After a day of classes, Jiang Yuan headed to the hospital to visit Chi Xu. She tidied up her jumbled emotions and put on a calm facade before arriving at the ward.
She thought she couldn't just pass judgment on Chi Xu. At least, she should ask if the engagement with Song Xiangyi was true and if his family had faced financial difficulties back then, forcing him to leave in a hurry.
What if it was all true...
In the ward, Song Xiangyi had come to the hospital early. She pulled up a small stool and sat by Chi Xu's bedside, looking down at short videos on her phone. Whenever she saw something funny, she'd tug at Chi Xu to watch with her.
Jiang Yuan's hand hovering over the doorknob froze. She lowered her eyes and stared at it.
With Song Xiangyi still here at this moment, there was no way for her to voice the questions she wanted to ask.
She grasped the doorknob, gently pushed the door open, and walked into the ward.
When Song Xiangyi saw Jiang Yuan, it was as if nothing had happened that afternoon. She greeted her cheerfully, "Jiang Yuan, you're here?"
Chi Xu's gaze was fixed on her. He'd hardly seen her all day, and he'd been missing her. "Did you have a class today? Are you tired?"
Jiang Yuan pulled up a stool herself and sat on the other side of Chi Xu's bed, directly opposite Song Xiangyi.
She replied casually, "It's okay. How are you feeling now? Did the doctor say when you can be discharged?"
A fever shouldn't require a several - day hospital stay.
"The doctor originally said I could be discharged tomorrow, but Jiang Yuan, didn't you say Chi Xu - ge had a really bad fever? I was afraid he'd burn his brain out, so I insisted that Chi Xu - ge stay in the hospital for a few more days for further observation," Song Xiangyi piped up, her eyes brimming with obvious glee. She nudged Chi Xu and tilted her chin up, proudly seeking his approval.
"Right, Chi Xu - ge? I'm doing this for your own good."
Chi Xu was both amused and helpless. He picked up her words, "Yes, yes, for my own good."
"But I'm not going to burn my brain out," Chi Xu muttered under his breath. He turned his head to look at Jiang Yuan, his eyes blazing with passion but his tone tinged with a hint of grievance.
"Yuanyuan, look at my sister. She's scolding me indirectly."
Finally, there was a flicker of emotion on Jiang Yuan's face. She blinked gently. "Well, she's scolding you right."
On this point, Song Xiangyi was indeed right.
Did he really think he was made of copper? When he had a fever, he didn't even call his friends. Instead, he curled up in the quilt by himself, thinking he could get better like that.
If he burned himself stupid, who would want him?
Chi Xu was stunned. It took him a while to react.
Did Yuanyuan... agree with Song Xiangyi's point of view?
"Chi Xu, we've been reunited for so long, but I never got the chance to ask you why you left so suddenly back then," Jiang Yuan said.
The emotions she'd been brewing in her heart for a long time were now laid bare in front of Song Xiangyi.
Jiang Yuan's gaze was intense as she stared directly at Chi Xu, not missing a single micro - expression on his face.
Chi Xu was stunned for another moment. He opened his mouth slightly but didn't make a sound.
He hadn't expected Jiang Yuan to ask so straightforwardly. The memories hidden deep in his heart hadn't been sorted into words to tell her.
At the same time, he wasn't mentally prepared and didn't want to tell her so soon.
She didn't like him much anyway. If she knew... Chi Xu didn't dare to bet on an unknown outcome.
His long, fair fingers unconsciously tightened on the white bedsheet, revealing his desire to hide something.
Jiang Yuan's gaze passed over the bedsheet and landed on Chi Xu's hand, whose knuckles had turned white from the tight grip. In an instant, she understood everything.
An indescribable ache welled up from the bottom of her heart and rushed to her throat. Jiang Yuan forced it back down.
When she looked up, she saw Song Xiangyi across from her raising her eyebrows, as if showing off and mocking her for her over - ambition.
Jiang Yuan forced a faint smile, but there was a hint of bitterness and desolation in her eyes. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, in an instant, all her emotions returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
She seemed to know something, yet at the same time, it was as if she knew nothing.
Jiang Yuan was lost. The unique smell of disinfectant in the hospital filled her nostrils. It was faint, but it couldn't wipe away the emotions that had been wasted in the past.
She still wanted to ask why he'd left without saying goodbye back then. Even if he'd left in a hurry because of bankruptcy, why hadn't he contacted her?
She wanted to ask even more if the engagement with Song Xiangyi was true. If it was, what was she? Would he just abandon her like he did back then?
But after just asking one question, Chi Xu had this attitude. Jiang Yuan was disappointed and heart - broken.
"Back then... something happened, and I had no choice but to leave," Chi Xu said in a low voice, simply summarizing without going into details.
He wanted to find a suitable opportunity to explain to Jiang Yuan.
Obviously, this wasn't a good time, with Song Xiangyi still there.
"Yes, Chi Xu - ge's family did encounter some problems back then. Then, by all kinds of coincidences, I got to know Chi Xu - ge," Song Xiangyi sighed. She stared defiantly at Jiang Yuan, their gazes colliding openly.
Jiang Yuan was simply unworthy of Chi Xu - ge. She just wanted Jiang Yuan to give up. There was no way she could be with Lu Zhen and still dream of being with Chi Xu, making him the rebound guy.
Song Xiangyi wouldn't let her succeed. She'd better face the facts and leave on her own.
Jiang Yuan ignored Song Xiangyi's victorious gaze. She lowered her eyes to hide the disappointment in them and said hoarsely, "So you left back then."
Chi Xu glanced at her in confusion, not understanding why she was repeating what had already been said. He paused for a moment.
"Yes, but I had my reasons."
What reasons were so hard for you to say?
Was it because after your family faced financial difficulties, you left with your parents and met Song Xiangyi? Her parents helped you, and your parents wanted the two families to be united in marriage. Were you still hesitating?
So you haven't thought of a way to explain it to me?
No, even if you refused your parents' request, you still didn't want to tell me the reason from back then. Even when I summoned the courage to ask, you still refused to answer directly.
Chi Xu noticed Jiang Yuan's low mood. He quickly reflected on his words and actions and quickly explained.
"Yuanyuan, don't worry. I'll definitely tell you my reasons. It's just not the right time now. I'll definitely find a suitable opportunity to tell you in the future."
Jiang Yuan took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile. "It's okay. I've waited for more than three years."
She didn't mind waiting a bit longer, but she didn't want to wait for his answer anymore.
Jiang Yuan stood up, head bowed. She looked sadly at the flustered Chi Xu, and the once - hot heart in her chest slowly cooled.
"You and Song Xiangyi can stay here."