Chen Tao, in a coma on his sickbed, heard Aunt Wang chatting with Ma Qin Xue.
« So, Qin Xue, you're the eldest daughter of a prominent family from Province J. I knew it. A girl as radiant as you wouldn't be from a mere village. I told your Uncle Gui Zhen several times that you reminded me of a rich family's young lady. » They chatted aimlessly like this.
Listening to them, Chen Tao felt compelled to open his eyes.
Actually, Chen Tao didn't want to wake up, he didn't want to face the emotions of the past three years.
Aunt Wang, who had been speaking, turned her head and saw Chen Tao open his eyes. She immediately came over and said: « Tao-wa zi, you're awake! Let Auntie pour you some water. »
Qin Xue, who had her back to Chen Tao, also turned around, her eyes red, and softly said: « You're awake? »
Chen Tao grunted. Ma Qin Xue immediately said: « I'm sorry. I lied to you for these three years. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been delivering bottled water under the sun and wind; if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been beaten and hospitalized by Zhang Tiankun. »
As she spoke, Ma Qin Xue's tears began to flow.
Aunt Wang, pouring water nearby, said: « Qin Xue, don't cry. Speak slowly about what's bothering you. »
Ma Qin Xue, now in tears, bowed deeply to Chen Tao and said: « I'm sorry. I used you. I knew perfectly well I didn't like you, yet I pretended to like you every day. To escape my family's forced marriage, I ran away from Province J. Only after leaving did I realize my family had frozen my bank card. It was then that I met you. I had no money for food and intended to return home. But then, I ran into you at the train station. »
Hearing Qin Xue's words, Chen Tao felt as if he were transported back to the day they met three years ago.
It was also winter. Young and impetuous, I had defied my family's objections and come alone to the provincial capital to make my way.
Alighting from the train, I discovered my wallet had been stolen. Too proud to admit it to my family, I planned to spend the night at the station and figure things out later.
Feeling dejected, I was walking towards the waiting hall's rest area when I accidentally bumped into a suitcase. Without looking up, I said: « Sorry! » and started to leave.
But as I was about to leave, I heard a sobbing sound.
I looked up and saw a girl, like a doll, crying. The girl also turned her head and looked at me with teary eyes. In that instant, my heart felt a sharp pain, as if pricked by a needle.
I thought I had bumped her suitcase, causing her to cry. I quickly apologized.
Flustered, I fumbled in my backpack for tissues to wipe her tears. The zipper suddenly broke open, and everything spilled onto the floor. Embarrassed, I crouched down to pick things up.\Seeing my clumsy efforts, the girl let out a chuckle.
I looked up at her, tears still in her eyes, but a smile on her lips. She looked like an angel, or perhaps a sprite.
Chen Tao couldn't describe his feelings at that moment.
He thought then that if this girl were his girlfriend, he would dedicate all his efforts and his entire life to protecting her, ensuring she would never feel sad or shed tears again...
Like two children escaping their homes, they found solace in each other, sharing their heartaches and later their experiences in the station's rest area...
Qin Xue, choked with emotion, said by his bedside: « I've always been grateful to you, but unfortunately, I don't love you. I thought that once my family calmed down, they would contact me, and then I could give you money, or perhaps even a company. »
Listening to these words, Chen Tao on his sickbed felt nothing but disappointment. For three years, he had woken up at five-thirty every morning and only slept at eleven at night.
He had been relentlessly delivering bottled water, earning money, and giving all his earnings to Ma Qin Xue.
For three whole years! Working hard through the hottest summer days and the coldest winter months.
He had finally persevered.
He looked back, wondering what it had all been for.
He had eaten pickled vegetables and steamed buns outside every day, all so he could give his girl the best – high-end cosmetics, bags, clothes...
Aunt Wang, listening nearby, couldn't stand it. She shot Ma Qin Xue a glare and turned to leave. As she went, she said: « Taotao, when you get better, come to my place. Auntie will cook you something delicious. »
Just as Aunt Wang left, the attending physician entered. He checked the monitors, had a nurse take the patient's temperature, inquired about his condition, made a note, and instructed the nurse to administer an IV drip.
After the doctor left, Ma Qin Xue, who had been standing by the bedside, received a call from her family. Chen Tao overheard them saying that Ma Qin Xue's cousin would arrive at six in the afternoon and instructed her not to wander off; she was to return to the family and marry Zhang Tiankun.
As soon as the call ended, Ma Qin Xue said to Chen Tao: « The Zhang family has a high-ranking official in Province J. Their family's main businesses are in the digital and hotel industries... Go and apologize to Zhang Tiankun, and this matter will be over. Otherwise, the Zhang family won't let my family off the hook, let alone let you off. »
Chen Tao was immediately displeased. He hadn't expected the woman he had protected and loved for three years to be like this.
He had been hospitalized after an unexplained beating, and in the end, she wanted him to apologize to Zhang Tiankun – was she joking?
After saying all this, Ma Qin Xue left without looking back.
Enraged, Chen Tao on his sickbed couldn't stop crying.
At this moment, a nearby nurse said: « Handsome, don't be sad. Everything will pass. You only grow through experience. Listen to me, sister. I've been through a lot. Only by growing and becoming stronger can others respect you. »
He stayed in the hospital for half a month like this. The doctor said he could be discharged.
Only then did Chen Tao remember the medical expenses incurred during his hospital stay.
He went to the billing office and discovered that Ma Qin Xue's cousin had arrived. Ma Qin Xue had asked her cousin to pay a 50,000 deposit. The total medical expenses were 18,062 yuan, leaving a balance of 31,938 yuan. After settling the bill, Chen Tao walked out of the hospital.