Lin Zhiyi couldn’t figure out the meaning of his words.
But before she could ask, Gong Chen anxiously answered the phone.
From the other end of the phone came Sang Ran’s gentle voice.
"When will you be back? I’m waiting for you."
"Right now."
Even Gong Chen hadn’t realized that the moment he connected the call, he slowed down his speech and unconsciously let go of Lin Zhiyi’s hand.
Lin Zhiyi, with eyes cast downward, rubbed her wrist, and unbeknownst to him, she got out of the car and left.
By the time Gong Chen hung up the phone, Lin Zhiyi was already gone.
He looked at Chen Jin, "When did she leave?"
Chen Jin helplessly said, "While you were on the phone."
"What did she say?"
"Miss Lin... didn’t say anything." Chen Jin’s voice trailed off.
Hearing this, Gong Chen leaned back, his whole figure shrouded in darkness, silently lit a cigarette.
His entire demeanor was like a ghostly silhouette in the fog, silent and still.
"Let’s go. Help me arrange a bouquet of flowers for tomorrow."
His voice was low and tense.
...
Back at Su He Bay.
Upon entering, a waft of food aroma came through.
Immediately, a figure dashed towards him and plunged into Gong Chen’s arms.
It was Sang Ran.
"Why did you take so long? Isn’t the company close to here? I specifically stewed a soup for you; hurry up and drink it while it’s hot."
Gong Chen unemotionally created a distance between them, muttered a faint response, and walked past Sang Ran.
Sang Ran caught a whiff of the strong smell of cigarettes on him and slightly frowned.
"Did you run into some annoying work matters?"
"No."
A coldness set across Gong Chen’s face, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.
Sang Ran sat silently, gazing obsessively at the man before her.
Despite being so close to him, she felt like she could never hold onto him.
Gong Chen drank half a bowl of soup and said gravely, "You go to sleep, I’ll clean up."
Sang Ran felt his consideration and smiled as she looked up, but then she was frozen in shock.
The man never even glanced at her once, as if she didn’t exist.
This reminded her of Wen Qing’s words,
"A man is driven by desire; it’s impossible for Third Young Master to abstain from all desires at his age!"
Was she truly that unappealing?
As Gong Chen turned towards the kitchen, Sang Ran also stood up and forcefully hugged him from behind.
"Do you find my legs repulsive? I can wear prosthetics..." Sang Ran pleaded humbly.
"Sang Ran, don’t say such things, it’s not your fault."
Though meant to be comforting, the words from the man’s mouth carried no hint of affectionate warmth.
Sang Ran even felt like he was consoling a child, a stranger, but certainly not a lover.
But this wasn’t what she wanted.
She mustered the greatest courage she had in this lifetime, pulled her hands around his waist, and began to tug at his belt.
But in the next second, Gong Chen firmly grasped her fumbling hands.
"Don’t do this," his voice was cold, almost a warning.
"No! I insist on this! I am a woman too, I hope my fiancé can be gentle with me. Do you understand?"
Sang Ran pressed her face against Gong Chen’s firm back, her voice choked.
Gong Chen’s hand holding hers slowly loosened, as if conceding to her.
Her eyes heated up, feeling that she finally received acceptance from the man she loved.
Just as she carefully began to unbutton Gong Chen’s shirt, the man in front of her brushed her hands aside.
"Sang Ran, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Sang Ran’s hands hung stiff in the air, her face pallid, each word seeming to drain all her strength.
Gong Chen, seeing her distressed, helped her to sit down.
"Take a moment to calm down, I’ll get you a glass of water."
Watching Gong Chen’s retreating back, tears uncontrollably fell; she even guessed what he was going to say.
Her heart ached uncontrollably, the intense pain causing her to fall from the chair.
When Gong Chen came out with a glass of water, Sang Ran had already collapsed on the floor, her face deathly pale.
...
Hospital, emergency room.
When Sang Ran was resuscitated, the dark night had already shed a layer of shadows.
She stared out of the window for a while, then turned around to make a pot of tea and washed two cups.
Just as she sat down, the doorbell rang.
Lin Zhiyi hesitated, curling her fingers, but still went to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, a bunch of hyacinths was thrust in front of her.
Behind the flowers, Sister Zhou’s face appeared.
"You should still remember me, right? Sister Zhou!"
"I remember, I remember. I have read through all our chat records, they’re just like a memo," Lin Zhiyi joked half-heartedly.
In fact, she had only forgotten some people and some events.
It’s not that she didn’t remember everyone.
But she didn’t want to explain anymore.
Sister Zhou laughed, "I saw the flower shop downstairs having a promotion, so I bought two bunches; this one’s for you."
"Thanks. How is it back home?"
Lin Zhiyi took the flowers and got slippers for Sister Zhou.
While complaining about having to entertain many relatives, Sister Zhou brought a big bag of local specialties inside.
"It smells good. Did you make tea? Huh? Why two cups? Did you invite someone?"
Lin Zhiyi was about to explain when her phone vibrated twice on the table.
The phone screen displayed a trending news item.
It was a random shot by a patient at the hospital of Gong Chen giving flowers to Sang Ran and intimately feeding her.
Title: "If you want to ship, ship a real couple, so sweet."
Suddenly, the internet exploded.
People sent their blessings.
Lin Zhiyi turned off the screen and said lightly, "Didn’t invite anyone. Just set two cups for the look."
Sister Zhou nodded and reached out to pour the tea.
As Lin Zhiyi had just arranged the flowers, her phone rang.
It was Liu He.
"Zhiyi, how much money do you have on you?"
"Mom, are you asking to borrow money? Doesn’t uncle give you a lot every month? Why do you still need money?" Lin Zhiyi asked, puzzled.
"I... I..." Liu He’s voice was faltering and sounded very suppressed.
Lin Zhiyi immediately sensed something was wrong, "Mom, what exactly is going on?"
"Zhiyi, save me."
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