Category: Friend(GL)

Chapter 103: Injured

The call disconnected abruptly. You Ruxu jolted awake, sitting up in bed. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she immediately got out of bed, stumbled, and steadied herself against the nightstand, then called Zhou Tianzui.

The ringing echoed in the corridor, sharp and insistent. The man’s face paled, and before Zhou Tianzui could react, he tried to pull out the knife, but she grabbed his hand. He was holding the baby in his other arm, unable to use his full strength. The nurses’ station was nearby. She turned and shouted, “Call the police!”

The nurses rushed out, their footsteps echoing in the corridor. The man, unable to pull out the knife, yanked his hand back and kicked Zhou Tianzui hard in the leg, sending her sprawling to the floor.

“He’s taking the baby! He’s killing someone!” Someone screamed, and the lights in all the wards flickered on. Zhou Tianzui breathed a sigh of relief, her hand clutching the wound, the blood flowing freely, her face pale. A nurse started crying, “Dr. Zhou! Dr. Zhou!”

Other doctors and nurses also rushed over. The man, seeing this, quickly ran towards the stairwell. Zhou Tianzui gasped, her voice weak and strained, “The baby…”

Before she could finish, a scream came from room sixty-two, “Where’s my baby?!”

The ward erupted in chaos.

When You Ruxu arrived with the police, the scene was chaotic. Zhou Tianzui had been taken into surgery. The police were chasing the man down the stairs. The patients were all holding their babies, standing outside their rooms. The husband of the patient in bed sixty-two grabbed the woman from bed sixty-three by the collar, “Where’s your husband?!”

The woman cried out desperately, “He’s not my husband!”

“I don’t care if he’s your husband or not! Give me back my son!” The man, his eyes filled with rage, tried to grab the baby from her arms, but was restrained by another man and dragged away. His wife screamed at him, “Go find him! Go find him!”

Having just given birth, she was still weak, collapsing onto the bed after just a few words, the other patients looking at her with pity. Several mothers, holding their babies, watched from a distance. You Ruxu, supporting herself against the wall, asked a nurse, “Where’s Zhou Tianzui?”

The nurse’s face was pale, still in shock, tears in her eyes, “Dr. Zhou’s in surgery.”

You Ruxu looked down and saw a pool of blood on the floor. She swayed slightly.

“Dr. Zhou was the first to notice.”

“Dr. Zhou was stabbed.”

“What happened? Was he trying to steal the baby?”

“Is he part of the gang from the maternity hospital?”

Voices all around her, a cacophony of noise, but You Ruxu couldn’t hear anything, her mind blank, her ears ringing. She leaned against the wall, her hands and feet cold, supporting herself on one leg, trying to find the operating room, her vision blurry, she stumbled forward.

“Reporter You!”

A nurse caught her, and You Ruxu, gripping her arm tightly, asked, “Which operating room?”

Yu Qiao arrived at the operating room, her face pale and drawn, looking at the brightly lit sign above the door, listening to the nurse, “Auntie, Dr. Zhou is in surgery.”

She heard them talking about surgical plans, consent forms, risks, but Yu Qiao’s mind was blank, her body numb. She couldn’t understand how this could happen, how could someone be attacked while working at the hospital?

She stood there, stunned.

Then she heard You Ruxu call out, “Auntie.”

Yu Qiao turned, her movements mechanical, momentarily forgetting their earlier argument, “Xiao Xu? What happened to Xiao Tian?”

You Ruxu’s eyes were red-rimmed, tears threatening to spill. She blinked and reached out to support Yu Qiao, noticing her trembling hands. Yu Qiao looked down at her hands, clenched them, then realizing, her expression hardening, but she didn’t pull away.

They stood together, You Ruxu supporting herself on one leg with difficulty, but she didn’t move, or rather, she forgot she could move.

She stood there like a statue, oblivious to the pain, the exhaustion, numb.

Until a nurse said to her, “Reporter You, your leg…”

She looked down, “It’s fine.”

Yu Qiao, hearing this, said, “Go sit down.”

You Ruxu’s hand, still gripping Yu Qiao’s, was cold and trembling. Yu Qiao helped her onto a bench.

“What happened?” Yu Qiao asked, “How did Xiao Tian get hurt?”

You Ruxu wanted to speak, but her throat was tight, a lump forming, she suddenly remembered Zhou Tianzui standing by her bedside earlier, her eyes red and filled with anguish, that desperate fear of loss, she now understood it completely.

“It was…” You Ruxu’s voice was hoarse, lacking its usual clarity, dry and raspy.

A police officer hurried over.

A crew-cut officer stopped in front of You Ruxu and asked, “Is Dr. Zhou alright?”

Yu Qiao, seeing them, quickly asked, “What happened to Xiao Tian?”

The officer looked apologetic, “Dr. Zhou seems to have witnessed a crime.”

“A c-crime?” Yu Qiao was confused. She looked at the officer, then at You Ruxu, wanting to ask, but not knowing what to ask. You Ruxu spoke, “That man, was he involved with the missing baby from the maternity hospital?”

The officer nodded: “They’re part of the same gang.”

Using the identity of a patient’s husband, they could freely enter and leave the wards without suspicion. The expectant mothers were abducted from remote villages, their husbands held hostage, threatened with harm to their families and newborn babies if they called the police, forcing the mothers to cooperate.

Yu Qiao said, “What does that have to do with our Xiao Tian?”

“Dr. Zhou seems to have figured it out.” But she hadn’t raised the alarm, and the man, sensing her suspicion, had acted rashly. The officer continued, “Our colleagues have apprehended the suspect, the baby is safe.”

The baby was returned safely. The mother from bed sixty-two, along with her family, rushed to the operating room, profusely thanking everyone, her husband even kneeling down, thanking Zhou Tianzui, thanking Yu Qiao. Yu Qiao’s eyes reddened as she cried.

The scene was chaotic, but You Ruxu seemed oblivious, her eyes fixed on the operating room light, everything else blurred, fading away. She could hear her own heartbeat, rapid and frantic, each beat a desperate cry.

Calling out Zhou Tianzui’s name.

Zhou Tianzui’s surgery was successful.

The doctor emerged from the operating room and informed them. You Ruxu tried to stand up, but her movements were slow and unsteady. Yu Qiao rushed over to the doctor, gripping his hand, “How is Xiao Tian?”

“The surgery was successful, the knife didn’t penetrate too deeply, Dr. Zhou…”

You Ruxu, following behind, her legs giving way at those words, she collapsed onto the floor.

Yu Qiao turned around and saw You Ruxu.

You Ruxu said, her voice trembling, “Auntie, she’s okay.”

Yu Qiao’s lips trembled, she didn’t speak.

You Ruxu, her voice choked with tears, repeated, “She’s okay.”

Yu Qiao gritted her teeth, looked at You Ruxu, then looked away. After a few seconds, she turned back and helped You Ruxu up. You Ruxu gripped her hand, her fingers cold, the coldness spreading to Yu Qiao’s hand.

The chaos didn’t subside until late into the night, but the online discussions continued to rage.

[A doctor at Jindu First Affiliated Hospital was murdered!]

[I heard it was also about a stolen baby!]

[Don’t spread rumors, she’s still in surgery.]

[Holy shit, is this real? Did they catch the killer?]

[Have you seen the video? Blood everywhere, don’t click if you have a weak stomach!]

Many people were present at the time, some called the police, others filmed the scene. Zhou Tianzui leaned against the wall, surrounded by doctors and nurses, her white coat stained crimson, her hand clutching the wound, her face pale.

Even then, she still managed to tell them that the baby belonged to the patient in bed sixty-two.

You Ruxu didn’t dare watch the video, her heart clenching painfully. Her face ashen, she sat on the bed, listening to Wu Xiulian say, “It’s alright now, Dr. Zhou’s condition is stable.”

She nodded, looking at Wu Xiulian, “Can I go see her?”

“Your leg…”

“I’m fine.” You Ruxu said, “I want to see her.”

Before Zhou Tianzui was out of surgery, she had been restless, the doctors taking her back to her ward. Now, it was almost morning, Zhou Tianzui was out of observation, and You Ruxu wanted to see her.

Wu Xiulian said, “Her mother is also there.”

You Ruxu nodded, “I know.”

Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll wheel you over.”

You Ruxu sat in the wheelchair, being wheeled towards the elevator, thinking of Zhou Tianzui, of Yu Qiao, and suddenly said, “Aunt, if I had told Chen Xiang earlier, to investigate the backgrounds of the other patients in that ward, would Zhou Tianzui still…”

“Xu Xu.” A hand rested on her shoulder. Wu Xiulian bent down and looked at You Ruxu, “Don’t think like that, if you could think of it, the police could too, this was an accident, it happened so quickly, no one was prepared. Dr. Zhou was already very cautious.”

Remaining calm and composed, not alerting the attacker, that was already remarkable.

It was just that the attacker was experienced and sensed her suspicion, hence his rash action.

Thankfully, Zhou Tianzui had been prepared, stepping back, grabbing the man’s hand, preventing the knife from penetrating too deeply, even managing to stall him and buy some time, “Don’t blame yourself.”

You Ruxu’s expression eased slightly, but the thought of Zhou Tianzui lying in a hospital bed still made her feel nauseous. They reached the ward. You Ruxu, seeing Wu Xiulian about to knock, instinctively grabbed her hand. Wu Xiulian looked at her.

You Ruxu released her hand, her face pale as a sheet.

The door opened with a soft click. Yu Qiao was standing there. You Ruxu and Wu Xiulian stood outside. The three of them looked at each other for a few seconds. Wu Xiulian finally spoke, “Sister, is Dr. Zhou awake?”

Yu Qiao’s gaze was fixed on You Ruxu.

Her expression much calmer than their previous encounter at the apartment. She hesitated, then said, “No.”

You Ruxu’s eyes dimmed. She called out, “Auntie, can I…”

Yu Qiao glared at her.

You Ruxu continued, “Can I go see her?”

A hint of pleading in her tone. Yu Qiao’s hand tightened on the doorknob, she looked at the person inside the ward, then at You Ruxu, then after a long moment, said, “Go ahead.”

You Ruxu breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to smile, but it looked worse than crying. Yu Qiao, in her memory, You Ruxu was always elegant, beautiful, composed and capable in front of the camera, so different from the You Ruxu now, her image crumbling.

She was disheveled, anxious, worried sick about Zhou Tianzui.

Yu Qiao saw it all.

She glanced at Wu Xiulian, then went to the pantry.

Several people were waiting in line for the water dispenser, chatting casually as they waited.

“There was an incident at the hospital last night!”

“I know, it was Dr. Zhou from the obstetrics department, right? I saw the video.”

Yu Qiao’s grip on the water bottle tightened.

“I heard she was stabbed multiple times!”

“Is she dead?”

“The knife missed any vital organs.”

“That’s good, that’s good. Not many doctors are willing to put themselves in harm’s way these days.”

“She was lucky, there was a reporter hospitalized there, and her police escort arrived just in time to apprehend the suspect.”

“Was it that baby kidnapping case from the maternity hospital? Apparently, it’s a gang, they caught several of them last night…”

Yu Qiao, listening to their conversation, was in a daze.

“It’s all thanks to that doctor, otherwise who knows how many babies would have been harmed. They still haven’t found that baby from the maternity hospital.” A few family members chimed in, “I hope the doctor is okay, it would be such a loss if something happened to her.”

“Exactly.” Another one said, “She’s so young, and I don’t think she’s even married.”

“I wonder if she has a partner, her family must be terrified.”

Yu Qiao walked out of the pantry with her water bottle and returned to the ward. She saw Wu Xiulian standing outside in the corridor. Wu Xiulian hadn’t entered, just standing there. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around, “Sister.”

Yu Qiao nodded curtly and stood beside her, looking through the small window above the door. You Ruxu was sitting by the bed. Zhou Tianzui was awake, her hand, adorned with a red string bracelet, reaching out to hold You Ruxu’s.

You Ruxu also wore a red string bracelet on her wrist.

Yu Qiao took a deep breath and didn’t enter.

Chapter 102: Something Happened

You Ruxu woke to good news. Zhou Heng had confessed. He had met with his lawyer the previous day, and shortly after, turned himself in, ranting about being framed, even accusing his lawyer, but his shrewd mind knew the lawyer was just trying to protect him, to make him take the fall. He had been foolish throughout the whole affair, but at the last minute, he had a moment of clarity, realizing he was being used, and hoping to redeem himself, confessed to orchestrating Xu Jinwan’s kidnapping, though he insisted he never ordered her death.

With the informant and the construction site manager apprehended, and the kidnapper already in custody, the truth began to emerge. You Ruxu’s report had been a lucky coincidence. What started as a simple brake disc issue alerted Zhou Yun, who was abroad. He saw an opportunity to return and take over. The stalking, the threats, even You Ruxu’s car accident, were all arranged by him, but he hadn’t intended for You Ruxu to die.

You Ruxu, a mere reporter, wasn’t worth the trouble.

He wanted maximum chaos, to ensure Zhou Heng’s downfall. He bribed Xu Jinwan’s informant, feeding her the information about the “big news,” prompting her to return from her studies. It was he who leaked Zhou Heng’s plan to Xu Jinwan through the informant.

A perfect plan.

Lacking only ruthlessness.

He made the decision for Zhou Heng.

Reasoning was one thing, evidence another. Zhou Yun was summoned as a suspect. Online discussions reached fever pitch. You Ruxu, browsing the news, was silent, reading the comments below.

[So Xu Jinwan was a victim of these two brothers’ power struggle?]

[If that’s true, I recommend the death penalty!]

[The death penalty is appropriate, this wasn’t just murder, but an attempt to incite social unrest! Zhou Heng lived abroad for several years, someone should investigate his background!]

“Do you want to go blind?” Wu Xiulian walked into the ward with a fruit basket. As the details of the case emerged, You Ruxu, as the victim, had also given her statement. News of her injuries couldn’t be contained. Her phone hadn’t stopped ringing, she was constantly switching phones to keep up with the news. Wu Xiulian and You Shu, learning about her injuries, wanted to come to Jindu. Wu Xiulian said, “No need, I’m here, Xu Xu is doing well, we’ll go home together after she’s discharged.”

Wu Xiulian’s mother was reassured. You Shu told You Ruxu to rest well, and before hanging up, said, “Ruxu, well done.”

You Ruxu’s eyes teared up, “Thank you, Dad.”

Wu Xiulian nudged Wu Xiulian’s mother, “You’re such a strange father…”

You Ruxu hung up, feeling relieved. Wu Xiulian’s nagging replaced her mother’s, although Wu Xiulian preferred to talk about amusing things, “We had a conference in a neighboring city recently, their dialect is so interesting,” mimicking a phrase, making You Ruxu want to laugh, but she suppressed it. Wu Xiulian said, “Just laugh, there’s no need to hold back.”

You Ruxu chuckled softly.

Her lips curved into a smile.

Zhou Tianzui stood at the door, looking in, her expression gentle.

She didn’t enter. She received a call from He Wei, “Dr. Zhou, the patient in bed sixty-one is having abdominal pain.”

Zhou Tianzui turned to leave.

The corridor was empty, she walked quickly towards the elevators.

Patient sixty-three, scheduled for a C-section, had already given birth. Patient sixty-two, after three days of oxytocin, had a daughter. Patient sixty-one had been complaining of pain for days, but there was still no sign of labor. Zhou Tianzui entered the ward, glancing at the other two patients.

The patient in the furthest bed was lying down, the curtains drawn, her husband absent, the baby beside her, some distance from the bed. The patient in bed sixty-two had placed her baby on the bed and was resting, the curtains between the beds drawn. Zhou Tianzui examined her, then said, “Take her to the delivery room.”

He Wei responded with an “okay.”

She wheeled the patient out. Zhou Tianzui removed her gloves and ran into the husband of patient sixty-three at the doorway. He was carrying two boxes of fried rice and some barbequed skewers, the strong smell of cumin filling the air. Zhou Tianzui frowned, “It’s best not to give the patient this kind of food.”

“Okay.” The man’s voice was low as he walked past her, “It’s for me.”

Zhou Tianzui frowned slightly, but didn’t say anything.

Back in the delivery room, she heard the patient in bed sixty-one say between contractions, “Her husband is so strange, he even made her drink cold water last night, didn’t even bother warming it up.”

He Wei said, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“Seriously.” The patient said, “He doesn’t care at all, as if she’s not even his wife.”

Zhou Tianzui’s writing paused. She glanced at the patient, then continued filling out the form. She asked He Wei, “Was patient sixty-three’s prenatal checkup done at our hospital?”

The patient said, “No, in Changcun.”

Changcun was a remote, less developed village in Jindu. The residents usually only came to the hospital to give birth, only undergoing the necessary checkups. Zhou Tianzui nodded and heard He Wei say, “You seem to be in good spirits.”

“I’m fine, it’s just the pain… Here it comes again.” She took a deep breath and was wheeled into the delivery room. Zhou Tianzui handed the form to He Wei, asking her to get the family’s signature, then prepare for the surgery.

People came and went in the ward. The husband of patient sixty-three was eating fried rice and drinking soda, offering some to his wife, “Want some?”

His wife shook her head, not looking at him. He didn’t seem to care, continuing to eat and drink. The patient in the next bed said, “Why is your husband like this?”

Hearing this, he looked up, his gaze menacing, silencing the patient instantly. She nervously swallowed, looking down at her baby, only relaxing after her husband returned and drew the curtains, blocking his intimidating stare.

He was terrifying.

She didn’t dare tell her husband.

Zhou Tianzui spent the entire afternoon in the delivery room. When she returned to the office, it was almost the end of her shift, most of her colleagues had already left. She sat at her computer, and Lin Luo asked, “Dr. Zhou, aren’t you leaving?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m on duty.”

She had switched shifts with Zhao Mingqi, who had a blind date and had been bragging about it in the office earlier. Zhou Tianzui, seeing Fu Shushu get up to leave, called out, “Dr. Fu.”

Fu Shushu turned around.

Zhou Tianzui said, “Could you please send me patient sixty-three’s information?”

Fu Shushu was puzzled, “Patient sixty-three? Is there a problem?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I just wanted to take a look.”

Fu Shushu paused, then nodded, “Okay, I’ll send it to you later.”

The others, busy getting off work, didn’t pay much attention to their exchange. After most people had left, Zhou Tianzui took her thermos and said, “I’m going down to get some dinner.”

The other doctor on duty nodded, “Go ahead, I’m not going today, I can’t stomach the cafeteria food.”

Zhou Tianzui smiled faintly.

She was indeed going downstairs for dinner, but not to the cafeteria, but to You Ruxu’s apartment, to freeload. Wu Xiulian had been making all sorts of delicious food for You Ruxu, soups, braised pork ribs, chicken stew. Zhou Tianzui’s diet had improved significantly, “I’ve even gained weight,” she commented.

Wu Xiulian said, “You haven’t gained any weight! Don’t follow Xu Xu’s example, you need to eat more!”

Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “Okay, I will.”

Wu Xiulian, seeing her good mood, asked, “How’s your mom doing? I mean, her attitude.”

You Ruxu also paused her eating, looking at Zhou Tianzui, who smiled at her and said, “My mom’s much better now.” Not like before, when mentioning You Ruxu was forbidden. She still got angry whenever they talked about it, but it wasn’t as bad as at first. Yesterday, when she talked to You Ruxu on the phone, sitting right beside her mother, Yu Qiao had only scoffed and hadn’t left.

Things were slowly getting better.

Zhou Tianzui said, “Give her some time, she’ll come around.”

You Ruxu said, “I’ll go see her after I’m discharged.”

Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll go with you.”

Zhou Tianzui, looking at them, nodded.

After dinner, Wu Xiulian gave them some space. Zhou Tianzui called Yu Qiao and asked if she had eaten. Yu Qiao’s voice was indifferent, “I have.”

She looked around the apartment.

Zhou Tianzui had been staying with her, sometimes saying, “Mom, I should move back in, shouldn’t I? We can live together, I won’t even have to cook, it’ll be great.”

Yu Qiao hadn’t replied.

Zhou Tianzui would then say, “Let’s go on a road trip this weekend. Haven’t you been complaining that I haven’t taken you anywhere these past few years?”

“We?”

Did that “we” include You Ruxu?

Yu Qiao didn’t ask, but she knew, Zhou Tianzui was painting a picture of their future, a future that included You Ruxu. Thinking of that name, she could now maintain a semblance of composure. That night, when You Ruxu came to her apartment, frantic and worried, her usual elegant composure gone, it had dissipated much of Yu Qiao’s anger.

Zhou Tianzui said, “I just finished eating as well.”

Yu Qiao asked, “Is something the matter?”

Zhou Tianzui, glancing at You Ruxu, said, “Her aunt is here.”

Yu Qiao’s face tensed, her grip on the phone tightening.

Zhou Tianzui said, “She wanted to invite you to a casual dinner.”

This time, Yu Qiao didn’t refuse outright, just a noncommittal, “We’ll see.”

Zhou Tianzui nodded, her eyes slightly watery, “Okay, I understand.”

After hanging up, she looked at You Ruxu, who wiped her mouth and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I just asked my mom about dinner.”

You Ruxu’s heart leaped into her throat. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, her expression a little dazed, “What did she say?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “She said ‘we’ll see.’”

You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.

Zhou Tianzui smiled and nodded at her.

You Ruxu’s eyes reddened.

Zhou Tianzui cupped her face and leaned in as if to kiss her. You Ruxu said, “But we just ate…”

She was kissed on the forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. Zhou Tianzui’s finger traced her lips. A noise came from the doorway, and Wu Xiulian said, “It’s a little cold outside.”

You Ruxu smiled, pursing her lips.

After Wu Xiulian entered, the three of them discussed where to have dinner, deciding to book a private room in advance. Zhou Tianzui received a message, it was from Fu Shushu, asking if there was something wrong with patient sixty-three. You Ruxu asked, “Do you have to go back to work?”

“Yes, I’ll go upstairs later. No surgeries tonight. I’ll come over after my shift…”

You Ruxu said, “No need to come over.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Then I’ll call you.”

You Ruxu watched her leave, Wu Xiulian saying, “Xu Xu, do you know any good dentists here?”

“Dentists?” You Ruxu asked, “Aunt, do you have a toothache?”

“Yes.” Wu Xiulian chuckled, “From all the sweetness between you two.”

You Ruxu blushed, her lips pressed together. Wu Xiulian said, “It’s good that her mother is starting to accept it, that’s great.”

“But your job is still worrying, if you…”

You Ruxu said, “Aunt, I’m planning to resign.”

Wu Xiulian’s voice trailed off, “What?”

You Ruxu said, “I’m not going to be a reporter anymore.”

Wu Xiulian paused, “R-really?”

You Ruxu nodded.

Wu Xiulian was speechless, “Your mother will be so happy, and your father too.” She looked at You Ruxu, “Have you really decided?”

You Ruxu said, “Yes, I have.”

Wu Xiulian said, “Because of Dr. Zhou?”

You Ruxu said, “I don’t want them to worry.”

Wu Xiulian said, “What about you?”

You Ruxu looked at her.

Wu Xiulian said, “Are you happy?”

Changing careers, Wu Xiulian’s mother would be happy, Zhou Tianzui would be happy, everyone who worried about her would be happy, but You Ruxu, was she happy? You Ruxu said, “I…” then, “I am happy.”

Wu Xiulian gently stroked her hair and smiled.

Before going to bed, You Ruxu even tried walking around, hopping on one leg. Wu Xiulian said, “Stop it, be careful, don’t blame me if you fall!”

You Ruxu didn’t think it was a big deal and only sat down after a few more steps. She said to Wu Xiulian, “Aunt, you should go home early tonight.”

“You don’t need me to stay?”

You Ruxu said, “No, I can get out of bed now, and you’ve been so tired these past few days, you should go home and rest.”

“I should, indeed.” Wu Xiulian, assuming Zhou Tianzui would be coming over later, didn’t press the issue, “Okay then, take care tonight, call me or Dr. Zhou if anything happens.”

You Ruxu nodded.

After Wu Xiulian left, You Ruxu sat on the bed, looking out the window at the dark, gloomy sky. She reached for her phone. It was still early, she didn’t know what Zhou Tianzui was doing.

Zhou Tianzui was looking at patient files.

The information was no different from other patients, C-section due to large fetal size, good postoperative recovery. She rubbed her temples and heard the doctor opposite her ask, “What are you looking at?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Nothing.”

She looked up, “Keep a close eye on patient sixty-three.”

The other doctor asked, “Is there a problem?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I have a bad feeling about her husband.”

The other doctor chuckled, “Dr. Zhou, when did you start trusting your intuition?”

When did she? Probably after You Ruxu’s accident. She smiled faintly, shaking her head, thinking of You Ruxu looking down at her phone, and sent her a message: [Are you asleep yet?]

You Ruxu’s phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Chen Xiang.

[Waaah, Teacher You, I was going to visit you today, but the boss sent me to the hospital.]

[Team 2 is so lonely without you, Teacher You.]

[Can I visit you tomorrow?]

You Ruxu, touching Chen Xiang’s profile picture, replied: [Focus on your work.]

Chen Xiang: [I am! Always! Teacher You, have you seen today’s news? Fengyuan is imploding!]

Not literally imploding, but figuratively, the company in chaos, the news also exploding online. You Ruxu knew, she had seen the news, including the report about the missing baby from the maternity hospital.

Chen Xiang: [They’re still investigating, no solid leads yet.]

You Ruxu typed: [Have they checked the parents’ backgrounds? And the other parents in the same ward? Also…]

Her fingers paused, and she thought for a few seconds, then deleted the message.

Her phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Zhou Tianzui, asking if she was resting. You Ruxu smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and replied: [Just lying down.]

Zhou Tianzui: [Not sleeping yet?]

You Ruxu: [About to.]

Zhou Tianzui: [Where’s your aunt?]

You Ruxu: [I asked her to go home and rest. Aren’t you busy?]

Zhou Tianzui: [Not busy right now.]

They chatted for a few minutes, then Zhou Tianzui stopped replying. You Ruxu figured she was busy, placed her phone on the pillow beside her, lay down, and closed her eyes.

She dreamt of Zhou Tianzui, and Yu Qiao, Wu Xiulian, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, all having dinner together, sitting around a round hotpot, steam and mist rising from the bubbling broth. Zhou Tianzui said, “I want some meatballs.”

“Here you go.” Yu Qiao said with a smile, “You never gain any weight.”

Zhou Tianzui pinched her own cheek, “Beautiful Yu, do I look fat?”

Yu Qiao said, “Fat? You’re as thin as Xiao Xu.”

Zhou Tianzui, sitting next to You Ruxu, said, “Mom said we’re too thin, we need to eat more.”

“It’s Auntie,” You Ruxu corrected her, blushing. Zhou Tianzui said, “No, it’s Mom, call her Mom.”

You Ruxu didn’t speak.

Zhou Tianzui called out, “Beautiful Yu!”

Yu Qiao looked up.

Zhou Tianzui said, “Ruxu’s calling you.”

Yu Qiao, casually, “Calling me what?”

Zhou Tianzui asked You Ruxu, “Call her what?”

Everyone looked at her, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, and Wu Xiulian, amusement in her eyes. You Ruxu pinched Zhou Tianzui hard under the table and softly called out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao smiled, “Hey.”

Wu Xiulian beamed and said, “Xu Xu, shouldn’t Dr. Zhou also change what she calls us?”

Without any of You Ruxu’s awkwardness, Zhou Tianzui readily called out, “Dad, Mom, Aunt.”

You Ruxu turned. In the sunlight, Zhou Tianzui was laughing with everyone, a warm and comforting scene. You Ruxu woke up, slightly dazed, how could she have such a dream?

Was it because Zhou Tianzui said Yu Qiao had agreed?

Or because they were having dinner together?

It was a beautiful dream.

A beautiful dream. You Ruxu checked her phone and saw Zhou Tianzui’s reply, sent ten minutes ago: [Just had a patient with a threatened miscarriage.]

Another message, five minutes ago: [Are you asleep?]

You Ruxu looked at the time, it was 1:30 am. She replied: [Awake.]

Zhou Tianzui immediately called. You Ruxu said, “Aren’t you on duty?”

“Yes, but Dr. Liu took over, I’m taking a break.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Why are you awake? Couldn’t sleep?”

She wanted to go see You Ruxu, holding her phone as she walked, when she saw a man in the corridor, holding a baby. She recognized him as the husband of patient sixty-three and walked over, “What are you doing here with the baby?”

The man, seeing her, wasn’t surprised. His tone was casual, “He was crying, I’m trying to soothe him.”

Zhou Tianzui nodded, “It’s drafty out here, you should go back inside.”

The man said, “Okay.”

Zhou Tianzui, holding her phone, glanced at the baby in his arms. Every baby wore a wristband with their information, if they didn’t have a name yet, the mother’s name would be used, followed by the bed number.

She glanced at the baby’s wristband and turned to leave.

After a few steps, she turned back and said to You Ruxu on the phone, “Wait for me.”

You Ruxu heard her ask the man, “Can I see the baby?”

The man said, “He’s sleeping.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “That’s okay, I just want to take a quick look.”

The baby was bundled up in his arms. He gave her a cold look, “What do you mean?”

The hospital corridor was quiet late at night, their voices low. Zhou Tianzui, ignoring him, reached out and gently pulled back the baby’s sleeve to check the wristband. The man scowled.

Zhou Tianzui checked the wristband.

It displayed the information for the patient in bed sixty-three, everything matched. She took a step back, as if realizing her mistake, about to apologize. The man relaxed, one hand holding the baby, the other in his pocket, something bulging inside. Zhou Tianzui said, “I apologize, you should take the baby back inside.”

The man didn’t reply.

Zhou Tianzui nodded slightly and turned to leave, her hand reaching into her pocket for her phone, when the man called out, “Dr. Zhou.”

She turned around.

A fruit knife plunged into her side.

Chapter 101: Happiness

Wu Xiulian had been to Jindu a few times, always for business trips. You Ruxu had never been free before. This time, with the New Year approaching, and You Ruxu on leave, she decided to visit, also urged by Wu Xiulian’s mother to check on You Ruxu’s living situation in Jindu. She took leave after her business trip and flew over. You Ruxu didn’t pick her up, it was Zhou Tianzui who met her at the airport. Wu Xiulian chuckled, “Is Xu Xu that busy? I’ll have to lecture her later.”

You Ruxu, afraid of worrying her family, hadn’t told them about her injuries. The police had suppressed the news, so Wu Xiulian didn’t know either.

Zhou Tianzui said, “She’s not that busy recently, just a little…inconvenienced.”

“Inconvenienced?” Wu Xiulian frowned, “Did something happen to her?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “She’s in the hospital.”

You Ruxu sat on the hospital bed, listening to Wu Xiulian say, “What happened? Why didn’t you tell us about such a big incident? If I hadn’t come, were you just planning to keep it from us?”

“I’m sorry.” You Ruxu said, “I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Worry? What worry?” Wu Xiulian said, “Xu Xu, we’re family, family should share everything, you…” She sighed, “Forget it, with your personality, it’s pointless arguing with you.”

You Ruxu looked at her and asked, “Aunt, how’s Mom’s health?”

“Definitely better than yours.” Wu Xiulian said, “Where does it hurt?”

You Ruxu said, “I’m not in pain anymore.”

“Don’t lie.” Wu Xiulian said, “I know a guy who broke his hand, and he was crying like a baby. You have injuries on both your hand and leg, how can you not be in pain?”

You Ruxu was silent.

Wu Xiulian said, “Alright, your aunt is here now, I’ll take care of everything, you just focus on recovering, don’t worry about anything else.”

You Ruxu glanced at Zhou Tianzui, a gentle smile in her eyes, and nodded, “Thank you, Aunt.”

“If you’re so polite again, I’ll hit you!” She pinched You Ruxu’s cheek, “You’ve lost weight, your face is so thin.”

You Ruxu said, “I haven’t lost any weight.”

“Whether you have or not, you have to eat everything I give you these next few days.” Wu Xiulian said, “Are there any hotels nearby?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Our apartment is nearby.”

“That’s not convenient.” Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll stay at a hotel, are there any nearby?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, I’ll arrange it.”

“I’ll go with you.” Wu Xiulian picked up her suitcase. “Xu Xu, rest for a bit, I’ll come back later.”

Wu Xiulian’s arrival and departure were a whirlwind. You Ruxu sat on the bed, looking out the window at the sunny sky, a sense of warmth spreading through her. Zhou Tianzui took Wu Xiulian to a nearby hotel. It was less crowded during the New Year holidays. This hotel was mostly used by family members of patients, with a small kitchen and basic amenities, more like a studio apartment. Zhou Tianzui was worried Wu Xiulian wouldn’t be comfortable there and offered her apartment instead. Wu Xiulian said, “This is fine, it has everything, and I saw a supermarket downstairs. Dr. Zhou, are you busy? Do you have to go?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I was on duty last night, I’m not busy today.”

“Then you should probably rest, go home and sleep?” Wu Xiulian said, “You look like you’ve lost weight too, were you scared by what happened to Xu Xu?”

Zhou Tianzui stood beside Wu Xiulian, “A little, Aunt, I’ll go to the supermarket with you.”

“Oh, alright.” They chatted as they walked, “Xu Xu, that child, can be incredibly stubborn sometimes. When she was in junior high, she told me, ‘Aunt, I want to be a lawyer.’”

“I asked her why, and she said she thought lawyers were cool.” Wu Xiulian chuckled. “Later, she went back to her hometown, and when she came back, she was different, always getting sick, fevers, not even colds, just fevers. We took her to several hospitals, my sister was so worried, working during the day, and I would stay with Xu Xu, but she’s stubborn, refused to tell us what happened.”

But she eventually did talk.

In her dreams.

She talked about many things from the past, her mother, her father, a reporter, and a notebook.

Wu Xiulian admitted she was selfish. Wu Xiulian’s sister’s condition had finally stabilized after several years, and You Ruxu, after coming to live with them, had finally started acting like a normal child, learning to be affectionate, to express herself. She couldn’t forget the fear and trepidation in You Ruxu’s eyes when she first met her, how she pretended to be another child, an obedient and sensible child, for Wu Xiulian’s mother, hiding her true self, just to be able to stay with them.

It had been many years, and she didn’t want to destroy the fragile happiness they had built.

So, she hid the notebook.

Zhou Tianzui asked, “She still hasn’t talked about it?”

“Whether she does or not, we already know.” Wu Xiulian said, “She originally wanted to go to university in Jindu after high school, but my sister couldn’t bear to be apart from her, so Xu Xu stayed here. My sister, she doesn’t expect Xu Xu to come back anymore, she just wants her to be safe and happy, she wants you two to be happy together.”

Zhou Tianzui was silent.

Wu Xiulian said, “I heard your mother also lives in Jindu and takes good care of Xu Xu. Maybe one day…”

“My mother’s not doing very well recently.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Maybe next time.”

Wu Xiulian looked at Zhou Tianzui, “What’s wrong?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “She knows about us.”

“Ah…” A soft gasp of understanding. Wu Xiulian said, “Then your mother, she must be very angry.”

Zhou Tianzui pushed the shopping cart, “Yes, she’s very angry.”

The angriest she had been in years.

Wu Xiulian said, “It’s normal for her to be angry, she probably just needs time to accept it, you can’t force her.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I know.”

“Dr. Zhou,” Wu Xiulian said, “I know you and Xu Xu have been through a lot, Xu Xu might not say anything, but she keeps everything bottled up, her feelings for you, for your mother…”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Aunt, let’s forget about the past.”

Wu Xiulian looked at her.

Zhou Tianzui’s gaze was calm and peaceful. She said, “I don’t want to dwell on the past anymore. I told her, let’s let it go, we still have a future together.”

Wu Xiulian looked at her, and after a few seconds, said, “I’m sorry.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Aunt, you don’t have to…”

“Dr. Zhou, I’m sorry.” She said, “And I’m sorry to your mother, it’s our family’s fault, we’ve wronged you.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s not your fault.”

You Ruxu was adopted later, they weren’t responsible for what happened, “Aunt, let’s not talk about this anymore, let’s go back.”

Wu Xiulian nodded, and carrying the bags, followed Zhou Tianzui. They returned to the hotel with three bags of groceries. Wu Xiulian told Zhou Tianzui to rest, but Zhou Tianzui said, “I have to go home, my mom’s alone.”

“Alright, then you go ahead.” Wu Xiulian said, “Don’t tire yourself out, don’t worry about Xu Xu, I’ll take care of her.”

Zhou Tianzui was relieved, Wu Xiulian’s arrival was timely, she could spend more time with Yu Qiao, without worrying too much about You Ruxu. Back at her apartment, Yu Qiao was making lunch. Hearing her enter, she didn’t turn around. Zhou Tianzui called out, “Mom.”

“Weren’t you on the night shift? You worked until now?” Yu Qiao’s tone was sharp. Zhou Tianzui said, “I had to pick someone up this morning.”

Yu Qiao didn’t ask who it was. Zhou Tianzui went to the kitchen, “Mom, let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help.” Yu Qiao said, “I can manage.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I’m sorry about last night.”

Yu Qiao’s hands paused mid-wash, her head lowered. Last night’s shock had been too much, she had even dreamt about it, You Ruxu coming to her apartment, looking for Zhou Tianzui, crying, begging to see her.

She had still been dazed when she woke up this morning.

Zhou Tianzui, seeing this, said, “It’s about the Fengyuan case, it’s almost over, don’t worry too much.”

“Worry about what?” Yu Qiao said, “Worry about you two sneaking around behind my back?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, we weren’t sneaking around.”

“You’re not now.” Yu Qiao said, “But what about before?”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t accept it before.” Zhou Tianzui looked down, her long eyelashes hiding her expression. Yu Qiao said, “Couldn’t accept it before, so you think I can accept it now? Xiao Tian, it would have been better if you hadn’t told me at all, waited until I was dead, then you could be with whoever you want.”

“I didn’t want that.” Zhou Tianzui took the knife from Yu Qiao and started chopping vegetables skillfully, “You’re my mom, I want you to know about every decision I make.”

“You still remember I’m your mother!” Yu Qiao scoffed.

Zhou Tianzui continued chopping vegetables, “I do, that’s why you’re the one whose blessing I want the most.”

She turned to look at Yu Qiao, her tone sincere, “Mom, I don’t care what others think, what they say about me, even if they point fingers at me, I can handle it. But you’re different, you’re not like them, you’re my mom, the most important person in my life. If you don’t accept it, I won’t be happy.”

Yu Qiao was startled by her words, her heart heavy with complex emotions. They had only each other all these years, their bond stronger than anything. She didn’t doubt Zhou Tianzui’s sincerity, but it was precisely because of this sincerity that she felt even more heartbroken.

“Then—then you just—” Then just be unhappy.

Yu Qiao swallowed the words, looking at Zhou Tianzui, remembering her as a child, crying in her arms, remembering Zhou Tianzui in junior high, coming home every day excitedly saying, “Mom, I did well this week, the teacher praised me,” even when she was ridiculed and ostracized by her classmates at school, she would still come home with a smile, telling her mother she was fine.

Yu Qiao’s greatest wish in life was for Zhou Tianzui to be happy.

No one wanted her happiness more than she did.

But why a woman?

Yu Qiao couldn’t say the words, her face grim as she continued cooking. Zhou Tianzui, looking at her profile, sensing a slight softening in her demeanor, felt a warmth spread through her heart. She called out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao didn’t respond.

Zhou Tianzui stood behind her, her voice slightly choked, “Mom.”

She just called out to her, not saying anything else.

Yu Qiao lowered her head, tears silently tracing her cheeks. Her back to Zhou Tianzui, she was unusually quiet.

After lunch, Zhou Tianzui went to her room to rest. She messaged You Ruxu: [Have you eaten?]

You Ruxu was having soup, her eyes lighting up slightly at the message. Wu Xiulian said, “Oh, a message from Dr. Zhou?”

“Yes.” You Ruxu said, “She just finished eating.”

Wu Xiulian said, “I heard, her mother knows about you two.”

You Ruxu’s typing paused, and she looked at Wu Xiulian.

Wu Xiulian continued, “It’s normal for her mother to be angry, even if she scolds us, it’s understandable. After you’re discharged, I’ll go see her with you.”

You Ruxu nodded, “Thank you, Aunt.”

Wu Xiulian said, “Finish your soup, I’ll go to the bathroom, you can talk to Dr. Zhou.”

You Ruxu, seeing her deliberately excuse herself, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She called Zhou Tianzui, her voice low, “Are you going to sleep?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, are you going to sleep too? Didn’t sleep well last night, did you?”

They had chatted on and off all night. You Ruxu said, “Yes, I’ll sleep after I finish eating.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll come over later tonight.”

You Ruxu said, “Okay.”

Zhou Tianzui turned over and took out the press pass from her pocket. Before You Ruxu could hang up, she asked, “If—”

You Ruxu gripped her phone tightly.

Zhou Tianzui asked, “If you weren’t a reporter, what would you do?”

You Ruxu paused.

She hadn’t thought about any other career. After reading that notebook, she had once thought that if she died in an accident while working as a reporter, it would be a kind of redemption.

So, she didn’t know how to answer Zhou Tianzui’s question.

Zhou Tianzui waited patiently, knowing this was a difficult question for You Ruxu, “Become a lawyer?”

You Ruxu: “A lawyer?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Lawyers are cool, but they’re also very busy.” Her voice held a smile, “Be a clerk, nine-to-five, weekends off, we can go home together during holidays, take my mom on trips nearby…”

You Ruxu, holding her phone, listened to Zhou Tianzui’s words, imagining their future, a happiness she had never dared to dream of before.

Chapter 100: Miss Me

You Ruxu was kicked out, along with Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui said, “My phone’s broken, I’m going to get a new one.”

It had only been a couple of hours, but the informant appeared during that time, and then escaped. You Ruxu, losing control, went to Zhou Tianzui’s apartment.

Zhou Tianzui said, “My mom, she needs some time.”

“It’s okay, as long as you’re alright.” You Ruxu paused. “As long as Auntie is alright.”

The two police officers stood outside on the stairs, unable to hear their conversation clearly. Zhou Tianzui said, “Tonight…”

“Don’t come over tonight.” You Ruxu said, “Stay home with Auntie?”

Remembering Yu Qiao’s expression earlier, You Ruxu’s heart ached. Zhou Tianzui paused, “I’ll be at the hospital tonight, I’m on duty.”

You Ruxu looked up at Zhou Tianzui, her eyes still red, her jacket unzipped, her clothes thin. Zhou Tianzui bent down, crouched in front of You Ruxu, and zipped up her jacket. You Ruxu was only wearing a thin hospital gown, the fabric clinging to her skin from the wind. Zhou Tianzui’s hand rested on her knee, a comforting warmth. She said, “Give my mom some time.”

She pulled the hood of You Ruxu’s jacket over her head. You Ruxu’s gaze followed her movements, nodding slightly, “Mm-hmm.”

Zhou Tianzui glanced at the two officers not far away, touched You Ruxu’s face, “It’s cold, go back.”

You Ruxu let Zhou Tianzui help her into the car.

The car’s heater was on, and it was warm inside. You Ruxu touched her knee, then her cheek, still carrying Zhou Tianzui’s warmth, the faint scent of disinfectant. She looked down and heard the officer driving say, “Reporter You, you’ve known Dr. Zhou for a long time, haven’t you?”

You Ruxu said, “Over three years.”

Just as she finished speaking, she received a call from Captain Zhou, who said they had caught the informant. You Ruxu breathed a sigh of relief, “When?”

“Just now.” Captain Zhou said, “You—”

Did you see Zhou Tianzui?

She paused, then said, “You can relax now.”

You Ruxu said, “Okay, thank you.”

The arrest of the informant wasn’t made public yet, only a few people involved in the case knew. Captain Zhou subtly revealed this information to Zhou Heng, who became even more agitated.

He wasn’t the type to resort to murder.

Captain Zhou had met him a few times, had a good grasp of his character, but now, he was the prime suspect, his name publicly announced, he was trapped. He had orchestrated the kidnapping. Confessing meant certain punishment, not confessing, being accused of murder, also meant certain punishment.

His lawyer advised him not to confess, claiming they could win the case.

But they had caught the informant, and the driver who kidnapped Xu Jinwan. The lawyer’s words and the police’s words clashed in his mind. During the last interrogation, they didn’t ask many questions, just brought him in, asked a few questions they had already asked before, a mere formality, they already had enough evidence to convict him.

Zhou Heng was on edge, his gaze constantly drifting towards the door.

Captain Zhou, looking at the computer screen, observed his every move. The officer monitoring the interrogation said, “Was he really the one behind Xu Jinwan’s disappearance?”

With his intelligence.

It didn’t seem likely.

Captain Zhou didn’t reply.

If Xu Jinwan hadn’t been killed, the plan would have been perfect, Fengyuan would have cleared its name, its image even improved, and the TV station would have been discredited, Xu Jinwan’s previous reports deemed false.

Killing three birds with one stone.

This plan didn’t seem like something Zhou Heng could come up with.

She said, “It wasn’t him, there must be someone else.”

Someone who wanted Xu Jinwan dead.

The officer watching the monitor said, “What a bastard, how’s Reporter You doing now?”

You Ruxu, back at the hospital, was coughing slightly from being exposed to the cold, but thankfully, her fever hadn’t returned. She took some medicine. The doctor said, “You can’t be running around like this, you need to rest.”

“I know.” You Ruxu said, “I’ll rest.”

The doctor, although unaware of why she went out, but knowing her profession and the reason she was hospitalized, said sympathetically, “You work too hard.”

You Ruxu said, “You’re the one who works hard.”

She offered the doctor a piece of fruit. The doctor smiled. You Ruxu also gave some fruit to the two police officers stationed outside her door and asked, “Now that you’ve caught the informant, does that mean the case is solved?”

The officer in front of her said, “Captain Zhou said they’re still waiting for Zhou Heng’s confession.”

You Ruxu nodded, taking a bite of the fruit. Remembering Yu Qiao’s expression earlier, the fruit suddenly tasted bitter and sour, difficult to swallow.

That night, she received a message from Zhou Tianzui: [I’m here.]

Knowing she was at the hospital, You Ruxu relaxed, her mood lifting slightly. Zhou Tianzui didn’t come to her ward, but sat in her office. He Wei said, “Dr. Zhou, is your cold better?”

Zhou Tianzui’s fever had subsided after taking medicine, but she had taken an extra day off to be with Yu Qiao. It was originally Fu Shushu’s turn for the night shift, but she had switched with Zhou Tianzui last time, so Zhou Tianzui was on duty tonight.

She nodded: “It’s gone.”

He Wei poured her a cup of hot tea. Lin Luo glanced at Zhou Tianzui, trying to find a topic of conversation. It was a quiet night, not much to do, everyone busy typing on their computers, updating patient files. He Wei, seeing Lin Luo still there, was surprised, “Are you working overtime?”

Lin Luo, her gaze on Zhou Tianzui, quickly looked away, “Yes, overtime, I have nothing to do at home anyway, might as well learn more here.”

He Wei’s lips twitched.

She had never seen anyone like this, others couldn’t wait to leave after work, but Lin Luo, not only did she stay, she even volunteered for overtime, was she a fool? She didn’t usually talk to Lin Luo, so she turned to another doctor, “Hey, have they found that missing baby from the maternity hospital yet?”

“Which one?” The doctor asked, then after a moment, “That newborn? No, it’s strange, they checked the surveillance footage, but couldn’t find anything.”

Zhou Tianzui looked up, “What baby?”

“Dr. Zhou, you haven’t heard?” He Wei said, “A newborn was taken from the maternity hospital two nights ago, they still haven’t found the baby.”

The family was frantic, but with the Fengyuan and Xu Jinwan incidents dominating the headlines, although the news was reported, many people still didn’t know about it, Zhou Tianzui included, “What about the surveillance footage?”

“They checked it.” He Wei said, “But there’s nothing, people online are even saying it’s an inside job.”

Lin Luo muttered, “How is that possible? If it was an inside job, why would they go to the hospital to give birth?”

Wouldn’t it be easier to do it at home?

He Wei said, “Who knows, but the rumors are getting wilder and wilder.”

Zhou Tianzui browsed the news, reading the brief report, the landline on her desk ringing. She answered, it was the director, “Dr. Zhou, disable the security system.”

Zhou Tianzui hung up and contacted the nurses’ station, asking them to disable the system.

Lin Luo asked, “Disable the security system?”

They didn’t usually disable it, it was inconvenient for visitors, sometimes people forgot their access cards and had to wait, which often led to complaints, it seemed the news about the missing baby had reached here as well. Zhou Tianzui said, “Go check if it’s been disabled yet.”

Lin Luo nodded, “Okay.”

He Wei chimed in, “Is it because of the maternity hospital incident?”

Zhou Tianzui glanced at her coldly. He Wei shrank back, hearing Zhou Tianzui say, “I’m going on my rounds, He Wei, come with me.”

They didn’t usually do rounds at night, but with the security system disabled, it was best to check on the patients, just in case. Zhou Tianzui and He Wei went from ward to ward. He Wei reported, “We admitted three expectant mothers today, one is ten days past her due date, currently on oxytocin, one scheduled for a C-section tomorrow, Dr. Fu’s patient, and the other one has been complaining of abdominal pain, but there’s no sign of labor yet, so she’s just staying in the ward for observation, they’re all sharing a room.”

Zhou Tianzui looked at her, “Sharing a room?”

Each ward had three beds, but in their hospital, C-section patients were usually separated from natural birth patients. He Wei explained, “The C-section patient was originally assigned to room 22, but seeing it was empty, she said she was scared to stay alone, and insisted on being with other patients, so they moved her to room 21.”

Zhou Tianzui didn’t think much of it, changing wards was common. She entered ward 21. Two expectant mothers were eating fruit, chatting. The third one, lying on the bed furthest from the door, her husband sitting beside her, playing on his phone.

“What are you naming your baby? Have you decided on a name yet?”

“Not yet, my husband can’t make up his mind. You?”

“Same here, we’ve been looking through dictionaries these past two days. We’ll have a name by the time the baby’s born, but I’ve already decided on a nickname, ‘Manman’ (Slowly), since she’s taking her sweet time in my belly.” Ten days past her due date, oxytocin ineffective, needing a C-section now, her tone slightly exasperated, yet also filled with the gentle joy of an expectant mother. Zhou Tianzui walked over to the woman nearest to the door, “Is your stomach still hurting?”

“It’s not hurting anymore.” The woman said, “You’re Dr. Zhou, right?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes.”

“My sister-in-law had her C-section with you, she said you’re excellent at stitching, and told me to look for you.” Zhou Tianzui said, “All our doctors are excellent surgeons.”

“That’s true.” The woman smiled. Her husband peeled a tangerine for her, which she offered to Zhou Tianzui, “Dr. Zhou, want some?”

Zhou Tianzui shook her head, “No, thank you.”

She glanced at the woman in the furthest bed, who seemed to find their conversation disturbing. She had drawn the curtains, turning her back to them. Zhou Tianzui left the ward and returned to her office. He Wei commented, “People are so different.”

The doctor opposite her looked up, “What are you so sentimental about?”

He Wei said, “Just random thoughts, from our rounds just now, in ward 21, the husband of the woman in bed 63, acting as if his wife giving birth has nothing to do with him, so infuriating.”

“Bed 63? I know him.” The other doctor said, “That man is ridiculous, completely clueless, doesn’t even know how far along his wife is, about to give birth, and he doesn’t even know the last time she had a checkup.”

“Seriously, some people shouldn’t be parents.”

Zhou Tianzui sat at her computer, listening to their chatter, and looked out the window, the streetlights casting a bright glow, the roads clearly visible. She finished updating a patient’s file and took out her phone, messaging You Ruxu: [Are you asleep?]

You Ruxu quickly replied: [Not yet.]

Zhou Tianzui: [What are you doing?]

You Ruxu pursed her lips. She wasn’t doing anything, just lying there, unable to sleep, Yu Qiao’s cold gaze flashing in her mind every time she closed her eyes, like needles pricking her heart. After a moment, she replied: [Staring into space.]

Zhou Tianzui: [Thinking of me?]

You Ruxu: […]

Sometimes, she really liked Zhou Tianzui’s seemingly nonchalant attitude, as if she could handle anything, that Yu Qiao just needed a little more time, and she would accept them.

Zhou Tianzui kept giving her this hope.

You Ruxu, clinging to this hope, her mood lifting slightly, replied: [Yes.]

Zhou Tianzui: [Yes, what?]

You Ruxu paused for a few seconds, then typed: [Thinking of you.]

Zhou Tianzui: [Keep thinking then, I’m on duty tonight, can’t come over, I’ll come see you after my shift.]

You Ruxu’s gloomy mood instantly brightened. She replied: [Okay. Are you free tomorrow?]

Zhou Tianzui sent a question mark.

You Ruxu typed: [My aunt’s coming tomorrow, I can’t pick her up from the airport, could you?]

Zhou Tianzui: [Okay, say it again.]

You Ruxu: [Say what?]

Zhou Tianzui: [Say you miss me.]

You Ruxu pursed her lips, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

---

---

---

Zhou Tianzui: Say you miss me.
You Ruxu: I miss you.
Zhou Tianzui: What do you miss about me?
You Ruxu: …

Chapter 99: Looking For Her

Zhou Tianzui stared at the press pass in her hand. The photo was from when You Ruxu first joined the TV station. She remembered when they were still in that ambiguous stage, she would go to the station to wait for You Ruxu to finish work, but she couldn’t go inside, only wait in the lobby. You Ruxu was a newcomer then, logically, not many people should know her, yet six out of ten conversations she overheard were about You Ruxu.

“Team 2 has a new reporter.”

“New reporter? You mean You Ruxu? She’s not exactly new, she’s already been on TV.”

Being on TV meant being in the news, and You Ruxu’s first news report had even trended online, causing quite a stir, although it wasn’t uncommon for Jindu TV to trend, so it wasn’t too surprising, but they were still paying special attention to You Ruxu.

“She’s so beautiful.”

“Several people from our team went to ask for her contact information, I heard.”

Zhou Tianzui shifted uncomfortably. In her limited experience with relationships, she hadn’t yet recognized this feeling as jealousy. Much later, remembering this incident, she would pin You Ruxu down on the bed, keeping her there all afternoon.

You Ruxu’s name, like this, became intertwined with her life, woven into every breath.

Including her identity as a reporter.

She was used to all the inconveniences it brought.

If she wasn’t a reporter, what would she be?

Zhou Tianzui turned, You Ruxu was asleep, her breathing even, her eyes slightly swollen. Zhou Tianzui gently applied a warm compress to her eyes, then looked at her hand, remembering how she had refused to show it to her last night, wanting to change into a larger nightgown, but Zhou Tianzui had noticed the marks.

“How did you get these?”

“I fell.”

“You fell and got bite marks?”

You Ruxu had mumbled, “I bit myself.”

Zhou Tianzui had asked, “Why bite your hand?”

You Ruxu had said, “I like it!”

A slightly annoyed and embarrassed tone, and Zhou Tianzui knew asking further would only lead to an argument. You Ruxu was different now, much more sharp-tongued. Zhou Tianzui had taken You Ruxu’s hand, traced the marks on the back of her hand with her fingertip, then leaned down and gently kissed them.

You Ruxu, in her sleep, frowned slightly, and Zhou Tianzui released her hand.

Zhou Tianzui hadn’t slept much that night. She had taken two days off, resting and recovering at home with Yu Qiao during the day, then staying with You Ruxu at the hospital at night. Yu Qiao’s reaction had been less extreme than she expected, just that she refused to mention You Ruxu at all, even an unintentional mention would be met with a sharp reprimand. Zhou Tianzui rarely saw this side of her mother as an adult, an almost instinctive reaction, but Yu Qiao hadn’t relapsed, which was a relief.

You Ruxu had refused any offers of company from her colleagues. Chen Xiang had wanted to come, but You Ruxu asked, “Have they caught the killer yet?”

Chen Xiang’s face fell: “Not yet.”

One blow after another, Xu Jinwan’s death, You Ruxu’s injury and hospitalization, the Fengyuan story had become a hot potato no one at the station dared touch. It was now in Shi Qi’s hands, everyone watching closely, the police issuing daily updates, “I heard they have a lead on the informant.”

But she didn’t know who it was.

You Ruxu said, “You know him.”

Chen Xiang’s jaw dropped: “I know him?”

You Ruxu nodded: “Yes, you’ve met him, the man who hit my car.”

Chen Xiang was shocked: “What?!”

She stood up abruptly, “Seriously?! Holy shit! It was that man?!”

You Ruxu hummed in affirmation, “The news hasn’t been released yet.”

Chen Xiang swallowed, “This is creepy, you think he deliberately hit your car? What was he trying to do?”

To force her to hand over the Fengyuan story to Xu Jinwan.

To use Xu Jinwan to create a bigger stir. But why did he kill her? You Ruxu didn’t know. The more Chen Xiang thought about it, the more uneasy she felt, rubbing her arms, “This is terrifying, have they found him yet?”

You Ruxu shook her head.

Chen Xiang said, “I hope they find him soon, he’s a ticking time bomb.”

Who knew when he would strike again? They had already identified him, and a cornered animal could do anything. The police protection around You Ruxu and Shi Qi was even tighter now. Chen Xiang said, “You should also be careful, and the people around you.”

You Ruxu thought of Zhou Tianzui.

She hummed in agreement.

After Chen Xiang left, You Ruxu called Zhou Tianzui. Zhou Tianzui was sitting on the sofa. Her phone lit up. Yu Qiao glanced over. She hesitated, then took the phone and went to her room.

“I’ll come over later.” She said after answering the call.

You Ruxu, holding her phone, “Don’t come if it’s too late, I’m fine.”

Zhou Tianzui frowned slightly: “What? Don’t want me to come over?”

You Ruxu said, “I’m a little worried.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Worried about what?”

You Ruxu said, “That the informant might retaliate.”

He couldn’t retaliate against her, she was under police protection, but he might target Zhou Tianzui, so she didn’t want Zhou Tianzui to come out at night. Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll be careful.”

You Ruxu, unable to dissuade her, just told her to be careful.

Zhou Tianzui hung up. Turning around, she saw Yu Qiao standing at the door, her gaze sharp and piercing. Zhou Tianzui called out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao turned and went to the living room, sitting down without even glancing at Zhou Tianzui.

Zhou Tianzui followed her and sat beside her, “Mom, I’m going to the hospital later.”

Yu Qiao sneered, “You still consider me your mother?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, you know I don’t want to lie to you.”

“Don’t want to lie to me?” Yu Qiao scoffed, “You’ve been lying to me for years! You might as well have continued the charade, letting You Ruxu be my goddaughter, waiting for me to die so you two could move in, am I in your way now? Should I just disappear and make room for you two?!”

Zhou Tianzui’s face darkened: “Mom, you know I didn’t mean that.”

“I don’t know what you meant!” Yu Qiao said, “You know exactly what you meant!”

She stood up abruptly, her body swaying slightly. Zhou Tianzui reached out to support her, but Yu Qiao pushed her hand away, falling back onto the sofa. Her blood pressure had been fluctuating for the past two days, only medication bringing some relief. Zhou Tianzui brought her the medicine, but Yu Qiao swatted her hand away, the pills scattering onto the floor and the sofa, “Don’t you dare touch me! Aren’t you going to the hospital? Then go!”

Zhou Tianzui picked up the pills from the sofa and placed them on the coffee table, “Mom, can we talk?”

“Fine.” Yu Qiao said, “It’s either me or her, choose.”

Zhou Tianzui sighed, “Mom, even if I listened to you, got married, had children, would I be happy? Would I be truly happy?”

“I don’t know if you would be happy after getting married.” Yu Qiao said, “But I know you won’t be happy if people find out about this!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I don’t care what others think.”

“I care!” Yu Qiao gritted her teeth, “Have you forgotten how they pointed fingers at us? Forgotten how they insulted us, how they looked at us? Xiao Tian, how could you be so foolish? I thought after everything we went through, you wouldn’t make the same mistakes again, how could you go down the same path?”

Zhou Tianzui mumbled, “Mom, we’re not making mistakes…”

“If people find out, it is a mistake.” Yu Qiao said, “What else would it be? Xiao Tian, can you tell everyone, can you tell the world, about you and You Ruxu?”

Zhou Tianzui was silent.

Yu Qiao sat beside her, her hand on her head, her breathing shallow. She looked up slightly. Zhou Tianzui offered her water and her medicine. Yu Qiao ignored her, took the medicine from the coffee table, and swallowed it dry, without any water.

She turned to leave. Zhou Tianzui tried to stop her, but Yu Qiao pulled away. They struggled briefly. Zhou Tianzui’s phone rang. Yu Qiao, without thinking, snatched the phone from Zhou Tianzui’s pocket and threw it against the coffee table.

A loud crash.

The phone fell silent.

The living room also fell silent.

Zhou Tianzui looked at the phone, then at Yu Qiao, and released her hand. Yu Qiao, her face grim, went to her room, slamming the door shut. Zhou Tianzui sat on the sofa, looking at her phone, the screen cracked, unresponsive. She took her car keys and wallet and left.

You Ruxu sat on the bed, looking out the window at the darkening sky. Zhou Tianzui wasn’t here yet. She usually arrived around this time. Although she had said she would be careful, You Ruxu was still worried, especially after what Chen Xiang had said this morning, it made her uneasy.

She was about to call Zhou Tianzui when her phone vibrated, it was Captain Zhou.

You Ruxu answered the call.

“You’re still at the hospital, right?” Captain Zhou’s tone was urgent. “Don’t go anywhere, stay inside.”

You Ruxu asked, “What’s wrong?”

Captain Zhou said, “The informant escaped, I’m worried he might come looking for you.”

You Ruxu’s heart sank.

After hanging up, she immediately called Zhou Tianzui, but the call wouldn’t go through. You Ruxu’s eyes reddened with anxiety, she called Yu Qiao, but her number was blocked, the call couldn’t connect.

Was Zhou Tianzui on her way?

Why wasn’t she answering her phone if she was on her way?

Did something happen?

The more she thought about it, the more she panicked, even more so than that night. You Ruxu reached for the wheelchair, but her hand couldn’t reach, her body leaning forward, half of her weight supported by one arm as she reached for the wheelchair with the other, almost falling off the bed. She pressed the call button, and a nurse quickly arrived. You Ruxu said, “I need to go out.”

The nurse was surprised, “Go, go out?”

“I have something to do.” You Ruxu said, “Could you please help me with the wheelchair?”

The nurse hesitated, then wheeled the wheelchair to the bedside, helping You Ruxu into it. Seeing her thin clothes, she offered, “Should I get you a jacket?”

You Ruxu said, “Thank you, but no need.”

She took a jacket from the rack and put it on, then wheeled herself to the door. A blast of cold air made her shiver. The two police officers stationed outside were surprised to see her, “Reporter You?”

“Could you take me somewhere?”

The two officers exchanged a look. You Ruxu, seeing their hesitation, started wheeling herself towards the exit. The officers quickly followed.

She got into the police car, sitting in the back, constantly calling Zhou Tianzui, but the calls wouldn’t connect. All sorts of scenarios flashed through her mind, her usual composure gone, her face pale and her body restless with anxiety. The officer sitting beside her asked, “Reporter You, is something the matter?”

“I—” You Ruxu looked at the officer, thinking of Zhou Tianzui, of their respective professions.

She said, “I can’t reach my friend, and Captain Zhou said the informant escaped.”

The officer immediately understood, the informant couldn’t retaliate against You Ruxu, so he might target her friend. His expression turned serious, “I’ll contact Captain Zhou.”

You Ruxu said, “I’ve already tried.”

The officer beside her said, “Reporter You, try not to worry too much.”

How could she not worry? Because of her profession, Zhou Tianzui’s phone was always on, and now, it was suddenly off, at such a critical moment, You Ruxu was frantic. They reached her apartment complex. She quickly wheeled herself into the elevator. The two officers followed.

Yu Qiao, hearing the doorbell, called out, “Who is it?”

You Ruxu was about to answer when Yu Qiao opened the door. Their eyes met, then Yu Qiao slammed the door shut. The two officers were stunned. You Ruxu called out, “Auntie, is Zhou Tianzui there?”

Yu Qiao ignored her.

You Ruxu asked anxiously, “Is she home? Isn’t she home?”

She hadn’t seen Zhou Tianzui’s car earlier, wasn’t she home? And she couldn’t reach her phone. You Ruxu’s mind reeled, she felt a little dizzy. She knocked on the door, “Auntie.”

Yu Qiao wanted to walk away, annoyed that You Ruxu had come looking for her, at her home, but she stopped, her face grim. She abruptly opened the door. You Ruxu looked up, her eyes red and watery, on the verge of tears.

Yu Qiao had known You Ruxu for over three years, introduced by Zhou Tianzui.

“Mom, this is my roommate, a reporter at the TV station, You Ruxu.”

She had introduced You Ruxu, “Her father works at the court, and her mother is a professor.”

They were from a different world, seemingly unattainable, You Ruxu on a pedestal, someone to be admired. She had also admired You Ruxu before, finding her untouchable, feeling a strange sense of pride whenever she saw her on TV, “This is our Xiao Tian’s friend, they live together, they’re roommates.”

That’s what she had always thought.

That they were just friends.

When did their friendship change into something shameful, something hidden, Yu Qiao didn’t know.

She looked at You Ruxu coldly.

In her memory, You Ruxu was always composed and professional, both on TV and in person, her makeup and hair impeccable, her clothes always perfectly fitted, ready to go on camera at any moment, not a single flaw.

But the You Ruxu in front of her now, her face pale and bare, making her red and slightly swollen eyes even more noticeable, her hair disheveled, wearing a hospital gown under her jacket, loose and untidy.

The contrast was stark.

Yu Qiao was momentarily speechless.

You Ruxu wheeled herself closer, looking up slightly, her trembling hands gripping the armrests of the wheelchair, she looked around the apartment, not seeing Zhou Tianzui, the unease intensifying.

Suddenly.

A voice came from behind.

“What are you doing here?”

A familiar voice.

You Ruxu turned and saw Zhou Tianzui standing at the door. Zhou Tianzui also saw her, and Yu Qiao, her face paling slightly.

Their eyes met.

You Ruxu tried to stand up, but her leg wouldn’t support her weight. She tried again, then fell back into the wheelchair. Yu Qiao, seeing her tense back, her trembling hands gripping the armrests, the effort and the helplessness, felt a lump in her throat.

This You Ruxu.

Made her heart ache.

Chapter 98: A Choice

Yu Qiao stared at Zhou Tianzui, her face grim. Zhou Tianzui could have made up any excuse, a hospital emergency, a patient needing her, even feeling unwell herself, any excuse would have been better than the truth. But she hadn’t, her directness and honesty only making it more difficult for Yu Qiao to accept.

Zhou Tianzui took half a step back: “Mom, I’m leaving now.”

It wasn’t a request for approval, but a simple notification. Yu Qiao gripped the doorknob, “Come home after work.”

Zhou Tianzui’s heart lightened slightly, “I know, I…”

Yu Qiao said, “And from now on, never mention her in front of me, in this house, ever again.”

Zhou Tianzui’s words died in her throat, her face unusually pale. She didn’t reply. Yu Qiao slammed the door shut.

No reply needed.

It was just a notification.

Zhou Tianzui leaned against the door frame, her head spinning, she touched her face, it was slightly swollen. In the car, she used makeup to cover the finger marks, making them less obvious, but the contrast between the made-up side and the bare side looked strange. Zhou Tianzui thought You Ruxu would laugh if she saw her.

She wondered if You Ruxu was asleep.

Honestly, not a single call, not a single message all afternoon, was she angry? Or was she making a choice?

Was she, the one being abandoned?

So that’s why You Ruxu didn’t contact her?

Zhou Tianzui touched her phone, opened the car window, and looked up. It was dark outside, the wind rustling through the branches like a mournful cry. She sat quietly for a while, seeing the light in Yu Qiao’s room go off, then closed the window and drove to the hospital.

You Ruxu tried to turn over, but couldn’t, her leg and arm immobile. She tried to reach for the wheelchair, dragging herself towards it, but just as her hand was about to reach it, there was a noise at the door, a knock. You Ruxu looked up, slightly dazed, at this hour, it probably wasn’t the police, was it a nurse? Or Zhou Tianzui?

She struggled to sit up, adjusting her hospital gown, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Captain Zhou walked in. The light in You Ruxu’s eyes dimmed. Captain Zhou was carrying a fruit basket, “I just bought these, it’s not convenient for you to get out of bed, have some if you’re thirsty.”

You Ruxu said, “Thank you.”

Captain Zhou said, “Dr. Zhou isn’t here tonight?”

She had asked, Zhou Tianzui wasn’t working today, and hadn’t come to see her, remembering You Ruxu’s demeanor earlier that afternoon, she figured they had a fight, she didn’t have any ulterior motives, but thinking about You Ruxu’s earlier mention of having a partner, and the lack of any men around, she had some strange speculations.

These speculations intensified whenever she saw them interact.

Of course, regardless of whether they were true or not, she didn’t have any inappropriate intentions, she just thought You Ruxu would need assistance at night, someone had to be with her.

You Ruxu started to say, “She—”

“Seems like Captain Zhou misses me.” A voice came from the doorway. Captain Zhou hadn’t closed the door yet, and Zhou Tianzui was already there, looking at Captain Zhou and entering the ward. The two officers stationed outside recognized Zhou Tianzui and didn’t stop her, just exchanged a strange look.

It was just three women.

Yet the atmosphere was as tense as if they had walked in on an affair.

You Ruxu, hearing Zhou Tianzui’s voice, looked over, her eyes instantly reddening. She gripped the blanket tightly, remembering Zhou Tianzui’s message earlier that afternoon, a mix of hurt, anger, and fear.

She was afraid Zhou Tianzui was really ignoring her.

Afraid she was still angry, not giving her a chance to explain.

Captain Zhou turned around, “Dr. Zhou.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I have a bit of a cold, I won’t be here tonight, so I’ll have to trouble you, Captain Zhou.”

Her tone was slightly possessive, casually claiming You Ruxu as her responsibility, a subtle message that Captain Zhou naturally understood. She looked at You Ruxu, then at Zhou Tianzui, and nodded, “You’re welcome, I have some things to attend to, I’ll be going now.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll walk you out.”

Captain Zhou said, “No need.”

You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, her eyes red and swollen, she rarely lost control of her emotions like this, but today, she seemed unable to stop the tears, the hurt and vulnerability unlike her.

Seeing Zhou Tianzui now, she wanted to cry again.

You Ruxu hadn’t realized she was so prone to tears, as if all the tears she hadn’t shed in the past few years were now being released. Her vision blurred, she couldn’t see Zhou Tianzui clearly. She lowered her head, wiping her eyes, the ward quiet. Zhou Tianzui closed the door, turned around, saw the cut fruit on the bedside table, and said, her voice cool and indifferent, “You’re quite busy, can you even finish all that?”

You Ruxu asked, “Why are you here?”

Zhou Tianzui retorted, “Can’t I be here? Am I interrupting something?”

You Ruxu looked up, “Zhou Tianzui!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “What? Did I say something wrong?”

You Ruxu said, “I know you’re angry about me going out that night…”

“Is that what we’re talking about now?” Zhou Tianzui said, “If I hadn’t come, you would have asked her to spend the night with you, wouldn’t you?”

You Ruxu pursed her lips, “I wouldn’t.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “She’s already here, and you say you wouldn’t?”

You Ruxu, sullen, looked at her and noticed the mark on her face, “What happened to your face?”

Zhou Tianzui touched her cheek, “I had a fight, got slapped.”

You Ruxu didn’t believe her at all, “Be serious.”

“How am I not being serious?” Zhou Tianzui said, “Where am I not being serious? You Ruxu, aren’t you the one who’s not being serious?”

Her slightly angry voice was cold and distant.

You Ruxu’s face paled.

Zhou Tianzui pulled a chair over and sat in front of her. You Ruxu gripped the edge of the blanket, seeing that Zhou Tianzui wasn’t leaving, her anxious heart gradually calmed down, but she didn’t understand what Zhou Tianzui was doing.

She was the one who sent the message that afternoon, why was she acting as if nothing had happened?

You Ruxu called out, “Zhou Tianzui.”

Zhou Tianzui looked up at her, You Ruxu said, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Go ahead.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Can’t go by yourself? Should I ask Captain Zhou to help you…?”

“Zhou Tianzui!” You Ruxu’s pent-up frustration, simmering all afternoon, finally erupted, fueled by Zhou Tianzui’s words, “She’s just a colleague!”

“A colleague who needs to visit you at night?” Zhou Tianzui said, “What work were you discussing just now?”

You Ruxu suppressed her anger.

Zhou Tianzui continued, “If I hadn’t come, you would have asked her to help you…”

“I wouldn’t!” You Ruxu said. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Then you’re not going to the bathroom anymore?”

“I’ll hold it!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Can you hold it?”

You Ruxu said, “I’ll pee the bed if I can’t!”

She immediately regretted her words.

The two stared at each other, You Ruxu’s face crimson, her eyes blazing with anger, bright and intense like an inextinguishable flame. Zhou Tianzui looked at her for a few seconds, then without a word, stood up and carried her to the bathroom.

You Ruxu was surprised: “What are you doing?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Didn’t you need to go to the bathroom?”

But her voice was low and slightly hoarse, her cold and the lack of sleep taking their toll. Even carrying You Ruxu was a struggle. She paused for a moment before continuing. You Ruxu saw the finger marks on her cheek, up close.

She had been slapped.

Zhou Tianzui also saw You Ruxu’s red and slightly swollen eyes.

She wanted to ask, but all her strength was focused on carrying You Ruxu, she couldn’t even speak, just heard You Ruxu ask, “Who did you have a fight with?”

Her hand gently touched Zhou Tianzui’s face, her own eyes tearing up.

Zhou Tianzui finally managed to place her on the toilet seat, “Why are you crying?”

You Ruxu looked down, not answering. Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll help you…”

“Don’t.” You Ruxu said, “I’ll do it myself.”

Zhou Tianzui hesitated, then left the bathroom, standing by the door, flexing her hand, which ached from carrying You Ruxu. She touched her cheek where You Ruxu had touched her, it was warm.

You Ruxu sat there for a long time, so long that Zhou Tianzui finally called out, “Are you done?”

You Ruxu said, “Yes.”

The door opened, and Zhou Tianzui entered, leaning down and holding You Ruxu in her arms. You Ruxu wrapped her arms around Zhou Tianzui’s neck, not getting up, Zhou Tianzui bending over her, their bodies close.

They embraced in the small bathroom, like two small animals huddling together for warmth. After a while, Zhou Tianzui lifted You Ruxu into her arms, carried her to the bed, and gently laid her down. You Ruxu, lying there, asked, “Who did you have a fight with?”

Zhou Tianzui didn’t answer.

You Ruxu asked again, “Was it Auntie?”

She didn’t call her “Godmother” anymore. Zhou Tianzui looked down. You Ruxu continued, “Does Auntie know?”

Zhou Tianzui sat on the edge of the bed, half-turned, looking at You Ruxu, “If she knows, what will you do?”

You Ruxu’s breath caught in her throat.

She opened her mouth, then closed it, speechless. She hadn’t expected Yu Qiao to find out like this. Her mind was in a mess. She heard Zhou Tianzui ask, “Do you want to break up with me?”

“No.” You Ruxu looked down, “Didn’t you want to break up with me?”

Zhou Tianzui frowned, “When did I ever say I wanted to break up?”

“You—” You Ruxu stopped mid-sentence, pursing her lips, a sudden realization dawning on her. Zhou Tianzui was still looking at her. You Ruxu asked, “Did Auntie say something?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Don’t you know her temper?”

You Ruxu did, she knew Yu Qiao’s temper, she could imagine what she would do. You Ruxu looked up at Zhou Tianzui’s profile, the slap mark too stark, too painful, she couldn’t speak.

She gripped the edge of the blanket, the fabric wrinkling under her fingers. You Ruxu asked, “Does it hurt?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s fine.”

You Ruxu said, “You’re lying.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “How can I compare to your lies?”

She had been referring to the night You Ruxu deceived her, but the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. The color drained from You Ruxu’s face, her eyelashes trembling, her pupils constricting, as if she had been struck. Zhou Tianzui’s heart also ached. She said, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

You Ruxu said, “Okay,” her tone seemingly indifferent, but Zhou Tianzui knew she was hurt. Zhou Tianzui said, “I wasn’t talking about what happened before.”

“I know.” You Ruxu said, “It’s okay even if you were, I…”

Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s not okay with me.”

She looked at You Ruxu.

It wasn’t okay with her.

She didn’t want the past to hurt anyone anymore, her mother, You Ruxu, or herself.

They all needed to move on.

You Ruxu looked at her, pursed her lips, and nodded, a faint smile appearing on her still pale face, her gaze firm and resolute. She called out, “Zhou Tianzui.”

Zhou Tianzui responded with a soft “mm-hmm.” You Ruxu said, “Give me your hand.”

Usually, it was Zhou Tianzui who initiated such gestures. This was the first time You Ruxu asked.

Zhou Tianzui extended her hand.

You Ruxu took something from the bedside table and placed it in Zhou Tianzui’s palm. Zhou Tianzui looked down, it was You Ruxu’s press pass, the photo showing a young You Ruxu, her expression cool and distant, like the bright moon.

This press pass, she treasured it.

And now it was in Zhou Tianzui’s hand.

Zhou Tianzui asked, “What does this mean?”

You Ruxu said, “Didn’t you ask me to answer your question?”

Zhou Tianzui looked down.

Remembering what she had asked You Ruxu earlier.

Being a reporter is so important, then what about me?

If you had to choose one?

You Ruxu, chose her.

---

---

---

Zhou Tianzui: A Ran, bathroom.
You Ruxu: I’ll hold it.
Zhou Tianzui: …

Chapter 97: Accompany Her

Yu Qiao fell back onto the sofa, her body sinking into the cushions, looking at Zhou Tianzui, her hands gripping the edges of a pillow tightly. Her face was pale, wanting to scold Zhou Tianzui, but the words wouldn’t come. She opened her mouth, then closed it, speechless, and went to the kitchen.

Zhou Tianzui followed her, “Mom.”

“Xiao Tian,” Yu Qiao said, “Go find your father, look at him, tell him what you just told me.”

Zhou Tianzui was silent.

She didn’t move.

Yu Qiao turned around and pulled her towards the door, “We’re going to see your father!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, don’t do this…”

Yu Qiao said, “Do what? Not accepting your relationship? I haven’t even said anything yet, and you can’t handle it? Didn’t you say you could accept the consequences?” She pulled Zhou Tianzui, dragging her towards the door, ignoring her protests. The cold wind bit at their skin, both of them only wearing thin sweaters, no jackets. Zhou Tianzui coughed a few times. Yu Qiao stopped, turning to look at her.

The mark from the slap was still visible on Zhou Tianzui’s face, the pain a hundred times worse for Yu Qiao than if she had been slapped herself.

But this physical pain, how could it compare to the pain caused by those words, those people?

Yu Qiao said, “Let’s go.”

They got into the car. The driver, seeing their grim expressions, didn’t dare speak, driving quickly, arriving at their destination. They ran into the groundskeeper, who said, “Xiao Tian? Why are you—” He paused, seeing Yu Qiao, sensing something was wrong, “What’s the matter?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Nothing, my mom wanted to visit my dad.”

“Why are you dressed so lightly?” The groundskeeper said, “Aren’t you cold? Go home early after you’re done.”

Zhou Tianzui nodded.

Yu Qiao pulled her towards the tombstone.

Zhou Tianzui looked down. The man in the photo smiled at her. The words she had said to Yu Qiao earlier now felt like thorns stuck in her throat, she couldn’t bring herself to repeat them.

Yu Qiao said, “Tell your father.”

Zhou Tianzui remained silent, the wind howling, a mournful cry, carrying the biting cold. She coughed, tears welling up in her eyes. Yu Qiao gripped her arm, “Say it.”

“Tell him what you said at home.”

“Tell him you’re gay, that you like women, that you’re ready to face those rumors again.” Tears streamed down Yu Qiao’s face, “Tell him you can handle it, just like you said.”

“Tell him how you’ll handle it.”

“Tell him how you survived all those years ago.”

“Tell him how you hurt yourself, how you…”

“Mom!” Zhou Tianzui interrupted her, “That’s all in the past, let’s not talk about it anymore.” Her face, flushed from her cold, was even redder now. Yu Qiao said, “The past? How is it in the past?” She pulled at Zhou Tianzui’s clothes, revealing the scars on her skin. Zhou Tianzui grabbed her hand, “Mom! Don’t bring that up anymore, what’s happening now has nothing to do with the past.”

“Fine, tell your father then.” Yu Qiao said, “Tell him, tell your father, that what’s happening now has nothing to do with the past! That it’s all in the past! Tell him you love You Ruxu!”

Zhou Tianzui’s flushed cheeks paled instantly, the secrets buried deep within her like insects, gnawing at her, consuming her. The pain made her stumble. Yu Qiao shouted at her, “Say it!”

Zhou Tianzui remained silent.

Yu Qiao didn’t know.

But Zhou Qiming.

Knew.

How could she say it?

Dad, the person I love is the one who made you suffer even after your death, the one who made Mom and I live in hiding, the one who made us the target of ridicule, almost breaking us?

Zhou Tianzui stood before Zhou Qiming’s tombstone, silent, enduring Yu Qiao’s tears and accusations, refusing to speak.

Yu Qiao, exhausted from crying, looked at her, “You can’t even say it to your father, and you claim you can handle it?”

Zhou Tianzui finally spoke, “Mom, it’s different.”

“Different how?” Yu Qiao pressed, “Tell me, what’s the difference?”

Zhou Tianzui’s vision blurred with tears, her body swaying, unable to stand straight, unable to answer Yu Qiao’s questions, the memories of the past like a knife twisting in her heart, a raw wound, pouring out their humiliation and pain.

“It’s just different!” Zhou Tianzui said, “I don’t care about other people, Mom, I don’t care what they say. If you’re worried about what others will think, we won’t go public, we’ll just…”

“Just what?” Yu Qiao asked, “Just continue this shameful secret relationship? What will you tell people? That you’re just friends? What kind of friends are like you two? Sleeping together?!”

Her sharp questions laced with unspoken disgust.

Zhou Tianzui endured it.

She said, “Mom, let’s go home.”

“Xiao Tian, right here, in front of your father, let’s make this clear, are you breaking up with her or not?” Yu Qiao looked at Zhou Tianzui, her voice choked with tears, “You and her, are you breaking up?”

Zhou Tianzui looked at her. In the years after they left Jindu, Yu Qiao’s health had been fragile, frequent relapses, and Zhou Tianzui had always been by her side, worried, yet also relieved that she still had her mother, that she wouldn’t lose her, she hadn’t dared to leave Yu Qiao’s side, that feeling of having only each other, deeply ingrained in her. That was why, later, whether in school or at work, she never strayed too far from Yu Qiao.

She had vowed never to make Yu Qiao unhappy again.

She had broken that vow.

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I won’t break up with her.”

She turned to face Zhou Qiming’s tombstone and said, “I’m sorry, Dad.”

Then she knelt down before the tombstone, Yu Qiao watching, stunned.

Zhou Tianzui kowtowed, her forehead touching the ground, her back bowed, her long hair falling around her, her muffled voice carrying in the wind, “Dad, I’m sorry, I’m selfish, I’m shameless, I’m pathetic, I was the one who pursued her, I begged her to be with me, I’m sorry, Dad, I’m sorry.”

Yu Qiao looked at her, “Xiao Tian?”

Zhou Tianzui straightened up, still kneeling, facing Yu Qiao, “Mom, I’m sorry, you can hit me, you can scold me, but I won’t break up with her.”

Yu Qiao froze.

Zhou Tianzui continued, “I can’t, I can’t bear to.”

She looked up at Yu Qiao, “She’s just as important to me, as you are.”

The wind blew against her thin sweater, chilling her skin, making her already pale face even whiter. Yu Qiao gritted her teeth, raised her hand, wanting to slap Zhou Tianzui, to scold her for being so foolish, but meeting Zhou Tianzui’s resolute gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

This child, since Zhou Qiming’s death, had always been obedient, even changing her university choices for her. Yu Qiao had never doubted her importance to Zhou Tianzui.

But now she said.

That You Ruxu was just as important.

Right here, in front of Zhou Qiming.

As if all her strength had been drained, Yu Qiao stumbled back, almost falling against another tombstone. Zhou Tianzui knelt there, the wind whipping her hair around her face, but her body remained still, stubborn and unyielding.

As if defending the last line of her love.

Love?

Was that what they had? Love?

Yu Qiao wanted to laugh, but she cried instead, her eyes red and swollen. She turned to leave. Zhou Tianzui called out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao’s retreating figure paused.

She said, “Let’s go home.”

Her voice quiet and defeated.

So different from her earlier fury.

Zhou Tianzui stood up and followed Yu Qiao, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive again. Yu Qiao didn’t speak, didn’t even make dinner when they got home, just sat on the sofa, looking through old photos.

The family photo album, which Zhou Tianzui had hidden away for many years. During Yu Qiao’s unstable years, she hadn’t dared bring it out. Later, after school, she would see Yu Qiao looking at the album, afraid to even approach, and Yu Qiao would wave her over, “Come look, we have a family photo too.”

It was taken when she was a baby, she had no memory of it, but seeing Yu Qiao calm and collected, she had been relieved. Later, as Yu Qiao’s condition improved, she brought out the old albums again, looking through them with Yu Qiao, even adding new photos, mostly of the two of them.

Yu Qiao gently stroked the photos. Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll make dinner.”

“You go and rest.” Yu Qiao said, “You still have a cold, go to bed, I’ll take care of dinner, don’t trouble yourself.”

She seemed to have reverted to her pre-You Ruxu state, but the coldness and distance in her voice felt like a lump in Zhou Tianzui’s throat, a sudden chasm between them.

Zhou Tianzui didn’t argue, didn’t insist.

It would take time.

She knew it would take time for Yu Qiao to accept it, and she was willing to wait. Back in her room, Zhou Tianzui’s headache intensified. Her forehead was burning hot. She took some cold and fever medicine, set an alarm, and glanced at her phone, no messages from You Ruxu, not a single call.

Thinking of their argument earlier today, Zhou Tianzui sighed softly, put her phone aside, and went to bed.

Yu Qiao sat outside, until past six o’clock. The events of the afternoon felt like a dream, was she really dreaming? It felt surreal. She looked towards Zhou Tianzui’s room, the door slightly ajar. She walked over, Zhou Tianzui was sleeping, not the empty room she was used to.

It wasn’t a dream.

Yu Qiao, still in a daze, went to the kitchen, made dinner, cooked, everything the same as before, yet different. She heard a voice behind her: “Mom.”

Zhou Tianzui was awake.

Yu Qiao looked at her, the image of her as a child overlapping with the adult she was now. After a few seconds, she returned to her senses and nodded, “Dinner’s ready.”

Zhou Tianzui sat opposite her.

They ate in silence, the food the same as always. Zhou Tianzui didn’t eat much. After dinner, Yu Qiao went to wash up, then to her bedroom. Zhou Tianzui, seeing her silence, lowered her head and went to her own room.

The living room lights were turned off.

The apartment was silent.

Zhou Tianzui sat in her room for half an hour, then opened the door and went out. It was dark outside, the door to Yu Qiao’s room tightly closed, no light from beneath, the lights off.

Zhou Tianzui stood there for a few minutes, then took her car keys and walked towards the door.

Just as she reached it, she turned back, walked to Yu Qiao’s door, knocked lightly, and called out, “Mom.”

The door opened, the sudden light making Zhou Tianzui’s eyes squint. Yu Qiao stood there. Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I’m going to the hospital.”

Yu Qiao looked at Zhou Tianzui. She had a fever all afternoon, her face pale, her body looking frail, yet she was still thinking about You Ruxu at the hospital. Yu Qiao gripped the doorknob tightly and heard Zhou Tianzui say, “She can’t sleep in unfamiliar beds, if I don’t go, she won’t be able to sleep.”

She said, “Mom, I want to go be with her.”

Chapter 96: Contact

You Ruxu stared blankly at the message, unsure whether her hand hurt, her heart hurt, or if she was simply numb. She felt nothing, just a dull ache, an urge to message Zhou Tianzui again.

She resisted.

A nurse peeked in from the corridor, “Reporter You, you have a checkup soon, is there anyone with you?”

You Ruxu said, “No, I can go by myself.”

The nurse, looking at her pale face and her injured leg, felt a pang of sympathy, “I’ll wheel you over later then.”

You Ruxu said, “Okay, thank you.”

After the nurse left, You Ruxu looked down at her phone, the screen still displaying Zhou Tianzui’s message.

Zhou Tianzui.

Was she abandoning her?

You Ruxu pursed her lips, her fingers unconsciously tracing the screen, her eyes suddenly burning, her vision blurring. She slowly lay down, her hand gripping the edge of the blanket, her teeth sinking into the fabric.

She had a checkup soon.

She couldn’t cry.

She couldn’t.

You Ruxu, you weren’t a child anymore, there was nothing to cry about.

Her shoulders trembled slightly, her teeth digging into the blanket, the fabric bunching up in her mouth. You Ruxu suppressed her sobs, remaining motionless, until the nurse knocked and entered.

She saw the redness in You Ruxu’s eyes.

The nurse asked with concern, “Reporter You, are you feeling unwell?”

You Ruxu said, “My hand hurts, do you have any more painkillers?”

“Yes.” The nurse said, “Should we wait until after your checkup?”

You Ruxu wanted to say yes, but the pain was too much, making it difficult to speak. She opened her mouth, her voice barely a whisper, “Okay, thank you.”

The nurse felt a strange pang of sadness, hearing her voice, an unexpected emotion. She quickly said, “I’ll take you over then.”

She wheeled You Ruxu to the examination room. While the doctor examined her, the nurse stood outside, talking to the head nurse, “Don’t you think Reporter You is different?”

The head nurse, looking at her computer, casually replied, “Different how?”

“She just seems different.” The nurse said, “She seems so fragile now, like she needs protecting.”

The head nurse’s lips twitched, “Are you becoming like He Wei now?”

He Wei’s admiration for You Ruxu was well-known throughout the inpatient department. They often teased her about it. The nurse said, “I just noticed, Reporter You wasn’t like this before.”

The head nurse, without looking up, said, “Reporter You is truly charismatic.”

The nurse nodded, “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

The head nurse chuckled. It was just a casual remark, and the nurse took it seriously. She smiled and looked towards the examination room. You Ruxu was undergoing the checkup, sitting in the wheelchair, her profile delicate, her long hair cascading down her back, her bangs framing her face, her eyes clear, her skin pale.

A fragile beauty.

She admired it inwardly.

The checkup was soon over. The nurse wheeled her back to the ward. Captain Zhou arrived again, with updates on the case. They had a lead on the informant, one person in particular.

You Ruxu said, “Chen Jiushu? From the record company?”

Captain Zhou said, “He appeared in several of Xu Jinwan’s news stories before they were published.”

But they couldn’t find him.

You Ruxu suddenly remembered the call from the 4S shop earlier, also saying they hadn’t been able to reach Chen Jiushu for the past few days. She asked, “Do you think he’s on the run?”

“That’s a possibility.” Either he got wind of the investigation and ran, or he was spooked by You Ruxu’s incident yesterday, Captain Zhou said, “Either way, you should be careful.”

You Ruxu nodded.

After discussing the case, Captain Zhou looked at her, “What happened to your eyes? They’re so red.”

You Ruxu touched her eyelids, they felt a little sore, “It’s nothing.”

Captain Zhou looked around the room.

She asked, “Dr. Zhou isn’t here?”

You Ruxu’s throat tightened. After a pause, she said, “She’s still working.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. The nurse said, “Reporter You, I brought your painkillers.”

Captain Zhou looked down, “Is your hand hurting? Or somewhere else?”

The nurse said, “Reporter You said her hand hurts.”

Captain Zhou looked at You Ruxu.

You Ruxu said, “Give them to me, thank you.”

Captain Zhou poured her a glass of warm water, handed it to her, and said, “No one’s here with you tonight, I…”

“I don’t need anyone here.” You Ruxu said to Captain Zhou, “I can ask the nurses for help if I need anything.”

She smiled, but her demeanor was distant. Captain Zhou said, “Okay, call me if you need anything.”

You Ruxu nodded, “Okay.”

After Captain Zhou left, the ward was quiet, so quiet that You Ruxu could hear her own heartbeat.

“Being a reporter is so important, then what about me?”

“If you had to choose one?”

You Ruxu couldn’t turn over easily, so she just lay there, looking at the ceiling and the fluorescent light above. After a moment of thought, she took her phone and messaged Zhou Tianzui, wanting to call her, wanting to hear her voice, but the cold words on the screen felt like a knife twisting in her heart, a fresh wound. Calling now would be disturbing her, wouldn’t it? Although Zhou Tianzui could be sharp-tongued, and sometimes say hurtful things, she had never told her not to contact her.

She knew Zhou Tianzui’s personality.

She meant what she said.

If she said not to contact her.

She truly meant it.

You Ruxu gripped her phone, bit her lip, and scrolled through her chat history with Zhou Tianzui. Most of her messages were voice messages, because she was busy with work, no time to type. She would grab her phone, quickly say a few words, and then wait for Zhou Tianzui’s reply.

The intervals between their messages varied, sometimes a reply would come hours later.

Zhou Tianzui would tease her, “Did you take a trip around the world before replying?”

Back then, she found Zhou Tianzui’s teasing annoying, but now, she missed it. You Ruxu scrolled up, just a few months, yet they had talked more than in the past two or three years.

She saved the voice messages, one by one, then played them, listening to Zhou Tianzui’s voice in her ear.

“A Ran…”

“Teacher You…”

Her hand hurt, her leg hurt, her entire body ached, screaming in protest, her mind in turmoil. The pain made it difficult to breathe. Her vision, which had just cleared, blurred again. You Ruxu pulled the blanket over her head.

Hiding in the darkness.

She couldn’t help it and called Yu Qiao.

Perhaps, from Yu Qiao, she could hear something about Zhou Tianzui, even just a few words would be enough.

The call went through.

But the line was busy.

You Ruxu, in a moment of desperation, tried again and again, but the cold, automated voice kept repeating, the number you dialed is busy, severing her last hope.

It was as if everything she had been clinging to suddenly crumbled.

She put down her phone and bit down hard on the back of her hand, trying not to make a sound. She drew blood, the metallic taste making her nauseous. She pushed aside the blanket and reached for a tissue, but her hand couldn’t reach, her leg hurt too much to move, the blood trickling down her arm, a stark red against her pale skin.

You Ruxu tried twice, struggling to reach the tissue box on the bedside table, that small distance an insurmountable chasm, defeated and helpless.

The tissue box so close, Zhou Tianzui so close.

Yet she couldn’t reach either.

Zhou Tianzui sat on the sofa. Yu Qiao was making dinner. Since Zhou Tianzui poured her a glass of water earlier, Yu Qiao hadn’t spoken a word to her, ignoring her completely, as if she didn’t exist.

Afraid Yu Qiao might have a relapse, she had stayed here all afternoon, not daring to leave. Yu Qiao seemed fine, preparing dinner at the usual time, just not speaking to Zhou Tianzui.

She walked past Zhou Tianzui, cleaning the apartment, washing clothes, preparing the vegetables. Zhou Tianzui couldn’t help but call out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao’s face was grim as she continued washing the vegetables, ignoring her.

Zhou Tianzui took the vegetables from her hand, “Mom, look at me.”

Yu Qiao took the vegetables back, not even glancing at her, refusing to communicate, refusing to speak. Zhou Tianzui sighed and went to the living room, picked up the car keys. Yu Qiao asked, her voice low and accusatory, “Where are you going?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Just going for a drive.”

“Dinner will be ready soon.” Yu Qiao said, “Don’t go.”

Zhou Tianzui, hearing her speak, put down the keys, “Mom, let’s talk, okay?”

“If you’re trying to convince me, give up.” Yu Qiao said, “I won’t agree.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, why won’t you agree?”

“Why won’t I agree?” Yu Qiao threw the vegetables into the sink, the water splashing. She said, “Zhou Tianzui, do you even know what you’re doing? You’re letting everyone know you’re gay, have you considered the consequences?”

Zhou Tianzui said indifferently, “So what if I have?”

“So what?!” Yu Qiao’s voice rose, sharp and shrill, “We finally escaped those rumors and gossip, I won’t let you go through that again!” Her tone was firm and resolute. “So I absolutely will not agree to you two being together!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, we don’t care about those rumors…”

“Don’t care?” Yu Qiao said, “Is it you who don’t care, or her? You’re only thirty, how long can you not care? How many years can you endure it? What if you can’t?”

As if picturing that scenario.

Yu Qiao’s face paled. She remembered when she first found out about Zhou Qiming’s accident, how she had tried to argue, to explain to everyone, how those accusations piled up against him, against her, until she had no more strength to fight, she thought she didn’t care anymore, what the truth was, she didn’t care, she just wanted to live a good life with Zhou Tianzui.

But every time she closed her eyes, those accusations, those insults, they would haunt her, pointing fingers, whispering behind her back, waking her up in the middle of the night, those nightmares, a living hell.

She would never let Zhou Tianzui go through that again!

Zhou Tianzui, seeing her pale face, called out, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao said, “If you still consider me your mother, break up with her, if you can’t bring yourself to do it, I’ll do it for you.”

Zhou Tianzui frowned, her voice rising slightly, “Mom, I won’t break up with her, no matter the consequences, I can accept them.”

“Accept what?” Yu Qiao said, “Do you know what it’s like to live in hell? Can you endure that kind of life?”

“I can.” Zhou Tianzui looked at Yu Qiao, guilt in her eyes. She clenched her hands, then released them, suppressing the words on the tip of her tongue, “Every single day I lied to you.”

“I was living in hell.”

Chapter 95: Hang Up

Yu Qiao froze, looking at Zhou Tianzui, her throat constricting, unable to speak, her breath catching, her face flushing. After a few seconds, she finally managed, “What did you just say?”

“Mom, I’m—”

“Shut up!”

Yu Qiao didn’t hesitate to interrupt her, “Don’t you dare say another word.”

The shock was too much, Yu Qiao felt dizzy, her vision blurring, Zhou Tianzui’s image doubling. So that was why she refused to get married, refused to date, she…?

Impossible.

Yu Qiao said, “Are you lying to me?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I don’t want to lie to you.”

Yu Qiao’s breath hitched, her body almost collapsing onto the sofa. She took a deep breath, but still felt breathless, dizzy and lightheaded, “Gay? You like women? Ha—” A short, sharp sound. Yu Qiao continued, “You—”

She suddenly remembered that You Ruxu also lived in this apartment.

“Xiao Xu?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes.”

So that was why she was so close to You Ruxu, why they lived together, why she asked You Ruxu to call her “Godmother.”

Yu Qiao’s eyes reddened, “You asked her to be my goddaughter because you two…”

“I like her.” Zhou Tianzui said, “It was all me, I asked her to move in, I asked her to be your goddaughter…”

Slap! A hard slap across Zhou Tianzui’s face.

Yu Qiao hadn’t held back, and a red mark slowly appeared on Zhou Tianzui’s pale skin. Her ears rang, her head turned to the side, she remained silent.

Yu Qiao was trembling with rage, her hand hurt, her body hurt, but her heart hurt even more. Her daughter, her pride and joy, was gay, and had even brought her girlfriend home, calling her “Godmother”?

Every “Godmother” felt like a slap in the face!

Yu Qiao abruptly stood up, then dizzy and lightheaded, fell back onto the sofa. Zhou Tianzui approached, “Mom.”

“Get away from me!” Yu Qiao shouted, “Don’t touch me! I don’t have a daughter like you!”

“Tricking your own mother?” Yu Qiao’s voice choked with tears, “Zhou Tianzui, you were tricking me? What did you expect me to do? Throw a party to celebrate you finding a woman? Do you want me to tell everyone that my daughter likes women?!”

“What’s wrong with liking women?” Zhou Tianzui’s head throbbed. She had intended to tell her mother gradually, to ease her into it, but she hadn’t been able to control her emotions. Her attempt, Yu Qiao’s reaction, was like a bucket of cold water, a chilling disappointment.

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, whether it’s a woman or a man, what matters is the person, not their gender.”

“How can it not be about gender?” Yu Qiao said, “Can two women get married? Can they have children?”

Her voice rose with anger, “You and You Ruxu…”

“She doesn’t know.” Zhou Tianzui said firmly, “She doesn’t know I like her.”

Yu Qiao’s hand trembled with rage: “You!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “It was all my idea.”

“You! You’re still protecting her?!” Yu Qiao, seeing Zhou Tianzui’s phone on the coffee table, grabbed it, wanting to throw it at her, but seeing the red mark on Zhou Tianzui’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to do it, and slammed the phone on the table instead.

A loud thud.

The impact made her hand numb, her ears ringing.

The mark on Zhou Tianzui’s face was a stark contrast against her pale skin. Yu Qiao said, “Pack your things, we’re going home.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom…”

“I said, pack your things! We’re going home!” Yu Qiao suddenly erupted, throwing pillows, books, and the remote control, tears streaming down her face, “Home! Go home with me!”

Zhou Tianzui hugged her tightly, “Mom.”

Yu Qiao struggled in her embrace, hitting Zhou Tianzui against the edge of the coffee table. The impact sent a jolt of pain through her leg, and she stumbled, falling onto the sofa, her back hitting the armrest, a sharp pain making her wince.

She didn’t make a sound.

Yu Qiao was almost hysterical in her anger.

Zhou Tianzui, like she had done in the past, tried to comfort her, “Mom, I’m sorry, Mom, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Mom, we’ll be okay, everything will be alright, Mom.”

Yu Qiao, struggling in her embrace, wanted to break free. Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, it’s okay, it’s okay.”

“Xiao Tian.” Yu Qiao suddenly burst into tears, “Xiao Tian, how could this happen? How could this happen?!”

Zhou Tianzui held her, her nose tingling, her eyes burning. She couldn’t answer Yu Qiao’s question, only repeating her apologies over and over. Yu Qiao cried, her grief intensifying, the more she thought about it, the more painful it became. She had thought Zhou Qiming’s death was a nightmare, but it was a nightmare she couldn’t escape. Countless times she had woken up in a daze, countless times she had been consumed by grief, looking at herself, looking at Zhou Tianzui, both of them wounded.

Zhou Tianzui had harmed herself, the blood flowing endlessly. The day she was taken to the hospital, she had smiled at Yu Qiao and said, “Mom, it’s okay, it’ll be alright, it will all pass, we’ll be okay.”

She had sat in the hospital ward, crying all day.

After that day, she stopped dwelling on the past, stopped thinking about Zhou Qiming. She just wanted to live with Zhou Tianzui, to live a good life, and they had, their lives getting better and better, Zhou Tianzui graduating, becoming a doctor, her pride and joy.

She thought those nightmares were over.

But how could Zhou Tianzui like women?

How could she be gay?

Yu Qiao couldn’t understand, she couldn’t accept it. She told Zhou Tianzui to pack her things, “Come home with me, now!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom.”

“Come home with me!” Yu Qiao roared, her eyes swollen from crying, her body trembling. Zhou Tianzui, not wanting to upset her further, went to her room, grabbed some clothes, and followed her.

Yu Qiao said, “Where are your things?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I don’t have much.”

“You’re not packing, are you?” Yu Qiao said, “I’ll pack for you!”

She pushed past Zhou Tianzui and went to her room. Zhou Tianzui grabbed her arm, “Mom.”

“You don’t want to leave, do you?” Yu Qiao yanked her arm away, “I’ll help you!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll do it myself.”

She turned her back to Yu Qiao, went to her room, packed a few clothes, turned off the stove in the kitchen, looked at the pot of pork rib soup, her eyes reddening. She looked down. Yu Qiao said, “Let’s go!”

Zhou Tianzui followed her out of the apartment, pulling her suitcase.

Back at her own apartment, Yu Qiao sat on the sofa, silent, feeling betrayed, deceived, manipulated, she couldn’t say which hurt more. Her heart was a mess, her daughter, her pride and joy, the person she trusted the most, liked women, had lied to her for someone else.

She must be going crazy.

Yu Qiao wanted to laugh.

She looked at Zhou Tianzui, “Go and rest.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m not tired, Mom, let’s talk.”

Yu Qiao said, “Talk about what? What do you want to talk about? About your touching love story? That whole ‘not wanting to get married’ thing, it was all a lie, wasn’t it? Am I that easy to fool? Zhou Tianzui, did you enjoy deceiving your mother?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I didn’t mean to lie to you.”

“Not intentionally? When did you two get together?” Yu Qiao asked coldly, her eyes red, her face grim. Zhou Tianzui opened her mouth, then closed it without speaking. Yu Qiao said, “Was it when she moved in with you?”

Zhou Tianzui looked down.

Yu Qiao was furious: “You, you! Zhou Tianzui, how could you?!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, please calm down.”

“Calm down?” Yu Qiao said, “How can I calm down?! How long have you been hiding this from me? All those times you brought her home, you even slept in the same bed! You! You!” She couldn’t finish her sentence, but the disgust in her eyes made Zhou Tianzui’s heart ache. She looked at Yu Qiao and said, “Mom, just yell at me, get it all out, you’ll feel better, don’t hold back.”

“Yell at you?” Yu Qiao glared at her, “I can’t even bring myself to say the things you did!”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I don’t think there’s anything unspeakable about this.”

Yu Qiao glared at her.

Zhou Tianzui wanted to approach her, but Yu Qiao said, “Just stay there and talk!”

Zhou Tianzui stopped, “Mom, I know you’re angry right now, you won’t listen to anything I say, but I and—” She moistened her lips, the skin on her cheek still stinging from the slap, her voice firm, “I and her, we’re in a normal relationship.”

“Normal?” Yu Qiao said, “What’s normal about it? Where’s the normalcy? Can you tell everyone you’re together? Can you go to the Civil Affairs Bureau and get married? Xiao Tian, you weren’t like this before.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, people have many sides to them.”

“Then I can’t accept this side of you.” Yu Qiao said firmly, “If you still consider me your mother, break up with her!”

Zhou Tianzui was silent.

Yu Qiao sighed, “Or you can just sever ties with me.”

Zhou Tianzui looked up, her voice slightly raised, “Mom!”

“I’m not forcing you.” Yu Qiao said, “You’ve always been obedient and sensible, more so than me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have survived all these years. But since I raised you, I don’t want you to make mistakes. I know you haven’t been happy all these years, if you think you’ll be happier with her, then go ahead.” She said, “Don’t come back.”

Zhou Tianzui closed her eyes.

Yu Qiao also fell silent.

The living room was quiet. Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, you know I won’t leave you.”

Yu Qiao’s expression softened, “Then…”

“And I won’t leave her either.” Zhou Tianzui looked at Yu Qiao, her eyes pleading, “I’m sorry, Mom, I love you, and I love her.”

Yu Qiao froze.

Although Zhou Tianzui usually had a sweet tongue, she didn’t use the word “love” lightly. It was a heavy word, and Yu Qiao had never heard her say it before. Now, hearing it, she should be happy, but she felt even more heartbroken.

She slumped back onto the sofa, defeated.

Zhou Tianzui lowered her head, “Mom.”

“Don’t call me Mom.” Yu Qiao said, “Don’t call me that.”

Zhou Tianzui’s hands slowly clenched into fists. She stood quietly in front of Yu Qiao, “I’ll get you some water.”

She went to the kitchen, thinking about her outburst earlier, her impulsive words, Yu Qiao’s expression, those hurtful words, like arrows piercing her heart. Zhou Tianzui leaned against the counter, her head throbbing.

The living room was quiet. A vibration came from her bag.

Yu Qiao looked down, it was Zhou Tianzui’s bag.

She took out the phone.

The screen flashed—Teacher You.

You Ruxu.

Her face darkened. She hung up the call.

You Ruxu, hearing the call disconnect, knew Yu Qiao had hung up on her.

She pursed her lips and called Zhou Tianzui again.

The call was disconnected again.

You Ruxu held her phone, her hand trembling as a new message arrived: [Don’t contact me anymore.]

Chapter 94: Treatment

The doctor gave You Ruxu a thorough examination and prescribed some painkillers. Yu Qiao sat by her bedside. You Ruxu said, “Godmother, you should go home, I’m fine on my own, and my colleagues are here too.”

“Don’t trouble your colleagues.” Yu Qiao said, “Your godmother will stay with you.”

She tucked You Ruxu in and continued, “Xiao Tian has always been independent, never telling me anything, always enduring everything on her own, I don’t even remember the last time I took care of her.”

Yu Qiao looked at You Ruxu, “With her personality, it’s difficult for people to get close to her, so she doesn’t have many friends, they all say she’s fierce, but actually, she’s just cold on the outside, warm on the inside.”

You Ruxu nodded, “Yes, she’s a good person.”

“Her personality, she didn’t inherit it from me or her father.” Yu Qiao said, “I’m worried she’ll be stubborn and never get married. You asked her about marriage last time, what did she say?”

Her tone was warm and trusting, treating You Ruxu like family. You Ruxu looked at Yu Qiao, the guilt towards Zhou Qiming.

The guilt towards Zhou Tianzui.

The guilt towards Yu Qiao, all intensified at this moment, her hand clenching, fingernails digging into her palm, leaving deep marks. Meeting Yu Qiao’s gaze, she remembered Zhou Tianzui’s words.

“A Ran, just for me, be a little more selfish, okay?”

You Ruxu’s hand relaxed. She said, “She didn’t say much.”

Yu Qiao wasn’t surprised.

Although Zhou Tianzui had a bad temper, she was very good to Yu Qiao, but they had just argued about this. It was understandable that she didn’t want to talk about it with You Ruxu. Yu Qiao shook her head, “It’s my fault for being too pushy.”

But how could she not be anxious? Other children her age were already married with children, while Zhou Tianzui had never even been in a relationship. She used to worry about Zhou Tianzui dating prematurely during her school years, but Zhou Tianzui had been obedient, not giving her any cause for concern. But then she didn’t date anyone in university either, and after graduating, she became even busier with work at the hospital, not even a hint of a relationship.

Thinking of this, she looked at You Ruxu, “Xiao Xu, do you think there’s something wrong with Xiao Tian?”

You Ruxu was puzzled: “Huh?”

Yu Qiao said, “I mean, with her health, or mentally…”

She stopped mid-sentence.

You Ruxu, seeing her freeze, called out, “Godmother?”

Yu Qiao returned to her senses, “Nothing, it’s nothing.”

That afternoon, Captain Zhou came to ask You Ruxu a few questions. Yu Qiao excused herself, saying she was going home to prepare dinner. You Ruxu asked someone to drive her home. Yu Qiao, after a moment of thought, decided to visit Zhou Tianzui on the way.

Zhou Tianzui had slept after returning home. The image of You Ruxu sitting on the ground, covered in blood, lying in a pool of blood, not responding to her calls, replayed in her mind. She had held You Ruxu, trying to stop the bleeding, but it wouldn’t stop. She called You Ruxu’s name, but there was no response. She looked down, and You Ruxu was gone.

She woke up.

Zhou Tianzui sat on the edge of the bed, You Ruxu’s teddy bear beside her pillow, clearly she had tried to cuddle with it. Zhou Tianzui wondered if she could sleep in the hospital ward. She rubbed her temples, her head aching. She opened her phone, many notifications, all work-related, nothing from You Ruxu.

She turned off the screen, her fingers lingering.

She looked away, out the window.

The sun was shining, a gentle breeze, a rare sunny day. You Ruxu looked away from the window and heard Captain Zhou say, “Zhou Heng is starting to crack, we should be able to close the case soon, once we find the informant.”

You Ruxu asked, “It was Zhou Heng?”

Captain Zhou said, “Not necessarily, but he’s definitely involved.”

Zhou Heng’s reaction last night, after hearing about You Ruxu jumping from the car, and the arrest of the construction site manager, was clearly different. Even the officer interrogating him noticed a change, although he quickly resumed his feigned ignorance.

You Ruxu said, “If he’s involved, he won’t get away with it.”

Captain Zhou said, “We’ve changed our approach.”

Since they knew he was involved, they couldn’t use their previous methods. So, today, they kept Zhou Heng on edge, constantly questioning him, hoping for a breakthrough soon.

Captain Zhou said, “We owe this to you.”

Without You Ruxu, they would still be stuck trying to find the informant. There were no other clues on Xu Jinwan. And if they had let the manager escape last night, if he had become alerted, the case would have been much more difficult to solve.

Public opinion was escalating, like a snowball rolling downhill, gathering momentum. Even her superiors had said if there was no progress soon, they could all pack their bags and go home. Captain Zhou didn’t care about public opinion, but she had to find the person behind this.

They were too brazen, even daring to harm a TV anchor, what would they do next?

It was a chilling thought.

You Ruxu, lost in thought, said, “Don’t mention it, I was just doing my job.”

“You—” Captain Zhou looked at her, sensing a lonely stubbornness in her demeanor, a difficult to describe mix of strength and vulnerability, “Don’t do that again, wait for the police next time.”

You Ruxu said, “I understand.”

Captain Zhou, seeing her exhaustion, said, “Then you should rest, contact me if you need anything, and I’ll keep you updated on the progress.”

You Ruxu nodded.

After Captain Zhou left, the ward was quiet, so quiet that You Ruxu could hear her own heartbeat.

“Being a reporter is so important, then what about me?”

“If you had to choose one?”

You Ruxu couldn’t turn over easily, so she just lay there, looking at the ceiling and the fluorescent light above. After a moment of thought, she messaged Zhou Tianzui, typing and deleting several times, before finally sending: [Godmother just went home.]

Zhou Tianzui was still lying in bed, listless, her head heavy, a cold coming on, wanting to cough with every breath. She got up and made herself a hot drink, then turning back to her room, she glanced at the clothes rack, You Ruxu’s jacket from yesterday was still there, but her press pass was gone.

You Ruxu was always meticulous about her belongings, especially something so important. She remembered when they first met, You Ruxu had been resting in her office, and after waking up, she had frantically searched for something. It was the first time Zhou Tianzui had seen her so anxious, asking curiously, “What are you looking for?”

You Ruxu had looked at her, her eyes slightly red, “I lost my press pass.”

Meeting that gaze, Zhou Tianzui’s heart ached, a strange mix of pain and tenderness. She had wanted to say it was just a press pass, she could get a new one, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it, helping her search for half an hour, finally finding it in her bag.

You Ruxu had smiled, “Thank you.”

A smile that Zhou Tianzui found incredibly sweet.

She had said, “You’re welcome, buy me dinner tonight.”

And You Ruxu had readily agreed.

It wasn’t exactly a pursuit, just a gradual escalation of their ambiguous relationship. She had come out of the operating room and seen You Ruxu, who had just finished her report, looking up at her. In that moment, even dinner seemed sweet.

Zhou Tianzui closed her eyes, remembering.

You Ruxu always treasured her press pass, why wasn’t it here? Did she take it with her last night?

She looked at the clothes rack, her face grim.

A voice called out from the doorway, “Xiao Tian?”

She put down her cup and walked over, “Mom?”

“You’re home, just woke up?” Yu Qiao walked in. The heater was on. She took off her jacket, “I just bought some pork ribs and vegetables from the market, I’ll make you dinner first, then send some over to Xiao Xu.”

Zhou Tianzui felt weak and listless, coughing.

Yu Qiao frowned, “Do you have a cold?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, a little, I just took some medicine.”

“Then go rest, don’t just stand there, I’ll go check on the food.” Yu Qiao didn’t come here often. Before, it was because of her awkward relationship with You Ruxu, and later, even after their relationship improved, they were both too busy. Zhou Tianzui nodded and, while Yu Qiao was in the kitchen, tidied up her bedroom and the bathroom, closed both doors, then sat on the sofa. Yu Qiao called out, “Why aren’t you resting in your room?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I just woke up, not sleepy yet. How is she doing?”

“Who? Xiao Xu? Her hand hurts, she even cried, it must be really painful.” Yu Qiao said while preparing the ingredients. Zhou Tianzui’s face paled slightly, and she sat heavily on the sofa. Yu Qiao called out again, “Xiao Tian!”

Zhou Tianzui returned to her senses and looked at her mother.

Yu Qiao asked, “Which pot should I use for the rice?”

There were two pots, one for soup, one for rice. Yu Qiao hadn’t used them before. Zhou Tianzui walked over to the kitchen, took a pot, and handed it to her, “This one’s for rice.”

Yu Qiao took it, rinsed the rice, and said, “It’s really not easy living alone, look at Xiao Xu, such a big accident, her parents don’t even know, and she’s dealing with it all by herself, how distressing.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Then you should take good care of her, Mom.”

“Of course I will.” Yu Qiao said, “Don’t just stand there, go and lie down for a bit.”

Zhou Tianzui was shooed out of the kitchen again.

She sat on the sofa, bored, turned on the TV, then went to her room to get her phone. The moment she opened it, she saw a message from You Ruxu, saying Yu Qiao had gone home. Zhou Tianzui glanced at her mother, busy in the kitchen, lowered her head, her fingers on the screen, not knowing what to reply, when Yu Qiao came out of the kitchen and called, “Xiao Tian.”

Zhou Tianzui closed her phone, placed it on the sofa, and looked up.

Yu Qiao wiped her hands, sat beside her, clearly wanting to say something, but hesitant.

Zhou Tianzui waited patiently. Yu Qiao said, “Dinner will be ready soon, eat and go to bed early.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, it’s 3:30 pm.”

“Oh.” Yu Qiao said, “You can eat at 3:30 too, what did you have for lunch?”

Zhou Tianzui paused.

Yu Qiao said, “You didn’t eat?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I fell asleep, just woke up.”

“Why don’t you take care of yourself?” Yu Qiao said, “Eat more later!”

Zhou Tianzui, feeling guilty, “I know.”

She watched as Yu Qiao stood up, then sat back down, looking at her. She couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, what do you want to say?”

Yu Qiao said, “Xiao Tian, I haven’t asked you before, you don’t want to get married, you don’t want to date, is it because…” She seemed to find it difficult to say the words. Zhou Tianzui frowned, “Mom, what is it?”

Yu Qiao blurted out, “Is something wrong with you?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “What could be wrong with me?”

Yu Qiao said, “I know you’re physically healthy, but what about mentally?”

“I’m not—” Zhou Tianzui looked at Yu Qiao, “What if there is something wrong?”

“Then we’ll get it treated. Mental illness is also an illness, you’re a doctor, why would you avoid treatment?” Yu Qiao’s voice was filled with concern. Zhou Tianzui looked down and said, “What if it can’t be cured?”

Yu Qiao said, “What kind of illness can’t be cured? I think you just…”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, can homosexuality be cured?”

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Author’s Note:

PS: Dr. Zhou doesn’t believe homosexuality is an illness.