Chapter Thirty-Eight: Misunderstanding

“Little brother, how could you be so foolish… Do you realize you nearly died?” As Zhao Ke Wen spoke, her eyes grew moist again.

“Well, you can just say you’ve met a foolish brother, haven’t you?” I tried to sit up, only to find my hand still pierced with a needle. The IV bottle hanging nearby swayed gently with my movements.

“All I know is, if I’d hesitated then, I’d have lived my whole life in guilt…” My throat was painfully dry and a weight pressed on my chest, but seeing Zhao Ke Wen’s anxious expression, I forced myself to smile. “Everything’s fine now—that’s good enough.”

She trembled slightly at my words, then leaned down, cupping my face in her hands and planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Promise me you’ll learn to take care of yourself, alright? Don’t risk your life for someone like me—it’s not worth it,” she whispered, withdrawing her hands.

“Sis, please don’t go to extremes again… Your past has long drifted away with the river beneath that stone bridge. Let’s welcome a new life together, shall we?” I feared she might make another terrible choice, and luck wouldn’t always be on our side.

“Don’t worry—this life was saved by you. No matter what, I’ll treasure it.” Zhao Ke Wen looked at me and smiled, and for the first time, I truly sensed the sincerity in her smile.

I lay quietly in the hospital bed, feeling somewhat weak but not especially uncomfortable—just the lingering chill from cold water.

Turning my head, I gazed through the window. Outside was pitch black, with only faint moonlight filtering through the air, maintaining a single thread of brightness.

“Sis, what time is it?” I asked, puzzled; it seemed not much time had passed.

“You’ve been unconscious in bed for a whole day and night. It’s already nine-thirty in the evening, the second day.” Zhao Ke Wen lowered her head, seeming a bit remorseful.

“What!” I’d slept so long—how odd… But thinking carefully, I had drunk quite a bit before, and after the shock of cold water, caught a mild cold. Sleeping so long made sense.

“Let’s go home!” I sat up, not bothering to call a nurse, and deftly pulled out the needle myself.

“Now?” Zhao Ke Wen stared at me incredulously. “You should rest a bit more!”

“Sis, I have something to do…” I remembered today was Luo Qing’s birthday, and I’d promised to go. I couldn’t break my word, after all—it was just a mild cold, nothing serious.

Under my insistent demand, Zhao Ke Wen had no choice but to complete the discharge procedures, accompanying me out of the city hospital.

On the taxi ride home, I realized my phone and wallet were missing—probably washed away by the water. Even if the phone hadn’t been lost, after soaking so long it would be unusable.

Getting out in front of the old apartment building, a wave of dizziness swept over me, probably from not having eaten in so long.

Zhao Ke Wen must have noticed my condition. She came to my side and supported me, grumbling, “You just had to play tough!”

I gave an awkward smile and, leaning on her, slowly made our way toward the stairs.

At the corner on the second floor, I saw Luo Qing, dressed in a striking red gown. She sat on the steps, just as she had the last time, but the atmosphere was entirely different.

Tonight she wore light makeup, adding a touch of maturity and allure to her former freshness and charm—a transformation from one kind of beauty to another. Her once jet-black hair was dyed a pale golden hue; she looked just like a movie star after a makeover, dazzling and stunning.

“I’m sorry, I…” I knew her appearance at my home meant a storm was brewing, but it was me who had failed to keep my promise—even if what had happened before was far more important.

“Don’t say anything. I don’t want to hear it.” Luo Qing’s beautiful eyes fixed on me, then shifted to Zhao Ke Wen, who was supporting me. Her voice grew colder. “Well, Yang Chen, you found someone new so quickly.”

“Let me explain…” I hurried to tell her why I hadn’t gone.

“I don’t want to hear it!” Luo Qing got up and walked closer, staring at me from up close, her voice angry but low. “Yang Chen, you’re really disgusting. To think I even considered you a friend!”

“It’s not what you think—we’re just…” Zhao Ke Wen, unfamiliar with Luo Qing, could nevertheless deduce the situation from my anxiety and tried to explain.

“Shut up! This is between me and Yang Chen—it’s none of your business!” Luo Qing cut her off sharply, shouting at Zhao Ke Wen like an enraged little tiger, seemingly ready to bite anyone who crossed her.

I couldn’t understand why Luo Qing was so furious, even venting her anger at the entirely uninvolved Zhao Ke Wen. At that moment, she seemed like a child throwing a tantrum, unwilling to listen, only looking for a spark to ignite the powder keg between us.

“Go have fun with this woman you picked up for who knows how much. Have a great time in bed!” Luo Qing’s voice rang out loudly, echoing down the corridor.

“Are you done yet?” I finally snapped. Your madness, your tantrums, your willfulness—I could endure it all, but patience has its limits. I couldn’t just let you keep making wild judgments and causing chaos!

My sudden outburst stunned Luo Qing, who looked at me in disbelief. Her eyes, lined with shadow, filled with tears in an instant.

“Yang Chen… you… you bastard!” she sobbed, shoving me aside and running down the stairs.

I stood there, staring blankly as Luo Qing vanished from sight, unable to move.

“Brother… Hurry, go after her! She’s obviously misunderstood!” Zhao Ke Wen tugged my arm, her face anxious.

The moment I shouted at Luo Qing, regret began to gnaw at me. It was all a misunderstanding, and my actions had only deepened it.

“Forget it…” I sighed, motioning Zhao Ke Wen to continue upstairs. Perhaps what we needed most now was to calm ourselves—otherwise, the conflict would only escalate amid explanations and suspicion.

I couldn’t comprehend Luo Qing’s rage. It was just a birthday gathering—sure, I hadn’t attended, but it hardly warranted her seeking me out for a heated confrontation!

Could there be more behind it?

Weariness swept over me. I decided not to speculate further. Everything had happened already; as I’d advised Zhao Ke Wen, let the past stay in the past—no regrets, no pursuit.

Zhao Ke Wen brought me back to my room, reminded me to rest early, and then returned to her own apartment.

Lying in bed, dizziness overtook me once more. I quickly got up for a glass of warm water, then crawled back under the covers.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to sleep—not to think, not to guess. Let time handle everything…