Soaked in Jealousy

Sheng Xiangsi didn't stay unconscious for long. She woke up before reaching the hospital.

She held her forehead, frowning as she opened her eyes. "Ugh..."

"Xiangsi?" Zhong Pei held his breath nervously.

"?" Sheng Xiangsi was even more surprised. "Zhong... Pei."

She knew she had been thrown off, but why was she in Zhong Pei's car? Was he in the car that had turned the corner?

"Is it you?"

"It's me."

"What a coincidence."

"Yeah, what a coincidence." Zhong Pei bitterly tugged at his lips.

Fate kept creating coincidences, allowing him to meet her, yet cruelly refusing to let them be together.

"Um..."

Sheng Xiangsi struggled in his arms. This position wasn't appropriate.

"..."

Zhong Pei suddenly realized and his face turned red. "I didn't mean to offend you. You fainted just now."

He said this as he let go of her, helping her sit back properly in the seat.

"I know." Sheng Xiangsi smiled. "You don't need to explain. I understand."

She pointed to the intersection ahead. "You can drop me off there."

"No way."

Zhong Pei didn't even think before shaking his head, refusing. "You were thrown from the bike and briefly fainted. This could be serious. You must see a doctor for a check-up to be sure."

"Really, there's no need..."

"We're almost at the hospital."

He didn't give her a chance to refuse. The hospital was already close. Zhong Pei said, "Even if it were a stranger, I wouldn't ignore something like this. Besides..."

[Especially since it's you. I haven't taken you out of my heart yet.]

Their eyes met briefly. Sheng Xiangsi fell silent and nodded.

At the hospital.

The driver went to register, Sheng Xiangsi saw a doctor, and they did some tests.

They didn't find any issues, but because she reported being unconscious for about 2 minutes, the doctor gave her a note to stay under observation for one night.

Zhong Pei handled the paperwork and accompanied her to the observation room.

The observation room was not like a regular ward, it was smaller and had no bed for a companion.

Sheng Xiangsi leaned on the bed, feeling embarrassed. "Zhong Pei, I'm fine now. You should go back."

"Don't be silly." Zhong Pei ignored her, adjusting her blanket. "I'll stay here tonight."

"Zhong Pei..."

"Enough."

She wanted to persuade him, but Zhong Pei interrupted, "Even if I go back, I'll still be worried about you and won't sleep well. It's better to stay here and watch over you myself."

Unable to persuade him, she let him be.

A nurse came twice to check on Sheng Xiangsi. She advised them, "If you feel nauseous or have any discomfort, let us know immediately."

"Okay, thank you."

The room quieted down.

It felt a bit awkward.

"You..." Sheng Xiangsi broke the silence, trying to ease the awkwardness, "How have you been? How's your injury?"

"All healed." Zhong Pei smiled, not telling the truth.

Sheng Xiangsi actually noticed his limp when he walked. He didn't say it, so she didn't expose it.

"That's good."

She nodded and fell silent again.

"And you?" Zhong Pei asked.

"I'm still the same, going to the dance troupe every day, busy with practice and performances."

"That's good."

Zhong Pei opened his mouth, wanting to ask about her and Fu Hanjiang. Was she happy with him? Did he treat her well?

But the words caught in his throat, his heart twisting painfully. In the end, he swallowed the question.

He reached out and dimmed the bedside lamp.

"Get some sleep."

"Mm, okay." Sheng Xiangsi turned her face away and closed her eyes. Her clenched hands trembled slightly.

Zhong Pei sat by the bed, watching her quietly in the dim light.

He wished this moment could last longer, much longer.

...

The banquet ended.

Fu Hanjiang found a quiet corner and rubbed his face. After a night of professional smiling, his facial muscles were stiff.

He took out his phone and unlocked it.

It was clean, with no messages or missed calls.

Xiangsi hadn't contacted him all night!

Suddenly raising his head, Fu Hanjiang coldly dialed her number after his phone spun in his hand.

However...

[Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable.]

What? Bad signal?

He hung up and called again.

The same result.

Phone off? Was the phone dead, or was she deliberately ignoring his calls?

Sheng Xiangsi, you better turn your phone on and answer my call right away!

But she didn't!

"Hanjiang!"

From the hallway, Yao Leyi was waving at him, pushing Fu Hanchuan in a wheelchair. "Time to go!"

"Coming!"

Fu Hanjiang nodded, shoving his phone into his pocket irritably and following them.

Who cares?

If she ignored him, he'd have peace! If he called her again, he'd be a fool!

That night, Fu Hanjiang had insomnia.

He kept checking his phone and trying to call Sheng Xiangsi, but got the same result each time.

What was going on?

Gradually, his initial anger turned into worry.

Could something have happened to Xiangsi?

Was she sick?

It snowed that night. Did she go out?

The more he thought, the less he could sleep.

Finally, at dawn, Fu Hanjiang left the house.

...

Early in the morning, before shift change, Sheng Xiangsi urged Zhong Pei to handle the discharge.

"I'm fine now. When they change shifts, it'll get busy. Let's do it quickly."

"Alright."

After handling the discharge, Zhong Pei took her to the Wenchang Road intersection.

"This is fine."

Sheng Xiangsi got out of the car. It was still snowing lightly.

"Xiangsi!"

Zhong Pei suddenly opened the door, got out, and hurried to her, dragging his injured right leg.

He held a scarf, spread it, and wrapped it around Sheng Xiangsi's neck, covering her head and face.

"It's snowing. This way, it's warm. Don't catch a cold."

"..." Sheng Xiangsi's nose tingled. She looked up at him.

Although he didn't say much, his eyes were full of affection.

Sheng Xiangsi's eyes reddened, her throat choked. She shook her head and took off the scarf, handing it back to Zhong Pei.

"Take it. I'm not cold."

"..." Zhong Pei was stunned, bitterly smiling. "You didn't choose me. Now, you won't even accept a scarf from me?"

"Zhong Pei."

Sheng Xiangsi shook her head painfully. "That's not what I meant. I..."

"Then wear it. It's just a scarf. It's all I can give you now. I could have given you more..."

"She said no! Take it away! Are you deaf? Can't you hear?"

A deep, gloomy male voice suddenly barked. Sheng Xiangsi looked up quickly and saw Fu Hanjiang getting out of a Bentley.

He stared at her slightly reddened, teary eyes, his whole being soaked in jealousy!

Yet when he looked at Zhong Pei, he was filled with hostility!