Smile, Smile for Him

Because Zhong Pei insisted on not going to the hospital, Sheng Xiangsi had no choice but to buy some medicine from a pharmacy and treat him herself.

"Are you really okay?" Sheng Xiangsi was still worried, "If you've injured your internal organs, it's no joke."

"Really, I'm fine."

Zhong Pei smiled, his mouth covered with a band-aid, looking a bit ridiculous. He felt a bit embarrassed, "I couldn't beat Fu Hanjiang. Do you think I'm useless?"

Huh?

Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, then laughed, "How could I think that? What kind of logic is that? Is fighting such an impressive skill?"

Apparently not.

Zhong Pei pursed his lips, stifling a laugh, "I was just joking, don't take it seriously."

"…"

Sheng Xiangsi couldn't help but sigh, feeling lost and apprehensive, "I said too much earlier… Zhong Pei, I..."

"I know."

Before she could finish, Zhong Pei took over the conversation.

"I know you don't really like me, and I haven't taken it seriously."

He looked at her, his gaze clear and sincere.

"I also need to apologize. I'm sorry, I took the liberty of acting without your consent. Please don't be angry."

How could she be angry?

Was she the kind of person who couldn't tell right from wrong? There's no way she would accept his help and then turn around to blame him.

Sheng Xiangsi smiled and shook her head, "I'm not angry, I'm just..."

She didn't know how to explain it.

"It's okay with me."

Guessing what she was going to say, Zhong Pei couldn't bear to see her struggle and confessed his thoughts.

"Don't feel pressured. I must admit, helping you is true, but I indeed have selfish motives."

"?"

Sheng Xiangsi was surprised by his straightforwardness, his thoughts were completely transparent.

"Zhong Pei, I've already told you before...we're not suitable."

"I remember that." Zhong Pei nodded with a smile, "But I don't understand, what exactly makes us unsuitable?"

This...isn't it obvious? First, she has no family background, and second, she has a history of marriage...

Zhong Pei thought for a moment and asked, "Xiangsi, perhaps you know Marcus?"

Marcus?

Living in Philadelphia for many years, how could Sheng Xiangsi not know? Marcus Jordan, the son of basketball star Michael Jordan.

She understood why Zhong Pei brought up Marcus.

Because Marcus fell in love with Larsa, the ex-wife of his father's friend—an older woman by sixteen years, divorced, with four children.

At the time, this relationship was a sensational news.

Even now, when people mention their relationship, they can't help but sigh...

Zhong Pei said, "You see, Marcus and Larsa don't care about being a match. I don't understand why you think we have this problem."

Hearing this, Sheng Xiangsi opened her mouth several times, but didn't know how to refute.

"So, Xiangsi."

Zhong Pei smiled, "Being a match or not is not a reason to stop two people from being together. Whether they can be together depends on whether they are...in love."

Before Sheng Xiangsi could speak, he continued.

"I know, right now I'm the one who's wishful thinking, and you don't have those feelings for me. Rest assured, tonight, I was just helping you and won't force you to be with me because of it."

If he did, how would he be different from Fu Hanjiang?

Having said so much, Zhong Pei felt a bit embarrassed but didn't back down at all.

"You need my help, so don't refuse it, okay?"

Sheng Xiangsi was surprised. He was so clear-headed yet so impulsively passionate.

But there were some things she had to say.

"I know it's despicable of me to say this, but I'm not Larsa, and this isn't Philadelphia. The effort you put into me will not be reciprocated."

"At least I tried."

Zhong Pei shrugged, his eyes bright, "If I don't even have the courage to try for the girl I like, then I don't deserve to talk about 'liking'."

Finally, he raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Who can predict the future?"

...

The next day, during the dance troupe's lunch break, Sheng Xiangsi went to the hospital she had previously gotten medicine from.

This doctor was a connection through Yu Huanshi, so he was somewhat familiar with her situation and took care of her.

Seeing her, he asked, "Finished the medicine?"

"No."

In fact, after things ended with Zhao Lianghan, she hadn't taken any of the medicine.

"Then why are you here, is there a problem?" The doctor gestured, "Sit down and talk."

"Okay."

Sheng Xiangsi sat down and voiced her doubts.

"Actually, I haven't taken much of the medicine... Afterwards, the symptoms seemed to improve. As long as there were no aggressive actions, my reactions weren't too severe, but sometimes, I still can't control it..."

"Is that so? Tell me more."

"Okay."

After listening, the doctor said, "From what you described, your condition seems to be improving. It means your body can now distinguish whether the environment is safe."

He suggested, "Do you want to consider treatment? Maybe it can be cured completely?"

Treatment?

Psychological treatment, that's not a small expense.

Sheng Xiangsi smiled and declined, "No, thank you, doctor."

"Alright, if you need anything, feel free to come find me."

"Okay, thank you."

Leaving the hospital, Sheng Xiangsi raised her hand to cover her eyes. The reason she didn't accept treatment was partly because of the cost.

On the other hand, once treatment started, it would inevitably bring up memories of the past...

No... She never wanted to revisit those memories in this lifetime...

At 5 PM.

Since Sheng Xiangsi had just joined the dance troupe, she didn't have any performances scheduled, so she could leave work on time.

Changing out of her practice clothes, Sheng Xiangsi left the troupe and turned to head to the subway station.

"Xiangsi!"

She turned to see Zhong Pei running towards her with a big smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"To pick you up from work." Zhong Pei was still smiling, but suddenly said, "Don't look around, just look at me."

Huh? Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled, "Why?"

"Fu Hanjiang's car is parked at the intersection."

What? Sheng Xiangsi's heart skipped a beat. Was Fu Hanjiang...still unwilling to give up?

Zhong Pei took a few steps closer, bending slightly. From a distance, it looked like they were very close together.

He whispered in her ear, "I think Fu Hanjiang probably doesn't believe we're together."

Even though, that's the truth.

"Fortunately, I anticipated his anticipation."

Zhong Pei grinned, a little smug, "I thought I'd come pick you up from work. If we're going to put on a show, we should go all out. Xiangsi, smile, smile for him."

Huh?

Sheng Xiangsi hadn't planned to smile, but his words made her laugh, "Haha..."

Not only did she smile, but she laughed out loud, a very happy laugh.