Chapter 35: It Hurts So Much

The crisp scent of snow-laden cedar mingled with a faint trace of medicine in the air. Jiang Yao looked up and instinctively took two steps back, her little face lifted just as she met He Yunqing’s gaze.

The man’s eyes were gentle as he stared at the fresh, red imprint of a slap on her face.

Under his scrutiny, Jiang Yao felt uneasy. She turned her head aside and covered the stinging cheek with her small hand.

“Does it hurt?” He Yunqing asked softly.

How could it not hurt? Yet, despite the pain, the slap seemed to ease her troubled heart.

She shook her head, “Not at all. It actually helps with blood circulation and bruising.”

He Yunqing watched her, amused by her sharp-tongued resilience even after being struck. He let out a soft laugh and leaned his tall frame against the wall. “You may not hurt, but I certainly do.”

“Huh?” Jiang Yao’s first thought was of He Yunqing’s head injury. She instinctively moved closer, standing on tiptoe to examine him. “Are you sure you’re alright? Maybe you should see the doctor again? Head injuries should always be taken seriously.”

She was so close now, she could almost feel the faint warmth of his breath.

He Yunqing, noticing her anxious expression, smiled with a curve of his lips he hadn’t realized. “It’s not my head that hurts.”

“Then what hurts?” Jiang Yao, oblivious to how intimate their posture had become, reached out to check his injury. “I’m sorry, it’s all because of me…”

He Yunqing suddenly chuckled, “I’m teasing you.”

When Jiang Yao looked up, she finally realized how close she’d gotten, their noses nearly touching. Her pupils widened in shock. She quickly stepped back, clearing her throat in embarrassment. “Well, I just didn’t want you to overlook anything. If you develop any complications and decide to blame me, I’ll have to take care of you, but I don’t have the money for that.”

Her attempt to cover up her concern made even herself want to laugh.

He Yunqing’s lips curled in a smile, his hands in his pockets, watching her with a leisurely amusement. “No worries, I have plenty of money.”

It sounded almost as if he meant, “No worries, I have plenty of money to take care of you.”

Jiang Yao shook her head, trying to dispel the sudden thought from her mind.

He Yunqing was simply too captivating—a man whose casual words could sweep someone into a whirlpool they couldn’t escape.

Jiang Yao thought herself hardened, her heart sealed away in concrete, yet in front of him, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander.

But she knew she couldn’t let herself go.

Her situation was difficult for anyone to accept.

Especially because the man in question was He Yunqing.

“Your wealth has nothing to do with me,” Jiang Yao murmured, turning away to look out the window.

The snow was melting, and soon the flowers and grass would burst forth with new life.

He Yunqing stood beside her. “Why did you leave the ward so quickly just now?”

Jiang Yao rested her elbows on the windowsill, cupping her face in her hands. “Well, your agent said your family had been notified. If I didn’t hurry, I might run into them—and who knows what would happen to me then.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jiang Yao turned her head, watching He Yunqing apologize on Eileen’s behalf, a strange bitterness rising in her chest.

From what position was He Yunqing apologizing for Eileen?

Jiang Yao pinched her fingers. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who should be sorry. You’re in the hospital because of me, missing work. He Yunqing, you shouldn’t have rushed out like that.”

“What’s so bad about being in the hospital?” He Yunqing said lightly. “It means I don’t have to leave here for now.”

Jiang Yao tilted her head, curious. “Is there something you need to do here?”

He Yunqing nodded, “I’m worried about someone.”

Jiang Yao drew a deep breath and looked out the window, asking no further.

That person—anyone could guess—must be Eileen.

Jiang Yao rubbed her head; it seemed that though Eileen wasn’t yet He Yunqing’s girlfriend, they were getting closer.

She needed to keep her distance from He Yunqing, lest things became too complicated, and she ended up with more slaps from Eileen.

“You can take her with you wherever you go.”

He Yunqing considered, “She probably wouldn’t want to leave with me.”

“How could that be? She likes you, she’d certainly want to go,” Jiang Yao said with a smile, suddenly envious of Eileen—free to come and go as she pleased.

It was different for her. Even if she liked someone, she couldn’t simply leave.

She was like a blade of grass, rooted in her soil—without it, she couldn’t survive.

He Yunqing glanced at her, his gaze meaningful, “Likes me?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yao replied, not understanding.

He Yunqing lowered his eyes, smiling quietly. “Then I’ll have to find a chance to ask her if she really does.”

Jiang Yao had no interest in other people’s love affairs. She waved her hand, “Go ahead and ask. I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head back.”

Passing by the nurse’s station, she overheard two young nurses chatting again.

Jiang Yao often listened to their gossip and was almost friends with them. Seeing them, she leaned in, “What are you talking about?”

The two nurses lowered their voices mysteriously. “We’re talking about the director’s son.”

Jiang Yao’s curiosity was piqued. She moved closer. “What about the director’s son?”

“The hospital told us to keep it secret, but since we’re friends, I’ll tell you—don’t spread it,” one nurse whispered in her ear. “The director’s son was injured and is now hospitalized.”

“Really?” Jiang Yao frowned. “Is it serious?”

“Why would I lie? He’s in the innermost room on the top floor right now.”

Jiang Yao nodded, thinking she should visit him and thank him for covering Chen Shu’s medical expenses.

Suddenly, she realized something and her mouth fell open.

The innermost room on the top floor—that was He Yunqing’s room.

Or perhaps…

The director’s son was…

Jiang Yao stood stunned, gazing down the corridor to where He Yunqing stood.

He was looking out the window, sensing her gaze and turning back.

Sunlight poured gently over him, gilding him in a soft, golden light.

He stood there like a prince out of a fairy tale, quietly meeting her eyes.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but press her lips together.

Beside her, the nurse whispered, “That’s not the main point. The main point is, do you know who the director’s son is?”

Jiang Yao looked at He Yunqing from afar and slowly replied, “It’s He Yunqing.”

“Ah, how did you know?” The nurse exclaimed in surprise. “I was shocked when I found out. It’s so unexpected…”

Jiang Yao said nothing, quietly gazing at He Yunqing, as if she had countless questions for him, yet for the moment, didn’t know where to begin…