Fog Returns to the Capital

Chapter 113 That's it between us.

……

hospital.

The red light in the emergency room was still on.

When Xu Xiling arrived.

Zhou Jinghuai sat on a chair outside, head bowed, bloodstains on his body from who-knows-where still visible. The cold light reflected on his pale face.

He looked completely lifeless.

It was as if all his arrogance had been destroyed; his usual elegance and refinement were nowhere to be seen, leaving only a disheveled state.

Without thinking, Xu Xiling rushed over, grabbed his collar, and punched him hard. "I told you before, since you can't marry her, you should let her go as soon as possible. Do you have to kill her before you're satisfied!"

"Which of those factions isn't hoping you'll leave some kind of handle against you? You've only been suspended for a short time, and the Xiao family is already getting restless. You think you can have it both ways? Do you even have the ability to do so?"

"If you had let her go at the station, she wouldn't be lying there now, her life hanging in the balance! If anything happens to her, it's all your fault!"

Xu Xiling was even more disheveled than Zhou Jinghuai. His clothes were wrinkled and tattered, and the dark red bloodstains on his chest were almost dried.

When Li Wu was rescued, a thick beam suddenly fell and hit him on the back. The army doctor gave him a quick bandage and rushed over.

Zhou Jinghuai seemed not to hear Xu Xiling's roar. He casually wiped away the little bit of blood that had spilled from the corner of his lips and then looked up at the red light on the operating room.

He seemed completely oblivious to everything happening around him, caring only about the person lying in the operating room.

Seeing Zhou Jinghuai's unprecedentedly disheveled appearance, Xu Xiling seemed to suddenly deflate and abruptly released him.

Xu Xiling then leaned against the wall, his eyes fixed on the direction of the operating room.

……

The surgery didn't end until dawn the next day.

She didn't know how much time had passed; Li Wu only felt as if she were soaking in a deep pool, cold and heavy. It was as if some enormous boulder weighing a thousand pounds was pressing down on her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe as she plummeted downwards. The deeper she went, the more it felt like falling into a volcano, the scalding pain tearing at her heart.

But vaguely, Li Wu seemed to see a figure jump down and shield her in his arms, protecting her from any pain.

She turned around, about to get a clearer look at the person behind her, when she suddenly heard someone calling her name from ahead, tugging at her nerves—

Li Wu suddenly opened her eyes.

All that could be seen was white.

Li Wu gasped for breath, as if trying to breathe in more fresh air. After a while, she gradually calmed down.

All I could see was white, and there was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air.

The curtains were drawn tightly, so it was impossible to see what time it was outside. The room was dimly lit and very quiet, with only the sound of instruments running.

After a while, Li Wu seemed to remember what had happened. Before she could look around, she felt her hand being gently held by a warm palm.

As if afraid of making her uncomfortable, he didn't use much force, but it was still within her range of not being able to break free.

Li Wu looked in that direction.

It's Zhou Jinghuai.

He fell asleep by the bedside. He must have been dreaming of something bad; his brow was furrowed, unlike his usual gentle and refined self. His pale face looked rather disheveled and vulnerable.

Li Wu stared at him quietly for a long time.

Then, without thinking, she reached out to smooth his furrowed brows, but accidentally aggravated his injury, and couldn't help but hiss softly.

"Li Li!"

Zhou Jinghuai was a light sleeper and was immediately awakened by the noise.

The moment he saw Li Wu finally wake up, he couldn't hide his joy. "You're awake? Is anything bothering you? I'll go call the doctor..."

Looking at the exhaustion and joy on his face, and the bloodshot eyes, Li Wu felt an indescribable emotion.

She gently took his fingers in her hand, smiled at him, and said, "I'm fine..."

Despite what Li Wu said, Zhou Jinghuai still had the doctor come in and examine her.

Only after confirming that there was no danger to his life did Zhou Jinghuai finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After the doctor finished the examination and left, only the two of them remained in the large ward.

Zhou Jinghuai sat on the edge of the bed, still staring intently at Li Wu. He had so much he wanted to say to her, but now that she was finally awake, he didn't know where to begin.

For a moment, the ward fell silent.

Flowers, sent by someone I don't know, sit on the bedside table; their faint fragrance seems to have a calming effect. A gentle breeze occasionally blows through the window, lifting a corner of the curtains. The flickering light and shadow create a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere.

Zhou Jinghuai held Li Wu's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Moreover, after Li Wu woke up, he seemed to hold on even tighter.

His palms were still as broad and warm as ever, but Li Wu's heart felt as if it were being rolled over by countless needles, a slow and lingering pain. From heart to body, from body to heart.

It's time to end.

"Zhou Jinghuai".

Li Wu called his name, her voice soft yet heavy. Each word struck Zhou Jinghuai's heart like a hammer blow, "Let go."

"That's the end for us."