Chapter 88

Kong Xiyan still hadn't woken up, and Chi Wanzhao stayed by her side without leaving. Wang Haining had gone back to fetch some essentials and left them in the bathroom. The ward was stifling with silence; no one spoke, the two of them sitting like statues on either side of the bed.

After what felt like an eternity, a faint sound came from the bed.

Kong Xiyan, eyes still closed, groped at the painful spot, her delicate face scrunched up. Her complexion was unnaturally pale from blood loss, and a pained moan slipped past her lips.

Chi Wanzhao immediately took her other hand and whispered, "Xiyan? Are you awake?"

Kong Xiyan slowly opened her eyes. Chi Wanzhao looked haggard, the corners of her eyes tinged with red, her usually clear eyes now threaded with fine red veins. Though her expression was calm, Kong Xiyan could feel the release of tension in her.

Chi Wanzhao reached out, waving a hand in front of her. "Awake?"

Kong Xiyan stared at her without moving, not answering.

Wang Haining, seeing this, exchanged a glance with Chi Wanzhao, then asked nervously, "Xiyan, do you remember who I am?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head, her voice timid. "No, I don't remember, Teacher Wang."

Wang Haining was taken aback for a moment, then caught on and shot her a mock glare.

Just woke up and already trying to scare people.

She must be asking for trouble.

Kong Xiyan caught her gaze and tried to turn her head to smile, but the movement pulled at her wound, making her wince. Chi Wanzhao pressed her hand against her temple and said softly, "Don't move."

Kong Xiyan felt herself being gently repositioned to a more comfortable angle, the pain at the back of her head easing. She grabbed Chi Wanzhao's hand and smiled. "Like this, it's fine. This is good."

Chi Wanzhao squeezed her hand back, her thin lips parting. "Does it still hurt? Should I have the doctor come check on you?"

"No need," Kong Xiyan refused. "I'm fine, just a bit thirsty. Would you pour me a glass of water?"

Chi Wanzhao gave her a long look. "Alright."

There was a water dispenser in the ward, but Chi Wanzhao still took a cup and stepped out. Wang Haining looked at Kong Xiyan. "You have something to say to me?"

Afraid of the pain, Kong Xiyan stayed lying still, only shifting her eyes when she heard Wang Haining's words. "I heard everything about you and the Chi family."

Though Chi Wanzhao had tried to tell the story as objectively as possible, without speaking ill of Wang Haining or her mother, Kong Xiyan still sensed a subtle bitterness in her.

She did hold some resentment toward Wang Haining.

Kong Xiyan sighed.

Privately, she certainly felt more sympathy for Haining—after all, none of this was her fault—but she could understand the Chi family's feelings too.

In this matter, only two people were truly at fault: Chi Chao and Haining's mother.

But one was already gone, and the other was on the verge of death. Forgiveness was too much to ask of them, yet hatred served no purpose either.

So Chi Xuan had directed her hatred at Haining, and after bottling it up for so long, she'd finally exploded at the first sight of her.

Wang Haining smiled, resigned. "Let's not talk about unhappy things. I plan to head back to Changning later. Take care of yourself."

Kong Xiyan immediately reached out and grabbed her hand. "So soon?"

"There definitely won't be any tickets left today."

She didn't know how long she'd been asleep, but the sky outside was darkening, and she could see heavy snowflakes falling past the window. The roads probably weren't in great shape either.

Wang Haining patted her hand. "It's fine. I'll go back to the apartment, pack up, and stay at a hotel near the station for the night. I'll head back first thing tomorrow morning."

Kong Xiyan was reluctant to let her go.

She knew Haining was trying to avoid Chi Xuan.

The apartment was, after all, the Chi family's, and given what had happened at noon, wanting to leave was completely understandable.

But Haining had come up to spend the New Year with her.

With the holiday just two days away, the thought of Haining leaving at this time made Kong Xiyan feel restless.

She lowered her eyes, thinking for a long while, unwilling to let Wang Haining go. Finally, Wang Haining laughed and touched her head, wrapped in gauze. "Alright, you're not a child anymore. If you miss me, come back to Changning for a visit. And I'll—"

She paused there.

Kong Xiyan finished her sentence. "You'll come to City B to see me."

Then a flash of inspiration struck. "Haining, why don't you stay at my place?"

"Yes, come to my home."

Wang Haining was stunned for a few seconds, then smiled. "Don't bother with that—"

"It's no bother," Kong Xiyan interrupted her. "That's your home too."

Wang Haining looked up at Kong Xiyan, meeting her clear eyes, which sparkled with mirth. She suddenly remembered that first night in Changning.

Kong Xiyan had drunk some rice wine and sat on the wooden threshold, looking up at the moonlight. After a while, she'd turned and said, "Haining, I don't have a home anymore."

She remembered her own reply: "Don't be afraid. From now on, this place can be our home."

Kong Xiyan had smiled. "Then your home is my home, and my home is your home?"

She seemed to have had a bit too much to drink, speaking in tongue-twisters. Wang Haining nodded. "Mm."

At the time, she'd only meant to comfort Xiyan. She never thought she'd be the one comforted now.

Wang Haining thought it over and said, "Alright."

Kong Xiyan said, "Then I'll have Chi Wanzhao drive you later."

"Mm."

Soft voices drifted from the ward. Chi Wanzhao stood at the door for a long time without pushing it open. The cup of hot water in her hands had stopped steaming long ago, yet she remained rooted at the doorway, unmoving.

This was a private ward area, and apart from a nurse or two passing by, no one else was in sight, so no one noticed her odd behavior.

After a long while, a figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

He had gray hair and a face lined with wrinkles, walking hurriedly with faint beads of sweat on his forehead.

Li Bo hurried up to Chi Wanzhao. "Second Miss."

Chi Wanzhao composed herself, tilting her head to look at him. "Li Bo? Didn't I tell you to take Chi Xuan back to the Old Mansion?"

Her voice was mild, but Li Bo felt a chill run down his spine. He said anxiously, "Second Miss, Third Miss ran out after returning. Now... now... she's downstairs. She wants to come up and apologize to Second Madam, but she doesn't dare. Second Miss, what should we do?"

Chi Wanzhao's face tightened. "Where is she?"

Li Bo quickly pointed out the window. "Standing right outside."

Chi Wanzhao walked to the window and saw Chi Xuan standing below. The cold wind made her sway, large snowflakes landing on her hair and clothes, quickly melting into water. Since the ward was on the second floor, Chi Wanzhao could clearly see the droplets on Chi Xuan's face and the white puffs of her breath.

"Take her back." Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips into a thin line, her gaze fixed sharply on Chi Xuan below.

Li Bo stayed where he was, worried. "Third Miss says she wants to see Second Madam."

Chi Wanzhao said, "Take her back."

"I tried to make her go back, but she refused."

Chi Wanzhao turned to look at Li Bo, her lips parting slightly. "She refuses? Then let her be. If she wants to stand, let her stand. I'd like to see how long she lasts." With that, she turned on her heels and walked away, her expression resolute, her back a picture of finality.

Li Bo wanted to call after her but could only sigh.

Third Miss had meant to get Second Miss's permission to see Second Madam, but Second Miss wasn't giving her the chance.

But what happened at noon—Third Miss had been too impulsive, and she'd hurt Second Madam, so it was no wonder Second Miss was angry.

He could only watch as Chi Wanzhao entered the ward.

Kong Xiyan smiled as she came in. "Chi Wanzhao, could you take Haining home later? To my father's house."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at Wang Haining but didn't ask questions, just said, "Alright, I'll have Lu Han come up."

Wang Haining quickly declined. "No need, I can go down."

She then said to Kong Xiyan, "I'll come back tomorrow."

Chi Wanzhao furrowed her brows, lowering her eyes.

Kong Xiyan smiled. "No need. I'll be discharged soon. Don't make the trip back and forth; it's far."

Wang Haining said, "It's fine."

Kong Xiyan couldn't dissuade her, so she nodded and watched her figure disappear out the door.

It was still snowing outside. Wang Haining had brought her umbrella when she came, and as soon as she stepped out and opened it, she saw someone standing not far away.

It seemed to be Chi Xuan.

Wang Haining frowned slightly, quickening her steps until she stood before Chi Xuan, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

Chi Xuan, whose eyes had just cooled, flared up at the sight of her. "None of your business!" she gritted out.

Wang Haining looked her up and down. She didn't know how long Chi Xuan had been standing there, but her clothes were soaked through with snow, and her hair was plastered wetly to her cheeks—looking utterly bedraggled.

Seeing her like this, Wang Haining only said coolly, "If you're here to question Xiyan, I suggest you don't go in. Your sister's and Xiyan's relationship has nothing to do with me or the Chi family. You don't need to speculate about their relationship. She's your sister-in-law, that's all."

Chi Xuan looked away, not meeting her gaze, seemingly deaf to her words. But Wang Haining could still see her clenched fists and tense body. She was suppressing her fury.

And clearly, she was the one igniting it.

Seeing this, Wang Haining said no more and simply pushed her umbrella into Chi Xuan's hand.

Chi Xuan was startled, then yelled in disgust, "What are you doing! Don't touch me! Take back your umbrella!"

She spat out several sentences in a row, her neck reddening with the strain of shouting. Wang Haining, however, remained coldly composed, her expression unchanged even as she stooped to pick up the umbrella Chi Xuan had thrown on the ground. She spoke slowly, "Chi Xuan, I could give this umbrella to you, or to anyone else caught in the rain. Even to a stray cat or dog on the street. You're no different from them, in my eyes. Do you understand what I mean?"

Chi Xuan pressed her lips tightly, fury still blazing in her starry eyes. Wang Haining reopened the umbrella and stood before Chi Xuan. "Three years ago, you asked me if I knew what shame meant. Now I'll answer you: when it comes to the Chi family, I will never feel shame, nor have I ever felt guilty! Because I don't owe you anything." She said this and shoved the umbrella back into Chi Xuan's hand, then without a backward glance, strode out of the hospital. Behind her, Chi Xuan stood still in the cold wind and heavy snow, not moving at all.