Chapter 104: The Cold War

At the Deer Academy Affiliated Medical Center, although he had been mentally prepared, when the solemn-faced doctor delivered the diagnosis to Ji Ning, he still felt helpless.

“The surgery was very successful...” The doctor, accustomed to life and death farewells, paused before adding, “but the leg couldn’t be saved.”

Despite having heard about the dark humor of the medical staff at Deer Academy’s medical center on the school forum, Ji Ning still wanted to punch the bastard. Yet, thinking of the hospital’s security, he swallowed his anger.

“It’s okay. Look on the bright side—next time you’re going uphill on the street, you can get free help from strangers,” Ji Ning forced a smile, trying to comfort the saddened girl before him. Qin Mo could no longer hold back and threw herself onto Ji Ning’s legs, crying like a child who had lost everything. Ji Ning gently stroked her trembling back.

Qin Mo’s eyes were red as she wiped away tears. She seemed to have vented all her emotions in that long cry, still sobbing softly. Finally, Ji Ning, with some difficulty, held her in his arms, feeling the warmth she gave. He softly coaxed her, “People always want to be heroes, but being a hero comes at a price. Don’t cry. At least I saved a city—with so many people, children, mothers among them. Compared to that, it’s quite a bargain.”

Qin Mo’s voice trembled with tears, her delicate, tear-streaked face breaking his heart. “I don’t want you to be a hero. I just want you to be okay.”

“Isn’t this okay? The doctor didn’t say I’d be in a wheelchair for life. There’s still a chance to recover. Someone can push me when we go out, feed me when I eat... sounds not too bad.” Ji Ning patted Qin Mo’s head, trying to lighten the mood. He felt sorry for her but didn’t know how to comfort her. Before meeting Qin Mo, he had never had experience with love.

“Stop crying, or I’ll make you push me around all week as punishment.”

“I won’t leave you,” Qin Mo suddenly said something seemingly unrelated, causing Ji Ning’s forced smile to stiffen for a moment.

He was silent for a moment, then laughed. “What’s the big deal? I just can’t walk, not disfigured. With my handsome face, I’m not at the pity stage yet. More importantly, no one says you have to pass probation immediately.”

“I won’t leave you, and you won’t leave me,” Qin Mo said again, slow and resolute, as if she hadn’t heard Ji Ning’s words.

Ji Ning avoided her tear-filled, unwavering gaze. “I’m hungry. Please ask the nurse to hurry up with my meal.”

Only then did Qin Mo rise. She didn’t leave immediately but leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Ji Ning, half-sitting on the bed, whispering, “I’ll be right back.”

Only after the door closed did Ji Ning’s smile fade piece by piece. Who could truly accept spending the rest of their life in a wheelchair?

Staring at his numb legs, he muttered absentmindedly, “What kind of person has the right to bear responsibility like this?”

He and Qin Mo maintained a peculiar relationship: though subtly established as lovers, they rarely spent all day together. Although they longed to be like ordinary couples, the busy academic life at Deer Academy demanded much of their energy. He didn’t mind; this was the price to pay to avoid becoming each other’s burden.

The moment he learned he might spend his life in a wheelchair, he began to think more deeply. His proud heart would not allow him to appear pathetic before the girl he loved. From what he knew of Qin Mo, she was the kind of person who, once in love with the sea, would willingly drown in it. Just imagining her wasting her best years on a crippled man caused a piercing pain in his heart. He felt his heart convulse and mourn.

She deserved better. Even princesses in stories lived happily ever after with princes. How could he tolerate Qin Mo spending her life with a disabled man?

Promises and responsibilities are the core of love. Love without commitment and responsibility does not exist. He had promised to make Qin Mo happy, but that responsibility was beyond what he could bear now.

Ji Ning decided to gradually distance himself from Qin Mo. Being too direct would backfire. He knew Qin Mo too well; though she seemed fragile, once determined, her persistence was unshakable. If she knew his true feelings, nothing could be changed. Even if he pointed a gun at her, telling her to leave, she would quietly hand him the bullet and watch him.

The white wooden door seemed to divide two worlds. Qin Mo did not leave but leaned outside the ward. She knew Ji Ning well. Though he treated everything with a world-weary attitude, he held himself to the highest standards. He was the proudest among all.

Like any girl falling in love for the first time, her heart was always tied to Ji Ning.

During the first holiday weekend at Deer Academy, despite the pressure of complicated coursework, Qin Mo chose to spend the brief break focusing on him. She went alone to Sylvia’s office, asking the question that had troubled her for a week: why was his training so intense?

“Before, it was normal intensity. After finals, that is, after you came, he actively requested increased training. Isn’t that strange? Unlike us women, boys only need a trigger to learn to become men instantly. From what I observed, he must have fallen in love with you. Otherwise, I can’t explain his sudden diligence. He’s so lazy, usually unwilling to work hard even for himself. It seems only when protecting someone he cares about does he find this fighting spirit. Surprisingly responsible! When you grow up, you’ll understand how precious this quality is—far better than sweet words. It’s the prerequisite for all beautiful love. So don’t blame him for not making time to date you. Be patient, okay? Give the little guy time to grow. He’ll give you a satisfactory answer.”

The shyness of first love left her unsure how to express her feelings. All she could do was accompany him on walks after brief dinners every evening. She never demanded he stop and spend more time with her; she silently treasured every moment.

“I won’t leave you,” Qin Mo said, staring at the pristine ceramic floor, silently resolving to reconcile with her Ji Ning with all her tolerance.

Love is never a one-sided answer; they were partners supporting each other.

The next day back at Deer Academy, Qin Mo pushed the wheelchair, watching Ji Ning acting childish and deliberately avoiding her, trying to distance himself. Sadness washed over her like a tide. She wished she were the one in the wheelchair, so she could openly enjoy Ji Ning’s love, and they wouldn’t be caught in the first conflict since they met.

She never doubted that if she were in the wheelchair, Ji Ning would care for her—just as she never doubted her feelings for him.

“You must be trying every way to leave me. You always think from others’ perspectives but never truly ask for my real thoughts.”

Both were inexperienced in love, too young to know how to treat those important in their lives. Qin Mo feared Ji Ning might mistake her care for pity; she didn’t want to hurt his sensitive, fragile heart.

“Want to go back?”

“You go first. I want to be alone for a while.”

“I don’t want to go back either.”

“Can you let me be alone?”

“Okay.”

“Really alone. I don’t like being watched.” Ji Ning emphasized a word. Yesterday, when he tried to get a cup of water by himself but spilled it due to unfamiliarity, Qin Mo appeared within seconds to clean up.

Qin Mo said nothing, not even moving her feet; she had been almost inseparable from Ji Ning these days. If not for professional staff needed for hygiene and care, Ji Ning probably wouldn’t have any privacy left from Qin Mo.

“What does this mean? I’m just paralyzed from the waist down, not a vegetable. You make me feel like a corpse—without someone watching, crows would come peck me apart.”

These words stung Ji Ning’s heart sharply as soon as they escaped his mouth. He forced himself to endure the pain, silently repeating that such vicious thorns would wound all roses.

Qin Mo said nothing further. She bent down to meet Ji Ning’s eyes, her sorrowful gaze reflecting his face, a fleeting glimmer of light. After a moment, she softly said, “If you think distancing yourself and rejecting me will make me leave, you’re terribly mistaken. I won’t leave you. No matter what, I’ll come back in half an hour.”

Ji Ning’s eyes followed her retreating figure. He knew how stubborn she was; he should have known—no one could shake her decisions, not even him.

Qin Mo took a few steps away. Ji Ning watched her pretending to look around, his heart full of anger with nowhere to vent.

Why did he have to get involved with such a girl?

Did he think he could change anything? Yes, he had extraordinary friends beyond normal imagination, but he also knew his name was on the SCP Foundation’s list. They hadn’t taken him because of a deal involving him. As an object, he wasn’t even allowed to know the details.

Yes, he had that black card, plenty of funds to live comfortably, bold enough to try taking on Qin Mo’s responsibility. But could he guarantee the card would always work and not suddenly fail like it did in Tokyo? Without it, he couldn’t even support himself. He had no right to make promises to a girl.

Yes, he loved Qin Mo, but he couldn’t even spare time to accompany her properly. He dragged his tired body for brief walks after class, unable to offer any care or sweetness that love deserved. He was selfish, impulsive, shortsighted, a good-for-nothing incapable of giving her a clear future. Why had he confessed to her that day?

He was still the same useless person, unable to do or change anything, silently powerless before fate.

He angrily struck his legs, wincing in pain, almost crying out. Damn it, isn’t he paralyzed? Why does it still hurt?

Before he could try again, Qin Mo came back, biting her lip, tears threatening to fall.

“Sorry.”

Ji Ning lowered his head like a dejected dog.

Qin Mo thought he was apologizing for venting his anger. She held him tightly, holding back her own pain.

“It will get better. I’ll wait with you until that day comes...”

The word “wait” stabbed Ji Ning’s fragile heart. Suppressing his self-hatred, he squeezed out of Qin Mo’s embrace.

Just as Ji Ning was about to speak, he turned to see Qin Mo silently crying. He could no longer utter any angry words. Those shining tears burned his heart.

“Why are you crying?” Ji Ning murmured, reaching out but unsure what to do. He had thought of treating her coldly, but why did he still want to hold her?

Qin Mo remained silent, tears flowing faster. Silent crying was more powerful than sobbing. The more blurred her eyes, the more Ji Ning’s heart curled tightly.

Qin Mo wiped her tears, voice trembling, “Do you want to go back? I can peel an apple for you.”

Ji Ning held back the urge to hug her. He didn’t know how long he could maintain this coldness. No one could remain indifferent in front of such a girl. His heart, hardened before, twitched at that sad face. It was a pain deep into the marrow, like endless falling—only one light in the darkness. He inevitably moved toward the light. “Okay.”

After returning to the room and calming down, Ji Ning decided to change the situation. He planned to call Catherine and Avra, hoping they could reason with stubborn Qin Mo from a woman’s perspective.

A rational choice might be best for both. If persuasion failed, he would rather die than become a burden.

He thought sadly that if it came to that, he would handle his responsibilities, leaving enough money for family and Qin Mo. That would be his only self-redemption.

“Can you step outside for a bit? I need some privacy.”

“Okay.”

“I really, really need some privacy. You understand, right? Boys in their prime have secrets they don’t want others to see. It’d be embarrassing—really embarrassing.” Ji Ning stared at the ceiling. If not for his moving lips, Qin Mo might have thought it was a tape recorder hidden under the bed.

Qin Mo looked puzzled, seemingly not understanding. Ji Ning suddenly wondered if she was nearly twenty and still ignorant about the opposite sex. He waved her over, whispered a few words. The young girl blushed deeply and repeated in shock, “If you don’t deal with it, won’t it be impossible to recover?”

Ji Ning’s determined gaze made her stumble away. Just as he considered how to ask Avra and Catherine for help, a knock came at the door. “The tissues on the nightstand are almost gone. I have new ones here.”

Ji Ning felt he could see the shyness on her face through the white composite door. Clearing his throat, he said, “No need.”

A while later, just as Ji Ning thought she had left, the knock came again, followed by a soft, clear female voice. “Do you need materials? I just Googled it. What you’re doing requires casting materials—those kinds of things.”

Ji Ning was about to ask Qin Mo to be a good girl and not ask more, but his curiosity was piqued. What were “those kinds of things”? Could pure Qin Mo have her own collection?

In a matter-of-fact tone, he said, “I need them.” The rustling outside stopped briefly. As Ji Ning’s mind raced, his phone buzzed with a message.

A whole gigabyte of files. Eagerly unzipping, the first image left him stunned.

It was Qin Mo herself!

Well, suicide or such thoughts could be forgotten. Life was better than death, as long as he didn’t become a burden to Qin Mo.

Ji Ning spent thirty minutes scrutinizing all the photos multiple times before calming down. Besides the recent mirror selfie, most were candid shots from her past, not posed but filled with the breath of life—wonderful moments likely captured by her mother.

Only when Ji Ning closed his phone did he feel a lingering thought: why does the world need clothes?

Half an hour later, “You know what I was doing in there, right?” Ji Ning stared blankly at his water cup, the transparent vessel unable to cleanse his soul. He despised himself, thinking, Ji Ning, you say you’re a gentleman, but in the end, you’re just lusting after her.

“Y-yes,” Qin Mo blushed, voice soft and tinged with pink.

“Then why did you send me your selfie?”

“If it were you, it’d be fine.” Qin Mo peeked up briefly, then quickly looked down, mumbling, “Better than you looking at other girls.”

The tiny room fell into a deathly silence. Startled by this possessiveness, Ji Ning didn’t know what to say.

Qin Mo sniffed the air shyly. Having just Googled male behaviors, she found a note emphasizing ventilation afterward to avoid strange smells. Yet, she smelled nothing.

“Are you feeling unwell?” she finally asked, gathering courage.

“No.” Ji Ning’s face was expressionless.

“Then why no weird smell?” Qin Mo’s voice was shy, her face like a rosy peach.

After a moment, Ji Ning realized what she meant and exploded like a powder keg, “I’m perfectly normal, especially in that regard!”

Soon after, a quiet voice said, “If it’s really that problem, maybe we should see a doctor...”

“Shut up! I’m fine!”

“Don’t avoid treatment...,” Qin Mo’s voice grew weaker, almost inaudible.

“I’m really fine! Or do you want to check?!” Ji Ning’s anger nearly overwhelmed him, and only then did he realize how lecherous his words sounded.

Qin Mo was silent. Ji Ning thought if he really took off his pants, she’d run away, leaving him alone for the night. He decided to play along, making noises as if he’d stripped.

“Ha, I’ve taken off my pants. You wanna see?”

After a minute without a sound, Ji Ning rolled over and met Qin Mo’s eyes behind her hand shielding her face. They stared for a second, then shouted simultaneously.

“You’re a tomboy!”

“No, you are!”

Both shouted in unison, Ji Ning angrily threw a pillow at Qin Mo, who retaliated. Amid their pillow fight, someone turned off the light. In the darkness, the battle continued.

“You devil, you peeked! That’s so embarrassing!”

“You’re so considerate, I just wanted to be curious!”

The pillow fight ended with Qin Mo victorious. She vigorously rubbed Ji Ning’s face in the dark, then pushed him onto the bed to start the prescribed daily rehabilitation massage.

“Tomboy!”

Ji Ning grumbled, his tone softening, tinged with a hint of unspoken embarrassment.

The darkness masked Qin Mo’s shyness as she bravely said, “We’re already that kind of couple, so this isn’t tomboyish! As my boyfriend, you have an obligation to satisfy my curiosity.”

Ji Ning felt unable to refute but couldn’t accept being treated like a child. This was no different from when older sisters caught him flicking paper birds as a kid. “Just wait. I’ll get my revenge.”

Qin Mo nodded, then smacked Ji Ning’s butt, massaging him firmly. Having subdued him, she finished the massage.

Feeling her touch in the darkness, Ji Ning’s pent-up emotions gradually dissipated. Who could stay cold-faced before such a girl?

Finally, he softened his tone, holding her hand, wanting to do something but lacking courage. He could only say, “Thank you.”

Qin Mo paused, then pressed her soft body against Ji Ning’s back in the dark. She wrapped her arms around his neck, silently rubbing her face against his. Just as Ji Ning was lost in tenderness, she bared her adorable little fangs and bit him.

That bite carried all her pent-up frustration and grievances, biting hard enough to make Ji Ning plead for mercy before she released and gently licked the wound, whispering, “You’re welcome.”

In the silent darkness, Ji Ning finally dropped all pretenses. He hugged Qin Mo, resting his chin on her shoulder, and uttered the long-overdue apology.

“Sorry.”

Qin Mo said nothing, only holding him tighter.

Ji Ning began coughing harshly. Since his body had been pushed beyond its limits, various ailments plagued his fragile frame.

Qin Mo gently patted his back, held his hand, and whispered softly, “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

Ji Ning knew then that he could no longer lose her.

Through his agonizing coughs, only she stayed by his side, holding his fragile hand, declaring her love with unwavering strength.

On that silent night, he finally understood what love truly meant.

The past days felt unreal, like the time he rode a bike alone from the internet café at dawn. Now, this moment felt just as unreal.

Thus, Ji Ning and Qin Mo’s first one-sided cold war lasted only two days, ending with Qin Mo’s triumph.