Huo Zhixing was taken aback.

“I will stay here no matter what,” he replied without the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Can smiled.

She had expected this answer long ago.

This is how one person truly loves another. If Huo Zhixing were injured, she would have stayed outside the ward without hesitation.

But after his heartfelt and moving confession, Yin Shaoqing strode away.

It's as if everything just now was an act.

Huo Zhixing's heart tightened, and he understood something the moment he met Jiang Can's gaze.

"I knew it! Yin Shaoqing is unreliable!" he said angrily. "If Zhixin continues to get so deeply involved, she'll suffer a great loss in the future!"

"Don't worry," Jiang Can gently reassured her. "It seems Aunt Yun doesn't know about their relationship?"

“Even if Aunt Yun finds out, she won’t ask too many questions.” Huo Zhixing said with a sullen face. “She has always advocated free love and hates it most when her children are used as sacrifices for the interests of the family.”

"But Yin Shaoqing is too different from Zhixin, and there is no way they can have a future together."

“Zhixing,” Jiang Can bit her lip, “what I’m most worried about is… that Yin Shaoqing isn’t sincere towards Zhixin at all, but just wants to use her.”

Huo Zhixing nodded.

“I hope I’m overthinking it,” Jiang Can said, “but it’s better to be safe than sorry! To ensure our confidant doesn’t suffer any losses, we should be more careful.”

Huo Zhixing recalled what had happened in Jiangzhou.

Since Gu Mang escaped, he investigated the surveillance footage at various intersections, and the unlicensed black car seemed to have vanished into thin air.

He had once suspected the driver in the surveillance footage, who was wearing a black baseball cap and had half his face exposed. He was pale and thin, and if you covered up Yin Shaoqing's nose and above, he would match that half of his face quite well.

However, he dared not draw any conclusions easily, and when he sent people to investigate again, there was still no news.

He had also thoroughly investigated the Yin family, but even Uncle Cen said that the Yin family had served the Huo family manor for three generations and were all honest and hardworking people.

Ha, one's duty?

If he truly lived a virtuous life, how could he possibly have gotten entangled with Huo Zhixin?

Huo Zhixing clenched his fists, his brows furrowed, and a shadow crossed his sharply defined face.

“Zhixing,” Jiang Can said softly, “Girls don’t care about anything when they fall in love. Even if we have to separate them, we have to do it slowly and not hurt Zhixin.”

"Yes, I know."

"At this time, it would be best if something or someone could distract her..."

Jiang Can's reminder sparked a thought in Huo Zhixing's mind.

Bringing Shen Xiao to Central City would allow him to work as a doctor and also be there to keep Huo Zhixin company.

All the problems will then be solved!

...

Jiang Can made cranberry cookies and taro ball milk tea, and specially brought them to Huo Zhixin's ward.

“I remember these are all your favorite flavors.” Jiang Can smiled, put the things on the cabinet, and then sat on the edge of the bed and gently held her hand.

It wasn't even late autumn yet, but Huo Zhixin's hands were as cold as ice.

After a few days of rest, the swelling from the stitches on her head had subsided, but she looked terrible, pale and haggard, with a melancholy look in her eyes, devoid of any vitality.

Jiang Can's heart skipped a beat; she looked like this...

It really does look more and more like Yin Shaoqing's pale and gloomy face!

It seems there's some truth to the saying, "One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black."

Being with someone who is full of negative energy will naturally drain you, and you will lose yourself.

"Sister Jiang Can..."

The room was quiet for a while before Huo Zhixin's soft voice could be heard.

"Didn't Shao Qing come to see me?"

"What?" Jiang Can was stunned.

Could it be that Yin Shaoqing hasn't come to see her even once in all these days?

Her expression changed, and she dared not look at the expectation filling Huo Zhixin's eyes.

She turned around and hurriedly took the milk tea out of the bag.

However, even without making eye contact with her, she could still feel the light in Huo Zhixin's eyes gradually fading until it dimmed.

“Zhixin,” Jiang Can helped her sit up, “Have something to eat first, your brother will send someone to bring lunch over in a little while.”

Huo Zhixin smiled wryly, "Does eating something sweet make you feel a lot better?"

"Zhixin, has something happened between you and Yin Shaoqing?"

Huo Zhixin didn't answer. She looked up at her for a long time, then asked softly, "Sister, am I really that bad?"

Jiang Can frowned slightly, "How could that be? You're beautiful, have a good personality, excellent grades, and are the most pampered little princess in your family. Your life is already better than so many people's!"

"But if I hadn't been born into the Huo family, I would be nothing!" Huo Zhixin's tears fell.

Jiang Can realized the seriousness of the problem.

Huo Zhixin has been well protected since childhood, and no one dares to gossip in front of her.

With her sunny and cheerful personality, she would never think in that direction.

The only person who could make her think this way is Yin Shaoqing!

"Don't think like that." Jiang Can turned her shoulder. "You are an outstanding girl. Even if you weren't born into the Huo family, your brilliance cannot be overshadowed."

“Zhixin,” Jiang Can said anxiously, “something’s wrong with you. Is it because of Yin Shaoqing…”

"It has nothing to do with him!" Huo Zhixin reacted strongly. "It has nothing to do with him; it's my own fault!"

"A kindred spirit..."

"Get out! I don't want to hear anything else!"

Huo Zhixin covered her ears tightly, her emotions running high.

Jiang Can stood there stunned; this scene was all too familiar to her…

When my mother was sick, she was just as emotional and resistant to everything.

Jiang Can felt as if an invisible hand was violently gripping her heart.

She wanted to comfort her, but she knew that people needed quiet more than anything else at times like this.

She composed herself and whispered to Huo Zhixin before leaving the ward, "Zhixin, don't put too much pressure on yourself... Remember, no matter what happens, your family will always be your strongest support."

Huo Zhixin sat on the bed, still covering her ears tightly.

Jiang Can sighed softly and walked out.

She was filled with worry on the way.

It is now confirmed that Yin Shaoqing is not a kind person, but it may still take some time for Huo Zhixin to separate from him.

She wanted to call Huo Zhixing, but as soon as she took out her phone, she saw an unread message.

The message didn't display a phone number or name; it only showed a few words when opened.

Do you remember me?

Jiang Can was taken aback. This incomprehensible message must have been sent to the wrong person.