Page 24
After school, Tan Yuze walked out of the school gate with several classmates, as usual. They chatted as they walked, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.
However, when they walked into an alley near the school, they were suddenly surrounded by several unfamiliar boys.
One of the boys pointed at Tan Yuze and said with a sneer, "I heard you've been acting really arrogant at school lately. Today, I'll show you what's what!"
Tan Yuze stood there, completely unaware of who the other person was, let alone what he had done to offend them. "Who the hell are you! If you dare spread any more rumors, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
But the other person wouldn't listen. Before he could finish speaking, he was punched in the face, followed by more punches and kicks. Tan Yuze was knocked to the ground, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, but he still tried to fight back.
"Who the hell are you! Don't you know who this is?!" Upon seeing this, Bai Chuan immediately stepped forward to try to pull the other party away, but the other party outnumbered them and they were no match for them.
Lu Yi, Zhu Yu, Bai Chuan, and Zhou Chen were also knocked to the ground, and the scene was chaotic.
When Xu Li arrived at the hospital, Tan Yuze had already been taken to the emergency room. Lu Yi couldn't help but shed tears when he saw Xu Li.
"Xiao Lizi, Yuze was beaten up and is still in the emergency room. We don't know what happened..."
Xu Li held Lu Yi's hand tightly and comforted him, "Lu Yi, don't be afraid, the doctor will save him. You two go and rest for a while, leave this to me."
Lu Yi nodded and turned to leave. Xu Li sat on a bench outside the emergency room, her heart filled with worry.
She and Tan Yuze had only just confirmed their relationship, and just a few days later she was hospitalized.
She knew Tan Yuze was usually optimistic and kind, and never provoked anyone. She couldn't imagine why Tan Yuze had been beaten like this. The emergency room door finally opened, and the doctor came out.
Xu Li and Lu Yi immediately stood up, looking at the doctor nervously. The doctor said, "The patient has a head injury and needs to be hospitalized for observation. But don't worry, there's no danger to his life."
Xu Li breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still uneasy. She followed the doctor into the ward and saw Tan Yuze lying on the bed with bruises on his face.
He opened his eyes slightly, saw Xu Li, and smiled: "Little Li, what brings you here?" Xu Li walked to the bedside and gently took his hand: "Tan Yuze, you scared me to death. What happened?"
Although Tan Yuze was injured, he remained optimistic. He always smiled and said, "Xiao Lizi, don't worry, I'm fine." Xu Li looked at Tan Yuze, her heart filled with heartache.
She knew Tan Yuze was usually very strong, but this incident had dealt him a heavy blow. She decided to do her best to take care of him.
From that day on, Xu Li spent all her free time at the hospital taking care of Tan Yuze, except when she was in class. Every morning she was the first to arrive at the ward to make his bed. Before he woke up, she would poke his face and tease him.
The next morning, Xu Li arrived at the hospital early. She bought breakfast, gently pushed open the door, and saw that Tan Yuze was already awake. He smiled when he saw Xu Li: "Little Li, what brings you here again? To take care of me?"
"Xiao Li, you're so good to me." Xu Li gently held his hand: "What kind of relationship do we have now? Of course I have to take care of you." Tan Yuze nodded, his heart filled with warmth.
Xu Li placed the breakfast on the bedside table and said gently, "Tan Yuze, you should rest well. I'll come see you after I finish my class."
Tan Yuze looked at her, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.
In the afternoon, Xu Li returned home and started making porridge without a care in the world. Aunt Chen, watching this little princess busy herself, said, "Miss, I can do whatever you need to do."
Xu Li completely ignored the instruction to "make porridge".
"It's alright, I'll do it. Aunt Chen, could you help me prepare the shrimp?" Xu Li turned to Aunt Chen and said.
"Alright, is there anything else you need me to do?"
"No need, Aunt Chen," Xu Li insisted on cooking the porridge herself.
"Little darling, slow down, be careful not to get your hand pinched by those shrimp claws." As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Li's hand was pinched. She didn't cry or make a fuss, she just took a knife and cut the shrimp.
She returned to the hospital an hour or two later and placed the porridge in front of him, saying, "I made you some porridge."
He opened the lunchbox and found seafood porridge. "Why aren't you eating? I cooked it for two hours. You have to eat it whether you want to or not," Xu Li said.
He picked up the spoon and drank. After a few sips, Xu Li, who had to go to school for evening self-study, said, "Tan Yuze, I'm going to school first. You finish drinking, and then I'll clean up."
He gave a soft "hmm".
When Lu Yi arrived, Xu Li had already left. "Seriously? You're working so hard. Aren't you allergic to seafood? Why are you still drinking?" Lu Yi said.
"She stayed up for two hours to make it for me."
Xu Li began investigating the incident where Tan Yuze was beaten. She found Lu Yi and Bai Chuan and asked them about what happened at the time.
Lu Yi said, "At the time, we didn't know who the other party was. They suddenly rushed up and attacked us. Yuze told them, but they wouldn't listen at all."
Xu Li thought for a moment and decided to check out the alleys near the school. She arrived at the scene and carefully observed the surroundings. She discovered a security camera in the alley and immediately contacted the school's security office.
On the third day of Tan Yuze's hospitalization, Xu Li encountered a familiar figure in the hospital corridor. It was Lu Yi and Zhu Yu; he was carrying a bag of fruit and looked somewhat preoccupied.
"Lu Yi, what brings you here?" Xu Li stepped forward and asked softly. Lu Yi looked up, saw Xu Li, and smiled slightly: "I came to see Yuze. How is he today?"
Xu Li nodded: "Much better. The doctor said I can be discharged in a few days."
Lu Yi sighed, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Xiao Lizi, there's something I've been wanting to say, but I don't know if I should."
Xu Li looked at him with concern in her eyes: "Lu Yi, just say what's wrong, don't keep it to yourself." Lu Yi hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Actually, I think I've seen the person who beat up Yu Ze the other day."
Xu Li was startled and immediately asked, "What did you say? You've seen them?" Lu Yi nodded.
“When we were surrounded that day, I saw a mole on one of the boys’ face. I felt like I’d seen him somewhere before.”
Xu Li gripped Lu Yi's hand tightly, her eyes filled with urgency: "Lu Yi, think carefully, where have you seen him before?"
Lu Yi frowned, trying hard to recall: "I remember now! That day we went to an internet cafe near the school, and I saw that boy. He was playing games with some friends. I remember him very well because the mole on his face was very noticeable."
Xu Li's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately said, "Lu Yi, take me to that internet cafe, let's see if we can find any clues." Lu Yi nodded and led Xu Li out of the hospital.
They went to an internet cafe near the school, and Xu Li carefully observed everyone in the internet cafe.
She spotted a familiar figure—the boy with the mole on his face that Lu Yi had mentioned. Xu Li walked up to him and asked softly, "Excuse me, classmate. I'm Tan Yuze's friend. Can we talk?"
The boy looked up, saw Xu Li, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Who are you?" Xu Li smiled slightly: "I'm Tan Yuze's friend. I wanted to ask you, do you know him?"
The boy looked at Xu Li, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes: "I don't know him, you've mistaken me for someone else."
His eyes were resolute: "I don't believe it. I saw the mole on your face. You were the one who beat up Tan Yuze that day, weren't you?"
The boy's face turned pale instantly. He lowered his head and whispered, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Xu Li didn't give up. She continued to press, "Why did you hit Tan Yuze? What did he do to offend you?" The boy looked up, a flash of anger in his eyes.
"He stole my girlfriend!" Xu Li was stunned; she hadn't expected this reason. She asked softly, "Your girlfriend? Who are you talking about?" The boy looked at Xu Li, his eyes filled with hatred.
"It's Lin Yue from your class. She's always been very good to me, but Tan Yuze interfered. He stole my girlfriend, so of course I have to get revenge on him!" Xu Li was shocked; she hadn't expected things to be so complicated.
But she also found it ridiculous; Tan Yuze already had a girlfriend, so why would anyone try to steal her?
"Then I'll be frank. You probably don't know this, but I'm Tan Yuze's girlfriend. How could he possibly go after Lin Yue? Besides, she's the one who pursued Tan Yuze. The facts are clear, there's no point in making excuses."
Xu Li looked at him, her heart filled with hope. She knew that things had finally taken a turn for the better.
Security personnel reviewed the surveillance footage and discovered that the assailants were a group of strangers from outside the school. They appeared to be young people from outside the community, but their specific identities could not be confirmed.
Xu Li was somewhat disappointed, but she didn't give up. She found Tan Yuze and asked him if he had offended anyone recently. Tan Yuze thought for a moment and shook his head.
"I really can't remember. I've been preparing for the college entrance exam all this time, and I haven't had any time to get into conflicts with anyone." Xu Li looked at him, her mind filled with doubt.
She was determined to find out the truth and get justice for Tan Yuze. Xu Li would go to the hospital to take care of Tan Yuze every day after school.
She chatted with him, told him funny stories from school, and even helped him with his studies. Although Tan Yuze was injured, his mood gradually improved with Xu Li's company.
One night, Xu Li sat by the hospital bed, looking at Tan Yuze who was sleeping.
She wondered who Tan Yuze had offended and why he had been beaten like this. She decided that she had to find out the truth no matter what.
She kissed Tan Yuze on the corner of his eye.
She started asking around the school, asking other students if they had seen anyone suspicious. She also went to internet cafes and convenience stores near the school, asking the shop owners if they had seen anything unusual.
After several days of effort, Xu Li finally found some clues. She discovered that the person who beat Tan Yuze might be Yuan Shuai from Class 12 of the senior year.
Xu Li went directly to Class 12 and said, "Yan Xin, please call Marshal for me."
Yan Xin, still a bit gossipy, asked, "Why are you looking for him, Sister Li? You look terrible."
"Call him out, I'm going to beat him up."
"Commander Yuan, someone's looking for you..."
After school in the afternoon, Xu Li waited for Yuan Shuai in the alley outside the school. She was both nervous and angry, and the scene of Tan Yuze being beaten kept replaying in her mind.
She knew Yuan Shuai was a tough person to deal with, but she was prepared.
Not long after, Yuan Shuai appeared. He saw Xu Li and smiled slightly: "Xu Li, what brings you here?"
Yuan Shuai looked at Xu Li, a flash of anger in his eyes: "Xu Li, don't force me!"
Xu Li fearlessly stepped forward: "Yuan Shuai, if you dare to hit Yu Ze, I dare to hit you!"
Seeing Xu Li's expression, Yuan Shuai felt a little flustered. He hadn't expected Xu Li to be so bold, and he certainly hadn't expected her to question him to his face.
He tried to remain calm, but his tone became somewhat harsh: "Xu Li, don't forget, I'm a boy. What can you, a girl, do to me?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Xu Li rushed forward and punched Yuan Shuai in the shoulder. Yuan Shuai was caught off guard, not expecting Xu Li to make a move.
He was stunned for a moment, then angrily retaliated. The two wrestled, and although Xu Li was petite, she was quite strong, and filled with rage, she threw every punch without mercy.
"Little brat, you're using your cutest face to fight the toughest fights. Do you even know what my older brother does in the underworld?"
"I don't care what you do. If you want to run away from someone, that's impossible."
Yuan Shuai was stunned by the attack; he hadn't expected Xu Li to be so powerful. He tried to grab Xu Li's hand, but Xu Li nimbly dodged it.
Xu Li kicked Yuan Shuai in the face with her left leg.
As she hit him, she cursed, "Yuan Shuai, you dare to hit Tan Yuze? You're fucking tired of living! Go back and find out who your father is!"
Yuan Shuai's face was covered in blood as he roared angrily, "Xu Li, you wait, I'll make you regret this!"
Xu Li crossed her arms and looked at him without making any further moves. Yuan Shuai ran away.
Xu Li's hands were also covered in blood, and there were wounds on all four joints, but she didn't pay much attention to the wounds.
When Lu Yi found out, he went to find Xu Li and said, "Come on, we need to bandage her up. She's lost so much blood."
In the end, she couldn't persuade Lu Yi otherwise and went to get a simple bandage.
They might be acting under orders to retaliate against Tan Yuze. Xu Li went to the school security office and told the staff about her discovery.
The security personnel immediately took action and contacted the local police station.
After investigation, the police finally identified the suspects and arrested them.
After interrogation, the suspects finally confessed to their actions. Their reason? Tan Yuze stole his girlfriend, so he beat Tan Yuze.
Even Xu Li herself thought the story was melodramatic.
The other party held a grudge and sent several henchmen to retaliate against Tan Yuze. Xu Li breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this news. She knew that Tan Yuze was innocent; he had simply offended the other party by accident.
She decided to tell Tan Yuze the news. The next morning, Xu Li arrived at the hospital and saw that Tan Yuze had already woken up.
She walked to the bedside and whispered, "Tan Yuze, I've found the people who hit you. They've been arrested."
Tan Yuze looked at Xu Li, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Really? Little Li, how come you've done so much for me?" Xu Li smiled slightly: "As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."
Tan Yuze looked at Xu Li, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that Xu Li had put in a lot of effort for him. He gently held her hand: "Xiao Li, thank you. With you here, I feel like I'm not afraid of anything."
"What happened to your hand? Let me see."
"fine."
"You went to beat up Yuan Shuai!"
"Hmm, it's nothing serious, it's all right now."
"What do you mean it's not a big deal? Do you think losing this hand is a big deal? Xu Li, you're always like this, bearing everything on your own and unwilling to talk to others." Tan Yuze's eyes were slightly red.
"I'm sorry, I promise I'll tell you next time something happens, okay?"
"Um."
Xu Li looked at him, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes: "Tan Yuze, you are my boyfriend, of course I have to help you."
After several days of treatment, Tan Yuze's injuries gradually improved. The doctor said he could be discharged, but he would still need to rest at home for a while.
Xu Li and Lu Yi picked him up and took him home. After returning home, Xu Li continued to visit Tan Yuze every day after school. She cooked for him, chatted with him, and even tutored him.
Although Tan Yuze was injured, he recovered quickly under Xu Li's care. One day, Tan Yuze's parents didn't come to visit him. Several days had passed since the incident, and they hadn't come.
They saw Tan Yuze and said, "Xu Li, thank you for taking care of our Yuze."
Xu Li smiled slightly: "Alright." Tan Yuze looked at Xu Li, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that Xu Li's concern for him was not just friendship, but also a deep affection.
During the days Tan Yuze was hospitalized, Xu Li spent almost all her time at the hospital. Every day after school, she would go straight to the hospital instead of going home, just to spend more time with Tan Yuze.
In the ward, sunlight streamed through the white curtains, casting a warm glow on the floor. Tan Yuze leaned against the headboard, watching Xu Li's busy figure, his heart filled with gratitude.
Xu Li was tidying up the things on his bedside table, her movements gentle and meticulous. "Xiao Li, don't bother, I'm fine."
Tan Yuze said softly, his voice tinged with weariness.
Xu Li looked up and smiled slightly: "Don't move, I'll be done soon." She arranged the medicine bottles neatly, placed the water glass next to Tan Yuze, and then sat down on the chair by the bed.
The ward was extremely quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. Xu Li looked at Tan Yuze, her eyes full of concern: "Yuze, how are you feeling? Are you feeling any better today?"
Tan Yuze nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Much better. The doctor said I can be discharged in a few days."
His voice was weak, but his tone was relaxed, as if he weren't the one who was injured. Xu Li sighed softly, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.
She knew Tan Yuze was always optimistic, but this time his injuries were more serious than she had imagined. His face still bore scars, and his arms were wrapped in bandages.
Xu Li couldn't help but reach out and gently touch his forehead, whispering, "How could you be so careless?" Tan Yuze looked at Xu Li, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, "Little Li, I'm fine. Don't worry, I'll be alright soon."
It was late at night, and the hospital corridor was quiet. Xu Li sat by Tan Yuze's bedside, holding a book in her hand, but her gaze kept falling on Tan Yuze's face.
She knew he was asleep, but she still couldn't help worrying. The lights in the ward were dim, with only a small bedside lamp emitting a soft glow.
Xu Li sighed softly, thinking about Tan Yuze's injuries. She knew he had been very strong these past few days, but she also knew he must be in a lot of pain.
Xu Li gently held Tan Yuze's hand and whispered, "Tan Yuze, you must get better soon. I really need you."
She kissed him lightly on the lips.
Light as a feather, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
After she left, Tan Yuze slowly opened his eyes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
