Sick…

A fever, plus her stomachache flared up again.

Su Yu let out a relieved breath. Phew… As long as nothing serious happened.

"Is it serious?"

"Do you like her?"

Xu Dan didn’t answer. She tilted her head, brows knitted tight, gaze sharp as a blade—like she wanted to cut him open and see every hidden thought.

"We were just high school classmates. I didn’t even know she came to Qingchuan University, did I?" Su Yu met her piercing look calmly.

"Then go see her this afternoon." In an instant, Xu Dan’s attitude flipped. The scrutiny vanished. She handed Su Yu a slip of paper. "Law School has a mobilization meeting tonight. It’ll run late… we might not get out. Qian Ge *could* manage alone, but I’m not at ease. Here’s the address."

"Me?"

"Aren’t you her classmate? You know her nature. Alone… she’ll be scared."

Su Yu took the note, glanced at it, and crumpled it tightly in his palm.

"Alright. I’ll go."

"Pass our regards to Qian Ge. We’ll pick her up after discharge. Thanks."

Xia Qian Ge’s roommates left, backs turned. Their chattering gossip drifted to his ears—campus rumors, probably.

…

A taxi pulled up. Su Yu paid, stepped out, and looked up at the hospital sign: City Hospital, not far from campus.

The walk from the intersection wasn’t long, yet he dragged his feet. His mind wrestled—two voices clashing.

*Xia Qian Ge was his only high school classmate here. Visiting was only natural. He’d been asked.*

*But… act cold now. Let her roommates whisper after discharge—call him selfish, heartless. Freeze her heart. Sever the past. Never speak again. Wouldn’t that be fine?*

He blinked. Already standing before the ward.

The hospital felt hollow, colors bleak and depressing. Down the long corridor, only nurses hurried past.

In his previous life, Xia Qian Ge hated hospitals—the smell, the cold. Only when he got angry would she reluctantly step inside.

Su Yu peered through the door’s small window.

There she was. Huddled under white sheets, only her head visible, staring blankly at the sunset glow.

Deathly pale. Lips slightly chapped. Exhaustion carved deep into her eyes. Alone. Utterly helpless.

He never understood how this fragile girl would later become so fierce… so obsessive.

But now? She felt like a dandelion puff—one soft breath, and she’d vanish.

His heart clenched. Slender fingers closed around the doorknob.

*Click.*

The door opened. She turned. Saw him holding takeout boxes, refined and calm. Her mouth fell open slightly.

"You… what are you doing here?"

"Your roommates were busy tonight. Asked me to check on you—they worried you’d be scared alone."

Su Yu stated it plainly. No extra warmth. He was simply her only high school classmate in this unfamiliar city.

"It’s nothing. I’ll be discharged tomorrow."

Xia Qian Ge lowered her eyes, offering a faint smile. Her sickly pallor tugged at his chest.

"You shouldn’t have joined military training. Don’t you know your body’s weak?"

"My body’s a little fragile, but I should keep up with everyone. The fever? Probably just caught a chill from the AC… *cough… cough…*"

She shook her head gently, then broke into a hoarse, trembling cough.

Su Yu’s pulse spiked. He stared at her palms—thankfully clean. No blood.

*In his past life, crimson blood had pooled there under lamplight. A sight that haunted him.*

"But your stomach illness… it could worsen. You might cough blood." His brows furrowed. Words spilled unchecked. "Why always chase first place? Rush so hard? You’ve already left everyone behind. Can’t you… just look back sometimes?"

"Su Yu, you—"

She covered her mouth, eyes flashing panic. Frail, trembling—like a doll someone could break.

"Sorry. I said too much." He shook his head sharply. "I just… don’t want you hurting yourself. Your family’s struggling. You *must* protect your health."

He set up the bedside tray, lifted the lid. Steaming vegetable porridge sent up wisps of vapor. Savory aroma curled through the air.

"Drink. You’re hungry. Spoon’s here. Careful—it’s hot."

"Oh. Thank you."

A barely-there smile touched her lips. Dark eyes held quiet warmth. She picked up the spoon, sipped the porridge dotted with emerald greens.

Silence settled. Only the soft *slurp* of soup. Outside, Qingchuan’s neon lights glittered against the night. Peaceful.

Then—phone buzzed in his pocket.

He frowned, answered quietly.

"Yo! Young Master Su! Post-training feast planned—we invited Luo Xiao Xiao, tons of girls… where’d you vanish?!"

Su Yu muted it instantly. Glanced at Xia Qian Ge. She sipped steadily, seemingly ravenous, unaware.

"I’ll step out. If you’re still hungry, tell me."

She gave a tiny nod.

He slipped out. The door clicked shut.

A shadowy gaze lingered on the hallway darkness—then withdrew.

Soon, only the gentle sound of porridge remained.