Hiding in the bathroom, she opened her compact mirror. In the not-too-bright light, Fu Xueli could see her face with smudged makeup.

Her eyes were sore and swollen—she probably hadn’t cried this frequently in a long time.

She took out makeup remover, turned on the faucet, and washed her face with cold water. Taking a long breath, she rummaged through her bag for cotton pads and carefully wiped away the remaining dirt on her face bit by bit.

There was a slight sound behind her. The door was half-pushed open as someone asked softly in a very old, hoarse voice, “Is someone in here?”

Fu Xueli turned her head at the sound and saw an elderly woman. She looked quite aged, hunched over at the waist, full head of silver hair, but very kind.

She had some impression—she’d just seen this woman in Xu Xingchun’s room. She must be some patient’s family member. Fu Xueli stepped forward to open the door, saying very amiably, “I’ll be out right away. Please come in.”

The old woman held a plastic basin and turned on the faucet to fill it with water. There were just the two of them in the bathroom. Not knowing the person before her was a celebrity, the old woman casually struck up a conversation, her wrinkle-covered face full of smiles as she asked, “You look about the same age as my granddaughter. Coming here so late, are you the girlfriend of that young man in the next bed?”

“…” Fu Xueli didn’t make a sound, nor did she show any coy shyness.

“I heard from the doctor that he was only transferred out of intensive care this morning. He’s a police officer, right? This afternoon I saw several police officers come to visit him. Ah, being a police officer is such a dangerous profession, really worrying.”

Fu Xueli hummed in acknowledgment, finding the old lady quite warm. “Are you alone?”

The old woman smiled kindly. “No, my son came during the day. At night I can’t rest easy with the old man sleeping alone, so I stay at the hospital with him.”

“I saw you were crying just now. Is something making you unhappy?” The old woman reached out to turn off the running faucet. It was somewhat old and not easy to operate.

Seeing this, Fu Xueli went to help. “Let me do it.” She paused. “No, I’ve just been working overtime a lot recently and I’m tired. Lots of worrying things, feeling very stressed.”

“I see.” The old woman sighed and shook her head, patting Fu Xueli’s shoulder. “Young lady, you’re still young—you should be happier. When you reach our age, you’ll know that for anything, you just sigh and let it go. Maybe when you wake up from your afternoon nap tomorrow, today’s sad things won’t matter anymore.”

Fu Xueli responded softly.

Returning to the hospital room.

“I’m—leaving—now.” The patient in the neighboring bed was already resting. She bent down, silently mouthing the words to Xu Xingchun.

The main light in the room was off, only a small yellow emergency night light was on. Fu Xueli had just removed her makeup, her face very plain, diluting her usual charming glamour, like a crabapple blooming in fog on a quiet night.

He had just woken up and was still drowsy. After a beat, he slowly nodded.

Opening his mouth, swallowing with difficulty, his throat terribly hoarse. “Be careful on the road.”

“Mm.”

Reluctantly turning around, the moment she lifted the curtain, Fu Xueli suddenly felt her nose inexplicably sting.

Her heart was very conflicted.

After they broke up, she’d heard very little news about him. But she knew Xu Xingchun’s father had died early, his family and friends were few to begin with. At this late hour, no one would come.

In the lonely deep night, he would wake alone and fall asleep alone. Without a single person for company.

Thinking this, she suddenly stopped at the door. Fu Xueli suddenly felt all her strength drain away. She touched the door handle but couldn’t push it open.

Not knowing how much time had passed, she walked back step by step. Hesitating for a moment, she quietly lifted a corner of the curtain.

Xu Xingchun hadn’t fallen into unconsciousness.

In the shadows, hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyelids. In the hazy yellow halo of light, seeing her, his lashes pitch-black, his eyes quiet.

Neither spoke first.

He didn’t say anything, but Fu Xueli felt he had said everything.

Fu Xueli’s gaze shifted to the side. She slowly moved forward a step, her lips moving as she said in a low voice, “I’ll stay here with you tonight.”

No one was forcing her, no one was demanding it. She’d come back on her own. Fu Xueli found a low stool.

In this narrow, quiet little space, though they didn’t speak, she felt Xu Xingchun turn his head slightly, watching her the whole time.

His expression calm, his gaze focused. Just inexplicably distant, like unmelted snow.

Suddenly she felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Fu Xueli suddenly leaned forward, gently raising her hand to place it over Xu Xingchun’s eyes. In her palm came the slightly ticklish sensation of lashes, his eyeballs seeming to move too.

Fu Xueli asked softly, “Are you afraid I’ll leave?”

Without waiting for his answer, Fu Xueli lowered her head with a gentleness she herself hadn’t noticed, saying, “I’ll just sit here. I won’t leave. Sleep peacefully.”

Slowly removing her hand—

Xu Xingchun’s eyes had obediently closed.

She slowly sighed. The two were very close. She hadn’t yet pulled back, and could see Xu Xingchun’s face very clearly.

Her gaze couldn’t pull away for a moment.

The warm yellow light was soft. He lay quietly, looking fragile and delicate with no ability to resist. Though pale from blood loss, it couldn’t hide his extremely handsome face.

She spaced out looking at him for a while, actually feeling somewhat distracted, a strange association appearing.

This angle and position would be quite suitable for kissing…

It would probably be quite comfortable…

Steadying herself, her spirit returning to her body, Fu Xueli immediately recoiled.

Holy crap?!! Fu Xueli, are you a beast or a pervert?!!

At a time like this you’re still… still coveting his beauty??!!!

Fu Xueli sat back down on the small stool, cursing herself in her mind, her heart still pounding.

She was really shocked by the thought that had just flashed through her mind—though fleeting, it had been very strong—

She’d just actually wanted to lean over and forcibly kiss Xu Xingchun?!

Forcibly kiss… Xu Xingchun?!

He was practically at death’s door, and her brain was still thinking about taking advantage of him?!

Fu Xueli’s feelings were complicated… She felt she wasn’t really the kind of person who’d be moved to action by physical attraction.

How absolutely indecent.

Her gaze vacant, she found her phone in her bag and opened WeChat. Tang Xin had sent over a dozen messages.

【Going to Xiangshan to film next week】

【Xixi says you disappeared again? Where are you, why did you vanish again?!】

【I’m telling you, don’t run around and cause more trouble, or I’ll quit as your manager immediately haha】

【Did you run to the hospital again?!! Tomorrow morning at 7:30 be on time to shoot Adidas photos! Don’t forget tonight’s Feitian Star Night either.】

【Reply to my messages!! Reply to me!! Reply when you see this!】

……

Fu Xueli checked the time and guiltily replied: 【The Xiangshan drama is pushed back? Anyway I’m just doing a cameo favor. What do I do, I haven’t rested enough yet…】

Tang Xin immediately replied: 【What do you mean what do you do?! This is a big production with a major cast, do you know who the lead is?! Being able to ride their coattails is already great. We can’t just leave them hanging, can you save me some worry please】

Fu Xueli: 【Got it :)】

She thought about it.

The period drama in Xiangshan… the male lead is Jiang Zhixing.

The female lead… the first female lead seems to be Ji Qinqin?

But hasn’t Jiang Zhixing stopped filming TV dramas these past few years? How did he get into this too…

Thinking about it, Fu Xueli was too tired and fell asleep, drowsily thinking in her dreams.

Actually from the very beginning, she’d always seemed to have no resistance to Xu Xingchun’s looks. Aside from being too controlling, everywhere else Xu Xingchun was very much to her liking.

Not loud or boisterous, quietly and properly studying—quite attractive.

The two became deskmates during the transition from spring to summer.

In boring middle school Chinese class, she liked to sleep on her desk, her drawer stuffed full of junk snacks and expired test papers, the teacher’s voice faint in her ears.

Occasionally when she woke up, she’d doodle on scratch paper. Often what she unconsciously ended up drawing was Xu Xingchun’s profile.

Once during self-study period, stretching, Fu Xueli yawned and reached her hand around Xu Xingchun’s back to tap his right shoulder.

Xu Xingchun turned his head. She immediately withdrew her hand.

The male student behind was looked at with complete innocence. A few seconds later, Xu Xingchun turned his head back to continue his homework. Fu Xueli used the same trick again, tapping once then quickly pulling back. Head lowered, biting her lip as she smiled to herself.

After laughing enough, she sneakily glanced at Xu Xingchun’s reaction.

The moment their gazes met, Xu Xingchun stopped his pen, looking at her without speaking.

Fu Xueli’s triumphant smile froze as she watched Xu Xingchun silently pull out the class log from his drawer and open it.

She lunged forward, sprawling across Xu Xingchun’s desk to cover the class log. He steadied the desk that had nearly been knocked over, lowering his eyes to look at her.

But Fu Xueli was stunned. Sharp-eyed, from this angle she suddenly saw—

The portrait she’d previously crumpled into a ball and casually thrown on the floor was lying peacefully in Xu Xingchun’s unzipped backpack.

Shouldn’t its destination have been the trash can?!

“You…” Fu Xueli paused, actually unable to say more. “Why are you going through the trash?”

Though Xu Xingchun’s face looked very calm, he coughed softly, saying somewhat unnaturally, “I didn’t go through the trash. Your paper ball had my name written on it.”

So what??!

Fu Xueli squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth. “Continue.”

Xu Xingchun pointed out flatly, “You drew me.”

“……”

He asked out of nowhere, “Fu Xueli, do you like me?”

Fu Xueli was dumbfounded: ……

Well, sort of.

How had Xu Xingchun become narcissistic to this degree?

The classroom was noisy—who knew what was happening up front. The smell of ink and books permeated the entire classroom. Outside the window blew a gentle breeze. Xu Xingchun still looked very calm, though he gripped his pen quite tightly.

Fu Xueli broke out in sweat, her heartbeat racing erratically, actually starting to lose control.

His eyelids lowered. After a moment of silence, he said, “If you like me… I can be with you.”