Chapter 131: A Different Her (1)

"It's peeled. Here you go." Shan Chou-Chou handed over the apple she had just finished paring. "You barely ate anything at lunch."

Qiao Xi shook her head.

"The doctor said Young Master Gu is fine, so you don't need to worry," Shan Chou-Chou said.

"I know." Qiao Xi's gaze remained fixed on Gu Heng.

The doctor said he was fine, but the injuries were far from light. Looking at the wounds on his body felt as if they were inflicted upon her own; even if her body felt no pain, her heart ached.

After staying for a while, Shan Chou-Chou left, leaving Qiao Xi and Gu Heng alone. Qiao Xi sat quietly on the chair by the bedside, saying nothing.

Gu Heng slept for two hours before waking up. Qiao Xi was looking down, lost in thought, and didn't notice him open his eyes. His gaze swept across the ward until it landed on her. She was sitting with her head bowed, exceptionally still.

Without making a sound, Gu Heng just watched her. Suddenly, he raised his hand and slowly reached out toward her. The slight movement caught her attention, and as she looked up, his hand was already inches away, finally coming to rest gently against her cheek.

She placed her hand over his, not pulling away, and asked softly, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

"I'm fine," Gu Heng replied, his voice low and tinged with a slight rasp.

"Would you like some water?" Qiao Xi asked.

Gu Heng nodded. Qiao Xi stood up, carefully helped him sit up, and adjusted the pillows to make him more comfortable. She then poured a glass of water and handed it to him. "The temperature is just right; you can drink it."

Gu Heng took a few sips. She took the glass back and placed it on the table. When she turned back to him, he was watching her.

"Chou-Chou and Xin Meng came by and brought fruit. I'll peel one for you," she said, picking up an apple and sitting down to peel it.

Gu Heng said nothing, simply watching her. Since the day before yesterday, he had been waiting—waiting for her answer, right up until he received her text message: *Twelve o'clock, meet at the usual place.*

He was filled with both anticipation and fear; he was afraid her answer wouldn't be what he wanted, yet he yearned for her to give him the answer he desired. With those conflicting emotions, he had left early. He hadn't expected to be ambushed from behind. His reaction had been a split-second too slow, and a metal bar struck the back of his head, leaving him stunned.

The attackers seized the opportunity to strike again, and he had instinctively raised his arm to block. Then, several more men appeared. He slowly retreated to a wall, completely surrounded. However, the brief moment gave him time to recover his senses, and he fought them off despite the throbbing pain in his head. Because of the initial ambush and the weapons they wielded, he ended up with his current injuries.

He certainly knew who those men were, but when Qiao Xi asked, he didn't tell her.

He would take his own revenge, but that wasn't the main reason. The opposition was too despicable, and he couldn't bear to let Qiao Xi get involved.

"Here," Qiao Xi said, handing him the peeled apple.

Gu Heng didn't take it, still staring at her.

"What's wrong?" Qiao Xi asked. "Are you in pain somewhere?"

"No," Gu Heng said, reaching out to take the apple and taking a bite.

"Your mother called. You were sleeping at the time, so she should be arriving soon," Qiao Xi said.

"Are you going to leave once she gets here?" Gu Heng asked, looking at her.

Qiao Xi was about to answer when her phone rang. She glanced at it and saw it was Xin Meng; it seemed there was news. She looked at Gu Heng, who was watching her in return.

"I'll take this call," she said, and answered. Xin Meng’s voice came through:

"I found it. We're just waiting for you."