"It will get better."
Chen Cheng’s voice was deep, calming Liu Zhiying’s anxious emotions, "With the medical technology so advanced nowadays, there will be ways to alleviate it."
"Of course, it’s true." Chen Cheng smiled and nodded, "You have to believe in me, and in yourself too, you’ll get better."
At this moment, Liu Zhiya brought over some peeled apples, giving half to Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng."
Chen Cheng took it, and Liu Zhiya handed the other half to Liu Zhiying.
She naturally sat down beside Chen Cheng, just wanting to be a little closer to him.
Liu Zhiya’s subtle movement did not escape Liu Zhiying’s eyes.
But she didn’t say much, her gaze still fixed on Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, I need a favor from you."
"Can you help me return these books to the school library?" Liu Zhiying pointed to five or six books on the bedside, "Also, I need to borrow some more books."
Liu Zhiya immediately pulled out a piece of paper from the drawer. It had the names of the books Liu Zhiying wanted to borrow.
Chen Cheng took the list, glanced at it, and said with a smile, "No problem, leave it to me. I’ll return these and get the new ones for you tomorrow."
"Thank you so much." Liu Zhiying smiled gratefully.
"Why the formality with me? It’s what I should do."
Chen Cheng said, carefully putting away the book list, then looked to Liu Zhiya, "Xiao Ya, how have things been at school recently?"
Liu Zhiya, who had been basking in the joy of reuniting with Chen Cheng, stiffened a bit when she suddenly heard him asking about her recent situation.
She lowered her head, stammering, "I...I’ve been fine."
Seeing this, Liu Zhiying knew her sister must be hiding something, she quickly covered for her, "Xiao Ya has been quite popular at school lately, with performances and competitions, she’s been incredibly busy."
"It’s nothing much, just minor stuff." As she spoke, her voice choked up.
She stood up, "Sis, I’ll go get you some hot water."
Saying this, she quickly walked out, carrying the thermos.
"Brother Cheng, Xiao Ya has something on her mind." Liu Zhiying spoke, "I asked her, but she won’t say."
Chen Cheng looked toward the door, knowing why, "Shall I go and ask? Can you manage on your own here?"
Liu Zhiying nodded, "I’ll be fine."
"I’ll be right back."
Chen Cheng also left the hospital room. Liu Zhiying ate the sweet apple, but her mouth felt sour.
The bunch of vibrant lilies on the bedside, their fragrance spreading, couldn’t mask the bitterness rising in her heart.
The perceptive her, how could she not guess why her younger sister reacted like that.
Liu Zhiying bit heavily into the apple, "Xiao Ya, likes him too, doesn’t she?"
In the hot water room, Liu Zhiya was silently crying while holding the thermos.
She didn’t know why she felt . She should have been happy to reunite with Chen Cheng but felt sadder than ever.
"Xiao Ya?" Chen Cheng’s voice sounded from behind.
Liu Zhiya hurriedly wiped her tears, turned around, and forced a smile, "Brother Cheng, why are you out here?"
Chen Cheng took the thermos from her hands, his tone gentle, "Stop crying, your sister will worry."
"I’m not crying." Liu Zhiya stubbornly denied, her eyes even redder.
Chen Cheng set down the thermos, turned to her, "I left in a hurry, didn’t have the chance to say..."
He slowly spoke, "I missed your performance, that’s my fault. But you should tell me when things happen, right?"
Liu Zhiya couldn’t hold it in anymore, hot tears fell like the continuously pouring hot water, tick-tock, dripping down.
Chen Cheng reached out to wipe the tears from her face. Liu Zhiya threw herself into his arms, hugging him tighter and tighter.
She tightly grabbed the front of Chen Cheng’s shirt, burying her head in his chest. Her muffled cries echoed clearly in the empty hot water room.
Chen Cheng didn’t say a word, just quietly held her, offering her silent comfort.
After a long while, Liu Zhiya’s crying subsided a bit.
She looked up at Chen Cheng through her blurred tears, her voice hoarse, "Brother Cheng, am I useless? I promised you I’d take good care of my sister, but I..."
Her voice choked up, unable to continue.
Chen Cheng understood her meaning, gently patting her back, softly saying, "Why would you think that? You’ve done really well, your sister is proud of you."
"But... I let you down..."
Liu Zhiya bit her lip, speaking incoherently, "After you left, I... I became a joke at school, they say I was dumped by you, that I was kept, that you had your fun with me..."
With these words, her tears flowed uncontrollably, those harsh words stabbing at her heart like sharp blades.
Chen Cheng hugged her tighter, his tone firm, "Don’t listen to their nonsense, those people are just jealous of you. You don’t need to care about their opinions."
Chen Cheng interrupted her, "I believe in you, and our feelings. Don’t doubt yourself because of rumors, okay?"
Liu Zhiya nodded heavily, Chen Cheng finally asked what was on his mind, "Why didn’t you call me? Or send a message."
Their eyes met, as if time had stopped.
Liu Zhiya bit her lower lip, after a long while, she said, "The night before my performance, I thought about calling you."