Chapter 130: Where Are You? (4)

"Is something the matter?" A few seconds passed before a voice came through, flat and calm.

"You didn't come to school this morning," Oya said.

Listening to the words on the phone, Qiao Xi paused. She turned her head toward the hospital bed. Gu Heng was sleeping soundly, his head wrapped in gauze, his complexion pale.

They had planned to meet at twelve yesterday, but she had waited until twelve-thirty and he never showed. He was never one to be late, so she had called him, only to discover he had been injured. She had rushed to the hospital immediately, where the doctor told her he had suffered a head injury and a fractured right arm, requiring a period of rest. With his family away, she had stayed behind to look after him.

Just as she was about to speak, the ward door opened. Shan Chou-chou walked in carrying fruit, saying, "Qiao Xi, we're here."

Leng Xinmeng, following right behind, saw Gu Heng’s closed eyes and frowned in dissatisfaction. "He's actually sleeping!"

"Sister Xin, keep your voice down, you'll wake Young Master Gu," Shan Chou-chou whispered a reminder.

"Who cares," Leng Xinmeng retorted.

"I'm going to take a call," Qiao Xi said. She stepped out of the ward and closed the door behind her before speaking into the phone. "I have things to take care of."

"What things?"

"Personal matters."

The line was silent for a moment before the voice returned. "Where are you?"

Qiao Xi listened but did not answer. After a while, he asked again, "Then when are you coming back for class?"

"I'll let you know. I'm busy now, goodbye."

With that, she hung up. As she was about to return to the ward, the door opened and she saw Xinmeng coming out.

"That guy is asleep and they won't let me wake him, so I'm heading back to school."

"Have you found out who it was?" Qiao Xi asked.

Gu Heng had been ambushed from behind and struck directly in the head, which was why his injuries were so severe. He refused to say who the culprit was because he didn't want others seeking revenge on his behalf, so they had to investigate it themselves.

"Er Nan is looking into it. I think we'll have a lead by the end of the day," Leng Xinmeng said, her fists clenched tight.

"Tell me as soon as you find out," Qiao Xi said.

Leng Xinmeng looked at her. "Are you going to take action?"

"Anyone who hurts Gu Heng will not be forgiven by me!" Qiao Xi's tone deepened, and her expression turned cold.

"Okay, keep in touch," Leng Xinmeng said, and left.

Qiao Xi returned to the ward, where Chou-chou was peeling an apple. "Sister Xin is so impatient; she left the moment she got here."

"She still has classes to attend," Qiao Xi said.

"It's still early," Shan Chou-chou replied. She stopped peeling the apple, looked up, and asked, "Qiao Xi, what exactly are you planning?"

Qiao Xi knew what she was asking. "I called the head teacher to ask for leave, and I asked for it for you, too."

"So, we're still going back?" Shan Chou-chou looked disappointed; she had hoped that since they hadn't gone to Yingran today, they wouldn't have to return at all. "Can't even Young Master Gu make you stay?" she muttered.

Though the voice was quiet, Qiao Xi heard it. She turned her gaze to Gu Heng. Yesterday, when she rushed to the hospital and saw him covered in injuries, hearing the doctor describe his head trauma and broken arm, her heart had constricted. It was the first time he had been hurt this badly.

Yet, the first thing he said when he woke up and saw her was, "I'm fine."

How could he be fine when he was hurt like this?

She hadn't pressed the issue, only asking, "Who hurt you?"

"I will handle it myself," he had replied.

He had been like this since they were children; he wanted to handle everything on his own. She understood—he simply didn't want her to get hurt because of him.