Even though they were speaking in low voices, the sensitive Lin Qingqian was still woken by their conversation.

Lin Qingqian’s brows furrowed slightly. Her usually stern, distant face looked almost childishly sweet now, like a little kid who hadn’t quite woken up.

She rubbed her eyes, and the scene before her gradually came into focus.

Seeing the girl who’d been slumped over there wake up, the nurse very tactfully left the room to the two of them. She really knew how to read the room.

“When did you wake up?” The girl’s dazed, adorable look lasted only a few seconds before her usual unsmiling self returned.

“Just now.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?” the girl asked, puzzled.

“You must’ve been taking care of me for a long time yesterday. I didn’t want to wake you.” Shen Guang smiled softly. With words that gentle and a face that handsome, it was hard not to warm to him.

Lin Qingqian stared at Shen Guang with cool eyes for a long moment. Then she stood up, turned away, and said calmly,

“Your looks and personality are already bad enough. If you’d damaged your brain too, what would you have left?”

“...” The girl’s sharp remark left Shen Guang at a loss for words.

Had Shen Guang really been that awful back then? But from what everyone said, before the harassment incident, he’d been a pretty good classmate—or at least that was what most people thought.

When they talked about him, most of them had used words like “I never expected it” and “I can’t believe it.”

Perhaps only Lin Qingqian, who had an unusually close relationship with him, knew what Shen Guang was really like.

“What do you want to eat tonight?” Shen Guang was still lost in thought, while Lin Qingqian began gathering her things, getting ready to leave.

Seeing the red marks on her cheek from where she’d been pressing it, Shen Guang felt a little guilty.

“You don’t have to come by so often. I can just grab something to eat at the hospital.”

“Just grab something? Weren’t you always such a picky eater?” Lin Qingqian narrowed her eyes, looking him over suspiciously.

Alarm bells went off in Shen Guang’s mind. If she found out he wasn’t the real Shen Guang, he’d be in serious trouble!

“I... I’m just worried you’ll wear yourself out. If you collapse, I’ll be sad, you know~” Shen Guang even resorted to using his looks, batting his eyelashes at Lin Qingqian.

But Lin Qingqian only seemed annoyed by his antics. She waved a hand dismissively, though her tone was firm.

“I’ll bring you dinner tonight. Also, I heard your grades weren’t quite up to the class average before, right?” Her sharp gaze startled Shen Guang.

“I’ll bring your textbooks tonight. Don’t think you can get out of it by pretending your head hurts, or I’ll make sure you get a real, physical headache.”

“Your phone’s in the cabinet, but don’t play with it for too long. As for school, I’ll handle it.”

She really was a woman of swift action. No wonder her classmates at school thought so highly of Lin Qingqian.

She could overwhelm everyone with sheer force of presence. It was hard to believe that kind of confidence came from a girl still in the bloom of youth.

Shen Guang propped up his chin and couldn’t resist teasing her.

“You’re really acting like a nagging wife...”

“Are you planning to eat bitter melon tonight?” A deadly glare shot his way, and Shen Guang immediately shut his mouth.

.........

【I’m Really Cute】: Shen Guang, are you okay?

Shen Guang was still reading the news when a message suddenly came in. It only took him a moment to figure it out.

Wasn’t that Luo Xiaoxiao’s username?

Shen Guang knew most people’s usernames, after all. He’d learned about them by analyzing their chats.

【Shen Guang Rocks】: I’m fine now.

【I’m Really Cute】: Still, this is my fault. I knew you were hurt, but I shouldn’t have made you run! I’m really sorry!

【Shen Guang Rocks】: But you did get a doctor for me in the end, didn’t you? I know your situation is special. You did more than enough.

【I’m Really Cute】: Anyway, when you’re discharged, let me treat you to a meal!

【Shen Guang Rocks】: ...Whatever makes you happy.

The conversation seemed to end there. The other person didn’t send anything else.

Come to think of it, it was kind of funny. Shen Guang had actually confessed to Luo Xiaoxiao before! And from the looks of it, she’d turned him down.

But why had Luo Xiaoxiao shown up at the hospital?

Could she have come to see someone in particular?

Shen Guang was just about to sort through the clues in his head when another message came in.

【Drifting Wind and Snow】: Shen Guang, are you still resting?

Yan Qingxue had actually messaged him! Could it be about what happened last time?

【Shen Guang Rocks】: I just woke up. What’s up?

【Drifting Wind and Snow】: Um... well, I made some desserts. Would you like to try them?

Yan Qingxue was actually inviting him to have dessert? The original Shen Guang would’ve been over the moon!

But now that his crisis had passed, Shen Guang had noticed that these girls seemed to be treating him differently.

Yan Qingxue waited for a while, but Shen Guang still didn’t reply. She thought he was letting her down gently, and couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

She really wanted to make it up to Shen Guang. He’d helped her so much, after all. It just wouldn’t be right to do nothing for him!

【Drifting Wind and Snow】: If it’s not a good time, maybe some other day.

【Shen Guang Rocks】: Ah, sorry. I was in the bathroom and couldn’t reply. I’m actually pretty free. If you come over, I’ll have someone to chat with.

【Drifting Wind and Snow】: Okay, I’m on my way now /smiley face

Looking at the chat on his phone, Shen Guang fell silent.

If things had followed their normal course, he should’ve been out of these people’s lives by now.

But the world line had already changed, and he seemed to have nothing left to worry about. So what was he holding back for? Why not just let loose?

Of course, if he was headed for a death ending, then forget he said anything.

Shen Guang really regretted not finishing that game back then. If he’d beaten it, he’d know the ending—and if he knew the ending, he’d know how to avoid the bad choices!

He was pretty sharp, just a little lazy.

For now, it looked like he’d just have to take things as they came.

.........

Yan Qingxue came to visit Shen Guang today in casual clothes.

But as soon as she walked in, she saw Shen Guang in his hospital gown, holding his lower back and trying hard to wiggle his butt.

The movement looked incredibly awkward. He moved like an old man who hadn’t exercised in decades.

As if he’d sensed someone come in, Shen Guang turned around without thinking. The girl was covering her mouth with one hand, as if trying not to laugh.

She’d seen the whole thing, hadn’t she!

Shen Guang felt so embarrassed that if he’d had a plastic bag, he would’ve pulled it over his head without hesitation.

“Um... Shen Guang, you’re a pretty good dancer~ You’ve got the same carefree flair as the old guy downstairs!”

Yan Qingxue clenched a fist, as if cheering Shen Guang on.

Her gesture was genuinely touching. Of course, it would’ve been even better if she’d stopped smiling so hard.