Underground parking garage. The stairwell door banged open. Phone still on a call. Zang Siming walked while fumbling in his pocket, face iron-blue, forehead sweating. The car key he’d just touched slipped from his palm to the ground. He staggered down into a crouch, picking it up.

…

…

“She has someone backing her. She’s my buddy’s woman! I can’t fucking handle that guy! I can’t fucking explain myself now!”

“Then don’t explain. After she got on the boat, she disappeared. There are over a hundred people on the boat. Can you watch them one by one? Besides, did anyone see her get on the boat? She might not have gotten on the boat at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you know how many people drown in this sea area every year?”

“You’re going to take it that far?”

“I’m watching you go downstairs now, explain to those below. Also, I’m going to get her on the third floor. Don’t let anyone come up and bother me. After that I’ll handle it myself.”

…

…

Running chaotically through the parking garage, looking back over his shoulder, then looking around in all directions for the parking spot. Then pressing the car key. A distant parking spot responded with an unlock sound. In a panic, he walked in that direction, pressing his voice low into the phone: “I told you! What you did wasn’t just messing with Long Qi. You got rid of her child. That child was my brother’s! It was fucking Jin Yiken’s!”

…

…

“Jin Yi…”

“Is that your boyfriend’s name? Jin Yi? How do you write it?”

“Scum…”

“Stop pretending. Aren’t you so tough?”

“I don’t think this is necessary…”

“You fucking beast! She’s on her period and you still force yourself on her! Are you even human!”

“I fucking haven’t even touched her yet!”

…

…

“My uncle already knows about this. He can still cover for me for a while, but it won’t last long. I still have to hide. I’m going to Singapore to find my mom, at least hide through this period… Fuck, I told you that you need to leave the country too! Leave the country then let the elders handle it. Doesn’t your family have connections in this area! Me? Of course I have to fucking hide. Stay in the country to take the blame for you?!”

…

…

“Long Qi, what are you doing? Long Qi, don’t… I promise to bring you to shore. I won’t let him touch you. Don’t… Fuck, don’t climb up there! What do you want to do, Long Qi!”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Then what do you want to do! Come down!”

“…Jin Yiken, the person who’s forcing me to death is called Yu Peng.”

…

“Zang Siming is the accomplice.”

…

“I love you, but…”

…

…

“Should I come to you? Where are you now…” Opening the car door, ducking his head and slipping into the driver’s seat in one swift motion, frantically starting the car. “No, no, forget it. We shouldn’t meet. I’m afraid someone’s tailing me. Don’t contact me in the near future either. I need to temporarily delete your contact info. I’ll contact you again when I get to Singapore…”

The car door had just closed when a shadow fell across the window.

Scared, his first instinct was to hang up the phone, but no matter how fast his reaction, it was too late. The just-closed car door opened with a “click.” Zang Siming’s entire person was yanked out of the driver’s seat. Face deathly pale, keeping silent from guilt, head down heading toward the ground. Before he could prop himself up, he took a fierce punch! His entire head whipped to one side, saliva mixed with blood threads spitting onto the ground. Immediately after, he raised both arms to cover his head, shouting loudly before the second punch landed: “I was wrong, I was really wrong! Calm down! Calm down!”

But this didn’t stop Jin Yiken’s second punch coming at him! A large bloody bruise immediately appeared on his cheekbone. His collar was grabbed, then fiercely pressed down! The back of his head smashed the ground. This blow directly knocked him nearly unconscious with no fight left. His arms limply sprawled on the ground. He coughed with a mouthful of blood. Jin Yiken picked up the phone that had fallen to the ground. The screen was lit, the other party on the call still waiting on the line. He pressed one hand on Zang Siming, the other hand slowly bringing the phone to his ear: “Called Yu Peng, is that right?”

Zang Siming groaned in pain, listening intently.

On the other end of the phone, silence like death, but it only lasted four or five seconds before suddenly laughing out loud.

“Sorry about that, brother. If I’d known earlier it was one of our own, I wouldn’t have targeted her. Really sorry. I’m really a beast. How about this—let’s negotiate. I’ll compensate your girl two million, then compensate you another three million. We can settle this privately. Deal?”

Zang Siming’s brow furrowed deeply, mumbling indistinctly from his mouth: “Fuck…”

“Five million?” He replied lowly.

“Brother, or you name a price. Let’s try to turn a big issue into a small one, a small one into nothing. We still have to come out and play. Don’t make it unpleasant. I’m being serious. If this really goes to court, with just a recording, brother, you might not necessarily get me.”

“Then let’s try.”

Yu Peng’s side paused.

Jin Yiken continued: “Didn’t know how to write my name? Stayed in Canada too long and forgot Chinese characters? Wait. I’ll come teach you how to write it.”

“Is that necessary, brother?”

“Aren’t you tough?”

Yu Peng let out a breathy laugh: “What, you want to take one of my hands or one of my legs?”

“I want your life for a life.”

As the last five words were spoken, the cold sweat on Zang Siming’s forehead flowed to his cheekbone wound, stinging with a sharp intake of breath. Yu Peng listened, said nothing. Jin Yiken continued: “This circle isn’t small, but it’s not that big either. Catching a worm isn’t hard. You stay nicely drilled in your hole, patiently wait. I’ll first teach your brother how to be human, then come find you.”

Click.

Words finished, phone hung up. Phone sliding to the ground, scraping past Zang Siming’s forehead. Zang Siming’s entire body trembled. Then his collar was grabbed again. A punch came like a gale! He shouted in pain: “I’ll cooperate with whatever you want! I’ll apologize to Long Qi! I’ll apologize to her!”

When the fourth punch was about to come down, footsteps came from one side of the parking garage. Following the sound rushing here, quickly shouting loudly: “Jin Yiken!”

The fifth punch!

“Stop worrying about him!” Wu Jiakui shouted. “Long Qi has a response!”

The sixth strike—the clenched fist suspended in midair. Zang Siming trembled, one hand blocking his face, one hand covering his half-swollen eye, staring at him in terror.

…

…

The process from fuzzy consciousness to clarity takes time.

The earlier period was muddled and confused, only able to hear her own breath, shaking in her brain, floating like a weak wind that could dissipate at any moment. Then hearing the collision of metal, hearing nurses’ low whispers, hearing the sound of the deep sea. Woke for a few seconds, couldn’t speak, then lost consciousness again. When truly waking, it was already two in the morning.

At that time, after a series of basic examinations, the nurse carefully raised her hospital bed. She lay weakly on the pillow. Her sight moved with the rising of the hospital bed to the isolation window ahead. On the other side of the glass, Long Ziyi, Lu Zimu, Wu’er, Lao Ping, Ban Wei, Wu Jiakui, Fang Xuan were all waiting there, a dark mass of people. Long Ziyi stroked her chest, exhaling a long breath. Lu Zimu patted Long Ziyi’s shoulder. She also looked at them, face pale, lips dry and faint. Then she tilted her brow slightly.

Long Ziyi knew who she wanted to see.

Some emotion on her face, but her body still shifted to the side. Then she could see Jin Yiken.

Outside the glass window, behind everyone, on the long chair by the wall, he sat there.

Not like them, not rushing to surround the window at the first moment. He sat there quietly, quietly gazing at her through the gaps in the crowd.

Leaning forward, elbows pressing against knees. When his gaze met hers across the crowd, not a word, not a step, but his eyes were red. Looking at her, looking for a long while, then rubbing his face. It was a sense of regaining what was lost after holding on for a day and night, a strong but silent emotional release. Too hard to bear. Only at this moment did he truly relax, looking at her who had taken a trip around death’s door and returned, just like looking at himself who had also gone through a life-and-death ordeal. Exhausted but gratified. Finally hadn’t lost her. Finally still alive.

That was so good.

…

At that time Long Qi didn’t know.

In a place she couldn’t see, by the glass window, diagonally opposite Jin Yiken, there was another person standing with back against the wall.

Dong Xi.

Fingers lightly clutching the bag strap, lips pressed together, eyes lowered. Hearing Long Ziyi’s exhale, hearing Fang Xuan’s low murmur. Only after a long while did she raise her eyes, looking at Jin Yiken with red eyes opposite her, truly seeing Long Qi in his eyes. Then without a word, she turned sideways, walking toward one part of the corridor.

Among the crowd, only Wu’er noticed, turning her head to look at her.

Long Qi saw Wu’er’s head turn.

Only five or six seconds later, Wu’er’s gaze returned, meeting Long Qi’s, restoring the gratified appearance from before, smiling at her.

…

…

The next afternoon, physical condition stable, transferred from ICU to a regular ward.

But still couldn’t get out of bed. The waist and abdomen always had a pulling soreness affecting the whole body. Two days passed, and she could only prop up a little bit of her body leaning against the headboard. Long Ziyi became incredibly virtuous, actually willing to make soup. Last night she even stayed overnight in the ward, but she wouldn’t let Jin Yiken stay. She suddenly became that type of parent Long Qi couldn’t stand most. So authoritative. Jin Yiken helping her with her arm, she had opinions about. Also wouldn’t give the two of them alone time. Jin Yiken usually wasn’t managed by anyone, but at this time he was surprisingly obedient. Long Ziyi said one thing, he didn’t say two. Long Ziyi told him to pour water, he poured two cups and added tea bags. But regarding not letting him stay overnight, Long Qi knew Long Ziyi had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Actually she wanted him to rest.

She said he hadn’t closed his eyes for two days and nights before.

And these past few days she also hadn’t spoken much.

There were wounds inside her mouth. Knees, ankles, elbows—each joint wrapped in thin gauze. New wounds, old wounds, big wounds, small wounds. There was also a layer of depressed emotion after escaping death, weighing down her eyes and brows indifferently. She just leaned against the headboard watching Long Ziyi and Lu Zimu busying back and forth, then taking various medications, receiving various IVs. Each time the nurse brought them, they were already prepared—several pills with a cup of warm water. Also didn’t say what they were for. When she asked about her body’s condition, the nurse would glance toward Long Ziyi, then say she was recovering, doing well.

How the outside world was, she didn’t pay attention. Lao Ping had deleted all the social media apps on her phone.

When Wu Jiakui and Fang Xuan came to see her, they brought a pile of fruits and health products filling half the ward. She said: “Are you expecting me to stay here for ten days to half a month?”

“Half is from Xu Yifen. She knows you find her an eyesore, so she didn’t come.”

“I remember you only requested three days’ leave from the crew.”

Fang Xuan was studying how to use the fruit knife. Wu Jiakui moved a chair beside the bed, legs bent, supporting her forehead: “With such a big incident, if I returned to the crew I’d really be too ignorant of social norms. To this day no one has figured out the whole story. Everyone’s blindly guessing. Staying here at least gets attention. Do you know how many people check in daily on my Weibo waiting for me to post an update?”

“How many?”

She held up two fingers.

“Two hundred thousand?”

“Two million.”

“Hey, what if I post before you?” Fang Xuan asked.

“Then we’re done being friends.”

“What the fuck?”

The reply wasn’t from Fang Xuan, but from Ban Wei who had just arrived at the door. Long Qi looked over. He stared with his single-lidded eyes. Hearing Wu Jiakui say this, with a “swoosh” he pulled out his phone from his pocket. Wu Jiakui also looked over. Ban Wei operated quickly on the screen with one hand, the other hand pointing here: “I’m deleting it now, deleting it right now. Look, look, deleted it! Just posted it half a minute ago!”

Fang Xuan got excited, pointing at Ban Wei telling Wu Jiakui to end the friendship. Later Wu Jiakui hushed her, so she shut up, switching to low laughter. Long Qi called out: “Ban Wei.”

Ban Wei looked over. She asked: “Where’s Jin Yiken?”

“In the corridor keeping Auntie company.”

“My mom looked for him again?” She asked softly. “Did you hear what they were talking about?”

“How would I dare listen? Auntie Long,” Ban Wei gave a thumbs up, expression obscure. Fang Xuan added three words: “Super fierce.”

“Anyway, before you woke up, he took any beating, any scolding, any errands.”

“Why?” She asked. “It’s not his fault.”

“How is it not? Any mother would explode. Right there hearing her own daughter had a miscar…”

Wu Jiakui moved her chair. The chair legs scraped the floor with a screeching sound. Fang Xuan’s mouth shut again, looking at the IV bag, waving the fruit knife in her hand. Wu Jiakui gestured with her eyes toward her gauze-wrapped palm, lazily saying: “Someone lost a lot of blood at the time.”

The scene of smashing Yu Peng with a glass cup, causing her own palm to be cut, silently rushed into her mind.

Her finger moved once. Didn’t reply. Remained expressionless. Three or four seconds passed, then said: “I heard Zang Siming was the one who saved me.”

“The person who desperately tried to clear himself when you were unconscious was also him.”

“Where is he?”

“Hiding at his uncle’s place,” Wu Jiakui said, adding, “His uncle won’t release him.”

Still wanted to ask more, but there was a click at the door. Looking up, Long Ziyi entered.

With this sound, Fang Xuan put down the fruit knife. Ban Wei made way to the side. Wu Jiakui also stood up. All three called “Auntie Long.” Long Ziyi looked like she was in a bad mood. Her hair was tied somewhat loosely, looking tired. Arms crossed, holding a lady’s cigarette, making an “mm” sound through her nose. Ban Wei ingratiatingly added: “Auntie, the hospital prohibits smoking…”

Long Ziyi didn’t respond, just threw the cigarette butt into the trash can, unscrewed the thermos lid, pouring water into the can. The cigarette butt sizzled out. She then drank the remaining half cup of water, at the same time using her eyes to look at everyone present. After drinking, saying: “All came to see her?”

“Pretty much, Auntie Long… We’re preparing to leave. Long Qi, rest well.” Fang Xuan replied especially quickly, giving Ban Wei a look, appearing very afraid of Long Ziyi. After everyone left and the ward door closed, Long Qi asked: “Where is he?”

“Went downstairs to buy me lunch.”

“Didn’t you already eat at the hospital cafeteria?”

“I like the vegetable salad from outside. What about it? I can’t even order him around?” Long Ziyi said, taking a string of keys from the bag on the bedside table, picking out nail clippers from among them, pulling over a chair to sit by the bed, pulling her wrist over.

“What for?”

“Cutting your nails for you.”

“My nails are fine.”

“Surviving a disaster requires cutting nails to remove bad luck.”

One clip went down without mercy. Click. Long Ziyi lowered her head, then continued: “I talked with your manager called Lao Ping. He signed a five-year management contract with you, right? If you don’t want to continue being an artist, he’s willing to void the contract for free. Actually, I can support you for a few more years too. Tuition, living expenses—no worries for you.”

Long Ziyi’s meaning was very clear.

“I’ll think about it.” Long Qi said. After pausing a moment, asked: “Lao Ping is quite shrewd. How did you negotiate with him?”

“No matter how shrewd, he’s still afraid of a mother crying and making scenes. I said my daughter almost died and you have to compensate me.”

Alright.

Instantly understood what Fang Xuan meant by “super fierce.” At that time she rolled her eyes helplessly, then asked Long Ziyi: “Then what did you say to Jin Yiken?”

“Nothing much, just talking about arranging dinner with his parents.”

Immediately wanted to withdraw her hand, but was firmly grasped by Long Ziyi. Another clip went down with a click. Long Qi said: “What dinner? Why are you inviting his parents?”

“Oh,” Long Ziyi didn’t even look up. “Their son quietly abducted my daughter to this godforsaken bay and caused such an incident. Is it over just because you woke up? Even if you two are just ordinary friends, at the very least the parents should know to make a phone call showing concern. What’s your relationship now? And you won’t let me eat one meal from them and hear some nice words? Let me tell you, not scolding them harshly is already good enough!”

“I originally had activities here anyway. Besides, the one who made me like this wasn’t him. Your indirect responsibility is pushing it a bit far.”

“Don’t worry about it. You have no say in this matter.”

“Why don’t I have a say?”

“Just because you hid so many things from me.”

“What do you mean I hid things from you? May I ask if you managed me before? Showed concern about my three meals a day? Now I’m half-dead and you finally make me soup once, and you feel you have a say in my romantic affairs?”

Long Ziyi reached out and pinched her arm. It hurt so much she withdrew her hand, but couldn’t pull away. She called: “What! I’m a patient!”

“Knowing you’re a patient, save your strength.”

The phone in the bag on the bedside table rang.

Long Ziyi finally put away the clippers, placing the key chain to one side. She pointed at her with her index finger, an aura of “Mom will deal with you later,” then suppressed her tone, putting the phone to her ear: “Hello?”

Long Qi couldn’t be bothered with her.

Propped herself up a little, taking water from the cabinet on the other side to drink. The person on the phone seemed to be stating Long Ziyi’s profession. Long Ziyi listened, replying: “Mm, it’s me. Who are you?”

“You don’t even remember your own customer’s phone number.”

Saying this, she was hit on the knee by Long Ziyi through the blanket. The pain made her gasp. Long Ziyi stood up and went to the window to listen to the phone.

Just as she was catching her breath, Long Ziyi suddenly raised her voice: “Oh, so you’re that little bastard’s lawyer, right?”

She looked up.

“What, I haven’t even settled accounts with you yet, and you’re checking up on my profession first? Personal threats? Is that it?” Paused because of the other party’s response, but immediately interrupted: “Then you tell me, you coming up and reporting my background—what does that mean? And sincere communication? Listen, sincere communication means you report my background, then report that little bastard’s birth date and coordinates to me as equivalent exchange! Otherwise there’s no way to communicate. You tell that bastard, if you want to communicate, come find me in court!”

Long Ziyi finished speaking with flying saliva, hands in pockets, walking by the window while listening to the other party’s response. As Long Qi watched, there were two knocks at the door. Jin Yiken entered carrying a bag of restaurant takeout boxes. Long Ziyi didn’t notice.

He was also busy with something, holding his phone in one hand sending messages. But by the third step inside the door he was done. While putting his phone in his pocket, he glanced at Long Ziyi’s back, placing several lunch boxes from the plastic bag on the table in the ward’s guest area. At this time, Long Ziyi laughed mockingly into the phone: “What did you say? Say that again?”

Jin Yiken was arranging chopsticks and forks.

Arranging them especially seriously. He’d never been this serious even when serving Long Qi. Opening the lunch box lids one by one, also taking out warm health tea, inserting a straw. Then glancing toward Long Ziyi’s direction. Long Ziyi happened to say: “Does my daughter lack your few broken coins?”

Too busy. Long Qi finished watching Jin Yiken here, then following the arguing sound looked back at Long Ziyi. Didn’t want to miss either one. Jin Yiken stood up at this time. Long Ziyi was getting excited, neck thick, angrily saying into the phone: “Tell that bastard’s family, don’t try this trick with me. Even if it means bankruptcy, I’ll make him sit through his entire prison sentence!”

“Auntie.” He spoke.

Long Ziyi’s side hadn’t finished venting yet, still wanted to speak. He extended his hand toward her, then with permission took the phone, holding it to his ear listening for three seconds, calmly interrupting: “You stop first. Take down a phone number.”

The other side paused.

Jin Yiken didn’t wait, one hand in pocket, opening his mouth to recite eleven digits of a phone number—his own. Long Qi listened. Long Ziyi stood with one hand on her hip, the other fanning air to cool her anger. After he finished, saying: “From now on, I’m the contact person for this matter. Whatever tricks your client wants to pull, tell me everything. Don’t call the wrong number. If there are communication problems, it’s on you. Take back this idea of private settlement. Tell Yu…”

“Bastard.” Long Ziyi dropped a line.

“Tell that bastard Yu Peng, don’t rush to show off wealth. Keep all the money for himself. Since he did this, there are only two outcomes: either sit through his entire prison sentence, or go bankrupt and sit through his entire prison sentence. He can decide.”

Finished speaking, hung up the phone. Lowered his head operating on the phone a few times. Returning the phone, saying: “Auntie, don’t answer strange calls during this period. I’ve blacklisted the number. Don’t worry about this.”

Especially steady and reliable, even picked up on the reference. Long Qi immediately observed Long Ziyi’s expression looking at Jin Yiken. But Long Ziyi knew what was in her head, looking at her again, scolding head-on: “I heard you and that bastard used to be friends? Look what kind of friends you make! What judgment. The whole family is rotten from top to bottom!”

“The friend is the one surnamed Zang, not this one surnamed Yu.”

“That one surnamed Zang isn’t anything good either!”

Knock—

A knocking sound at the doorway.

It was a nurse.

After knocking, the nurse nodded toward someone behind, as if having completed a guiding task, turning to leave. Long Qi tilted her head to see Zang Xipu standing in the doorway. Zang Xipu brought a bouquet of flowers for visiting the sick, and another person stood timidly behind him.

Awkward.

Long Ziyi knew she’d spoken too loudly just now. Arms crossed, made no sound, only nodded perfunctorily. Zang Xipu returned the gesture. Her chin pointed toward the guest area: “Mr. Zang, sit.”

Then her eyes stared at the person behind him. That person didn’t enter, waiting outside the door, only revealing half a figure. Jin Yiken also glanced over there flatly.

“Teacher Zang, hello.” Long Qi said.

Zang Xipu didn’t sit in the guest area, placing the flower bouquet on the table: “How’s your physical condition?”

“Recovering, much better.”

The side of the bed by the window clicked. Jin Yiken pulled over a chair, sitting by her bedside.

As soon as he sat, he crossed his legs, facing Zang Xipu directly. Didn’t speak, but the young master’s temperament was clearly displayed on his face. In his eyes, a youthful gloom, looking quite sharply. Long Ziyi was pouring water, movements lazy, not looking like she was hosting guests.

Zang Xipu didn’t sit.

He stood on the other side of her bed, getting straight to the point: “I came to state my position. Long Qi, your case against Yu Peng and Siming, I support it.”

Knowing everyone present had straightforward personalities, without too much pleasantries, after one greeting, he spoke thus. Zang Xipu then said: “But this is a protracted battle.”

“What you’ll face isn’t just public security and the courts, but also the media and audience. Every detail of your case, large and small, will be known to the world. It will be publicly displayed and analyzed over and over by newspapers and self-media of unknown origin. All the contracts you currently hold may be canceled due to slightly deviated social impact…” At this point, he asked, “Are you prepared for this?”

“Me, the victim—am I so shameful?”

Zang Xipu nodded silently, pursing his lips: “I have some media friends who can help you speak out appropriately. Other than that, besides bringing Siming here, I can’t participate further.”

“Thank you, Teacher Zang. I understand your reasons for not being able to participate.”

“I also hired a well-reputed psychological counselor for you. If you’re not opposed, I can leave you the number right now. You can start building psychological resilience from today… I know this matter has hit you pretty hard.”

“No need to trouble yourself,” she replied, palm stroking the bed surface. “I heard Teacher Zang refused to release someone the past two days?”

Zang Xipu looked toward Jin Yiken.

Jin Yiken also raised his eyes, looking back.

“The reason I wouldn’t release him—you’ll understand when you see him.”

This sentence was said without warmth.

Then he turned his head, calling Zang Siming once. The person who had been pacing outside for a long time walked in trembling. Jin Yiken’s right ankle remained calmly pressed on his left knee, gaze staring toward the door, an appearance of waiting for his own “masterpiece.” Soon, Long Qi saw Zang Siming, beaten almost beyond recognition.

Bruised and swollen face, dejected will, his whole body full of unwilling timidity. She turned her head to look at Jin Yiken. He was slowly rocking his chair, composed, not making a sound. Long Ziyi leaned against the cabinet behind Zang Siming, unscrewing the thermos lid, squinting while drinking.

Jin Yiken was very direct in this aspect. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—he implemented this thoroughly.

“I need to remind you of one more thing, Long Qi,” Zang Xipu’s hands slowly slid into his pockets, speaking. “I learned from Siming that Yu Peng’s family is in the shipping business, started making their fortune in the eighties. He’s their only son, very spoiled. He has an aunt…”

Looking toward Jin Yiken.

“According to what Siming knows, she and your boyfriend’s mother are schoolmates. Haven’t been in contact for a long time. I believe they’ll soon be in contact. Besides this, part of your boyfriend’s family business also has some intersection with the Yu family.”

The meaning of these words was obvious.

Openly saying the Yu Peng family wouldn’t give up and watch their son suffer, implicitly saying Jin Yiken had family relationship entanglements making him unreliable. The first to react was Long Ziyi, pausing her drinking, concentrating on the matter. Jin Yiken seemed to have known all along, finally replying: “I thank you for reminding her, but I’ll also set your mind at ease. My family’s attitude on this matter is consistent with mine. Whatever the process should be, that’s what it’ll be. We’ll absolutely give him the full treatment.”

Zang Xipu had finished stating his position at this point.

Listening to Jin Yiken’s words, standing with an appearance of neither agreeing nor disagreeing, seeming to have backed down, yet far from dispelling the tense confrontational atmosphere.

Long Qi kept looking at Zang Siming in front of the bed.

He didn’t dare meet her eyes, always keeping his eyes lowered. Before long, she said: “I want to talk with him alone. Can you all go out for a bit?”

…

After everyone left and the ward door closed, Zang Siming finally relaxed a little, backing up a few steps, dejectedly sitting on a chair. The curtains in the ward were half-drawn, half-open. Long Qi spoke calmly: “I’ll just ask you one question. Does Yu Peng have an infection?”

Zang Siming raised his eyelids once.

Looking toward the door again, replying: “Does Jin Yiken know?”

“The answer won’t change based on whether anyone knows or not. You just answer me. Does he or doesn’t he?”

Zang Siming scratched his hair, asking lowly: “Did you have any blood contact with him at the time?”

“I’m not sure.”

He leaned back against the chair, face turned to the side, as if contemplating some huge problem. Then with a regretful expression looking at her: “Long Qi, just let us off this once. Yu Peng wasn’t like this before. He only started going off the rails after committing something and returning from Canada. I’m begging you to give us one chance. Once you report this case, it becomes a public prosecution case. Withdrawing the lawsuit will be very troublesome.”

“When I begged you on the boat, did you listen?”

“I regretted it later. I jumped into the sea to save you.”

“But later you still wanted to slander me.”

“Long Qi, I really didn’t mean it. I really panicked at that time, spoke without thinking. I was wrong.” After lowering his head and apologizing several times in succession, he sniffled once, suddenly looking up at her. “I discussed with Yu Peng. His family is willing to compensate you ten million. If you want other compensation, tell me. His parents now want to protect him, easy to talk to. And honestly, a bunch of people on the boat all lied. If they’re willing to help you testify, then their initial statements were perjury, they’d also be convicted. You only have a recording. With just a recording, there’s no way to make a case.”

Grabbing the flower bouquet from the bedside table and throwing it at him, Zang Siming dodged. She shouted: “If you dare do such things, don’t be afraid of retribution!”

“Long Qi, at least weigh the pros and cons. If you sue him, your unmarried miscarriage will definitely be exposed too! If the Jin family is willing to let you in, that’s fine. But if the Jin family doesn’t want you, see who else in the circle dares marry you! See if you can still continue on this artist path! I’ll tell you the truth too. Yu Peng’s aunt has already contacted Jin Yiken’s mother. Damn, willing to spend fifty million to smooth things over with Jin Yiken! I also just found out our two families have business cooperation. See if his mother accepts this favor! Once Jin Yiken gets his authority revoked by his family, with your small broken family, what do you have to fight the Yu family in court?!”

This long string of impassioned words from Zang Siming, but she only heard the four words “unmarried miscarriage.” Her brain ripped painfully, thinking of the bleeding from her lower body on the yacht, thinking of the nurses’ obscure silence each time they brought medicine, thinking of Fang Xuan’s loose tongue, thinking of Long Ziyi’s righteous indignation. Her hand subconsciously covered her abdomen. The soreness that occasionally flared up these past two days was especially intense at this moment. Her scalp tingled. The world spun. With barely a thread of breath, asking: “Who did you say had a miscarriage…”

Zang Siming’s emotions suppressed, expression changed: “You still didn’t know?”

After the quick slip of tongue, his face turned deathly pale.

At that time Long Qi couldn’t control herself.

Lips bitten white, eyes hugely red. Turning her head, she grabbed the fruit knife from the bedside table, throwing off the blanket to get out of bed. Zang Siming was scared, retreating toward the doorway: “Long Qi… Long Qi, I originally didn’t know either!”

Stumbling and falling toward the ground, she followed by crouching. Zang Siming cursed lowly, firmly grasping her wrist that was stabbing over with the knife. The ward door opened at this time. Jin Yiken’s reaction was quick. Second to grab her wrist, supporting her shoulder and pulling her into his arms. Zang Siming was grabbed by the shoulder by Zang Xipu and dragged a meter away. Long Ziyi and some nurses immediately followed, protecting her arm, wanting to take the fruit knife. She gripped tightly, not letting go, glaring at Zang Siming shouting: “I want blood debt paid with blood!”

“Baby, first let go. Let them pay slowly!” Long Ziyi persuaded while pulling the knife. After several tugs, finally with one forceful pull, the knife was yanked from Long Qi’s palm. But the too-fast blade also cut her palm. Blood splattered onto the ground in a line, splashing onto Zang Siming’s shoe tips. His reaction was very strong, grabbing the wall and fiercely backing away, utterly wretched. Long Qi saw it, red eyes seeing it. Nurses surrounded her giving her palm emergency treatment. Jin Yiken held her. Long Ziyi touched her head. But she persistently watched the panicked-looking Zang Siming, inferring something from his expression. Her chest rose and fell once. After a long while, she lowered her head and closed her eyes. While tears fell, a heavy choking sob.

…

…

Four in the afternoon. Sunlight neither fierce nor harsh.

She wasn’t lying on the bed.

Wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the window sofa, looking at the children playing downstairs outside the window. Supporting her forehead, nose red.

Jin Yiken’s hand covered her lower abdomen.

Because her stomach hurt before, he’d been patiently rubbing it for her, rubbed for nearly an hour. Sitting close to her, observing her emotions, speaking comforting words in her ear. His voice was low and hoarse, especially touching. But the more touching it was, the sadder her heart felt. She turned to grasp his hand, but after brewing for a long time, couldn’t speak.

Jin Yiken knew what she wanted to say.

Hand stroking to the back of her neck, pulling her close: “Don’t think about it. When you’ve recovered, our two families will eat a meal together, then formally get engaged. You just think about future matters, just think about the matter of me marrying you.”

“…Does your family know about my situation?”

“My parents both know about my situation with you.”

But she knew what Jin Yiken was saying and what she was asking were two different things. Didn’t correct him. Asked softly again: “Yu Peng’s side has already contacted your family, hasn’t it?”

“Don’t worry about him.”

Just like that year in senior year during the “cheating” incident, after helping Dong Xi divert the public opinion cannon fire, chin injured, sitting alone on the snowy field bleachers, after being asked “did your family find out in the end,” he told her “you don’t need to worry about it.”

Sunlight fell on both their necks, passing through her hair strands, falling on the tattoo at the web of his thumb. She looked at his eyes at extremely close distance, the redder she looked the more red they became. When he tilted his head to kiss her, she turned her brow away slightly.

Sniffled once.

Then with a heavy choking sound, asking: “Have you looked at my phone?”

“?”

“Wasn’t it with you before? Did you look?”

“Listened to the recording, looked at the photo album.”

“Did you check the text message box?”

He shook his head.

Sniffled again. Lowered her head for a while. A tear fell on her knee. Taking her phone from the hospital gown pocket, scrolling to the message box, opening the text message Chen Shan had sent her.

Wanted to show him.

But her wrist movement remained stalled. Jin Yiken sat on the chair staring at her. Two or three seconds later, another tear fell on the screen. Finally making her resolve, she brushed up the hair at her forehead, extending her arm to hold the phone screen toward him.

He still sat there.

Gaze moving leisurely from her to the screen close at hand. Pupils moving minutely, looking at the words inside. Her hand trembled slightly, because of a certain fear, also because of a despair that could almost see no future. On the edge of half-collapse looking at Jin Yiken: “Yu Peng and I might have had blood contact.”

Then the emotion in his eyes began to change.

Looking at her.

The sunlight just within reach suddenly became slightly cool and yellow. The chair legs scraped slowly on the floor. Watching him stand up without a word. From looking at him at level, to looking up at him. Tears sliding from the corner of her eye all the way to her neck. Choking getting heavier and heavier. He didn’t say a word, but could feel the gradually exploding fur and extending thorns on his body at this moment. She subconsciously grasped his hand: “Jin Yiken…”

“Does Yu Peng himself know?”

…

…She nodded.

Grasping his hand a bit tighter, but the palm only pressed for a second before falling empty.

He turned around.

Taking the phone by the sofa, not leaving a single word, walking toward the doorway. Her choking paused. Covering her abdomen, standing up: “Jin Yiken, where are you going…”

Following all the way to the door, but completely unable to hold him back. His entire body was burning with fire. Without looking back, he entered the corridor. Even Wu Jiakui and Ban Wei coming head-on were ignored by him. He walked while dialing on his phone, holding it to his ear. She held the door, calling two or three times, calling until her stomach hurt. Covering her stomach. After recovering, shouting to Wu Jiakui: “You all follow him!”

Wu Jiakui reacted quickly, immediately turning to walk quickly in his direction. Ban Wei also changed direction, walking while turning back shouting and asking: “What’s wrong? Did you two argue again? Where’s he going?”

Long Qi didn’t reply to a single question. Back against the door, struggling to dial Si Bolin’s number on her phone. But damn it, of course the line was busy! Her stomach happened to ache again. Finally unable to bear it, frowning and propping herself on the floor, calling: “Mom!”