Chapter 218 Don't Be Afraid

Qin Ce glanced at her a few more times and took her hand: "Alright, let's eat first."

Qiao Xing nodded, sighed, shook off those messy thoughts, and went to eat with him.

Although he was a very good cook, Qiao Xing had little appetite, especially when he thought of Wang Qin, which made him feel even more upset.

In the afternoon, Qin Ce wanted to go to the hospital, but Qiao Xing stopped him and told him to rest at home while she went to the hospital to check on him.

Seeing the concern in her eyes, Qin Ce stopped arguing with her and could only let her be.

After Qiao Xing went to the hospital, he worked in his study.

Around 1 p.m., Wang Qin arrived at the apartment building. Since she didn't have a key card, she couldn't come up and called Qiao Xing.

Qiao Xing is still in the hospital and can't go back right away, so she can only ask Qin Ce to go down and pick her up.

Xue Ling looked much better today, but she was still listless and depressed, and didn't seem to have much energy.

Joey hasn't slept much for two days because of her, running around taking her to check-ups, getting her medicine and buying her food.

Seeing how busy Qiao Yi was, Qiao Xing felt a little guilty, but he didn't know what Xue Ling thought.

She sat down next to Xue Ling and asked, "Are you feeling better today?"

Xue Ling leaned against the headboard, her once beautiful light blue eyes now appearing somewhat vacant as she stared blankly at a certain spot in the room.

Hearing Qiao Xing's words, he turned to look at her and said weakly, "Much better."

"When did the doctor say I could be discharged?"

Xue Ling looked away absentmindedly. "I don't know, I might have to stay for a few days."

Qiao Xing took her hand and hesitated before saying, "Xue Ling, I know you won't listen to anything I say right now, but I still want to say, don't make everyone worry about you anymore."

Xue Ling moved her lips slightly, but didn't say anything.

Qiao Xing said, "Look at your auntie, she's so old, and she's become so haggard because of you these past two days. Don't you feel sorry for her?"

Xue Ling's face fell again, and she looked like she was about to cry.

Qiao Xing dared not speak anymore, afraid that she would cry.

Joey got the forms from the doctor and came back to tell Xueling, "You can be discharged after three more days of observation."

As she spoke, she walked over to Xue Ling and asked gently, "Were you feeling cooped up?"

Xue Ling looked up at Qiao Yi, her lips curved slightly, and then she burst into tears.

Seeing this, Joey immediately dropped what he was holding, sat down beside her, hugged her, and patted Xue Ling's shoulder, "Alright, alright, what's wrong now?"

"I'm sorry, Mom. I was too impulsive and made you worry."

Upon hearing this, Joey paused, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She looked up at the ceiling, held back the tears in her eyes, and forced a smile, saying, "Silly child, don't do such dangerous things again. It's not just your mother who's worried, but also your brother and your sister."

"How heartbroken would your father be if he found out? No matter how sad or upset you are, please don't vent your emotions by hurting yourself and your loved ones, okay?"

Xue Ling nodded vigorously, threw herself into Qiao Yi's arms, and burst into tears.

Seeing this, Qiao Xing also wisely went out.

She stood outside for almost half an hour before Joey came out with red eyes. Wiping away her tears, she forced a smile and said to Qiao Xing, "Xingxing, you don't need to worry about this. Go back and do what you need to do."

"I'm enough here."

Qiao Xing was secretly alarmed when he saw her haggard appearance and the gray hairs growing at her temples.

Just a few days ago, Joey wasn't like this.

It was only when she saw Joey's white hair that Qiao Xing suddenly realized that she had grown old.

She's actually quite old.

Qiao Xing pursed her lips and said, "Auntie, you haven't rested for two days. Let me watch over things. You go back and rest."

Joey stubbornly shook her head: "No need, there's a sofa here, I'm sleeping, you don't need to worry."

"Aunt……"

Qiao Xing was about to say something when Qiao Yi interrupted her, "Xingxing, I have to keep an eye on her, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

Qiao Xing fell silent, swallowing back the words that were about to come out.

"Oh well."

Joey smiled and said, "Alright, go back now. You guys probably haven't slept well these past two days because of this girl, right?"

"You're still young, you can't stay up late, you need to get plenty of rest, otherwise you'll age quickly."

Qiao Xing twitched the corners of her mouth. Although she knew she was just trying to scare her, she still felt warm inside.

Qiao Xing nodded: "Okay, I'll be going now, I'll come back later."

Joey was helpless. Knowing she couldn't persuade him otherwise, she could only agree, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Qiao Xing was also thinking about Lin Xi, so she took a taxi back home.

Qin Ce had already picked up Lin Xi. The girl was introverted and rather shy.

When Qin Ce picked her up, he was leading her upstairs, but when they got into the elevator, he realized she hadn't followed.

I went outside and saw her lingering at the elevator entrance.

Qin Ce came out to meet her again, but after taking a few steps, he turned back and saw that she had fallen far behind.

She wasn't falling behind; she was simply keeping her distance from him.

Qin Ce frowned and walked up to Lin Xi, who involuntarily took two steps back.

He roughly understood that the girl had such a deep psychological trauma from her father that she was extremely wary of men.

Especially someone like Qin Ce, who is tall and looks so serious.

Her hands were trembling with nervousness, her fingers twisting together tightly. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Qin Ce.

Qin Ce didn't know how to communicate with her, so he stared at her for a while before speaking, "Lin Xi."

Lin Xi was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked up at him, but she was underdeveloped and rather short, only reaching a little below Qin Ce's chest.

She craned her neck to look at Qin Ce, as if he were a towering mountain, and her face grew even more tense.

Qin Ce coughed, trying to make his voice sound less harsh, "Don't be afraid."

Lin Xi lowered her head and did not answer him.

"Let's go up first, your sister will be back soon."

She remained silent, and it was unclear whether she had listened. Qin Ce turned and walked towards the elevator. Looking back, he saw that she had followed him, but hadn't entered the elevator.

Qin Ce suddenly had a headache.

"Come in."

His tone wasn't as friendly as before, and Lin Xi paused for a moment before silently walking inside.

After Qin Ce closed the elevator door, she walked to a corner and stood diagonally opposite him, which was the furthest distance between them.

Qin Ce ignored her, as long as she didn't get lost.

After going upstairs, he led Lin Xi into the house.

He told her to sit wherever she wanted, then went into the study, leaving Lin Xi alone in the living room.

When Qiao Xing returned, he saw Lin Xi standing in the middle of the room, looking at a loss.

Hearing the door open, Lin Xi turned to look at her.