Yang Hui’s explanation only elicited a disbelieving smile from Zhao Guodong. Zhao Guodong even looked ambiguously at Sui Gang, who seemed indifferent. Yang Hui furrowed his brows, but luckily Shen Bin came in, bringing the topic to an end. "Your dad will be here soon, I’ll go pick him up now, and won’t be back until the afternoon," Shen Bin explained, taking out five yuan and putting it down, "Keep this for lunch."
"Instructor Shen, no need to throw money today, I asked the nanny at home to bring lunch, it’ll definitely be delivered on time, so don’t worry." Sui Gang pushed the money back, "Ye Ling is sick, as classmates we should care for each other."
Shen Bin didn’t stand on ceremony, nodded, and turned to leave.
After he left, Zhao Guodong couldn’t help but mutter, "Always treating others like kids, are we going to let Ye Ling starve?"
With a look of discontent, everyone in the room understood his words.
Yang Hui didn’t have time to respond, sitting by the bed holding Ye Ling’s hand that wasn’t punctured, talking. Sui Gang had already explained everything in the phone call, and even the usually composed Yang Hui was so angry he cursed, rushing straight to the hospital. Seeing Ye Ling , he couldn’t help but scold her.
"How could you be so silly, chasing Zhao Guodong away? Fighting three people on your own, did you really think you were Bruce Lee? Now look, you’ve ended up . Thankfully your ear is fine, or you’d regret it for the rest of your life." Yang Hui said, still not satisfied, lifting his hand to tap Ye Ling’s head.
Zhao Guodong and Sui Gang, talking, happened to see this, "Hey, no gestures while talking, her head can’t move around now." This content belongs to novęlfire.net
"Look how worried you are, I just tapped her head lightly, what’s the big deal," Yang Hui laughed at Zhao Guodong’s nervousness. "By the way, did you call those folks in your compound? They’re quite concerned about Ye Ling, let them know too."
"No, it’s already , them coming back won’t solve anything, let’s wait until school starts," Ye Ling intervened. "I’ve already made a name for myself, it’s better if you all stay away from me, or I’ll ruin your reputation. When we’re back at school, we can be close privately, but publicly, it’s better to keep your distance from me."
"Listen to what you’re saying, what do you take us for? Let others say what they want; it’s not like words will harm us," Yang Hui said, displeased. "Is this how you see us? I’m telling you, if you keep saying things like that, we’re through. Too bad Liu Nan went abroad, she’d set you straight."
Liu Nan had a sharp tongue, she’d say whatever was on her mind, and with a good family background, she didn’t care about anything. If she heard Ye Ling saying something like that, she’d probably make a scene right here in the hospital. Ye Ling thought about it and laughed, Sui Gang and Zhao Guodong chimed in as well, their banter filling the hospital room with chatter until a nurse came by to warn them to keep it down, finally bringing some peace.
At noon, the nanny from Sui Gang’s family delivered lunch, with essentials like braised pork, meatballs, homemade cold dishes, and steamed egg custard with shrimp. They brought a pot of rice and more than ten steamed buns, all packed in a big full bag. The nanny delivered the food and fruits and then left with the family helper who came along.
The four of them were university students, so they didn’t feel awkward eating together. Saving portions for Shen Bin and Ye’s father, the four of them ate heartily. Ye Ling ate with gusto and only let out a bitter laugh after lying back down full.
"Am I too carefree? Even with such a big incident, I can still eat."
"Ye Ling, I actually think this incident went well. You see, you’re speaking more openly with us now, whereas you were overly polite before." Yang Hui’s words made Sui Gang nod repeatedly, "See, they all think so. Ye Ling, you used to be too decisive, thinking you could handle everything by yourself without seeking help, even treating us just as chatty friends, never really involving us in your issues. Being in the hospital sharing joys and sorrows, I think this is much better, you can’t rely on only yourself for everything."
Ye Ling was taken aback, "Am I really like that?"
She knew that ever since her rebirth, in order to change her fate, she’d relied on herself for everything, feeling she didn’t need friends. In high school, she was always alone, realizing she was somewhat too isolated, which led her to try making friends in university. Liu Nan’s straightforwardness and Yang Hui’s steadiness, on reflection, made her realize that their tolerance was what allowed her to have such friends, given her aloof personality.
Through interaction with them over the past year, Ye Ling tried accepting them, but didn’t realize that in their eyes, she still maintained a protective barrier, having not truly opened her heart to them.
"Ye Ling, I don’t mean to blame you, just want you to learn to trust, not everyone is bad. Of course, you’ll rarely meet someone like Fu Lei, but you were just unlucky to encounter him," Yang Hui teased at the end.
Ye Ling smiled, "Yang Hui, thanks for telling me this today. I know I have issues, but rest assured, I’ll work on changing."
"Take it slow." Yang Hui, having taken the upper hand, replied smugly.
Listening from the side, Zhao Guodong had been nervous, worried Ye Ling would take the remarks badly. He relaxed only when he saw Ye Ling sincerely accepting the feedback. Others might not understand, but he knew that Ye Ling had never been favored by her family since she was young, having lost her grandma early on, and without self-preservation, she wouldn’t have made it this far, who knows what kind of bullying she’d endure otherwise.
Yang Hui’s words lightened the hospital room’s atmosphere. As it grew late, Ye Ling asked Sui Gang to escort Yang Hui back. With Ye’s father about to arrive, Yang Hui promised to visit again the next day and left, with Sui Gang seeing her off only to the hospital exit before returning.
At around two o’clock, Ye’s father arrived, though still in his military uniform, he looked exhausted. Ye Ling felt somewhat guilty. Had it not been for her initial fondness for Fu Lei and had she focused on her studies properly, none of this would have happened. Despite her determination not to ask for help, things repeatedly went wrong, causing everyone to worry over her. Ye Ling felt she was nothing but trouble.
Ye He Ping entered without a word. Sui Gang pulled Zhao Guodong outside with an excuse, as Shen Bin, who had brought Ye’s father in, hadn’t stayed. With Sui Gang and Zhao Guodong leaving, only father and daughter remained in the room.
"Is anywhere else uncomfortable?" Ye He Ping asked, looking at his bruised and battered daughter with concern. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivator. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)