When Chen Yuzhe and the others entered the ward, Han Cheng and Jiang Xiaoyao were chatting and laughing, the atmosphere light and pleasant.

"Hey. Looking good, huh?"

"Ah, what took you so long?" Jiang Xiaoyao saw Chen Yuzhe sauntering lazily through the doorway and instantly flew into a rage. "What, is my life so unimportant? Dragging your feet just to visit me?"

*Wasn't I cleaning up your mess?* Chen Yuzhe pursed his lips slightly.

Then Jiang Xiaoyao spotted Xinyu and Gu Chengjin behind him. She quickly switched to a gentle, shy demeanor. "Ah... juniors, you came too."

"Oh dear, why all this fuss? It's just a minor illness. No need for such a big crowd."

Xinyu, still worried, urged her: "No, senior sister, your health is most important. Don't treat it lightly. You have no idea—we were terrified when you fainted today."

"Yeah," Gu Chengjin added with a helpless smile. "And I heard it's pneumothorax? That's not minor. If it worsens later, you might need surgery."

This startled Jiang Xiaoyao. "Eh? Surgery?"

"Yes," Han Cheng explained seriously. "Pneumothorax often recurs. Without surgery, the next flare-up might catch you alone. No one could rush you to the hospital in time. It could be life-threatening!"

"Eek! N-no way? I hate pain so much..." Seeing Han Cheng's fierce, intimidating glare, Jiang Xiaoyao's face paled with fright.

Chen Yuzhe watched the two team up to tease her and found it faintly amusing.

*Surgery isn't needed unless drainage fails. Look at her—so lively, clearly not that serious. They're just having fun. See those smirks they can't hide? Hmph.*

Watching the group chat animatedly, Chen Yuzhe felt no urge to join. He'd only come to check Jiang Xiaoyao's condition. If she was fine, he could leave. With so many around her, one less person wouldn't matter.

Just as Chen Yuzhe turned to exit, Jiang Xiaoyao's voice called out: "Wait!"

He glanced back expressionlessly. "What?"

"Hey! Planning to sneak off?" Her small face flushed with anger. "Am I really that disliked? Annoying to even look at? You won't stay a moment longer, even though you rarely visit?"

*Annoyed? Not really. With everyone here, what do you need me for?*

"Miss Jiang Xiaoyao," Chen Yuzhe teased with interest, "you just sounded like a nagging wife."

Jiang Xiaoyao's face burned with embarrassment. She stammered, "W-who's nagging! I-I just..."

*She hadn't meant to say it. But the words slipped out.*

"...I was afraid you'd dislike me..."

An awkward silence hung for a second. Xinyu and Han Cheng fell quiet. Gu Chengjin's gaze flickered between Jiang Xiaoyao and Chen Yuzhe. Jiang Xiaoyao lowered her head slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.

Chen Yuzhe gave her a sidelong glance but said nothing.

*What's there to worry about? I already know who you are, Jiang Xiaoyao. I didn't approach you to be friends—that's boring. As long as we both get what we want, that's enough. Dislike you? For what? What you did to Huang Yanchen? Or that fake innocent act you always put on? Forget it. It's none of my business. We're just partners. You use me. I use you. Two villains who know each other's secrets.*

*But...* Chen Yuzhe's eyes swept over Xinyu and Gu Chengjin. *They're still here. I can't break character.*

"Relax," he said, turning away and waving a hand behind his back. "Just going to the bathroom."

He pushed the door open and walked straight out.

After he left, Jiang Xiaoyao pouted, shaking her little fist. "Seriously, so full of yourself! If you didn't want to see me, don't come at all. Pretending to care then leaving—trying to annoy me on purpose?"

"It's okay, senior sister," Xinyu soothed with a bitter smile. "Senior brother was just worried about you."

*Xinyu clearly saw a faint trace of a smile on Jiang Xiaoyao's lips.*

For some reason, Xinyu turned and stole a glance at the doorway. It stood empty. Her heart felt empty too.