Su Man accompanied Li Li to eat the takeout, tidied up the food containers and trash, then helped him adjust the hot water, supported him to the bathroom to wash up, straightened the bedding and pillows, and while she was at it, boiled water in the kettle and brewed a cup of coffee.

She rarely did housework, and after all this bustling about, she was thoroughly exhausted.

Watching Li Li settle contentedly onto the bed to rest, she was about to suggest hiring a caretaker to look after him — she’d just opened her mouth when she remembered he’d said he’d only be staying here two or three days.

Just two or three days… it didn’t really seem necessary to hire anyone.

Su Man pressed her lips together and said to Li Li, “I’m heading back now.”

Li Li asked, “Are you coming again tomorrow?”

Su Man’s expression became a little conflicted. “I don’t know if I’ll have to work overtime tomorrow…”

“Come by if you don’t.” Li Li sighed. “I’m stuck here all by myself, it’s so boring. There’s not even a computer here — I can only watch TV to pass the time. If you come, at least we can chat.”

Su Man said, “Why don’t you find Wu Xinghai?”

Li Li’s tone was utterly disdainful. “He’s definitely hiding as far away as he can by now — it’d be strange if I could even track him down. Besides, I just promised you I wouldn’t have anything more to do with him~”

Su Man gave a little twitch of her lips.

Li Li watched her expression and said slowly, “We grew up together since we were little. How many years of friendship is that? You can’t even help me with this? You’d leave me all alone in this rundown place?”

Once he brought that up, Su Man couldn’t refuse. She said helplessly, “Fine, fine, I’ll help you — I’ll come check on you again tomorrow.”

Only then did Li Li break into a satisfied smile.

Su Man could only sigh. She got up and walked to the door, paused, and reminded him once more: “If your leg is still bothering you tomorrow, you absolutely have to go to the hospital. Don’t drag it out, understand?”

“I know.” Li Li waved her off in good spirits. “Relax, I know what I’m doing~”

Su Man nodded and turned to leave.

Li Li heard the front door open, then the click of the lock snapping shut.

He knew Su Man had truly gone.

Li Li’s lips curved into a smile. He reached over to the nightstand, picked up his phone, and called Wu Xinghai.

The moment the call connected, his tone was brimming with gloating satisfaction: “Done! That special effects makeup artist you introduced me to is pretty good — the bruises on my face look completely real. The only problem is they’re not waterproof. I just showered and nearly washed them off.”

Wu Xinghai asked anxiously over the phone, “Su Man didn’t see through it, did she?”

“No.” Li Li laughed. “The lights in the room were dim, and I deliberately lay there on my side — she couldn’t see clearly.”

Wu Xinghai said with a sigh, “I was so scared she’d find out. I’m a grown man — if I get beaten up by a woman again, how am I supposed to show my face anywhere…”

Li Li burst out laughing, thoroughly delighted. “Relax! She won’t find out! She’s always been oblivious — stop worrying yourself over nothing. Tomorrow, get the makeup artist to come back again. The marks on my face have to fade gradually; I can’t let the whole thing fall apart!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll arrange it.” Wu Xinghai agreed.

Li Li hung up, elated and triumphant, like a general who had just won a decisive battle — even his big toes couldn’t help but curl upward with satisfaction. Just thinking about the fact that Lu Yuwen hadn’t managed to get Su Man to agree to plans tonight made him absolutely delighted.

……

Su Man sat in her car, hands resting on the steering wheel, and let out a long, quiet sigh…

She’d come in such a frantic rush — especially after hearing over the phone that there had been blood — and in that moment she’d completely panicked.

But now, heading home, she felt an inexplicable sense of loss. An indescribable feeling, as though her heart had been wrapped in a layer of plastic wrap, muffled and oppressive…

Perhaps it was because she’d confirmed that Li Li wasn’t seriously hurt, so there was no reason to panic anymore.

What lay before her now was a new problem: how was she supposed to explain things to Lu Yuwen?

It was almost eleven o’clock. Was he still waiting for her call?

Could he already be asleep?

Maybe… she should just send a message — that way, even if he had fallen asleep, she wouldn’t end up waking him.

Su Man took out her phone and began composing a message with great care.

—