Ling Buyi stared in disbelief as the figure of Xu Jing stood in the doorway, his presence as commanding as ever. He walked in with an air of majesty, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. There was something about him that made her feel small—vulnerable—in her current state. Ling Buyi, lying in a hospital bed with dark circles under her eyes and her body frail, didn't know how to face him.
Xu Jing's gaze softened as he took her in, but there was an unmistakable hint of pity in his eyes. Ling Buyi saw it and quickly averted her gaze. She couldn't bear to let him see her like this—reduced to a shadow of the vibrant actress she used to be.
Xu Jing broke the silence first. His voice was gentle but laced with a concern that made Ling Buyi's chest tighten.
"How have you been?"
