Alas, Yu Xiaoying felt guilty towards Xuechui Zhizi and was troubled when Qin Na ran over, tightly hugging her.
“Xiaoying, what happened to your face?!”
“It’s perfectly symmetrical!” Yu Xiaoying thought. She was frustrated by her bad luck that morning. Despite her attempts to act unaffected, beauty concerns lingered. She glared at her best friend.
Geng Yuyang stood with a dark expression, realizing who was responsible, but Yu Xiaoying didn’t acknowledge him.
“Even if your face is more scarred,” he sneered, “it’s not like anyone would want her! Except for me.”
Everyone quickly looked away, while Song Chu stood frozen.
“You…” Cold air rushed through Yu Xiaoying. She stared at him for a long time, then gave a self-deprecating smile and turned away, “Yes, you’re right.”
Geng Yuyang was surprised by her lack of a comeback. Seeing her dejected expression, he wanted to apologize but hesitated with everyone around.
“It’s okay, Xiaoying, I’ll find the best plastic surgeon to remove the scar!” Qin Na tried to comfort her, oblivious to her low spirits.
“Alright, alright!” Xi Lang pushed everyone away, “Let the patient rest!”
He pulled the awkward Geng Yuyang out. “Xiaoying still needs stitches, right? Let’s ask the doctor about preparations.”
“But I haven’t yet…” Zhizi’s voice trailed off.
“We’ll throw her a party at home to celebrate when she’s fully recovered,” Geng Qianyu said gently.
“Really?”
“Really.”
The hospital room fell silent. Yu Xiaoying collapsed onto the bed, feeling exhausted. Geng Yuyang hoped that no one would disturb her already difficult life.
Time passed quickly, everything happening before she could process it.
What was originally a journey for many had become a lonely path. At the crossroads of fate, everyone ultimately chose their own direction.
While lost in thought, the hospital room door was gently opened.
Yu Xiaoying turned her head to see Song Chu’s hesitant figure.
“Chu?”
He smiled softly, placing a cushion behind her as she sat up. “How’s Lin Yichen?”
“Not seriously injured, but he has a fractured left arm that needs a cast.”
“Oh.”
Song Chu silently observed Yu Xiaoying. It had been a while since he’d been this close to her. She had lost weight and should have been happy, but…
He suppressed the urge to pull her into his embrace.
“Yichen says thank you.”
Yu Xiaoying smiled, looking out the window. “If she hadn’t rushed over, I would be in much worse condition. She helped me.” She glanced at Song Chu, who once warmed her like sunshine but now illuminated someone else. “Let’s just let the past go. Tell her not to take it to heart.”
She smiled at him, but her emotions would never belong to him again.
Waves of pain twisted in Song Chu’s heart. What had he done?
“Xiaoying, we…” Song Chu looked at her urgently.
“Chu!” She met his gaze, her eyes cold and distant.
Song Chu swallowed his words.
“Bang!” The door was forcefully opened. Geng Yuyang, looking unhappy, surveyed the two with a strange expression. “Hey! It’s time for surgery!”
“I’m coming right away,” Yu Xiaoying said, jumping off the bed and putting on her slippers, facing away from Song Chu.
“Chu, we can never have any intersection again,” she whispered, walking towards the door without looking back at his pale face.
Will never forget the warmth you gave.
But,
In the future,
We will have no more intersections…
Five stitches in total.
Geng Yuyang stayed with her the entire time. This guy about to have an engagement party couldn’t be driven away.
The wound on her forehead was stitched, but the crack in her heart grew larger.
Geng Yuyang returned from the discharge procedures and saw Yu Xiaoying sitting alone, looking in the mirror. This stubborn woman had avoided mirrors for days.
Her slightly messy curly hair was casually draped behind her head, and sunlight cast a soft halo on her fair side.
Suddenly, Yu Xiaoying smiled as she gently touched the scar on the other side. “Indeed, now it’s symmetrical.”
Geng Yuyang leaned against the doorframe, watching her smile, a trace of a smile forming on his lips. While others might be devastated by a facial scar, she laughed carelessly.
Feeling his gaze, Yu Xiaoying turned her head and met his warm eyes, almost mesmerized by the warmth.
“Done?”
“Mm.”
“Thank you!” she said sincerely.
Geng Yuyang replied, “I accept!”
She had long known his dictionary didn’t include the word “polite.”
“Xiaoying!” Qin Na rushed in, hugging her tightly. “You’re being discharged!”
“Yes,” Yu Xiaoying returned the embrace.
Geng Yuyang watched Qin Na with a tinge of jealousy.
“Oh, by the way! The school replaced our desks and wardrobes. I’ve packed all your things!”
Qin Na winked. “How’s that for friendship?”
“Desk!” Yu Xiaoying stared wide-eyed at Qin Na. “Why didn’t you tell me!”
“Well, you were in the hospital! But don’t worry, I’ve packed your things,” Qin Na reassured her.
“Did you open the second drawer at the bottom of the desk?” Yu Xiaoying gripped Qin Na tightly, her voice startling even herself.
“Ah,” Qin Na stammered. “I think I saw it but couldn’t open it… I thought it was locked.” Seeing Yu Xiaoying’s suddenly pale face, she asked, “What’s wrong? Was there something important inside?”
Ignoring Qin Na, Yu Xiaoying dashed out of the hospital.
Jiran…
“I won’t just leave you behind…”
“Slap!” She burst into the dormitory, noting it looked completely renewed.
Her dormmate Zi Han, still bandaged, exclaimed, “Xiaoying, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Yu Xiaoying ran to the bed where Qin Na had piled items, searching through them.
Not here…
Wardrobe… not here either…
She searched every corner of the dormitory.
Nothing…
Yu Xiaoying collapsed onto the bed, frustration and sadness overwhelming her as tears began to fall.
Jiran… Jiran…
Have I really lost you forever? No! It can’t be like this!
Zi Han carefully watched the ashen-faced Yu Xiaoying. “Xiaoying, are you looking for something? The old desks and wardrobes are piled up in the school warehouse behind. They’ve started moving them out since yesterday.”
“Thank you!”
Behind the school warehouse, the ground was filled with scattered furniture, half already cleared. Dust flew everywhere, but Yu Xiaoying didn’t care, pulling out desk after desk, checking each drawer.
Jiran… I don’t believe I’ve lost you. This is my only memory of you. I won’t lose it, no matter what!
Exhausted, Yu Xiaoying leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. She gritted her teeth and continued searching. Dust fell on her hair and body, mixing with sweat. Her hands were cut from forcefully pulling desks and drawers.
But why? She had checked everything, but nothing! She sat down on the ground, finally unable to hold back her tears. “Jiran… why can’t I find even this tiny bit of memory…”
“Xiaoying, what’s wrong?” The dust made Qin Na cough. She ran over, shocked to see Yu Xiaoying crying. “What happened?”
“Na…” Yu Xiaoying clung tightly to Qin Na.
“Xiaoying, what’s wrong?” She hadn’t seen her so emotional in a long time.
“Na, do you know what was in the second drawer at the bottom of my desk?”
“…”
“Jiran’s photo was in there.”
“Ah?”
“But now, I can’t find it.” Yu Xiaoying stared at the ground, tears falling. “It was the only photo of Jiran I had.”
“Xiaoying!” Seeing Yu Xiaoying cry uncontrollably, Qin Na finally understood, and tears rushed out. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know! I’m so stupid! If a drawer wouldn’t open, I should have tried everything to open it…” She grabbed Yu Xiaoying’s hand. “Hit me, scold me… I’m sorry…”
