It was the first time Li Yundong had seen Zhou Qin weep before his eyes; in the past, he could scarcely imagine what the proud, untouchable girl looked like when tears fell. But now, the girl's tears fell like pearls slipping from a broken string.

Li Yundong already carried a weight of guilt in his heart, and this sight only intensified his sorrow. He reached out, gently stroking the smooth length of Zhou Qin’s hair, and murmured softly, “It will get better.

Everything will be alright. Pull yourself together.” No matter how fiercely a girl attempts to shield herself with strength and maturity, there is always a core of softness, a vulnerability, especially when facing the person she truly cares for; this fragility is then more easily exposed.

Zhou Qin was no exception. Hearing Li Yundong’s unexpectedly gentle comfort, Zhou Qin could no longer maintain her stern façade.

She held the apple in both hands, nodded as the rain of her tears fell faster. Li Yundong smiled and reached out to wipe the tears from her face.

The moment his hand brushed against Zhou Qin’s skin, she gave an involuntary shudder, as if his touch carried an electric current, a brief contact that left her whole body buzzing and her heart racing. Zhou Qin trembled, instinctively pulling her face back, but the moment she did, she regretted it.

Yet, pride kept her from leaning back into his touch. Seeing Li Yundong’s hand frozen in the air, not daring to reach out again, a wave of frustrated sadness washed over her: Why won’t you just come a little closer!

Li Yundong retracted the hand he had suspended in the air, offering a sheepish smile. “Stop crying.

You’re such a beautiful girl; crying too much will spoil that, you know.” Zhou Qin roughly wiped her tears away and retorted with a feigned sharpness, “That’s none of your business!” Li Yundong chuckled. “Yes, yes, I won’t meddle.

I couldn't even if I tried.” Zhou Qin huffed, vigorously scrubbing her face until it was cold and composed again, though her voice held a noticeable warmth. “Why are you here?

Didn't I tell you not to come?” Li Yundong let out a light sigh, smiling faintly. “I know everything that happened.

How could I not come?” Zhou Qin managed a desolate laugh. “What good will your coming do?

Can I stand up again? Can I ever return to my old life?” Li Yundong said, “Whether you can return to your old life, I don't know, but I can make sure you stand up again!” Zhou Qin scarcely believed him.

The expression on her face gradually faded to indifference. She sighed.

“It’s useless. My attending physician already said I will never walk again in my life.” Li Yundong fell silent for a moment.

He didn't speak, but instead lifted the pet carrier he had bought downstairs and placed it in front of Zhou Qin. He smiled.

“Don't dwell on it. You used to be so optimistic; why have you become so gloomy now?

Nothing is impossible in this world; it just depends on whether you are willing to try!” As he spoke, he pointed to the little hamster constantly running on the wheel inside the cage. He chuckled, “Look, even it knows it needs to exercise to keep itself strong.

How can you give up?” Li Yundong’s words warmed Zhou Qin’s heart, but she couldn't resist retorting, “They run on that wheel their whole lives—can they ever run a single mile? They’re always stuck in the same spot, never escaping that cage.” Li Yundong looked intently at Zhou Qin and murmured softly, “No, Zhou Qin.

While they lack the strength to break free from the cage’s confines, haven’t you already jumped out of your former cage?” Thinking of this, a strange, painful conflict gripped Zhou Qin. Taking that step certainly required immense courage and a sudden impulse, but had she fallen to her death, it would have been a clean end.

Waking up now to find herself stripped of everything—how was she supposed to face the future, the days ahead? Yes, she was free, but the price of this freedom was far too steep.

Zhou Qin suddenly recalled Neo from The Matrix. He had lived in a world manipulated by machines; though ignorant and utterly unfree, he enjoyed comfort and plenty, living happily.

But when he suddenly broke free from that world, finding the truly free world so cold and brutal—was it worth it all? Zhou Qin sat there, vacant and unmoving, silent.

After a long time, she slowly spoke, “So what if I jumped out?” Li Yundong understood that while Zhou Qin’s mood was better than before, she was still trapped in a mental loop. He didn't press her, only saying with a smile, “It will get better.

As long as I’m here, you will get better.” Hearing this, Zhou Qin’s body shook, and the way she looked at Li Yundong softened into an almost worshipful gaze. No matter what, he had treated her with kindness; the devotion she had shown wasn't entirely wasted after all.

Though she didn't truly believe it, Zhou Qin managed a faint smile—a smile that was captivating, utterly exquisite. Li Yundong was determined to lift her spirits, so he stayed, chatting and joking, choosing only funny stories and amusing anecdotes, coaxing genuine laughter from Zhou Qin.

Peering in from the doorway, about to enter, Zhou Keqiang paused his steps, then turned and left. He sighed inwardly: It’s true what they say about daughters being swayed by outsiders; a thousand words from me are useless, but the moment her beloved arrives, she lights up.

A grown daughter—impossible to hold onto! If only...

it hadn't been too late! Zhou Keqiang let out another sigh and slowly walked downstairs, plopping down heavily on a bench by the roadside, staring blankly into space.

After an indeterminate amount of time, someone sat down next to Zhou Keqiang. Without turning his head, Zhou Keqiang said gruffly, “Sorry, could you give me a moment of quiet?” “What’s this, Old Zhou?

Turning against your friends so quickly?” A rich, magnetic baritone voice sounded beside him. Zhou Keqiang turned his head to see a middle-aged man with a square jaw smiling faintly at him.

Zhou Keqiang was startled. “Old Li?

What brings you here?” Old Li chuckled, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his coat and offering it. “Just came to see an old friend.

Care for one?” Zhou Keqiang started to reach out to take it, but his hand stopped halfway in the air. He smiled.

“Forget it, I’ve quit.” Old Li looked at him strangely. “When did you quit?” Zhou Keqiang smiled.

“Just now.” After lighting a cigarette for himself, Old Li took a long drag and slowly exhaled a smoke ring, sighing softly. “Old Zhou, I know you’re holding a grudge, but don’t dwell on it too much.

You have to look toward the brighter side of things, right?” Zhou Keqiang offered a weathered smile. “I’ve come to terms with it now.

Stepping back like this isn’t so bad. I was too obsessed with status before, failing to manage my relationship with the He family, and failing to manage my relationship with my own daughter.

This is my fate; I accept it!” Old Li snorted. “The He family went too far this time.

The He line is finished because Young He brought it on himself. Are they trying to wipe out the Zhou family too?” Zhou Keqiang smiled.

“Old Li, I owe you a great debt for your timely help this time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!” Old Li gave a dark laugh. “What are you talking about?

The eyes of the public are sharp! Regardless, Zhou Qin sacrificed herself, and you suffered along with her.

What more do they want? If the He family tries anything clever again, I’ll be the first to object!” Zhou Keqiang smiled wistfully.

“This is a true test of friendship in adversity!” Old Li grumbled, “What adversity? You won’t even accept a single cigarette out of respect!” Zhou Keqiang burst into laughter.

“I won’t smoke, but how about we two old brothers play a game of chess?” Old Li slapped his thigh. “Excellent!

That’s what I live for! As the saying goes, life is like a game of chess, and chess is like life.

Old Zhou, let’s have a good match today and experience life within the game! Remember, victory and defeat are the nature of life.

Don't let a big loss now mean you can’t stage a comeback!” The two middle-aged men, both figures within the system, found a stone table outside the hospital building to start their match. Meanwhile, in the ward, Li Yundong placed hot, freshly prepared food in front of Zhou Qin.

Looking at the dishes, Zhou Qin suddenly pouted like a child. “This food tastes terrible!” Li Yundong smiled.

“What do you want then? I’ll go buy it for you?” Zhou Qin’s eyes darted around; wanting to make things difficult for him just a little, she said, “I want to eat the food you cook!” Li Yundong’s expression immediately shifted to one of difficulty.

He hesitated, then asked, “Are you hungry right now?” Zhou Qin pushed the food tray away. “I’m not hungry.

I want the food you made!” Li Yundong considered it, then nodded. “Wait for me here a moment.” With that, he picked up his Seven Treasures Spirit-Illuminating Fan and walked out.

Seeing him genuinely leave, Zhou Qin called out, “Hey!” but she was too late to stop him. She couldn't help but fret: He actually went?

I said that casually. Will he be angry that I ordered him around like that?

Zhou Qin was consumed by nervous anticipation; time seemed to stretch agonizingly. A mere hour felt like a century until Li Yundong’s silhouette reappeared in the room, and only then did her heart settle back into her chest.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!” Li Yundong said cheerfully, pulling several sealed containers from the plastic bag he carried and setting them before Zhou Qin. “I couldn't make anything fancy in my haste.

Just a few simple home-style dishes. Eat this for now?

I’ll cook you something better another day?” Zhou Qin opened the containers. Inside were steamed pork ribs, stir-fried lotus root slices, and shredded radish with meat—dishes utterly ordinary.

By the standards of her previous life of luxury, these were unimpressive fare. Yet, to Zhou Qin, these dishes looked like the most exquisitely flavored feast in the world, even before she tasted them.

Impatiently, Zhou Qin picked up her chopsticks, maneuvering her body slightly to take a bite. Seeing her difficulty in moving, Li Yundong leaned over to help prop her up.

Zhou Qin smiled at Li Yundong, picked up a rib, and slowly savored it. As she ate, her eyes suddenly reddened again.

Li Yundong exaggerated his reaction from the side. “No way!

Is my cooking really that awful? Is it so bad you’re about to cry?” Zhou Qin burst into a laugh, spraying rice onto the sheets.

Her eyes red, she glared at him playfully, “You’re mean! You got the sheets dirty!” Li Yundong feigned offense.

“You sprayed it!” Zhou Qin retorted, “It was your fault!” This phrase carried a double meaning; Zhou Qin said it without thinking, but Li Yundong took it to heart. He sighed.

“Yes, it was my fault! Blame me!” Zhou Qin didn't quite catch the weight of his words.

She felt a sensation akin to first love, as if being able to playfully spar with Li Yundong was the greatest joy in the world. This initial success delighted her inwardly.

She pouted, “If I don’t blame you, who should I blame? Hmph, I blame you!” This statement sent a jolt through Li Yundong’s heart.

He was instantly reminded of Su Chan, how the young girl once leaned into his embrace, smiling sweetly, tilting her head up, and saying innocently, “I’m going to depend only on you!” Li Yundong’s desire to joke with Zhou Qin gradually faded. He waited silently until she finished eating, then asked, “Zhou Qin, shall I give you a massage?” <>H