As if plunging into a deep sea, both body and consciousness became unbearably heavy.
Hui Jin could feel someone calling out to her, but the voice seemed very far away, above the surface of the sea, and she couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Until she heard the name “Xiao Chi,” like a bucket of cold water thrown over a sleeping person, briefly bringing her back to consciousness.
In her blurred vision, she could vaguely make out a familiar face.
Although her body was almost numb, she could still feel the warmth emanating from his body.
Being held tightly, as if curled up in a small space, made her feel very safe.
It’s quite comfortable…
The girl thought, rubbing her forehead against the man’s chest.
“You made a promise with her, didn’t you? To always stay by her side! Don’t break your word!”
That voice continued to say.
‘Ah, a promise… that happened?’
‘But we didn’t pinky swear, so it doesn’t count…’
The girl thought this, unaware that in her dazed state, she had spoken her thoughts out loud.
“Sorry, Xiao Chi, I can’t stay by your side in the future.”
“Sorry, Xiao Chi, I’m an unworthy father.”
“If there’s a next life… ah… I still don’t know how to be a good father…”
“I don’t want to think anymore…”
“An Wan, I’m coming to join you…”
Consciousness, like a fish stranded on the beach, flopped twice before being dragged back into the sea by the waves.
Her vision had dissolved into blobs of color, and vaguely, she seemed to see a patch of light slowly growing larger.
Huh?
Why does it suddenly feel so hot…
And her lips feel numb, like something is pressing against them…
Can’t breathe, mm…
Her whole body is burning, like it’s about to catch fire!
Even though her consciousness was about to fall asleep, waves of burning pain forced her to stay awake.
In reality, the girl let out a series of low whimpers, like an injured cub.
“Wuu…”
A crystal tear slid from the corner of her eye, clinging to her fair cheek.
It was as if two forces were tearing at each other, her consciousness becoming extremely chaotic, and the burning pain growing more intense.
Half asleep, half awake, she felt something rough and warm gently brush across her cheek.
“Sorry,” said that low voice.
Who is speaking?
Is it this guy who’s making me feel so uncomfortable?
I hate it… hmm, maybe it’s not that hateful?
In her mind, the girl struggled desperately, but in reality, she only lightly turned her face away.
Seeing that it was effective, Xia Che felt overjoyed and decided to press on, so he kissed her again.
The girl subconsciously resisted, but the resistance was weak.
Rather, it only stimulated the man’s desire to conquer.
So he used his tongue to tease the girl’s lips, and when she let out a small whimper, he took the opportunity to slip between her teeth.
?!?
Wh… What is this feeling?!
It’s like being electrocuted, her whole body tingling to death!
Is it that guy again!
Saying sorry should mean you back off properly!
What a nuisance… mm!
No, I can’t!
The girl’s consciousness was swept by the waves, a slight stabbing pain twisting her nerves, but the numbing sensation all over her body gave her a strange pleasure.
Wanting to struggle and wanting to sink, wanting to push away and wanting to yield…
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Her heartbeat became so fierce, her body responded instinctively.
“Mmm… guchu~”
Gu… guchu!?
What is this weird sound?
Why am I making such a sound!
What is wrong with me in reality —!!!
The girl’s consciousness screamed, but a warm current suddenly surged, enveloping her.
It flowed through her heart and then to every corner of her body, wherever it passed, every cell seemed to become delighted.
She felt like she was lying in a pile of light bubbles, a reassuring fragrance lingering at the tip of her nose, and her tense nerves relaxed.
So comfortable, so warm…
The girl’s consciousness was carried to the shore by the waves, stranded on a black beach.
She curled up into a tiny ball, a faint smile on her lips, and fell asleep.
Hui Jin opened her eyes and saw a grayish white, divided into neat little squares by horizontal and vertical lines.
The lights were a bit dazzling, and the surroundings were excessively quiet, occasionally punctuated by muffled footsteps and conversations.
Then the door opened.
She instinctively turned her face to look in the direction of the sound.
“…So anyway, that teacher is definitely targeting me. I’m not the only one who didn’t finish the homework!”
Hearing the familiar, noisy voice, a smile appeared on the corner of Hui Jin’s lips.
And when Ye Xiaochi and Xia Che pulled open the door, what they saw was the gray-haired girl lying in bed, showing them a gentle smile.
Ye Xiaochi froze for a moment, her beautiful red eyes widening.
“Senior Hui Jin! You’re finally awake!”
With that, the girl took two steps as if to pounce, scaring Hui Jin into shrinking back under the covers.
Fortunately, just as her feet left the ground, the man behind her grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and pulled her back.
“Ouch!”
The girl yelped, looking at Xia Che with a reproachful expression.
“Xia Che, what are you doing!”
Xia Che said seriously, “Hui Jin is injured now. What if you pounce on her and cause secondary injuries? You don’t want your beloved senior Hui Jin to stay in the hospital for another week, do you?”
“Gu… Th-That’s true…”
Ye Xiaochi pouted, pulled out the chair under Hui Jin’s bed, sat down beside her, then opened her arms and said with a hopeful expression, “Then, a hug is okay, right? Just a hug…”
Just when they thought Hui Jin would refuse, the petite girl merely nodded slightly, then buried her head in Ye Xiaochi’s chest and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“——!!!”
Ye Xiaochi’s body visibly trembled.
She turned her head stiffly like a robot, her face flushed with excitement, and even hearts appeared in her eyes (Xia Che thought it was a magical girl special effect).
[Look! Senior Hui Jin hugged me on her own! I’m going to die of happiness!]
Xia Che read Ye Xiaochi’s lip movements and shrugged with helpless yet satisfied amusement.
However, watching the two girls hold each other, he suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason.
After enduring it for a while, he finally stepped forward and patted Ye Xiaochi on the shoulder.
“Alright, Xiao Chi, that’s enough. You should have a lot to say to Hui Jin, right?”
“Huh? Oh… right, right…”
Ye Xiaochi paused, then reluctantly let go of Hui Jin.
Hui Jin sat back, straightened her messy gray hair, and sank into the two-layer pillow, making her look even smaller.
“Senior Hui Jin, you know? You were unconscious for a whole week! I was so worried!”
Ye Xiaochi said, holding Hui Jin’s small hands.
“Huh?”
Hui Jin was stunned for a moment, her brain seemingly not processing.
“…A… a week?”
To her, it felt like she had just closed and opened her eyes; she never expected so much time had passed.
Hiss… wait a minute…
She had been unconscious in the hospital for a week, which meant she hadn’t gone to work for an entire week???
A bad feeling surged into her heart, and her eyes darted around in panic.
Xia Che noticed Hui Jin’s abnormality and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Wh… Where’s my phone?” Hui Jin said nervously.
“Ah, it’s here.”
Xia Che walked to the bedside table and opened the first drawer.
“So we could reach you, I asked the nurse to charge your phone…”
Hui Jin hurriedly looked into the drawer.
Inside were two phones.
One was a phone (Ye Qianqiu’s), and the other was also a phone (Hui Jin’s).
“Hiss…!”
Hui Jin sucked in a cold breath.
I-It shouldn’t be exposed, right?
It’s normal for a person to have one primary phone and one backup, r-right!
She reached out to grab Ye Qianqiu’s phone.
When Xia Che saw this, he picked it up and handed it to her.
Ye Xiaochi watched from the side, her gaze unconsciously falling on the phone, and suddenly she found it somewhat familiar.
She was about to say something when the phone screen suddenly lit up and then vibrated.
Drrr drrr!
Murphy’s Law says that anything that can go wrong eventually will.
Hui Jin felt all the blood in her body turn cold.
She forced herself to look at the phone screen.
On the screen were two big characters:
Boss Xu.