The students and teachers of Class Eight looked at Vanessa in astonishment. They suspected that Vanessa had gone crazy from being too heartbroken over Rosendo's death. Otherwise, why would she immediately burst into laughter upon hearing the news of his demise?
The teacher on the podium saw Vanessa laughing so happily and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. "Ah... what a perfect couple they could have been! One dead, one insane - such is the tragedy of life."
After finishing her laughter, Vanessa explained to her classmates that Rosendo was not actually dead. The faces of her classmates lit up with smiles upon hearing this news.
In the past, they wouldn't have paid much attention to Rosendo because he was too ordinary despite being handsome. But during this period, things were different for Rosendo - even the school beauty pursued him actively, yet he coolly rejected her confession face-to-face before engaging in business ventures. He became more attractive and successful with each passing day.
In addition to his heroic act of saving someone two days ago, many people started to care about him now. Some infatuated girls secretly vowed never to marry anyone other than Rosendo; only time will tell how long their vows will hold.
To prevent misunderstandings about Rosendo's supposed death, Vanessa posted information about his survival on all major websites. Many internet users who cared about Rosendo began asking Vanessa how he was doing now?
She answered every question promptly and accidentally revealed which hospital he was in. This caused quite a commotion as numerous female fans rushed towards the hospital where Rosendo was located; naturally, various media outlets also followed suit.
On the other hand, unaware of so many people heading towards his hospital room looking for him, Rosendo finished reading the news article then turned his head to look at Johanna. He noticed that Johanna's eyes were red, tears swirling within them, her lips trembling as tear drops fell like pearls.
"What's wrong with you?"
Rosendo couldn't understand how she went from being fine just a moment ago to suddenly crying.
"Rosendo, thank you." Johanna said tearfully to Rosendo.
Rosendo was taken aback, then understood what was going on. It seemed that she was emotional because he had saved her. "No need to be polite with me, saving people is my duty because I am a hero," Rosendo joked.
"Rosendo," Johanna called gently.
"Yeah, what's up?" Rosendo asked curiously.
"I love you," Johanna suddenly blurted out something she didn't even expect herself to say. Although she had always liked Rosendo, she never had the courage to say it out loud. Now, unable to control her emotions, she blurted it out. After saying it, Johanna nervously looked at Rosendo. If he said he liked her too, she would prepare herself to throw herself into his arms; if he said he didn't like her, she would cover her face and continue crying.
Rosendo's response made Johanna furious. He chuckled lightly and said: "Oh come on... not this again! You don't have any suitors right now so you came here? Aren't you tired of this?"
"Rosendo, take me seriously! I'm not joking around; I mean what I say. I really like you and have liked you for a long time now. Will you be my boyfriend?" Johanna pleaded passionately.
"You're not serious about this, are you?" Rosendo questioned.
Johanna stood up and stomped her foot in frustration as she pouted: "Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Oh well...I just remembered that I need to go buy some food," Rosendo stood up abruptly and let out an awkward laugh before turning away and leaving.
Watching as Rosendo deliberately found an excuse to leave made Johanna cry even more. With tears streaming down her face, she shouted after his retreating figure:
"Rosendo, I love you! I really do! I will make you fall in love with me!"
Rosendo didn't turn back; he just left. Johanna felt heartbroken as she squatted down, covering her face with both hands and burying her head between her knees. She sobbed softly, her frail shoulders trembling uncontrollably. She kept muttering to herself: "Why? Why? Why don't you like me..."
Two minutes later, Rosendo returned with a smile on his face. Johanna thought that he had changed his mind. She stood up and looked at him tearfully, asking in a choked voice: "Did you agree to be my boyfriend?"
"Well... actually! I wanted to go out and buy some food but unexpectedly there were a group of people outside - reporters, students, citizens... They all came looking for the two of us. I couldn't leave so I came back,"
Rosendo scratched the back of his head and laughed foolishly.
Johanna's expression turned disappointed. She thought that Rosendo had come back so quickly because he wanted to agree to be with her, but it turned out that he only came back because he was forced to by others."
Maybe it's because Rosendo is too handsome, or maybe Johanna is too beautiful. There are so many people coming to see them that the hospital corridors are crowded. Some latecomers find it difficult to enter the hospital and have to wait outside.
The hospital director has no choice. If this continues, his position as director will be in jeopardy. Helpless, he went to Rosendo's VIP ward and pleaded with Rosendo and Johanna to go out and dismiss those who came to see them.
Feeling sorry for the hospital and even more sorry for the patients, Rosendo and Johanna went out. In order for the hospital to resume normal operations immediately, Rosendo took Johanna to the square outside the hospital.
He first expressed his gratitude loudly, then answered numerous media questions. This lasted for an hour before Rosendo grabbed Johanna's hand and ran away.
They were scared off because many kind-hearted people had sent them a lot of nutritional products. It would have been manageable if it was just one or two items, but receiving gifts from thousands of people can be overwhelming. Besides, neither Rosendo nor Johanna could consume so much food, so wisely they ran back into the hospital.
The People's Hospital became quiet again after their departure. When Rosendo returned to his VIP ward, he lay down and fell asleep without knowing how to face Johanna anymore.
He still liked her very much since she was a beautiful woman with wealth; however, he was a man—a very ambitious man at that—and despite having a pretty face himself, he didn't want to be seen as someone who relied on others when he had nothing else going on in life before dating someone.
If she became his girlfriend, he wanted her happiness rather than suffering alongside him—this was Rosendo's principle as a person.
Rosendo went back into his room and slept while Johanna also wanted to sleep in his room, but she didn't have the courage to do so. She was afraid of making Rosendo angry and ruining their friendship.
Sometimes, people are like this—the more unattainable something is, the more they desire it. This is vanity at work. Johanna lay on the bed and unconsciously reminisced about the time spent with Rosendo.