The night had fallen completely, the entire sky soaked in ink-like darkness.
William played with the cat for a while, and as soon as he opened his phone, he saw that Ellie had replied to his message.
[Little Prude]: I went to tutoring and forgot to mention it yesterday.
[Little Prude]: Sorry, I left you to sweep the floor alone.
William looked at the message she sent, his lips curving into a smile without him realizing it.
[William]: Picture.
[William]: How are you going to make it up to me?
After sending this message, William saw that Ellie was typing on the other end...
Half a day passed without a reply from her.
Just as William was about to say something else, he received a message from Ellie.
[Little Prude]: I don't know either.
[Little Prude]: Why don't you suggest something?
He had intended to tease her, but she actually took him seriously.
[William]: Then bring water for me at the games from now on.
[Little Prude]: Okay.
...
Ellie held her phone in one hand, with an IV drip in the other.
She couldn't eat, so she had to receive some nutrient solution.
After replying to the message, she placed her phone next to her pillow again.
...
A woman in a red dress and black sunglasses entered the flower shop.
The shop owner watched her take off her sunglasses and was dazzled by her bright appearance. She enthusiastically said, "Miss, who is the flower for?"
"For a little friend who is very important to me."
The shop owner hesitated for a moment, then asked, "May I ask how old is the little friend? We have custom bouquets with sunflowers and snacks, which are very suitable for children."
Chloe replied, "Seventeen."
The owner was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "So, what kind of flowers would you like, Miss?"
"I'd like jasmine and hydrangeas, the hydrangeas should be light purple."
"Alright, do you need them for tomorrow or right now?"
Chloe said, "Right now, please make it look nice, use light-colored wrapping, the little friend likes light colors."
"Please have a seat and wait for a moment."
The florist worked quickly, and within ten minutes, the flowers were wrapped up.
Chloe paid and left with the flowers in her arms.
She went to the dessert shop, and within a few minutes, she came out carrying a taro mille crepe cake.
Just as she was about to open Instagram to call a car, a black car pulled up in front of her.
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar face. Grant asked, "Where are you going?"
Chloe was worried about not being able to get a car at this hour. She said to Grant, "To the People's Hospital, thank you, boss."
Grant opened the passenger door and, seeing the flowers she was holding, said, "I thought you were going on a date."
Chloe laughed and said, "What date? I don't even have a boyfriend, but you could also consider it a date with my little friend."
"Little friend?"
"Yes, my little friend..."
Grant suddenly leaned closer, and Chloe, surprised by his proximity, was momentarily speechless.
Grant took the seatbelt on her right and said, "It's not convenient for you to fasten the seatbelt with the flowers in your arms."
Chloe regained her composure and said, "Thank you."
Grant responded with an "Mm," then asked, "Is it the girl who came to see you last time?"
"Yes," Chloe's face lit up with joy as she mentioned Ellie, carefully holding the flowers in one hand and the cake in the other.
The two didn't speak further on the journey.
Upon arrival at the hospital entrance, Grant got out of the car first, took the flowers from her, and shielded her head as she exited.
Chloe took the flowers back from him and said, "Thank you, I'll go ahead now."
"Alright," Grant watched Chloe leave before turning his attention elsewhere.
...
A light knock sounded on the hospital room door.
Ellie thought it was Jennifer and said, "Come in."
Chloe entered with a bouquet of flowers and placed them on the cabinet next to her bed.
"Chloe," she had just told her that she hadn't gotten off work yet, and her sudden appearance was quite a surprise.
Chloe looked at her pale face and felt heartbroken: "You've suffered. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm okay," Ellie replied, glancing at the flowers beside her bed and adding, "The flowers are really beautiful."
Chloe lifted the cake in her hand and said, "I also brought you a cake."
"I still can't eat, so you'll have to eat it for me."
Chloe looked at the cake in her hand with some regret, then opened it, scooped a spoonful, and put it in her mouth, saying, "I'll eat it for you."
Ellie watched her with her apricot eyes.
Jennifer just pushed the door open and saw Chloe sitting inside.
"Auntie," Chloe greeted politely.
Jennifer sized her up and asked, "You came to see Ellie?"
Chloe responded with a "Mm."
Jennifer said, "Alright, you two chat, I'll leave for now."
After speaking, she left again.
Chloe ate half of the cake and then asked, "You're going back to school in a few days, right?"
Ellie replied, "I'll be back on Sunday night."
"Aren't you taking a few more days off to rest?"
Ellie shook her head and said, "No need." She heard her phone vibrate and said to Chloe, "I'll check a message."
She unlocked her phone and saw that it was a message from William.
[William]: Picture.
[William]: The sunset this afternoon.
[Ellie]: It's really beautiful.
William, seeing the message replied within seconds, sent another picture of a little black cat.
[Little Prude]: I can't see its features at all.
William chuckled lightly and replied to her.
[William]: It blends into the night.
[William]: It's getting late, aren't you sleeping yet, little prude?
Chloe, seeing Ellie's slightly raised lips, asked, "Who is it?"
"Deskmate."
[Little Prude]: I'll sleep in a bit.
[William]: Good night, little prude.
Ellie placed her phone next to her pillow again.
Chloe slyly said, "Male deskmate?"
Ellie replied, "Male deskmate."
"How come I feel like my little friend is having a crush? I should meet this guy next time."
Ellie's ears turned a little red, and she said, "No, just a deskmate."
"Hahaha, I won't tease you anymore," Chloe said, then added, "It's getting late, you should rest early."
"I'll rest in a bit, you have work tomorrow, you should go back. It's not safe so late at night, let my mom drive you."
Chloe said, "It's okay, no need to see me off. I'll message you when I get home."
"Alright."
After Chloe left, the ward became quiet again.
Jennifer came in, tucked Ellie in, and asked, "Who was that girl just now?"
"Chloe."
Jennifer recalled the name, then said, "Was she the girl from our old neighborhood?"
Ellie replied, "Yes."
"She's not a good girl. Why are you in contact with her so much?"
"Mom, what are you talking about? Chloe is my best friend, I won't allow you to speak of her like that."
Jennifer looked at Ellie's expression and said, "Alright, alright, mom won't say anything more. You should rest early."
After speaking, she left the ward.
Ellie saw the last message from William.
[William]: Good night.
She hesitated for a moment, but still replied with a good night.
Soon, William's message came through again.
[William]: Why aren't you asleep yet?
[Ellie]: I'm sleeping now.
[William]: Link.
Ellie clicked on the link and saw the headline in large letters: Health experts say: Stop staying up late, or you'll become ugly, dark, and get acne!!!
She couldn't help but laugh at the bold headline.
[Ellie]: Do you read this kind of thing?
[William]: Occasionally.
[William]: If you don't sleep, be careful you become as black as Coco.
[Ellie]: I'm sleeping now, good night.
[William]: Good night.
Ellie looked at his last message, her mood imperceptibly improved.