant.
Who else could it be but Zhang Shu?
The boy seemed to have been keeping an eye on people coming and going from the building, glancing up occasionally.
When he spotted Xin Xiaohe, he slapped his pants clean, stood up, twirled his phone between his fingers before stuffing it into his pocket, and walked toward them.
An ordinary sequence of movements, yet the boy carried them off with effortless coolness.
The night breeze was chilly, rustling his thin shirt.
Li Xu discreetly sized him up—this "troublesome" young man waiting around like this would surely give Wang Lianhua plenty to worry about if she saw him.
Xin Xiaohe called out, "Zhang Shu! Why are you still here?"
"Nothing else to do," Zhang Shu replied evasively, his eyes darting away. "Why'd you come out? Did she eat yet?"
Xin Xiaohe wiggled her eyebrows exaggeratedly, hinting at the presence behind her, then answered, "Yeah."
Zhang Shu glanced at Li Xu, nodding briefly in acknowledgment before pressing Xin Xiaohe: "What did she eat?"
"Lean meat porridge and small yellow croaker."
"How much longer for her IV drip?"
"Not sure. Probably at least another half hour?"
Zhang Shu nodded.
Xin Xiaohe turned to Li Xu. "You don't need to see me back. My classmate and I can go together."
Li Xu offered, "Let me take you both to eat first. You've been looking after Sheng Xia all day."
"No need, no need! His family—his family has food," Xin Xiaohe insisted, eager to avoid adult company. She pointed at Zhang Shu. "His family runs a restaurant right by our school's back gate."
Zhang Shu shot her a sidelong glance but played along. "Mhm."
(That tiny, run-down private kitchen isn't even open in the evenings, you know?)
Before Li Xu could hand over the cash he'd pulled out, Xin Xiaohe grabbed Zhang Shu's arm. "We're heading off now!"
In a blink, the two had dashed away. Li Xu chuckled, shaking his head helplessly, mentally noting that the boy's family owned a small eatery.
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