Ultimately, because Sima Chu withdrew on the spot, the examiners announced the final result. Qi Huan tried to explain something to Sima Chu, but Sima Chu remained silent and refused to answer.
A few days later, big news spread throughout the school. Rumor had it that Sima Chu, having failed to secure a full scholarship for studying abroad, had committed suicide in his dormitory by overdosing on sleeping pills. Upon hearing this news, Qi Huan rushed to the school's affiliated hospital.
Thanks to timely medical intervention, Sima Chu's life was saved. He has now regained consciousness, but is staring at the ceiling. His face is still deathly pale, and his lips are likely cracked from dehydration.
When Xiaoqing and Xiaoye saw Qi Huan enter, they both stood up from their chairs and quietly walked to Qi Huan's side. "Sister Huan, was the last selection too much of a blow to Xiao Chu? She hasn't said a word since that day. Why don't you go and talk to her?" Xiaoqing said to Qi Huan.
Qi Huan patted Xiao Qing on the shoulder, nodded, and said, "Let's talk alone."
Xiaoqing and Xiaoye nodded and then left the ward.
"Xiao Chu." Qi Huan sat down by Sima Chu's bedside and softly called Sima Chu's name.
Sima Chu glanced at Qi Huan expressionlessly, then gently turned his head away.
"I'm sorry." That was the only thing Qi Huan could think of right now.
The two remained silent for a long time. Finally, Qi Huan spoke up: "I also have my own unspeakable difficulties. I made a bet with my father that if I could get this full scholarship to study abroad, they would give me back my life, and I could choose how to walk my own path from now on. So, I'm really sorry."
After Qi Huan finished speaking, Sima Chu's pale face finally turned to Qi Huan. "Isn't your predicament my predicament too? You failed, but what you lost was only a little freedom. You can still have a life that we all envy. But what about me? I failed, and what I might lose is my entire life. Qi Huan, I'm different from you. In your life, opportunities and possibilities are always present. But for me? Some opportunities, once lost, may never come again." Halfway through his sentence, Sima Chu swallowed hard.
"Besides, I didn't ask you to give me the opportunity. I just wanted a fair competition. That way, even if I ultimately lose, I'll accept it willingly. But why did you steal my data? Do you know that what you did was academic misconduct?"
"I know," Qi Huan nodded. "But I really don't have the ability to compete fairly with you." After saying this, Qi Huan's face showed great pain. Qi Huan raised her head slightly, took a deep breath, and after composing herself, continued, "During the summer vacation, Ling Zixuan and I broke up. Part of the reason was my parents' interference. I tried many times, but I just couldn't calm down and prepare for this selection. But I also hate my parents; I don't want my fate to be controlled by them anymore."
Sima Chu frowned slightly after hearing Qi Huan's words, falling into a brief silence. "Even so, it doesn't cover up what you've done. Have you considered the punishment you'll face if I expose you? Furthermore, I have evidence of the original data's source; I can prove your data theft. If your actions are exposed, it will be a scandal for your entire family. In this society where information spreads so quickly, I don't need to elaborate on the damage such a scandal will cause your family."
After listening, Qi Huan lowered her head in silence, without responding to Sima Chu's question.
"How ridiculous! Is love really a woman's poison? Someone like you can be tormented by love to the point of doing such a stupid thing." Sima Chu lay on the hospital bed, looking at Qi Huan's solemn and painful expression, and forced a few laughs.
"I've thought about it. I'll create as many opportunities as possible for you in the future so that you can move in the direction you hope for in life." After a long silence, Qi Huan looked up at Sima Chu, whose face was pale, and shared her thoughts.
Upon hearing Qi Huan's words, a contemptuous smile appeared on Sima Chu's lips, and he replied in a strange tone, "In the future? Material things can make up for it, but what about the spirit? Once trust is broken, it's gone forever." After saying that, Sima Chu coughed lightly a few times.
Qi Huan picked up a water glass from the small table and handed it to Sima Chu. Sima Chu waved his hand and continued, "Do you know who came to see me just now?"
Qi Huan withdrew her hand from the water glass and looked at Sima Chu with a puzzled expression. Qi Huan's heart clenched; she thought it was Ling Zixuan. However, to Qi Huan's surprise, it was him.
"Han Lin came to see me just now. I'm afraid you can't guess his real purpose. We really underestimated him. Maybe ever since you rejected him, he's been looking for something to do with you." Sima Chu admired Qi Huan's expression, shaking his head with a smile.
"As soon as he came in, he asked me why I suddenly left, and he also said that he saw me crying. He asked me if there was something I was hiding, and whether that hiding thing was related to you. Because he said he saw that I was happy at the beginning of the report, but my state suddenly changed after you presented the survey data." Sima Chu said in one breath the reason and purpose of Han Lin's visit.
Qi Huan's heart clenched again after hearing Sima Chu's words. What was Han Lin planning? If Han Lin caught her in this mess, what kind of revenge would he take? Qi Huan's face gradually turned panicked.
Seeing Qi Huan's expression, Sima Chu chuckled as he lay on the bed and said, "Would you like to hear my answer?"
Qi Huan immediately turned her gaze to Sima Chu. Sima Chu smiled contemptuously again, "It's rare to see you with such an expression. The once powerful goddess Qi Huan is actually afraid?" Sima Chu didn't rush to answer, but instead tried to enjoy Qi Huan's expression, tormenting her anxiety.
"No." Sima Chu suddenly said these two words. After saying these two words, Qi Huan looked at Sima Chu with a surprised expression.
"I told Han Lin no. I said there was a sudden emergency at home, that my family member was in a car accident, so I gave up the selection and ran away from the classroom crying. Are you satisfied with my answer?" Tears streamed down Sima Chu's pale face. Sima Chu looked at Qi Huan, crying and laughing at the same time.
Qi Huan's eyes were slightly red as she looked at the haggard Sima Chu in front of her, unable to say anything for a long time.
"Why?" After a long while, Qi Huan looked away from Sima Chu's face, lowered her head silently, and asked this question softly.
Sima Chu laughed twice more, trying his best, and repeated Qi Huan's words. "Why?"
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