SW - 30

Lu Chi’s heartbeat seemed to pause for a moment.

He could still hear Tang Yin’s shallow breathing, accompanied by her murmured words.

The sleeping Tang Yin was vastly different from her usual self. Her normally lively and animated expression had softened into quiet repose, exuding a unique charm.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Lu Chi didn’t receive any further reaction.

Unaware of anything, Tang Yin continued to sleep soundly, retracting her hand and rolling over onto her side, her long hair cascading behind her as she turned away from him.

So it had been a dream.

Lu Chi rose from the bed, standing beside it as he gazed at her. Her profile was partially obscured by disheveled strands of hair, revealing glimpses of her fair cheeks beneath.

After a while, he reached out and pinched his earlobe lightly, feeling the faint warmth transfer to his cool fingertips.

Feeling somewhat like a thief, he stole another glance at Tang Yin, relieved that she hadn’t been awake to witness it. If she had, she would have undoubtedly said something.

Pulling himself together, Lu Chi tucked the blanket around her more securely before remembering that he had originally gone out to fetch water. Hurriedly, he left the ward.

Coincidentally, he encountered the same nurse again in the water room.

The female nurse, on night duty, was feeling drowsy and stifling yawns behind her hand. Seeing him enter, she remarked, “I see you again. You’re still in school, right?”

“Mm,” Lu Chi replied softly.

“I’m telling you,” she couldn’t help but add as he prepared to leave the water room, “next time, don’t let girls stay outside alone. It’s not safe.”

Lu Chi paused mid-step, turning back to nod at her.

After returning to the ward and helping his mother drink some water, he found himself unable to fall back asleep. Sitting by her bedside, lost in thought, his gaze drifted toward the second bed, his eyes dark and contemplative.

Earlier, he had asked Tang Yin to leave because there was nothing she could do here, and staying would only delay her studies. He believed he could handle everything on his own.

But to his surprise, Tang Yin had completely ignored his request.

Thinking back to the image of her sleeping in the chair, Lu Chi pressed his lips tightly together.

________________________________________

Tang Yin woke up to find it was already morning.

Drowsily opening her eyes, she stared blankly at the white ceiling for a moment before finally regaining her senses. As she prepared to get up, she noticed Lu Chi slumped asleep on the other bed.

Carefully lifting the blanket, she slipped out of bed and quietly left the ward.

The hospital was newly built, and even disposable toothbrushes were provided in the restroom—a testament to their excellent service.

After freshening up, she headed out. Just as she reached the corner, the same female nurse emerged and greeted her with a smile. “You fell asleep outside last night. Aren’t you worried about catching a cold?”

Tang Yin suddenly remembered this was the nurse who had spoken to her earlier. She smiled back politely.

“The boy carried you into the ward in the early hours,” the nurse continued. “Next time, don’t do that in a hospital—it’s too unsafe. You’re a young girl, after all.”

“He carried me?” Tang Yin pointed toward the ward.

“Yes. I was about to wake you, but he stopped me. His movements were so gentle; it seems he didn’t disturb you.” The nurse added, “Are you students from Jia Shui Private School?”

Could they be involved in an early romance?

Clearly, the nurse wasn’t aware of their student status. Tang Yin, with a sly grin, replied, “No, I graduated a year ago.”

“You look quite young.”

They chatted briefly before parting ways.

There were many shops near the hospital—unlike the area around Jia Shui Private School, which was still underdeveloped, this side was much more established.

Tang Yin bought breakfast from a nearby shop and returned to the ward.

When Lu Chi woke up, it was already eight o’clock.

Seeing that his mother was still asleep, he instinctively glanced at the inner bed, only to find it empty. The blanket lay rumpled, unfolded, on the mattress.

For some reason, Lu Chi suddenly felt uneasy.

After lingering for a few seconds, he went out to wash up and then returned to neatly fold the blanket. Before he could settle back into his chair, the door opened.

It was Tang Yin.

“You’re awake?” Tang Yin greeted him with a bright smile.

Lu Chi was slightly surprised.

But recalling how she had waited patiently last night, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that she’d do the same this morning.

His brows dipped slightly, and he gave a low response, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Tang Yin didn’t notice anything amiss. Considering there were other patients in the ward, she lowered her voice. “I bought breakfast. Come and eat quickly.”

Lu Chi stood at a distance, watching her radiant smile.

His heart tugged painfully.

That evening, Wang Ziyan finally regained consciousness after two days of being comatose.

Wu Laoshi, the experimental class homeroom teacher, granted Lu Chi leave. Later, he informed Lin Ru, Tang Yin’s homeroom teacher, and casually arranged leave for Tang Yin as well.

Though Tang Yin didn’t particularly need the break.

Now fully lucid, Wang Ziyan immediately requested to be discharged. However, Lu Chi managed to dissuade her. Helpless, she then insisted that her son return to school.

She was a far cry from the frenzied woman she had been the day before.

As soon as she woke up, Tang Yin stepped outside the ward, knowing full well that Lu Chi wouldn’t want her to witness such matters.

Lu Chi emerged not long after.

“Ready to go back?” Tang Yin looked up and asked.

Lu Chi nodded.

“You haven’t had dinner yet,” Tang Yin poked his chest, leaving a small dent in his down jacket. “Let’s grab something to eat first, then head back. Besides, once we return, it’ll just be evening study hall anyway.”

He had been so focused on feeding his mother porridge that he hadn’t eaten.

Lu Chi stared at her for a few seconds, his throat bobbing slightly, before ultimately nodding silently.

The hospital was close to Jia River, so Tang Yin took him there.

By the riverside stood red tents housing barbecue stalls and similar street food vendors. Though it was winter, a few remained open.

Every night, performances were held along Jia River, drawing crowds who needed refreshments. This presented an opportunity for these vendors to make money—even in winter, there were always customers. For some, this was their livelihood.

Tang Yin picked a nearby stall and ordered a few skewers of barbecue. Given the circumstances, it wasn’t wise to eat too much.

Leaning on her hand, she began chatting with Lu Chi. After exchanging a few words, she heard sobbing from a nearby table.

Turning around, she saw a delicate-looking girl, roughly her age, crying inconsolably. Her makeup was smeared across her tear-streaked face.

Across from her sat a man and a woman, seemingly intimate.

“Why…?” the girl sniffled between sobs.

The man replied, “We’re not compatible. I’ve always seen you as a younger sister.”

Younger sister?

Upon hearing the word “younger sister,” Tang Yin nearly burst out laughing. What era was this? Such an excuse for cheating?

The two tables weren’t far apart, and after a moment’s thought, Tang Yin extended her arm and placed the pack of tissues she had just acquired at the corner of the girl’s table.

The girl, who had been crying, was momentarily stunned by the sudden appearance of the tissue roll. She turned her head to look.

Tang Yin spoke directly. “Stop crying. If you’re upset, don’t cry in front of people—it’s undignified.”

If it were her, she’d beat the guy senseless.

“What’s it to you?” The man abruptly stood up, slamming the table and barking arrogantly, “Mind your own business! What does our argument have to do with you?”

Tang Yin didn’t even bother raising an eyelid as she retorted mockingly, “You’re so painful to look at—stop adding drama to yourself.”

She had no intention of wasting her time on a cheater.

The man, about to unleash a torrent of insults, was struck dumb by her words. Instantly enraged, he shoved the girl clinging to his arm aside and lunged toward Tang Yin, intending to hit her.

Tang Yin let out a cold snort. Initially, she hadn’t planned to intervene, but now that this fool had made the first move, she couldn’t resist.

With lightning speed, she grabbed him and slammed him onto the table before anyone could react. Her thick down jacket did nothing to slow her down.

“Aren’t you so capable? Aren’t you proud of your cheating ways?”

Behind her, Lu Chi’s brows furrowed slightly. His gaze lingered on where their hands touched, a flicker of irritation crossing his eyes.

The girl who had been pushed aside screamed and ran off.

The man hadn’t expected her to flee. Already embarrassed, he grew even more flustered and struggled fruitlessly to break free.

Lu Chi stepped forward, pulling the two apart and positioning himself protectively in front of Tang Yin.

Only then did the man straighten up. Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with a tall, cold-looking young man whose expressionless face exuded an unspoken authority.

Involuntarily, the man took a step back, stumbled against the table, and hastily regained his footing. “You’ll regret this!” he spat before scrambling away noisily.

Tang Yin sneered. Just as she turned her head, Lu Chi caught her expression. Instantly, she transformed it into a mischievous grin, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Lu Chi ignored her and returned to his seat.

Not long after, Tang Yin heard movement from the neighboring table again.

Glancing over, she saw several cans of beer on their table. Despite the freezing winter weather, the girl was chugging them one after another. Though each can was small, the cumulative effect was significant.

Drinking alone, she alternated between crying and drinking, creating a chaotic scene.

Lu Chi gently turned Tang Yin’s head away. “Don’t… don’t look,” he murmured softly.

Meeting his gaze, Tang Yin nodded. “Alright, I won’t look.”

Their barbecue order still hadn’t arrived, so she signaled the waiter again.

At that moment, the girl, her eyes swollen and her face flushed, approached Tang Yin’s table. In a soft voice, she muttered, “Thank you.”

Tang Yin responded with a warm smile. “You’re welcome.”

Had it not been for her good mood today, that man would’ve thought he could escape unscathed.

Tears still glistened in the girl’s eyes, shimmering under the night lights. Her attempt at a smile faltered.

She stole a glance at the bespectacled boy who had remained silent throughout, forcing a weak grin. “Still, thank you. I wish you both happiness.”

With that, she turned and disappeared into the vast night.

Tang Yin was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected the girl’s final words to be a blessing, especially delivered with such effort despite her inability to truly smile.

Turning her head, she saw Lu Chi lost in thought. Waving her hand in front of him, she leaned closer and teased, “See? Even strangers think you’re mine.”

Before Lu Chi could respond, Tang Yin continued, “If you ever mistreat me, I’ll… I’ll…”

After struggling for a moment, she ruffled her hair and softened her tone. “I’ll tie you to the bed.”

After all, how could she resist someone who looked so good?

Lu Chi: “...”

________________________________________

The night deepened, and the riverside bustled with life. Amidst the laughter, tears, and fleeting moments, Tang Yin and Lu Chi shared a quiet connection—one that transcended words and promised something deeper.