Chapter 23: And Did Even More Outrageous Things...

At the Central City People’s Hospital.

“Alright, tell your boyfriend to remember not to let this hand get wet when he gets home.” The young doctor removed his disposable plastic gloves and turned to Xu Wu.

Xu Wu had draped Zhou Jinye’s coat over her arm and stood by his side throughout the entire process, watching as the doctor applied medicine to his injured arm.

She was about to clarify their relationship when Zhou Jinye, seated before her, spoke up: “How often do I need to change the dressing?”

“This season isn’t like summer—it’s less prone to infection. Your girlfriend can change the dressing every four or five days.”

“You’ve misunderstood. We’re not in a romantic relationship,” Xu Wu quickly interjected.

Her gaze fell on his arm, now wrapped in white gauze, where faint traces of iodine seeped through in one spot. Her chest tightened with a pang of guilt.

When the curtain collapsed, Zhou Jinye had rushed over and pulled her into his arms. A loose wire from the curtain had slashed across his arm, leaving a deep wound.

Zhou Jinye didn’t say anything. He stood up and looked at her.

Today, she wore a beige coat, now stained with blood. The monotony of her outfit was broken by the splash of color. Her disheveled hair fell over her lips, and her red-rimmed eyes reminded him of the day, seven years ago, when the accident happened.

Her expression back then—painful, tender, apologetic—was exactly what he saw on her face now.

Zhou Jinye stepped forward and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her lips with his uninjured hand. His fingertips grazed her hair, finally resting behind her ear.

Her hair was fine, black, and smooth. He used to love ruffling her hair. Now, he carefully tidied the strands that had fallen out of place.

“It’s alright. Let’s go home.”

Xu Wu watched his every move, her heart heavy. She softly murmured, “Mm.”

Once outside, she glanced down both sides of the corridor.

“Should we call Li Qingyang to come over?”

Li Qingyang had driven them here but had left during Zhou Jinye’s bandaging and hadn’t returned yet.

Zhou Jinye noticed a figure approaching from behind her, followed by a woman in a white lab coat.

“They’re already on their way.”

“No need to call him.”

“We’re almost here!”

The voices behind them sounded familiar. Turning toward the source, they saw…

“Xu Wu.”

Jiang Zihan approached, spotting Xu Wu standing before her. After a moment of surprise, she called out to her.

Jiang Zihan had pursued medical studies in graduate school and was now working as a doctor at the Central City Hospital.

“You two… know each other?” Li Qingyang’s gaze shifted between them.

“I know her, but it’s none of your business,” Jiang Zihan snapped at him, her tone sharp.

Seeing their strained interaction, Xu Wu politely explained, “We met in college. She’s a good friend.”

“Are you hurt? Did something happen to bring you here?” Jiang Zihan asked, her earlier harsh tone replaced with concern as she noticed the redness around Xu Wu’s eyes.

“I’m fine. I came to accompany someone.”

Only then did Jiang Zihan notice Zhou Jinye behind Xu Wu, his arm wrapped in gauze. She recognized him immediately—the man from the bar.

Glancing at Xu Wu, she didn’t ask further questions. “I see. I’m working right now, so I won’t stay long. Let’s chat later on the phone.”

Xu Wu nodded.

“What about you two? Are you close?” Li Qingyang asked, his eyes following Jiang Zihan’s retreating figure.

“Mm. Why do you ask?” Xu Wu questioned. Knowing Jiang Zihan, she wouldn’t speak to someone so sharply without reason.

“Well, my sister just got her driver’s license and crashed into my car. We had a falling out, and then… well, after drinking one night, something happened between us.”

As he spoke, Xu Wu’s eyes traveled from his feet to his face.

She was still processing the revelation that Li Qingyang was the same person Jiang Zihan had mentioned—the one who suffered from ingrown toenails—when yet another bombshell dropped: the part about their drunken encounter.

So that’s how the marks on his neck appeared.

Even Zhou Jinye was surprised. He chuckled, “Looks like your mom’s attempt to set you up on a blind date failed, but you’ve managed to pull off quite the stunt.”

“Drinking causes mistakes. Who could’ve predicted what would happen afterward?” Li Qingyang shrugged but reassured Xu Wu, “But rest assured, I’ll take full responsibility for your friend.”

At the mention of responsibility, Zhou Jinye lowered his head and glanced at Xu Wu, muttering under his breath, “Responsibility after drinking.”

Xu Wu felt an inexplicable sense of being indirectly referenced.

Seeing his earnest expression, Xu Wu remained silent. Back in college, she’d once mentioned the type of person she wanted to date, which led to her transferring majors and pursuing further studies in Hong Kong.

________________________________________

[Is that the guy I saw at the bar last time?]

The message came from Jiang Zihan.

After returning to the office and revising the poster content, Xu Wu sent it to the business department. Just then, she saw Jiang Zihan’s message.

[Mm, it’s him.]

[What’s your relationship with him?]

She confessed: [He’s the ex-boyfriend I mentioned before. That’s him.]

[And what’s your relationship with that Mr. Li?]

Thinking about their connection, Xu Wu typed back, [A friend of my high school brother who knows him well.]

[Actually, he’s the person I told you about. Remember when we went to the bar and saw him? I got drunk and slept with him, and now he’s chasing me to marry him.]

[Are you going to marry him?]

Within two seconds, the reply came: [No. Right now, I’m focused on my career. Marriage is too far away for me.]

She sent a small rabbit emoji making an “OK” gesture.

Jiang Zihan was someone who lived boldly and unapologetically. She made her own choices, and Xu Wu respected that. She didn’t pry further into her affairs.

Glancing at the time, Xu Wu realized it was nearly quitting time. Zhou Jinye would also be finishing work soon.

He had saved her life, and she remembered the doctor’s instructions to avoid water. To thank him properly, she decided to invite him over for dinner.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Xu Wu bought some groceries at the mall and carried them back home.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jinye was being driven back by his assistant.

Before leaving, Lin Xiao had informed him that the surveillance footage from the exhibition incident had been sent to his email.

Something had been bothering him. The venue had already been inspected, but he couldn’t shake the image of the man in the cap. He opened his email.

There were only three cameras installed in the exhibition hall, all positioned at oblique angles above.

Initially, the video showed Xu Wu checking various sections of the venue, but the suspicious figure didn’t appear until later—a man wearing a cap emerged from behind the curtain.

This section of the venue had already been arranged, and only the two of them were there.

Zhou Jinye paused the video and zoomed in on the man. The black cap obscured his face completely, making it impossible to identify him.

He wondered who might hold a grudge against Xu Wu.

For a moment, he thought of the man from seven years ago.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

Impossible. He had already been sentenced to death.

Then who could it be?

He played the video again. This man only tampered with the curtain, seemingly not intending to kill but rather to issue a warning.

Narrowing his eyes, Zhou Jinye’s mind conjured the image of a certain menacing face.

It had to be him. It seemed he was still obsessed with dragging others into his darkness.

Zhou Jinye glanced ahead and saw someone waiting for the elevator.

Bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, his face was resolute yet cold. He couldn’t afford to remain passive any longer.

He picked up his phone and typed another message to the overseas number.

[Believe me this time. I’ll make sure he’s locked up for good.]

________________________________________

“Have you eaten dinner yet?”

A shadow fell beside her, and the familiar scent wafted into her nose. Knowing it was Zhou Jinye, Xu Wu turned to look at him.

Zhou Jinye glanced at the groceries in her hands, noticing a few boxes of meat. “No, I haven’t.”

“Perfect. I’m about to cook dinner. Since your hand is injured and can’t get wet, why don’t you come over to my place for dinner?”

“Xu Wangshu, are you planning to repay me?” He leaned casually against the wall, his phone resting on his chin.

“Yes. You got hurt saving me. It’s only right that I take care of you.” Xu Wu spoke earnestly.

Hearing her words, Zhou Jinye couldn’t help but chuckle. “So you’re taking responsibility for this, but what about the things you did to me while drunk last time?”

The metallic panel of the elevator reflected Xu Wu’s face. Her ear, partially hidden by her hair, flushed red.

“I’m very sorry about what happened last time. I never imagined I’d do such outrageous things.”

“Outrageous?” Zhou Jinye smirked, his gaze lingering on her reddened ear. “What about the even more outrageous things you did afterward?”

Xu Wu froze. Even more outrageous things?

She turned to look at him. “What things?”

Zhou Jinye simply stared at her peachy, soft lips, where the flush had faded.

After a long pause, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he shifted his gaze to the groceries in her hands. “If my hand hasn’t healed yet, does that mean I can come over to your place for dinner every day?”

He hadn’t answered her question, but Xu Wu nodded anyway.

Then he added, “What if I need help bathing? I usually use my right hand. Will you assist me?”

His reminder caught her off guard. “Sure, but try to avoid getting the wound wet while showering. Or maybe skip bathing until you’re healed.”

Zhou Jinye could only smile wryly in response.

Back in her apartment, Xu Wu couldn’t stop thinking about the “more outrageous” things she supposedly did.

Zhou Jinye brought Pudding over to her place and leaned against the marble countertop, listening to the sound of running water.

He moved closer to her side and turned off the faucet.

“The water’s full.”

The warmth of his breath lingered near her neck, and instinctively, she turned toward him.

The man wore casual clothes, his left hand with its distinct knuckles visible. Her pupils widened.

Just as he lowered his head, their proximity allowed Xu Wu to see the fine hairs on his face. Her gaze drifted from his lips to his eyes.

Fragments of memories began to piece together. In the brightly lit corridor, she kissed Zhou Jinye, intending to go further. But he bit her lower lip.

Her hands submerged in cold water jolted her back to reality. She hastily pulled away.

Lowering her head, she muttered, “Thank you.”

Zhou Jinye’s lips curved into a smile, assuming her reaction was due to what had just transpired.

His phone screen lit up on the marble counter: [What are you planning to do?]

After feeding Pudding, Xu Wu ate dinner with him in silence. Once finished, she took his keys and prepared a bath for him, instructing him to wash up.

During this time, there was no communication. By the time she finished her shower and emerged from her room, he was already gone. Xu Wu turned off the lights and lay in bed.

Closing her eyes, the scene replayed in her mind. She kicked the blanket at the foot of the bed and buried her face in the pillow.

She tried to calm herself. If he didn’t mention it, she wouldn’t remember. Bringing it up would only lead to awkward explanations.