Sheng Xiangsi arrived.
"What are you doing here?"
Immediately, Liao Qingru erupted, "Haven't you caused enough harm to Zhong Pei? If it weren't for you, he would be in Jiangcheng, safe and sound as the young master of the Zhong family!"
Sheng Xiangsi stood motionless.
"Get out!"
Liao Qingru pointed at her nose, and if Fu Hanjiang hadn't stopped her, she might have already taken action.
"Mrs. Zhong!"
Fu Hanjiang glanced at Xiangsi, "Zhong Pei's condition is unclear. If—just if—Zhong Pei wants to see her?"
Liao Qingru fell silent.
Yes, if her son had any last wishes, could she bear to refuse?
"Ah…"
Liao Qingru clutched her face in anguish.
Fu Hanjiang added harshly, "And you should know best that you are the main culprit for Zhong Pei's condition!"
Liao Qingru turned pale, "You, you…"
Unable to argue, she nodded, "Fine, she can stay."
Fu Hanjiang sighed in relief and looked at Sheng Xiangsi.
"Are you okay? She didn't hit you, did she?"
Sheng Xiangsi avoided his reaching hand, standing still, and looked up at the ceiling.
She seemed to be speaking to him, yet also to herself.
"I lost my mom shortly after I was born… lost my grandma at fifteen, and now Zhong Pei…"
"Xiangsi." Fu Hanjiang frowned, his face darkening, "Don't talk like that!"
Sheng Xiangsi seemed not to hear him, "Everyone who loves me meets a bad end… not a single exception…"
"Xiangsi…"
She closed her eyes, refusing to speak.
And there was Junjun too… another person who loved her!
What had she done wrong to be undeserving of love? Even if she had committed terrible crimes, the punishment should be hers, not on those who loved her.
Time ticked by.
It was getting cold as night fell.
Fu Hanjiang took off his suit jacket and, without giving Sheng Xiangsi a chance to refuse, draped it over her.
The surgery finally ended.
"Doctor, how is he?" Liao Qingru rushed forward.
"He's stable now. He'll be moved to a ward soon."
"Thank you, doctor!" Liao Qingru breathed a huge sigh of relief, tears of joy streaming down her face, "Thank heavens!"
Once transferred to the ward, Fu Hanjiang managed everything.
After settling in, he looked at Sheng Xiangsi standing by the door, "Do you… want to see him?"
"Yes," Sheng Xiangsi nodded.
She had waited until now; she had to see him.
"No way!" Liao Qingru firmly opposed. Her son had narrowly survived; if they met now, everything she had done would be for nothing.
She glanced at Fu Hanjiang and then at Sheng Xiangsi. Especially now, with their unclear relationship, she was even more displeased with Sheng Xiangsi!
"Mrs. Zhong."
Sheng Xiangsi remained calm, her tone resolute, "Don't worry, I won't tell Zhong Pei what you did to me. I just want to say goodbye to him. I think… you wouldn't want anything to happen to him again."
Liao Qingru stiffened, her face tense.
Even Fu Hanjiang looked at her, "Xiangsi, are you serious? You just want to say goodbye?"
"Yes," Sheng Xiangsi nodded, "If you don't trust me, you can come in with me."
She pushed open the door.
Liao Qingru and Fu Hanjiang followed a step behind her.
Inside the ward, Zhong Pei was conscious but very weak and unable to speak.
"Zhong Pei."
Sheng Xiangsi stood by the bed, tears welling up as she looked at the bandaged Zhong Pei.
Zhong Pei's eyes widened when he saw her, and he tried to speak, "Xiang… Si…"
"It's me."
Sheng Xiangsi stepped closer, carefully examining him.
With a gentle smile, she said, "How did you get yourself hurt like this?"
Zhong Pei couldn't speak, so she continued talking to herself.
"Was it because of me?"
She smiled through her tears, "Fool, I'm not worth it… didn't you see it with your own eyes?"
Zhong Pei frowned, slowly shaking his head in pain.
"Zhong Pei."
Sheng Xiangsi raised her hand, gently holding his. Each word was a struggle.
"You're wonderful, truly wonderful. If I were a blank slate, no matter how your family disliked me, I would be with you without hesitation!"
Zhong Pei froze, tears filling his eyes and trickling down his face.
Xiangsi, Xiangsi…
"Zhong Pei, don't doubt yourself. We couldn't be together because of me. I'm the one who let you down!"
Sheng Xiangsi lowered her head, her tears falling onto his hand.
"Zhong Pei, get well soon. Then live well, just like I told you when we first met, you'll find someone who matches you perfectly!"
She was almost choking on her words.
But her voice was clear.
She smiled brightly at Zhong Pei, "Zhong Pei, forget me… forget me completely!"
Saying this, she slowly, gently withdrew her hand from his.
"Xiang… Si…"
Zhong Pei's throat emitted a low, hoarse cry.
He tried hard to grasp her hand, but in the end… they were separated!
"Ah…" Zhong Pei opened his mouth, tears flowing.
Sheng Xiangsi turned abruptly, grabbing Fu Hanjiang's arm, "Let's go!"
"?" Fu Hanjiang realized she was doing this for Zhong Pei to see!
Though slightly displeased, he cooperated, holding her hand tightly.
"Alright."
"…"
Zhong Pei watched them leave the ward hand in hand, his eyes red and filled with anguish.
But there was nothing he could do!
…
Downstairs.
Sheng Xiangsi let go of Fu Hanjiang, crouching down with her face buried in her arms, crying silently… great sorrow doesn't always need to be loud!
She cried for Zhong Pei!
For the budding relationship that never had a chance to start!
For her daughter, who had just lost the chance for surgery, and the uncertain future!
How many unfortunate things can there be in the world? And she alone had so many!
Fu Hanjiang stood quietly by her, not daring to approach.
He wondered, back when he sent her away from Jiangcheng, did she still love him?
Back then, in places he couldn't see, had she cried like this for him?
Tsk.
Fu Hanjiang turned his eyes away, unable to bear it.
He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, thick-skinned, knelt in front of her, and wiped her tears.
Without thinking, he blurted out, "Xiangsi, will you be with me again? I swear, I won't let you cry like this again."