Chapter 24

"Want to do something?" Tang Yuchuan's voice was calm, with a hint of inquiry, as if he was weighing something.

"Watching a movie? Visiting an art exhibition? What do young people do when they're in love these days? I'm afraid I'm a bit behind the times." There wasn't a hint of frivolity in his words, yet a hint of unfamiliarity was hard to conceal. A long-lost sense of tension shone through his eyes.

Zou Ping smiled faintly, her eyes light and with a bit of nonchalant charm. She actually didn't understand the so-called "things to do in love", after all, this was her first time.

She said lightly, "I don't know what others are doing, but...does this mean that all your time today belongs to me?"

Although the words were spoken lightly, they were like a stone dropped unintentionally, causing ripples.

Tang Yuchuan's brows relaxed slightly, his eyes falling on the documents on the table. Those complicated figures and contract documents really didn't need to be rushed.

The fatigue from last night has not yet faded, and the burden on my shoulders is still heavy, but her presence is like a ray of light deliberately cast in.

Tang Yuchuan was also unsure. Besides the guilt he felt when he agreed to be with her, how much of it was out of selfishness?

He looked up and said in a low voice, "Okay."

Zou Ping smiled and winked at Tang Yuchuan, "Then, let's go to bed."

Tang Yuchuan was stunned for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but he did not respond directly to that sentence.

He whispered, "Indeed, we didn't get enough rest last night."

Tang Yuchuan's words were very gentle, but Zou Ping felt a slight alienation, and her heart tightened slightly. She wanted to continue teasing him, but seeing Tang Yuchuan responding so calmly, she felt a little frustrated.

There seemed to be an invisible barrier in the air separating the two of them.

Zou Ping's gaze fell gently on his face, tentatively searching for a hint of warmth in response, but she only saw a hint of fatigue and restraint in his eyes.

Zou Ping bit her lip lightly, and pinched the corner of her clothes unconsciously with her fingers. The image of him not sleeping all night last night appeared in her mind, with his tired and upright back.

My heart felt like it was pricked by a needle, and a sour feeling spread, but I couldn't express it.

He stood up, his movements steady and gentle, "Then let's go back to our rooms and catch up on some sleep, okay?"

"Okay." She nodded slightly, her voice softening a little.

Everything is fine, she thought.

Just now I wanted to take the initiative in this relationship, wanted to tease him, wanted him to look at me more and show me a little more warmth.

But now, looking at the fatigue and restraint in his eyes, all the stubbornness and calculations quietly melted away.

She knew that the burden on the man's shoulders was much heavier than she had imagined, and she was just a new girl who could not easily disturb the peace.

No more arguing, no more asking, and no more forcing.

I just hope he can have a good rest and be safe and sound, then everything will be fine.

What's more, now that he has agreed to be with me, what else is there to be dissatisfied with?

The invisible sense of distance in the air has not dissipated, but it is also tinged with a touch of gentle tolerance.

Zou Ping stood up gently, but her steps were a little hesitant.

She reached out her hand and gently tugged at Tang Yuchuan's sleeve, her voice soft and gentle, "Let's go. I'll take you to the door of your room."

Tang Yuchuan turned to look at her, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, probably because he had never been treated like this before, but he didn't say anything, just nodded.

Returning to her room and lying on the bed, Zou Ping closed her eyes but couldn't fall asleep.

The conversation between the two was still churning in my mind, and that vague sense of alienation was like a layer of mist, lingering in my heart.

She sighed, picked up the paintbrush and canvas on the table, and wanted to use colors to dispel her chaotic thoughts.

The oil painting shows a deep night sky, with rich indigo mixed with dark purple, and dotted with stars, but not dazzling, like eyes hiding secrets.

In the foreground, there is a winding path with blurred tree shadows on both sides. The branches are intertwined and entangled, carrying a kind of lonely and gentle power.

The road seems to lead to the distance, but there is no end.

A figure vaguely emerges in the picture, with its back to the viewer, its straight back stretched out in the moonlight, lonely but determined.

Zou Ping held the paintbrush and gently slid the tip of the brush across the canvas, as if pouring out the emotions in her heart bit by bit.

She didn't know what would happen tomorrow, she only knew that at this moment they both needed time and space from each other.

Tang Yuchuan had just closed his eyes when fatigue surged over him like a tide, and his body finally found a moment of peace.

Just when I was about to fall asleep, my cell phone suddenly rang.

He opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar number on the screen. Suddenly, his heart sank and he felt a little uneasy. He reached out and picked up the phone.

"Hello, is this Mr. Tang Yuchuan? This is the emergency department of Ruixin Hospital. Are you Tan Jing's family member?" The voice on the other end of the phone was low and slightly depressed.

Family members? Before this, Tang Yuchuan had never thought about his relationship with Tan Jing. One day, he could use the word "family members" because she and his father got married.

Why aren’t they family members?

"What's wrong with her?" Tang Yuchuan tried to keep his voice calm, as if to hide his inner tension.

"She was found unconscious at home by a neighbor and was just taken to our hospital. There were signs of charcoal burning at the scene and her condition is very critical. Doctors are trying to save her. We recommend you come as soon as possible."

Every word on the other end of the phone was like an ice-cold knife, slowly cutting a gash in his chest.

Tang Yuchuan was stunned for a few seconds, his hand tightly gripping the phone, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid.

"Which hospital?" Tang Yuchuan was about to change his clothes and go out, when he suddenly realized that he was so busy worrying that he hadn't remembered the name of the hospital at all.

The staff on the other end of the phone was very polite and replied without any impatience, "Rui Xin Hospital."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Tang Yuchuan quickly got out of bed and prepared to change into suitable clothes for going out.

He stood in front of the mirror, his fingers lightly buttoning his collar, his eyes looking through himself in the mirror into the depths of his chaotic heart.

Tan Jing.

Her appearance appeared in my mind, like a deep ocean, quiet and not easily touched.

She never shows off, but always has a faint presence that is hard to ignore.

Her beauty is not as dazzling and scorching as flames, but more like the shimmering water under the moonlight, soft yet with unfathomable heaviness.

He always thought she was strong and never needed help, and she didn't even give him the chance to let him rely on her...

He felt that he could never see through her, not even a dozen years ago, and not even now.

He suddenly blamed himself. Why didn't he notice her vulnerability? When he saw her yesterday, her eyes were a little wandering, but he had gently covered it up as something else.

It was his negligence, he was only concerned with the grudges between the two of them, it was his fault...

At this moment, he felt a powerlessness and panic he had never felt before.

"Tan Jing, our story isn't over yet, you can't just die like this." He murmured to himself, but there was a hint of unspeakable pain in his voice.

He changed his clothes and walked towards the door. His steps were steady, but he couldn't hide his inner panic.

Zou Ping heard the noise and came out of the room, just in time to see Tang Yuchuan putting his coat on his shoulders. His expression was heavy, and there was a hint of tension between his brows that was hard to conceal.

She asked softly, "What's wrong? What happened? Why are you in such a hurry to go out?"

Tang Yuchuan paused and looked at her, with a hint of suppressed emotion in his breathing.

He thought about it and decided to be honest, "Tan Jing committed suicide by burning charcoal at home and is now in the hospital for treatment."

Zou Ping's eyes flickered slightly, with a complicated expression, as if she was trying to figure out his mood.

The air in the room suddenly became heavy. Zou Ping lowered her head to look at the floor and said slowly, "So... are you going to the hospital?"

Tang Yuchuan nodded, a hint of fatigue flashed in his eyes, but he was also determined, "Yes. I have to go to the hospital to see her. She has no other family. I can't ignore her at this time."

Zou Ping looked up, her eyes gentle but with a hint of unspeakable worry.

Logically, she had no reason to stop a matter involving human life. Emotionally, she felt that Tang Yuchuan's willingness to be with her was either because he saw her as a shadow of Tan Jing, or because he wanted to start a new relationship to forget the old one. No matter how she looked at it, she wasn't confident that Tang Yuchuan agreed to be with her simply because he liked and loved her.

Tang Yuchuan smiled slightly, and the smile was still gentle. He seemed to see her uneasiness, "If you are willing, why don't you go together?"

"Okay." Zou Ping quickly changed her clothes and followed Tang Yuchuan's pace.

In the elevator of the garage downstairs, Zou Ping secretly glanced at Tang Yuchuan. There was an imperceptible paleness on his face, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his fingers were repeatedly stroking the mobile phone in his trouser pocket.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, not speaking loudly, for fear of disturbing his thoughts.

"It's okay... I'm fine." His voice was low, as if he was talking to himself.

Zou Ping nodded and wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start.

In the car, Tang Yuchuan held the steering wheel with a focused expression.

Zou Ping felt the solemn atmosphere in the car. She reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand, conveying silent support.

Tang Yuchuan glanced at her with a soft look in his eyes and gently held her hand.

As soon as they arrived at Ruixin Hospital, the two quickly walked into the emergency hall, reported Tan Jing's name, and briefly explained the situation.

The staff at the information desk quickly directed them to the floor where Tan Jing was.

The corridor was brightly lit but deserted. Zou Ping could hear her own breathing, and her heartbeat seemed to be knocking on the silent air.

Tang Yuchuan walked steadily and firmly with every step, but Zou Ping seemed to be able to hear the anxiety beneath his calmness and determination.

The door of the emergency room was closed tightly, and a cold white light shone through the small window on the door, which was dazzling and cold.

Zou Ping stood outside the door, her heart beating faster involuntarily. She could feel the tension of Tang Yuchuan standing next to her.

He didn't say anything, just stared straight at the door. His expression was deep and steady, but there was a slight tremor from his fingertips.

Zou Ping gently held his hand, and her heart tightened when she felt his unconscious trembling with her fingertips.

She knew that although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.

"Let's wait here. I'm here and will always be with you. Everything will be fine." She said softly, with a hint of forced calmness in her voice. After all, she had never experienced such a life-and-death matter before.

Tang Yuchuan nodded slightly and tightened his fingers around hers, as if using this strength to comfort each other.

There was an invisible sense of oppression in the air. The light behind the door was dazzling, but it blocked out all sounds.

Zou Ping took a deep breath and tried to calm her heartbeat. She knew that the silence at this moment was heavier than any words.

There was no jealousy as she had imagined. In the face of life and death, the smell of disinfectant seemed to inspire her kindness. She also unconsciously followed and prayed silently, hoping that the people inside would be safe.