The Woods

Ye Zhiqing looked at them and said, "Thank you for today."

Second Master Qin was somewhat at a loss. He did not expect her to thank him. His eyes were slightly red. He finally thought of what to say, but he heard Qin Zheng say, "What are you thanking me for? You're my aunt. How can you be bullied by an outsider? However, your taste before was really bad."

Second Master Qin looked at this fool and wished he could kill him with a punch.

Ye Zhiqing couldn't help but laugh. A trace of warmth flowed through her heart, but she quickly put it away.

"Aunt, you look so beautiful when you smile." Qin Zheng looked at her smile innocently with amazement in his eyes.

Second Master Qin couldn't help but say, "Of course. Wen Shu was a famous beauty in the capital back then. She—" At this point, he suddenly stopped talking and looked over carefully. Ye Zhiqing's expression indeed paled.

"I'm sorry, Zhiqing. I'm just… sorry." He lowered his head in frustration. Zhiqing had just treated him nicely, but he couldn't help but push his luck.

Seeing his disappointed expression, Ye Zhiqing couldn't help but say, "I'm not angry. I'm just not used to it."

With that, she turned her head away awkwardly.

Second Master Qin raised his head in pleasant surprise and said the word good in succession.

Qin Zheng smiled foolishly at the side. He had never experienced such a warm moment.

After nearly half a month, Ye Zhiqing finally recovered. She left the hospital and arrived at the small forest where the accident happened. The place no longer looked like it did back then. The fire caused by the explosion had burned this place to the point that there were charred marks everywhere.

She arrived at the cabin alone. There was only one empty shell left. Everything inside had been blown to pieces, including the man.

Tears flowed down her cheeks. She felt her body go numb as fear welled up in her heart. She wasn't afraid of the scene back then, but she was afraid that the man would disappear from now on and never appear in her life again.

Although they had not known each other for long and their motives were not pure, she did not know when he had moved into her heart. Was it from the first time he remembered her favorite food?

Was it the first time she had seen a man so obsessed with couple items?

Was this the first time a man had cooked for her and offered to give her a home?

Was it the first time he called her Madam?

Was this the first time someone had stood in front of her as a guardian?

Or was it when he risked his life to save her?

Only then did Ye Zhiqing realize that she remembered everything that had happened between them. She remembered everything clearly. She sat on the ground while clutching her chest. Gu Chen… Are you here? I miss you so much…

The sound of a wheelchair rolling came from behind. Ye Zhiqing didn't turn around and said, "You're not in good health. It's better not to run around."

Second Master Qin lowered his eyes in disappointment. He did not know when he would be able to hear her call him daddy. Then, he pulled himself together and said, "I'm already at this age. It doesn't matter how long I live."

Ye Zhiqing suddenly felt angry. She turned around and said, "What will happen to the people who care about you if you think this way? You don't even care about your body, so—" She suddenly stopped talking and turned her head with red eyes.

Second Master Qin smiled and said, "That's right. That was what I originally thought, but I've changed my mind now. I want to work hard to live, because there's still someone who needs my protection. If I leave too and she's bullied, what will happen? I want to live until she can face everything."

Ye Zhiqing paused. She didn't ask who this person was, nor did she dare to ask. She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to bear the consequences. She had her own considerations for avoiding this question. She wouldn't be able to live for long after getting cancer. If she let this old man suffer the pain of losing his daughter again, she might as well not have it from the start.

She did not speak, and neither did Second Master Qin. The two of them stayed there quietly.

"Cough." Second Master Qin coughed.

Ye Zhiqing turned around and saw that his face was flushed. It was obvious that he had been holding back for a long time. She said angrily, "You're not in good health yet you still run around. Why didn't you tell me that you were feeling unwell?"