Chapter 331: Zhou Lu was treated the same way before.

The distance was too close, and Cui Xiao had no time to dodge. Just when she thought the scalding soup was about to be poured on her, she was pushed away forcefully.

A muffled groan reached her ears, and Cui Xiao suddenly looked up.

She was utterly shocked.

It turned out that Mo Ziqian had protected her.

At this moment, the restaurant staff rushed over and immediately restrained the crazed Jin Moli.

Cui Xiao had no interest in punishing Jin Moli; all her attention was focused on Mo Ziqian. "Hang in there, I'll take you to the hospital now."

Large beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, but Mo Ziqian didn't show the slightest sign of pain. Instead, he forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Cui Xiao didn't say anything, but helped Mo Ziqian walk out. Before leaving, she didn't forget to tell the boss, "Boss, please call the police for me."

The boss nodded and immediately dialed the police.

Mo Ziqian sat in the passenger seat while Cui Xiaolai drove. The usually composed Cui Xiaolai was flustered for the first time, and she pressed the accelerator harder.

The tires screeched as they rolled over the gravel on the road. Cui Xiao's fingers, gripping the steering wheel tightly, turned white, and his knuckles trembled slightly from the force.

The street scene outside the windshield rushed past, like crushed blocks of color, but she always felt that the car was moving as slowly as a snail crawling.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Mo Ziqian in the passenger seat. His face was so pale it was almost transparent. His once crisp shirt was now soaked with cold sweat, clinging to his back and outlining his thin frame, yet he was still managing to force a smile at her.

Mo Ziqian's voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible panting in it, and each word seemed to be expending a great deal of energy. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

How could he be alright? The scalding hot soup base had been spilled all over his back. She couldn't even imagine what a terrible state his skin must be in under his suit now.

Cui Xiao nodded silently, but his speed did not decrease.

Just then, the red light at the intersection suddenly turned on, and Cui Xiao slammed on the brakes, causing the car to lurch violently.

Mo Ziqian groaned, his hands on his knees clenching unconsciously, a faint trace of blood seeping from between his fingers.

Cui Xiao hurriedly turned to the side, reaching out to touch his wound, but then stopped mid-air, afraid of aggravating his pain. "I'm sorry."

Mo Ziqian forced a smile and said, "I accept Miss Cui's apology."

Even at this moment, he was still thinking about making her happy, perhaps because he was afraid she would feel too guilty.

We finally arrived at the hospital.

Cui Xiao quickly got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and carefully helped Mo Ziqian.

Mo Ziqian's breathing was heavy, and his face was even paler than before. However, he did not forget to comfort her, "Miss Cui, I won't die."

Cui Xiao paused for a moment, then casually said, "If you really die, I'll give my life for you."

After saying that, Mo Ziqian smiled, and Cui Xiao smiled too.

Mo Ziqian was in critical condition and was taken to the emergency room.

Cui Xiao was busy handling all the hospitalization procedures. After finishing all of this, she was covered in sweat, but Mo Ziqian had not yet come out of the operating room.

After a long while, Mo Ziqian was taken to the ward.

The doctor told Cui Xiao that the burn area was very large, and if she didn't want scarring, she would need skin grafting surgery later, and it wouldn't be successful in one session.

What Cui Xiao roughly understands is that the subsequent treatment will be very long and she will suffer more than once.

Just then, her phone rang. It was the police calling to inquire about Mo Ziqian's injuries and the whole incident.

Cui Xiao took a deep breath, briefly explained the situation, and then hung up the phone.

After a while, when she slowly walked into the ward, Mo Ziqian had already woken up. He was lying on the hospital bed with bandages wrapped around his body, and at first glance, he looked somewhat comical.

Mo Ziqian's face was pressed against the pillow, his eyelashes casting a faint shadow under his eyes. Hearing the noise, he slowly turned his head. When he saw it was her, his previously tired eyes instantly brightened, and even the corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile. "The police called?"

Cui Xiao walked to the bedside and placed the warm water she had just brought on the bedside table. "Well, I asked about the specific situation and your injuries. Then I confirmed the follow-up procedures with Jin Moli, and told us to just wait for the results."

She picked up the cup, poured some warm water into it, tested the temperature with her fingertip, and then held it to Mo Ziqian's lips. "The doctor just told you to drink some water after you woke up."

Mo Ziqian obediently raised his chin and took small sips of water. A few drops of water spilled from the corner of his mouth, and Cui Xiao quickly wiped them away gently with a tissue.

Watching the meticulousness in her movements, his heart softened as if soaked in warm water, and he couldn't help but tease, "Did you take care of Zhou Lu like this before?"

Cui Xiao paused in her work, and Mo Ziqian suddenly realized he had misspoke. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."

Cui Xiao didn't look at him and continued what she was doing. "The doctor said the burns on your back are quite severe, and you may need to have a skin graft later."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Actually, you didn't have to..."

Before Cui Xiao could finish speaking, Mo Ziqian said, "I'm a man. Even if it wasn't you, I would have stood up for anyone else. Miss Cui, you don't need to feel too guilty."

Cui Xiao clenched her fists tightly; she knew he didn't want her to feel too guilty.

"Don't worry, I won't abandon you. I'll take care of you during this time, and I'll even come for your skin graft surgery later on. I'll cover all the costs of the entire treatment. Of course, if you need any other compensation, you can let me know."

Mo Ziqian laughed, "You think I'm trying to extort you?"

Cui Xiao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "That's not what I meant."

Mo Ziqian: "Just kidding."

Realizing he was teasing her, Cui Xiao was both annoyed and amused. "By the way, should we inform your family?"

"No need," Mo Ziqian quickly said, but in his haste, he aggravated his wound and couldn't help but groan.

Cui Xiao immediately tensed up and reached out to help him, but was afraid of touching his wound, so she froze in mid-air. "Are you alright?"

Seeing her nervous expression, Mo Ziqian felt a surge of indescribable emotion. "No need to tell them. They're old, and I don't want them to worry."

Cui Xiao expressed her understanding, saying that if it were her, she probably wouldn't have bothered her family either.

She turned her face away, tidied the things on the bedside table, and casually said, "I'll stay here with you. Just call me if you need anything."

Mo Ziqian nodded, his gaze fixed on her profile.

She wasn't the most beautiful, the most intellectual, or the best-tempered woman he had ever seen.

But Cui Xiao gave him a sense of authenticity, a completely genuine and unpretentious demeanor.

Having grown accustomed to seeing everyone wearing masks, Mo Ziqian's intense curiosity about such a genuine woman was understandable.

Just then, Zhou Mubin arrived uninvited.