When Jian Mubai slowly awoke, the first name he called out was Shen Keqin's.
Not seeing Shen Keqin within his sight, he became so agitated that he tried to get up, but the pain that shot through his body made him collapse back down.
"Mubai!"
Lin Zhuyin anxiously walked to the bedside, softly comforting him, "Don't worry, Qinqin is fine, she's already gone home."
Hearing this, Jian Mubai gradually calmed down, a slight smile forming on his lips, "Good... it's good she's alright."
After saying this, Jian Mubai fell unconscious again.
Although the doctor had said Jian Mubai was out of danger and only needed to rest well, Lin Zhuyin still worried about him and stayed by his bedside all night, not daring to close her eyes.
On the other side, after Shen Liubai took Shen Keqin home, and after she had showered, Xi Ruxue accompanied her to sleep. Shen Liubai returned to his room to shower.
While showering, his mind was filled with what Shen Chi Yan had said.
Lin Zhuyin was at the hospital with Jian Mubai at this moment; she probably wouldn't be going home, would she?
But what if that woman did go home?
He quickly thought, if she didn't even have that much caution, then she deserved whatever happened to her.
Besides, they were already divorced. Her well-being had nothing to do with him.
After showering and coming out of the bathroom, he picked up his fully charged phone while drying his hair.
As soon as he opened his phone, a news alert popped up.
"At midnight today, a woman was robbed on her way home. Fortunately, she only lost her belongings and was not injured. Several such incidents have occurred recently. Single women living alone must be vigilant. It's best not to go out late at night. If you get off work very late, it's best to go with friends."
Shen Liubai: "..."
He sat on the bed for a long time, scrolling back to earlier news. The more he read, the more restless he became.
He got up, changed his clothes, and left the house, only to encounter Xi Ruxue, who had just come out of Shen Keqin's room.
Seeing Shen Liubai fully dressed, Xi Ruxue was surprised, "Liubai, it's so late, where are you going?"
"Mom, I have to go back to the laboratory. Qinqin is in your care."
Xi Ruxue didn't know the details of Shen Liubai's work and assumed it was something very important. She nodded, "Okay, drive carefully and be safe."
"Got it."
After leaving home, Shen Liubai didn't go to the laboratory but headed directly to the People's Hospital.
He took the elevator to Jian Mubai's ward. Peering through the window, he saw Jian Mubai lying unconscious, while Lin Zhuyin was curled up asleep on the sofa.
He let out a deep breath and went to the smoking area to light a cigarette.
After finishing the cigarette, he opened the window and let the breeze blow for a while. Once the smell of smoke had mostly dissipated, he gently pushed open Jian Mubai's ward door and walked in.
He took a blanket from the wardrobe and covered Lin Zhuyin with it. He crouched down and stared at her for a long time, reaching out as if to touch her, but ultimately restrained himself.
That night, Shen Liubai stayed at the hospital and did not leave.
The next morning, when Lin Zhuyin woke up, she looked at the blanket covering her and was slightly taken aback.
This blanket... had she put it on herself?
She had no recollection of it.
While she was pondering, the nurse knocked and entered to change Jian Mubai's dressing. Lin Zhuyin stepped forward to help, and the thought slipped her mind.
Within a mere two months, Jian Mubai's body had suffered severe trauma twice. If it weren't for his good physical condition, he would likely have been ruined by now.
The first night, Shen Keqin also slept poorly. As soon as she closed her eyes, Jian Mubai's blood-soaked image filled her mind. Even when she finally fell asleep, she was plagued by nightmares.
When she woke up in the morning, her complexion was extremely poor, with prominent dark circles under her eyes.
Seeing her listless state, Xi Ruxue was very worried, "Qinqin, are you alright?"
Shen Keqin nodded weakly, her small face full of exhaustion.
"Are you going to the hospital today?"
Shen Keqin paused. Her feelings were complicated and conflicted. After everything that had happened, she didn't know how to face Jian Mubai.
She couldn't hate him, nor could she not hate him.
Xi Ruxue didn't want her daughter to suffer and immediately smiled, "Nian Nian told me Jian Mubai is out of danger and only needs to rest. He saved you, and our family will not mistreat him."
Shen Keqin responded faintly and remained silent.
She changed her clothes and went to work. Whether it was due to being preoccupied or not sleeping well, she made frequent mistakes.
She stared at the design drafts her assistant handed her for a long time, her gaze fixed on the first one.
When signing, she even wrote Jian Mubai's name instead of her own.
After going to the restroom to wash her hands, she repeatedly dispensed soap, filling the sink with foam.
Finally, at noon, she didn't eat a single bite of the meal her assistant brought. She had no appetite at all.
Seeing her distracted state, the assistant worried that further work would lead to mistakes and suggested she go home to rest.
Shen Keqin knew she couldn't continue like this and returned home.
She was too tired and wanted to sleep well, but she lay in bed with her eyes wide open, unable to fall asleep.
After two days of feeling dazed and listless, she received a call from Ye Jingqiu.
"Qinqin, I've been waiting for you."
Two days prior, Shen Keqin had gone to see Ye Jingqiu, intending to respond to his confession. If she hadn't been kidnapped, things between them would have undoubtedly reached a conclusion.
Shen Keqin jumped out of bed suddenly. It was as if she had found a reason to go to the hospital. After hanging up the phone, she pulled open her wardrobe to find clothes.
As she changed and went downstairs, Aunt Liu stopped her.
"Qinqin, here, I've made some nutritious meals. Take them to the hospital for Mubai."
Shen Keqin looked at the lunchbox Aunt Liu handed her and fell silent.
Aunt Liu had watched Shen Keqin grow up and understood her perfectly. Knowing she was still sulking, she smiled and said, "I heard only Zhuyin is looking after Mubai now. Zhuyin's flower shop is so busy, and she has to run to the hospital; she definitely won't have time to make these. I happen to be free, and he saved you. The sooner he gets discharged, the sooner we are free."
Hearing this, Shen Keqin took the lunchbox and said with a touch of傲娇 (pride/sass), "No matter how long he stays in the hospital, our family can afford the medical fees. But owing others is indeed bothersome. Let him recover quickly and scram."
Aunt Liu smiled, "You're right. Be careful on the road and stay safe."
"Got it."
After Shen Keqin left, Aunt Liu said to Xi Ruxue, who had just come downstairs, "Qinqin was down for two days, but she's finally doing better today."
Xi Ruxue sighed softly, "My daughter has grown up, and her heart carries more weight."
Shen Keqin was someone who wore her emotions on her sleeve. She wasn't good at hiding things and could be easily seen through.
Everyone in the family could tell that she clearly wanted to go to the hospital but was being stubborn about not going because she hadn't found a good enough reason.
Evidently, today, that reason had appeared.