Chapter 132: A Different Her (2)

“Go to class first; we’ll talk after school,” Qiao Xi said, then hung up the phone.

Gu Heng listened to her words, frowning slightly.

“Wait until your mother arrives. If she’s not available to take care of you...” Qiao Xi began.

“Who was that?” Gu Heng looked at her and asked.

“Xin Meng.”

“What’s it about?”

“You know.” Qiao Xi didn’t hide anything.

“I’ll handle my own matters,” Gu Heng said in a low voice.

“We’ve already found out who hurt you. Even if I don’t step in, Xin Meng and the others will.” Qiao Xi spoke bluntly.

“You’re always like this,” Gu Heng said, giving a helpless smile. “No matter what I say.”

Qiao Xi remained silent. Although she had been used to following him since childhood, she had always maintained her own thoughts and judgments, not easily swayed.

It was a habit, never dependence. Perhaps she was simply not the type to rely on others.

Silence fell suddenly in the hospital room.

After a while, Qiao Xi said, “Eat the apple.”

Gu Heng brought it to his lips, took a bite, and chewed slowly without speaking.

Qiao Xi said nothing further.

After another moment of quiet, the hospital room door opened.

Gu Ma, carrying a large bag, entered and, seeing her son’s injuries, was filled with pain. “How did you get hurt like this? Your head is injured too. What did the doctor say? Is it serious?”

“I’m fine,” Gu Heng replied.

“There’s no way you’re fine with injuries like these,” Gu Ma said, both heartbroken and reproachful. “I’ve told you not to fight with others, but you never listen. Now look, you’re in the hospital. What if your brain is affected? How many times have I told you? You just don’t listen. You’re going to...”

“Mom...”

“All right, I won’t nag anymore,” she sighed, then turned to Qiao Xi. “Thanks to you for taking care of him since yesterday. It’s just bad timing—I was sent on a business trip out of town and had to ask you to take leave to look after Gu Heng.”

“It’s nothing, Auntie. No need to be so polite,” Qiao Xi said.

“See? You don’t listen, get hurt, and then need Qiao Xi to take leave to care for you,” Gu Ma chided her son before turning back to Qiao Xi. “You should go home and rest. You probably didn’t sleep well last night.”

Gu Heng looked at Qiao Xi. He knew she hadn’t rested well and should return home, but selfishly, he wanted her to stay and care for him. If she left, she would surely take matters into her own hands and seek revenge on his behalf.

A mother understands her son’s thoughts all too well.

Gu Ma smiled and said, “Once you’ve rested enough, please keep helping me take care of him. I’m not young anymore and can’t watch over him twenty-four hours a day. My body wouldn’t hold up.”

“I understand. I’ll head back for now,” Qiao Xi said, glancing at Gu Heng. “I’ll come back later.”

“Mom, you just got back from the trip. You should rest first,” Gu Heng said.

“I’m not tired,” Gu Ma replied.

“If you don’t rest now, will you be able to watch over me tonight?”

“But Qiao Xi has been taking care of you since yesterday. Let her rest for a while,” Gu Ma insisted.

Qiao Xi understood. Gu Heng knew she had made plans with Xin Meng and the others after school. He wanted her to stay through the night so she wouldn’t intervene.

“Auntie, you take care of Gu Heng for now. I’ll watch over him tonight. I’ll be going now.” Without looking back at Gu Heng, she left immediately.

“She really is a good and sensible child,” Gu Ma said, then turned to Gu Heng with a sigh. “As for you, if you’re going to be so disobedient, at least don’t drag Qiao Xi into it. No wonder her father wants her to transfer schools—to keep her away from you.”