Ni Zijing swiftly rushed Qiao Qiao and Qiao Yi into the VIP ward of the municipal hospital. Fortunately, she had arrived in time to extract Qiao Qiao while bypassing all the media. Local news outlets were now flooded with wall-to-wall reports about the explosion at Zhuose Bar. Qiao Yi had already been sent into a ward to rest, while Qiao Qiao was still inside the examination room undergoing a detailed checkup. Ni Zijing was left waiting outside the ward, her expression inscrutable as she lost herself in thought.
After a long while, her eyes grew cold as she made a phone call, issuing crisp instructions. The fingers pinching her phone turned slightly pale from the force.
“Yes, intercept them. Right, that is fine, I will take responsibility for the consequences. Bring them right to me in a moment.”
As she finished making several calls, Ji Qinglin walked over from the corridor corner and approached Ni Zijing.
Ni Zijing lifted her gaze. “Any results?”
“The fire is out, and the police have tracked down the arsonist. I checked the surveillance footage, and it was indeed that woman whom Ling Yang had tried to hit on but failed to secure. That girl originally just wanted to pull off a big stunt to help Qiao Yi, but she botched it and accidentally ignited the electrical wiring. She has already been taken away by the police,” Ji Qinglin said, forwarding a video to Ni Zijing’s phone. “This is the surveillance footage of Ling Yang and Qiao Qiao’s group before the fire broke out. I pulled it for you, see how you want to use it.”
Ji Qinglin added, “Is everyone alright?”
Ni Zijing glanced at the door, lowering her gaze to the screen. “Still undergoing examinations. Qiao Yi has no major issues.”
Ji Qinglin nodded. “How should we handle Ling Yang? Everything is running smoothly over there, just waiting for your word.”
Ni Zijing casually slipped her phone into her bag, her eyes sinking. “Wait until Qiao Qiao comes out.”
She simply had to ask this little hedgehog whether she wanted to dismantle Ling Yang’s right arm or his left leg.
The moment the words fell, the door to the examination room opened. Qiao Qiao was pushed out lying on a gurney, her face smudged with soot before she even had a chance to wipe it clean. Ni Zijing hurried forward and asked the doctor, “How is she?”
“No major issues, but she still needs to be observed for one more night. If everything is normal tomorrow morning, she can be discharged.”
Ni Zijing finally breathed a sigh of relief, meeting Qiao Qiao’s gaze. The two locked eyes for a moment, but Qiao Qiao was the one who looked away first, whispering, “Don’t worry, there’s no problem.”
Upon entering Qiao Qiao’s ward, Ni Zijing stopped the nurse, lifted Qiao Qiao herself, and carefully settled her onto the bed.
Gauging the weight in her arms, she spoke in a very low voice. “Why are you so thin?”
Qiao Qiao rolled her eyes and remained silent.
Ji Qinglin considerately stepped outside, telling Qiao Qiao before leaving that Qiao Yi was doing well in the adjacent ward so she needn’t worry.
The doctor and nurse also left, leaving just the two of them in the ward.
After tucking Qiao Qiao in, Ni Zijing lowered her head to adjust her position, only to find Qiao Qiao staring right at her, as if wanting to say something.
She chuckled, grabbed a damp towel, and wiped Qiao Qiao’s face clean. Finally recovering from the lingering impact of what she had blurted out in the car, Qiao Qiao grabbed hold of Ni Zijing’s hand.
“What do you mean by this?”
After she uttered that sentence in the car, Ni Zijing had paused in a daze for a split second, yet shockingly failed to give her a direct answer right then. She had simply rested Qiao Qiao’s head against her shoulder and whispered, “Let’s go to the hospital for our checkups first, alright?”
Did Ni Zijing seriously think she said those words because her brain had been fried by the fire?
Yet Qiao Qiao could feel Ni Zijing’s hand trembling continuously, proving that the woman’s inner state was nowhere near as calm as she appeared on the surface.
As a result, throughout her medical examinations, Qiao Qiao’s churning emotions gradually settled into a cold reality. Her mind even began to reproach her for acting so recklessly by blurting out such words to Ni Zijing. She prepared herself that if Ni Zijing failed to answer her later, she would tell her, “You shouldn’t take what I said in the car. Don’t take it seriously.”
Before she could finish, Ni Zijing turned her hand over to grip hers tightly, lifting her deep, dark eyes to look straight at her. The intense and profound emotion in those eyes sent a jolt straight to Qiao Qiao’s heart, forcing all her words right back down her throat.
“Because I gave you time to take it back, but the deadline passed a second ago.” Ni Zijing suddenly curved the corners of her lips into a smile. “You are going to marry me, Qiao Qiao.”
Qiao Qiao felt a slight tremor in her chest at those words. Ni Zijing slid her other hand into her pocket and fished out a velvet box.
“I should have taken you to try them on first, but I couldn’t wait. I should have also found a formal, grand occasion to present this, but I couldn’t wait either. Proposals and ceremonies can be made up for later, but you, I just want to possess you as early as possible.” As she spoke, Ni Zijing popped open the box, revealing a pair of platinum couple rings gleaming under the lights.
“Do you like them?”
Ni Zijing lifted the rings out and reached for Qiao Qiao’s hand.
Qiao Qiao’s gaze flickered. She looked up at the deadpan Ni Zijing standing before her, her eye rims turning slightly red.
“Aren’t you worried that I’m just acting on a momentary impulse and will regret it later?” Qiao Qiao sighed softly, her tone carrying a trace of uncertainty. “I admit I’m starting to develop a favorable impression of you, but you know it as well, it hasn’t reached the level of love yet. You saved me, so my feelings right now might just stem from immediate reliance, gratitude, and impulse. You also know I’ve always told you I have no intentions of dating, so I’m afraid you’ll regret this too.”
“I will not regret it.” Ni Zijing’s tone was resolute, her long, dense eyelashes lowered as she gazed at the girl looking up at her. Those bright eyes held a lovely arc, yet beneath them lay an undetectable trace of fear.
Ni Zijing understood that Qiao Qiao’s current worries didn’t just stem from herself. What she was truly terrified of was handing over her sincere heart only to be mistreated, which was why she preferred pushing people away once more.
Yet how could Ni Zijing walk away?
She said, “Qiao Qiao, the mere thought of having my name linked with yours and sharing a life together makes me endlessly happy. I’ve told you long ago, my feelings for you were never a fleeting fondness, but something nurtured over a very, very long time.”
Ni Zijing reached out, cupping Qiao Qiao’s face with both hands. She leaned downward, halting when the tips of their noses were on the verge of touching, her breath brushing against Qiao Qiao’s skin as she spoke in a low voice: “I won’t force you. If you said let’s try, then let’s try. We’ll get our marriage license and take it slow, alright? If you eventually find yourself completely incapable of loving me and regret this, I will set you free.”
Qiao Qiao couldn’t utter a word, her nose stinging with acid.
Ni Zijing smiled again. “If you divorce me, you’ll even walk away with half of my assets, turning you into a wealthy little woman overnight.” She leaned in a fraction closer, gently rubbing her nose against Qiao Qiao’s with a soft tone. “Of course, I sincerely hope this scenario never happens. Because once you marry me, all my assets become yours, my wife can spend however she pleases.”
While Qiao Qiao was dazed by those two words, Ni Zijing’s lips had already lightly brushed against her eyelid.
“Don’t cry.” Ni Zijing let out a faint sigh. “You know me, I’m completely helpless whenever you cry.”
Qiao Qiao sniffled. She certainly wasn’t going to cry. She held out her hand to Ni Zijing, wiggling her fingers, and muttered, “Still spacing out?”
Ni Zijing laughed in spite of herself, picking up the ring and slowly sliding it onto Qiao Qiao’s ring finger. The size was an absolute match. Before Qiao Qiao could even reach out, she slipped the matching ring onto her own finger.
After inspecting it closely under the light for a few moments, Qiao Qiao finally smiled, though her heart felt an even sharper, bittersweet ache. She rasped, “Aren’t you supposed to get down on one knee?”
Ni Zijing raised an eyebrow. “Right here?”
“Just kidding.” Qiao Qiao lowered her head to earnestly study the ring on her hand. She felt as though this ring was akin to an unspoken vow from Ni Zijing, exceptionally heavy and profoundly solemn, needing no superficial theatrics.
For Qiao Qiao, this was a reckless, all-in gamble against herself with no regard for the consequences.
As for Ni Zijing, marrying her and taking responsibility for her entire lifetime was a steadfast, non-negotiable imperative.
“Look up, Qiao Qiao.”
The moment Qiao Qiao raised her eyes, her face was cupped by Ni Zijing once more. The latter calmly remarked, “When I pulled you out, I gave you artificial respiration.”
Almost instantly, Qiao Qiao instinctively pursed her lips. Maintaining a composed facade on the surface to mask any emotional fluctuations, she flicked her eyelids and retorted, “What, do you want me to say thank you again?”
Ni Zijing leaned in close, her smiling words melting into the air. “No need. I was just afraid you might have forgotten, so I figured I would recreate the process for you.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she pressed her lips down against Qiao Qiao’s soft mouth, her tongue lightly tracing the contour of Qiao Qiao’s lips with expert precision, deepening their breathing.
The next second, Ni Zijing hooked her arm around Qiao Qiao’s waist, hoisted her upward, and pinned her flat against the mattress. Propping her hands on either side of Qiao Qiao’s head, Ni Zijing looked down at the girl whose hazy eyes were misted with moisture, murmuring with a low chuckle: “Do you remember now?”
Reacting instantly, Qiao Qiao raised the hand resting beside her to shove Ni Zijing’s shoulder.
Ni Zijing locked her restless hands in place and closed the distance. “Don’t move, little hedgehog.”
Encircled in her arms, Qiao Qiao raised her gaze at the sound, her long, curled eyelashes trembling as her tea-colored eyes swam with moisture. Ni Zijing lowered her gaze with a soft sigh, slowly dipping her head down to nip and suck from Qiao Qiao’s lips.
Qiao Qiao was already growing short of breath, tilting her head slightly backward to return the kiss as she slowly closed her eyes.
When Ni Zijing finally released Qiao Qiao, both of their ears were blazing red down to the lobes. Qiao Qiao wrapped herself completely inside the duvet, taking a long moment to squeeze out a single sentence to Ni Zijing: “You must have had tons of girlfriends before this!”
“I haven’t.” Ni Zijing tapped Qiao Qiao’s head. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Qiao Qiao refused to drop the matter. “Then how many?” She was already fully prepared that the moment Ni Zijing gave her a number, she would hit her with a classic question: Then how do I compare to your ex-girlfriends?
Ni Zijing didn’t hesitate at all. “Never had any.” She followed it up with an immediate addendum, “You’re the very first.”
Qiao Qiao figured Ni Zijing was definitely lying to her. How could that be possible? Not only did Ni Zijing look like the wildly popular type, but the practiced proficiency of her kissing technique made her highly suspicious of that claim.
Ni Zijing countered, “Then have you?”
Facing Ni Zijing’s probing gaze, Qiao Qiao choked up for a second and hastily decided to pivot to another topic: “Do you know that Ling Yang has his eyes on you? Since his attempt to suppress you through me failed this time, he’ll definitely come looking for trouble a second time.”
Taking the bait, Ni Zijing didn’t press further. Since Ling Yang had been brought up, it was naturally time to deal with him once and for all.
At this thought, Ni Zijing’s gaze turned frosty. She stroked Qiao Qiao’s head and whispered, “Now that you’ve rested, I’ll show you something fun.”
Clueless about what she was up to, Qiao Qiao asked, “Huh?”
Ni Zijing held both hands open in front of her, asking rather inexplicably, “Do you think my left hand is better or my right hand?”
Qiao Qiao blinked. “They’re both good. But if I absolutely must choose, the left hand.” Because Ni Zijing’s left hand wore the ring, after all.
“Alright.” Ni Zijing paused, slipping her left hand into her pants pocket as she raised an eyebrow. “Then I’ll use this unchosen hand to beat him up.”
Qiao Qiao: “??”
Ni Zijing turned her head toward the doorway. “Bring them in.”
The door swung open, and a struggling Ling Yang was dragged in with his arms locked behind him by Ji Qinglin. Roughly seven or eight of his subordinates were marched in right behind him, and without exception, every single one of them had their mouths sealed shut with thick tape.
Sporting an expression begging for praise, Ji Qinglin patted her own face. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to play chaperone for your lovey-dovey moment. To keep these trash bags from disturbing you, I specifically taped their mouths shut.”
Ni Zijing nodded. “Good job.”
Looking at the sudden influx of people into the spacious ward, a whole group of subdued captives, Qiao Qiao couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. Fortunately, the ward was exceptionally large. Ni Zijing stood leisurely by her side, completely unruffled and unfazed in front of the hostile, dagger-staring group led by Ling Yang, casually burying both hands in her pockets with supreme cool.
Even her back looked so handsome that Qiao Qiao found her slender, straight legs triggering some wild, wandering thoughts.
Ling Yang was still clinging to his grandiose daydreams of watching Ni Zijing crash and burn, only to be intercepted halfway by Ni Zijing’s dispatched men. Ling Yang’s two carloads of people were effortlessly subdued by just five of Ni Zijing’s operatives and hauled straight to the hospital.
The moment he stepped inside and caught sight of Ni Zijing and Qiao Qiao, he knew things had gone south. He was intimately familiar with that particular look in Ni Zijing’s eyes. It was the exact same gaze she had worn the other night.
With a flick of Ni Zijing’s chin, Ji Qinglin ripped the tape off Ling Yang’s mouth with a swift, merciless jerk that nearly tore off a layer of skin.
Gasping for air, Ling Yang roared, “Let me go, you bastards!” The exertion immediately flared up his pain, causing him to suck in sharp breaths as he glared daggers straight at Ni Zijing and Qiao Qiao.
Bypassing him entirely, Ni Zijing looked toward Ji Qinglin. “Didn’t you say you’ve been itching for a boxing workout for ages? Why not use them to warm up today?”
At those words, the subordinates trailing behind Ling Yang grew restless, but since their arms were locked behind them, they couldn’t even budge.
Ji Qinglin immediately caught on, cracking her knuckles. “These seven or eight guys should be just enough to stretch.”
Ni Zijing smiled, clear disdain for Ling Yang glittering in her eyes. She reached out to pinch Qiao Qiao’s hand for a second, waved her chosen left hand at Qiao Qiao, and then tucked her precious hand back into her pocket.
Amused by her antics, Qiao Qiao offered a faint smile. Ni Zijing stretched out her right hand, strode toward Ling Yang, and instructed the others behind her, “Release them, you guys can head out.”
As Ni Zijing walked past, Qiao Qiao brushed her pinky finger. “Be careful.”
Ni Zijing turned back with a crooked smile. “Do you not know who I am?”
In a flash, Ji Qinglin had already charged forward, delivering a sharp left hook that slammed one of the thugs, who had just peeled off his tape, straight into the wall. Another operative reacted and lunged toward Ling Yang, roaring, “How dare you lay a hand on Young Master, have you got a death wish?!”
Ji Qinglin countered with a backhand strike to the face, grabbing the man’s collar to slap another strip of tape back over his mouth. “You guys really start running your mouths the second you’re given a little breathing room. So noisy.”
Ling Yang scrambled toward the door the second he was released, but before his fingers could even graze the doorknob, a side kick sent him flying backward behind the door, crashing it shut under his weight. Lifting his gaze, he saw Ni Zijing standing right before him. The next second, she grabbed his shoulder and hauled him up. Sharp agony tore through his upper body and waist, making Ni Zijing look like a rakshasa sent to claim his life in Ling Yang’s eyes.
Qiao Qiao was so mesmerized by Ni Zijing’s gorgeous side kick that she couldn’t tear her eyes away, only to watch the person who had effortlessly subdued Ling Yang lift her eyelids mid-brawl to glance at her, asking, “Ah, I forgot to ask if you prefer the left leg or the right leg. Was it the left as well? But I just used my right leg.”
Qiao Qiao: “Can you focus on fighting instead of chatting blindly?”
In the blink of an eye, Ji Qinglin had already downed three opponents. Two others realized the danger and tried to swarm Ni Zijing from the sides.
Though Ling Yang stood around 180 centimeters tall, he was nothing more than a privileged playboy addicted to hedonism, utterly powerless against the heavily trained Ni Zijing, leaving him completely at her mercy. Ni Zijing slid her hand to his carotid artery, sending a chill straight down Ling Yang’s spine. Suddenly, a rush of wind whipped past as the world spun around him. Ni Zijing forcefully pivoted Ling Yang around, causing the ambushing attacker to deliver a dead-center kick straight into Ling Yang’s chest.
A metallic taste of blood surged upward, forcing a muffled groan from Ling Yang. Ni Zijing casually tossed Ling Yang aside onto the floor. When his two henchmen rushed forward to catch him, Ni Zijing swept up their arms and effortlessly flipped them over her shoulders onto the ground with a pair of matching body slams. A third attacker rushed her, only to have his throat clamped in a single-handed grip and slammed against the wall. Narrowing her ink-dark eyes, Ni Zijing snapped the man’s wrist in the next second, kicked out at his knee joint, and left him sliding limply down the wall with zero ability to fight back.
Ji Qinglin clicked her tongue, casually finishing off the two opponents beside her. “See? Being a punching bag for me is your only real purpose, why go looking to die over there?”
As Ni Zijing walked forward step by step, the man who had been body-slammed earlier struggled to crawl back to his feet. Without a shred of hesitation and with a cold, expressionless face, Ni Zijing stepped directly onto the man’s palm as she walked past.
The man passed out cold from the agony.
This was a version of Ni Zijing Qiao Qiao had never witnessed before, dripping with arrogant, swaggering ferocity. Even without speaking, one could sense her towering anger, making her far more overbearing than during their very first encounter.
This truly was Sister Cancan. Just as Ji Qinglin had described, she never showed mercy to her opponents, leaving them drained of their last drop of blood.
Yet this exact person was gentler and more humble than anyone else in daily life. Qiao Qiao belatedly realized that Ling Yang had crossed Ni Zijing’s ultimate bottom line today, which was why she was this furious. In other words, Ni Zijing’s bottom line was you.
Just as Ling Yang managed to scramble back to his feet, Ni Zijing drove her elbow forward. He gritted his teeth and snarled, “Let me go, you bastards have no idea what the consequences of doing this will be!”
Ni Zijing smashed her foot against his kneecap, instantly turning his legs to jelly and forcing him down onto his knees directly facing Qiao Qiao. Ni Zijing stepped right up to him, her left hand buried in her pocket while her right hand tugged at her jacket, sparing him a freezing glare.
The remaining thugs on the floor could only lie there groaning in pain.
Qiao Qiao sighed, shrugged at Ling Yang, and offered, “My apologies, Lord Ling, I’m afraid I can’t accept this bow.”
Ni Zijing exchanged a glance with Qiao Qiao, her expression melting instantly into absolute softness as she spoke slowly, “Which arm or leg do you want to unload?”
“Damn it!” Unable to budge, Ling Yang twisted his neck and gritted his teeth. “Ni Zijing, do you dare? When my grandfather gets here, he won’t let you off easily! I’m telling you.”
Ni Zijing replied indifferently, “You still have the nerve to bring up the old man?”
The Ling family was prominent and influential, built entirely on the grueling, hard-fought battles of the older generation. Unfortunately, Ling Yang’s parents had both passed away when he was young, leaving behind this single seedling whom the grandfather spoiled rotten, ultimately breeding such an untamable, lawless second-generation heir.
If not for the sake of giving face to the old grandfather, Ni Zijing would have beaten Ling Yang to death long ago.
Stiffening his resolve, Ling Yang glared up at Ni Zijing. “What right do you have to lay a hand on me?”
Hearing this, Ni Zijing let out a light huff. Looking down at Ling Yang from her towering vantage point, she spoke in a deep, resonant voice: “Then what right do you have to lay a hand on my wife?”
The left hand she had kept buried in her pocket finally emerged, the wedding ring on her left ring finger flashing brilliantly.
Standing behind Ni Zijing, Ji Qinglin clicked her tongue a few times before turning to look at the dumbfounded Qiao Qiao. “Don’t mind her, she probably just wants to broadcast to the entire world right now that she’s a woman with a wife.”
Qiao Qiao choked on her breath, choosing to remain silent.
At that moment, a commotion echoed from outside the doorway. As the door swung open, an energetic elderly man with white hair, leaning heavily on a cane, appeared at the threshold.
“Grandfather.”
Qiao Qiao made a silent guess in her mind, suddenly recalling how Ling Yang had previously boasted that she would force Ni Zijing to kneel and call him grandfather.
Look at that, Ling Yang really did end up kneeling to call someone grandfather.
Glaring furiously at the dumbfounded Ling Yang, Elder Ling stepped inside and brought his cane down heavily across Ling Yang’s back with a resounding thwack! “Useless wretch! Drag him back home!”
Ni Zijing nodded in greeting. “Elder.”
Elder Ling had already seen the video Ni Zijing sent him, including the footage from the overseas casino, making him instantly realize what an immense disaster his grandson had stirred up. If he hadn’t struck Ling Yang with that cane first to show Ni Zijing, he might never have been able to pull this brat out of here safely.
“Xiao Ni, my apologies,” Elder Ling said in a deep voice, casting a glance toward Qiao Qiao seated on the bed.
Without a sound, Ni Zijing stepped forward to shield Qiao Qiao from view. “Since the Elder has come personally, naturally I must give face. Take him away.”
As Ling Yang was hauled away stumbling and struggling, right as the door was about to shut, he heard a voice from inside belonging to Ni Zijing.
“Remember this, Ling Yang. Qiao Qiao is the wife I am going to marry. If you ever dare to lay a finger on her again, just try it.”
Ling Yang’s heart shuddered as the door slammed shut.
Naturally, once this incident reached the ears of the Ni family, all corporate collaborations between Ni-affiliated enterprises and any companies under Ling Yang’s name were instantly severed, causing the Ling family stocks to plunge several points, though that was a story for another day.
Right now, having settled all these matters, Ni Zijing sat by the bedside and asked Qiao Qiao, “Would you like some water?”
Unable to watch any longer, Ji Qinglin groaned, “Are you two for real? Stop showing affection right in front of me, I need to go find myself a pretty lady too!”
Qiao Qiao paused. “Someone you like?”
Ji Qinglin’s gaze dimmed for a fraction of a second before she smiled again. “How could that be? I’ve always drifted through a sea of blossoms, having someone I like would only cramp my lifestyle.”
“Don’t listen to her spout nonsense.” Ni Zijing shook her head with a smile, shooting Ji Qinglin a meaningful look before returning her gaze to Qiao Qiao. “I’ve already told Sister Zou that you’re with me, leaving out the part about Qiao Yi. She asked me to tell you to head over to the production team’s studio the day after tomorrow to record the opening title sequence and snap some promo photos.”
Qiao Qiao turned her head. “That variety show?”
“Mhm, any issues?”
Qiao Qiao licked the corner of her lip. “No.” Then, a second thought crossed her mind, doesn’t that mean Ni Zijing has to record it too? Recalling Ni Zijing’s instruction to make sure she chose her, she couldn’t help breaking into a smile.
“Oh right, your brother said he wants you to drop by once you’re done with things here,” Ji Qinglin said, slapping her forehead. “I almost forgot the moment I started throwing punches.”
Ni Zijing tilted her head. “Do you want to go?”
Qiao Qiao nodded, pulling back the duvet to prep for getting down. Ni Zijing slipped her shoes on for her, while Ji Qinglin covered her eyes, refusing to digest any more romance.
She had truly never witnessed Ni Zijing act like this before. She had assumed Ni Zijing was incapable of romance, but seeing her now, she was practically drowning in sweetness.
Arriving at the adjacent ward, Qiao Yi was lounging on the bed scrolling through his phone, acting completely uninjured. The moment he spotted Qiao Qiao entering, he bolted upright. “Sister! How are you holding up? Let me explain, I really didn’t go looking for trouble, that guy.”
“I already know everything,” Qiao Qiao said calmly. “As long as you’re fine.”
Qiao Yi’s nose stung. “Sister, I’ve caused trouble for you again.”
Qiao Qiao’s tone turned stern. “If you truly feel like you’re causing trouble, stop pulling stunts from now on. Do you have any idea how exhausting it is for people to keep cleaning up your messes?”
Qiao Yi lowered his head in silence.
Ji Qinglin muttered quietly to Ni Zijing from the side, “I bet this kid was utterly spoiled rotten by that toxic mother of theirs.”
“Sister, can you handle my discharge procedures?” Qiao Yi asked hesitantly. “Mom called me earlier asking me to head back. I didn’t dare mention our situation, figuring since I’m fine now I should just say I’m heading home soon.”
Qiao Qiao turned to Ni Zijing, asking, “Can he travel?”
Ni Zijing replied, “He doesn’t have any major issues, but you still need to stay and be observed for the night.”
Qiao Qiao frowned, she had no desire to linger in the hospital either.
Leaning on still somewhat wobbly legs, Qiao Yi shuffled over to Qiao Qiao’s side and tugged her sleeve. “Sister, come back home with me. Actually, Mom didn’t mean it that way. Your room might be empty, but Mom has always kept it spotless. You haven’t been home in ages, let’s go back tonight and have Mom cook us a late-night snack, alright?”
Ordinarily, Qiao Qiao would have flatly refused. But having just experienced a brush with death alongside Qiao Yi today, she couldn’t bring herself to let him return alone.
Reading the look in Qiao Qiao’s eyes, Ni Zijing understood without words. She gently extricated Qiao Qiao’s hand from Qiao Yi’s grip, casting a glance at the ring. “Let’s go, I’ll drive you back.”
The entire way back to Qiao Yi’s residence, Qiao Qiao thanked Ni Zijing before stepping out of the car.
Ni Zijing feigned displeasure. “Why are you standing on ceremony with me?”
Qiao Qiao couldn’t articulate the feelings swirling in her chest, she only felt a profound warmth that made her no longer recoil from returning to this home shared with Luo Ying. After pondering for a moment, unable to think of what else to do, she leaned over and gave Ni Zijing a hug.
Ni Zijing accepted the gesture with evident satisfaction. Once Qiao Qiao and Qiao Yi headed inside, Ji Qinglin climbed out from the passenger seat.
“I never would’ve guessed, boss. How did you turn out to be such a softie for romance?”
Ni Zijing shot her a sidelong glance. “If you have the spare energy to mock me, why don’t you hurry up and go find someone?”
Ji Qinglin offered a faint, fleeting smile. “Completely out of touch, I probably won’t ever find her.” She fished a cigarette pack from her pocket, lit one up, and let her face blur behind a hazy veil of smoke.
Ni Zijing lifted her gaze toward the residential building ahead, speaking quietly, “People need to look forward.”
Ji Qinglin chuckled lightly, waving a hand in farewell. “Alright, you head back yourself, I need to drop by somewhere else so you don’t need to drop me off.”
When Qiao Qiao and Qiao Yi unlocked the front door, Luo Ying walked over, froze upon spotting Qiao Qiao trailing behind, and lowered her eyes with a cold expression as she pulled out an extra pair of slippers and set them down. Qiao Qiao was long accustomed to Luo Ying’s chilliness, not nagging or berating her was already considered a blessing.
Luo Ying busied herself bustling around the kitchen, while Qiao Qiao headed straight for her own bedroom.
Checking the time, 10:30 PM, it was indeed the hour for a late-night snack.
Her phone buzzed with a notification. Qiao Qiao picked it up, the corners of her mouth curling upward slightly.
Ni Zijing: You’re home safe, right?
Ni Zijing: Are you comfortable? If anything feels uncomfortable, let me know and I’ll come pick you up right away.
Having never replied to Ni Zijing’s WeChat messages prior to this, the chat interface practically brimmed with Ni Zijing’s enthusiastic, one-sided monologues.
Tapping the screen a few times, Qiao Qiao replied: Home safe.
Qiao Qiao: I’m doing well, you should head back.
Qiao Qiao: Let me know when you get home too.
Ni Zijing replied instantly: Okay.
Nearly an hour later, the noises from the kitchen ceased, and Qiao Yi came over to invite her out for a bite.
Qiao Qiao shook her head. “You know I’m an actress, I don’t eat late at night. I have a shoot the day after tomorrow.”
Qiao Yi tried persuading her a few more times, but failing to sway her, he eventually brought over a bowl of egg fried rice: “I’ll leave it here for you. Just eat a few bites if you get hungry.”
Accepting the bowl, Qiao Qiao placed it on her desk, sitting on the edge of the bed as she stared blankly at her phone. She figured Ni Zijing must be driving right now, so she didn’t dare send any WeChat messages to distract her. Outside, Luo Ying was presumably keeping Qiao Yi company while he ate, as fragments of caring maternal talk drifted through.
None of this has anything to do with me, Qiao Qiao thought. She glanced down at the ring on her finger, rubbing it gently, feeling the hollow emptiness in her heart shrink away.
Suddenly, her phone rang out loud, startling Qiao Qiao into a slight quiver. Glancing at the caller ID, she answered with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
“Dad?”
The moment the familiar yet distant voice sounded on the other end, Qiao Qiao felt a flicker of strangeness. But immediately afterward, shock eclipsed that sense of estrangement, violently overtaking her chest.
Her father let out a hum, continuing, “Xiao Qiao, I’ll be coming back in a few days.”
Qiao Qiao paused. “When are you heading back out?”
Her father’s business was based abroad, so returning to China practically counted as a business trip for him. He never stayed long, coming and going in a rush, whenever he did return, the father-daughter duo usually only managed to share a single meal.
“I’m not leaving this time.” Qiao Qiao heard her father’s tone turn significantly more serious as he said slowly, “Qiao Qiao, Dad is preparing to remarry.”
Qiao Qiao abruptly jerked the door open, her knuckles turning pale as she gripped the wall for support. Inside the dining room, both figures turned simultaneously to look at her. Suppressing the surging emotions threatening to boil over, Qiao Qiao walked into the kitchen carrying that bowl of egg fried rice.
Catching sight of the bowl, Luo Ying frowned in displeasure. “What is wrong with you? Your brother specially brought this for you and you won’t even take a bite?”
Qiao Yi quickly jumped in to smooth things over. “It’s fine, Mom, you know Sister needs to maintain her figure.”
Under the bright lights, Qiao Qiao’s face looked exceptionally pale. She paused beside the table, sluggishly picking up a glass of water to pour herself a drink. Only after the water spilled over the brim did she snap back to reality, hastily grabbing a cloth to wipe it up.
“What is your problem?!” Luo Ying stood up, marched over to Qiao Qiao, and slammed her hand against the table. “Putting on airs the second you walk through the door, who do you think you’re showing attitude to?”
Ignoring her completely, Qiao Qiao raised the glass and took a large gulp. Luo Ying happened to catch sight of the ring on Qiao Qiao’s finger. Her expression iced over, and she grabbed Qiao Qiao’s wrist. “A wedding ring? You better explain yourself right now!”
Qiao Yi hurried over. “Mom, stop giving my sister a hard time.” He, too, spotted the ring on Qiao Qiao’s finger.
Qiao Qiao tried to yank her hand free, but failed to break away. Already pushed to the brink of panic by her father’s upcoming remarriage, she had zero energy left to deal with Luo Ying’s antics, her tone sharpening with impatience. “I don’t mean anything by it, let go of me.”
“Getting a bit too big for your britches, aren’t you?” Luo Ying tightened her grip, squeezing Qiao Qiao’s wrist until red marks bloomed across her skin, her voice turning shrill. “This is clearly a wedding ring! Who on earth did you secretly marry behind our backs? Do you still treat me as your mother at all?”
Qiao Qiao felt her temples throbbing violently. Finally losing her last shred of restraint, she forcefully flung Luo Ying’s hand away, rushed into her bedroom, and grabbed her coat. “Have you ever treated me as your daughter? What right do you have to question me the second I walk in, who gave you the qualification?”
Luo Ying raged, “How dare you talk back to me!”
Qiao Qiao swiftly slipped on her shoes and flung the door open, casting a single parting glance at Qiao Yi before grabbing her bag and slamming the door shut behind her.
An ugly falling out.
Just as she had anticipated.
Stepping into the elevator, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion surged straight up from the bottom of Qiao Qiao’s heart.
Even her own father was remarrying. For all those years, her father had never returned, leaving her to fend for herself in China. Yet now, for the sake of the person he was going to marry, he was willingly relocating his entire life back to build a brand-new family.
Where on earth was her place supposed to belong from now on?
The elevator doors opened, and a bitter gust of wind rushed into her clothes. It was approaching midnight, and the outside air was freezing. Lowering her head, Qiao Qiao pulled out her phone and unlocked the chat interface with Ni Zijing, scrolling up and down repeatedly. As she scrolled, her vision blurred.
Sniffling, she quickened her pace, wrapping her heavy coat tightly around herself as she lifted her head.
And there she saw.
Ni Zijing standing quietly under the streetlight, her car parked right in the exact spot where she had dropped Qiao Qiao off earlier.
She was also looking at her phone, her entire figure bathed in the warm, golden glow of the light. The moment Qiao Qiao’s steps came to a halt, Ni Zijing looked up and caught sight of her, her eyes instantly overflowing with a mix of helplessness and heartache.
Qiao Qiao froze in place. Ni Zijing hurried over, caught her freezing cold hands, and slid them into the warm inner layer of her coat. Qiao Qiao stammered, “Why?”
Ni Zijing lowered her gaze to look into Qiao Qiao’s eyes. “I was too worried you’d suffer grievances up there and end up crying in secret, so I decided to wait here for you. I figured if you didn’t come down in another half-hour, I’d head home with peace of mind, but you came down after all.”
She reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Qiao Qiao’s ear. “You’ve worked hard.”
Qiao Qiao desperately wanted to cry, biting her lip to hold it back. Ni Zijing pulled her into an embrace, resting Qiao Qiao’s head against her shoulder as her voice fell right beside her ear.
“Don’t cry, let’s go home.”