Zhang Yulan's mother is a school teacher and either because of her profession or because she has always been like this, Xu Lingzhi has a very stern and blunt personality.
Xiao Mei has met her several times in the past, and most of the time, their meeting ended with Xiao Mei receiving some life lessons or getting scolded for being so carefree in her life.
In a way, Xiao Mei feared Zhang Yulan's mother more than she feared her own.
And that same lady was currently in the hospital room where Zhang Yulan lay unconscious.
Xiao Mei stood close to them; wordlessly.
The black-haired slim and glasses-wearing woman remained standing near her daughter with an unreadable expression on her face.
Xiao Mei told Cheng Wei to remain outside since she knew, what the elder might say, Cheng Wei wouldn't possibly like to hear.
"How did this happen?" After several minutes the older one finally asked in a slightly trembling voice.
She hadn't checked the reports since after gazing at Zhang Yulan, Xu Lingzhi wasn't able to keep herself stable—despite how she seemed from the outside.
Xiao Mei's gaze fell to the ground before she clenched her fist and confessed, "I-it was because of me....my ex-boyfriend harassed her since he thought-"
*SLAP*
Xiao Mei's eyes widened as she felt the stinging sensation on her left cheek.
"It's always because of you! Why my daughter must suffer because of your affairs?!" Xu Lingzhi's eyes were moistened as she shouted at the still-bewildered Xiao Mei.
Xiao Mei retained her gaze on the ground and didn't say anything back.
Xiao Mei expected this. And she deserved it.
Zhang Yulan nearly lost her life because of Xiao Mei's carelessness. Xu Lingzhi had all the right to shout at her.
"I told her to stay away from such a problematic and spoiled child like you! But my daughter....she just doesn't listen to me! And now...because of you..."
" Auntie! " Xiao Mei stepped forward to support the elder who suddenly began to struggle to breathe and lost her balance as well.
However before Xiao Mei could have supported her, Xu Lingzhi swatted her hands away and supported her by holding the bed.
"I....don't need your help....stay away from me..."
Xiao Mei's eyes moistened as she saw Xu Lingzhi slowly making her way to the stool which was beside Zhang Yulan's bed.
Sitting down, she became silent and held her daughter's hand fondly in hers.
Xiao Mei barely contained herself from sobbing aloud before she turned on her toes and decided to leave.
However, just as she was about to step out, Xu Lingzhi's voice made her pause for a moment,
"If you ever considered Yuyu your friend, then don't ever approach her again. I beg of you...."
********
Xiao Mei didn't linger around the room, rather she listlessly walked in the lobby.
Tears trailed down her eyes despite how much she tried not to cry.
It was the first time after so long that Xiao Mei felt this hurt. Remembering Xu Lingzhi's words and also thinking about Zhang Yulan's condition made her mind numb and a whirlwind of emotions well up inside.
"Ah..." Suddenly someone held her hand, making Xiao Mei pause in her track and turn around—only to find Cheng Wei standing there.
Suddenly, all those emotions she was trying to suppress. All those tears she wanted to hide.....everything just burst out.
Drawing closer to him, she pressed her face against his chest and the loud wails of Xiao Mei resonated in the lobby.
Cheng Wei raised his hand and softly patted her back to calm her down.
Xiao Mei was like a child who found her parents after losing them in a crowd. She clung to Cheng Wei so desperately that it seemed like he was the last support she had.
Cheng Wei patiently waited for her to cry out all her sorrow and guilt as he softly caressed her back and held her close to him.
******
"Thank *sniff* you..." Xiao Mei thanked the man who handed her his handkerchief.
"Are you feeling better now?" Cheng Wei asked—concern evident in his voice.
Xiao Mei nodded as she wiped her runny nose. Embarrassing it was...
"Mr. Cheng...did you see her leaving? I mean Yuyu's mother?"
Cheng Wei shook his head and told her, "I will make some arrangements if she wants to stay here."
Xiao Mei nodded at that and thanked him again.
Cheng Wei remained silent for a few seconds, gazing at Xiao Mei's reddened cheek with an unreadable expression on his face before he asked,
"Are you planning to remain here for now?" Cheng Wei asked, to which Xiao Mei instantly shook her head.
"If Auntie sees me again, she might as well get admitted to one of these rooms." Xiao Mei didn't want to trouble the older one anymore. Although Xiao Mei wanted to stay with her friend, with Zhang Yulan's mother here, she can be rest assured.
Xiao Mei blinked her eyes and tilted her head upon not hearing him saying anything.
Following his line of sight she realized, what he was concerned about.
"You don't need to worry-sssshh!" She touched her cheek to show him how it didn't sting....and on the contrary, gave him proof of how much it was hurting.
Great.
Cheng Wei held her hand without a word and began to lead her downstairs.
Xiao Mei was confused and slightly taken aback since this might be the first time he touched her on his initiative (the previous time didn't count for some reason which only Xiao Mei knows).
Cheng Wei led her to the ground floor and out of the hospital.
Opening the passenger seat for her he didn't say a word and Xiao Mei became a little nervous.
She slowly climbed inside the car and sat silently.
Cheng Wei closed the door and walked around the car to occupy the driver's seat.
She could feel that he was agitated and given the first thing he did after entering was to take out a cooling gel, she discerned why he was angry.
Uncapping the lid, he took some gel in his fingers and extended his hand toward her cheek.
"Tell me if it hurts."
Xiao Mei instantly nodded and scooted closer to him.
His long fingers softly applied the cooling gel on her still slightly stinging cheek.
The silence inside the car was extremely heavy, which ushered Xiao Mei to hesitantly ask, "Are you mad?"
Cheng Wei didn't say anything and continued to apply the medicine to her skin.
Xiao held his moving hand and kept it slightly pressed against her cheek.
Once his eyes were on hers, she told him, "Auntie is like a guardian to me, so please don't mind what she did. Any mother would react in such a way."
"Yes, but she shouldn't have raised her hand."
Hearing his cold tone made Xiao Mei feel troubled in her heart.
It seems Mr. Cheng is really mad this time—she inwardly uttered.
********
A/N:- Destroy that bastard first. Ugh.
If you think Xu Lingzhi's reaction was extreme then I assure you, she didn't do anything in comparison to what I have seen irl.
(I still don't talk to that friend of mine)