As Ling Chuxia fell, Xiao Chen reflexively wanted to step forward and catch her; however, just as he moved, the image of Ling Yunshu’s face involuntarily flashed through his mind.
Beneath the dim lighting of the hospital corridor, not a soul was in sight—it was late at night, and the patients were asleep in their rooms, while the nurses were in the front consultation hall. Ling Chuxia had fallen here, where her cries for help wouldn’t be heard by anyone.
Yun Shu had always hoped that her child would never be born. At this moment, if he didn’t go out to help her... then probably, Chuxia’s child would be gone.
This was what Yun Shu had hoped for...
With this thought passing through his mind, Xiao Chen’s advancing foot seemed to move on its own, retreating back.
Ling Chuxia was completely drained of strength, unable to stand up on her own, her abdomen throbbing with intense pain, as if something inside was tearing and stirring her insides. More and more warmth flowed from her lower body. Ling Chuxia, in sheer desperation, gazed at that unmoving shadow on the ground. Her voice filled with acute distress and the utmost sorrow; she no longer called for Shi Che but, in an almost hopeless plea, cried out, "Is there anyone, please save my child, save my child—"
But she was too weak; her voice, devoid of strength, couldn’t possibly summon anyone.
Xiao Chen watched as Ling Chuxia lay collapsed on the floor, the vivid red blood incessantly spilling out, staining her white hospital gown a shocking red. Watching this, his heart skipped a beat, and his hands clenched tightly, the veins on his forehead twitching slightly.
Chuxia, who had grown up with him since childhood and whom he considered a sister, could he really just stand by and watch her lose her child?
But if the child wasn’t lost, what would happen to Yun Shu?
Caught in his hesitation, Ling Chuxia let out a final, agonized scream. Though her voice was low, it resonated with piercing clarity in his ears, shattering the indecision in Xiao Chen’s heart.
He simply couldn’t stand by idly and watch Ling Chuxia lose her child.
Chuxia was innocent, and so was the child.
With long strides, Xiao Chen bolted forth, and by the time he reached her, Ling Chuxia had already collapsed, motionless, her eyes closed, evidently having fallen unconscious.
Xiao Chen looked at Ling Chuxia’s face, which was ashen to the extreme, her breathing barely perceptible. His heart sank heavily, and without further ado, he bent down, sweeping Ling Chuxia into a carry and while running toward the consultation desk, he shouted loudly, "Doctor, nurse, someone come quick, hurry!"
Ling Chuxia was rushed into the operating room, and Xiao Chen was left outside, his eyes fixed on the red light glowing above the door.
After sending two consecutive text messages, Ling Yunshu stared at the phone screen for a long while before finally moving her fingers to delete each message, exit the screen, and put her phone back on the table.
She turned her head slightly, her dark eyes once again landing on Shi Che’s blissfully unaware face. Her hands slowly tightened as she softly began, "Shi Che, don’t blame me. It’s just that I love you too much."
Ling Yunshu closed her eyes briefly and, upon reopening them, her gaze was devoid of any ripple. Standing up, she took steps to leave; yet after a few paces, she paused involuntarily and turned back, a hint of gentleness emerging in her eyes as she looked at Shi Che, "Soon, we’ll be able to truly meet."