Chapter 140: Do Not Come Again

I lowered my hand and gently brushed aside the long hair of the person beside the bed. Even in the dim light, I had already guessed who it was. The scent that had once left an indelible mark on my heart was enough for me to recognize her, even in the dark.

My movement stirred Xu Shu from her slumber. She lifted her head and asked groggily, "Tang Qian, are you awake?"

I murmured an "uh-huh" and pushed myself up, struggling to sit against the headboard. Xu Shu hurriedly stood up to support me, exclaiming with delight, "Your hand... can you move it now?"

I smiled faintly. "What time is it? Why haven't you left yet?"

Xu Shu helped me settle into a sitting position and then ran to turn on the light. Checking her watch, she said, "It’s past four. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"

Feeling a genuine hunger in my stomach, I replied, "A little. Let me see what you bought, and I’ll have a bite of whatever is there."

Xu Shu rushed over, grabbed two snack bags from the table, and placed them on the bed, pulling out items one by one to show me. I saw nothing but chocolates, cookies, and potato chips—trinkets that were almost entirely absent from my usual preferences.

I didn't dislike them so much as I simply rarely ate snacks; most of these things were optional to me. I grabbed a pack of sandwich cookies and prepared to tear open the packaging. Xu Shu snatched them away immediately, saying, "Let me do it!"

"There's no need," I said. "My hand can move now."

Xu Shu wouldn't have it. "You are a patient! You’re supposed to be taken care of!" She tore open the package, took out a cookie, and said, "Open up!"

Her insistence left me with no choice. I lowered my hand and opened my mouth to take the cookie.

After finishing one, I asked, "Have my sister and the others left? And why are you still here? Are you really planning to supervise me as I quit smoking?"

Xu Shu slipped another cookie into my mouth and chuckled. "Yes! I know exactly what kind of state men are in when they try to quit! My father had heart trouble, and when the doctor told him to quit, you should have seen how miserable he was! My mother and I took turns watching him, but we still couldn't control him. He’d actually hide in the bathroom for a few puffs—what were we supposed to do? In the end, all our efforts were wasted! But you’re different. You’re lying in this hospital bed and can’t go anywhere. As long as I don't leave your side, let’s see what you can do!"

I gave a bitter smile. "Quitting smoking depends on self-discipline. You can watch me for a moment, but can you watch me for a lifetime?"

Xu Shu pulled out another cookie but hesitated, holding it in mid-air instead of feeding me. After a moment, she said, "At least I can watch you while you’re recovering. Once you and Jingjing are married, I wouldn't want to watch you even if you asked me to!"

After silently eating a few more cookies, I suddenly asked, "Jingjing... is there any news? How is she?"

Xu Shu lowered her hand and sighed. "I was just about to tell you. I called her brother during the day and learned she is still being held by Hua Qiming. I didn't dare tell him that you had been severely injured by his father. But even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs; no matter how ruthless Hua Qiming is, I don't think he would harm Jingjing. You can rest assured on that point. Once this whole affair blows over, can Hua Qiming really lock his daughter away forever?"

I said, "Xu Shu... I want to see her! Is there any way you can find a way to get her out?"

Xu Shu shook her head. "Perhaps it would have been possible before, but now that Hua Qiming knows you are here with me, how could he possibly let his daughter come out with me?"

I clenched my fists. "I’ve heard of plenty of parents who oppose their children's relationships, but I’ve never seen a father as ruthless and unreasonable as Jingjing’s. He even disregards human life! He truly has no respect for the law. What right does a man like that have to be a father?"

Xu Shu stood up and poured me a glass of warm water. "Exactly! Having such a father-in-law is truly a stroke of bad luck!"

I took the glass from her without letting her feed me. Xu Shu sat back down on the edge of the bed, reached out to smooth my messy hair, and added, "Have you thought carefully about whether it’s even possible for you and Jingjing to be together after the deep-seated hatred you’ve built with Hua Qiming? After all, he is Jingjing’s biological father. I don't think she would want to see you and her father at each other's throats; it would put her in such a difficult position!"

I had thought about this question, too. But I didn't know what to do. I could never bring myself to bow down to Hua Qiming! And even if I did, would that old scoundrel really give his daughter to me? A happy, carefree life with Jingjing was clearly impossible now. What I wanted to know most was what Jingjing herself thought. If she could resolve to leave that wealthy family behind and firmly choose to be with me, that would be for the best. But if she couldn't let go of her family ties or the luxury and status... then I had nothing more to say.

Xu Shu seemed to know what I was thinking. She sighed and said, "I warned you a long time ago that Jingjing’s father would never agree to you two being together. But at that time, you told me you didn't love Jingjing, so I had nothing left to say. But... life is so unpredictable. I never thought such a tragedy would happen. You two... have such a hard fate!"

I held the cup, lost in thought. Whenever I was troubled, I always wanted to smoke, so I instinctively reached for my pockets, only to remember I had no cigarettes on me.

Xu Shu was sensitive to this. "Cravings hitting you again?"

I nodded with a bitter smile. She immediately unwrapped a piece of chocolate and fed it to me. "Here, have some chocolate. It’s very good."

I helplessly took it into my mouth, but it tasted like wax. No matter how good chocolate was, how could it compare to a cigarette? But since I had promised Xu Shu I would quit, no matter how difficult it was, a man had to keep his word.

Xu Shu knew I was suffering, so she kept feeding me snacks and talking to me, trying to distract me. I knew she meant well, so I endured the pain.

Before long, I didn't know how much I had eaten, but I was stuffed. When Xu Shu offered more, I shook my head to indicate I couldn't eat another bite. Looking at her attentive face, I said, "Xu Shu, I never go back on my word. I don't want you to waste your time here every day. You don't need to come anymore. After all, your career is very important. Besides, you are being too good to me, and I’m not used to it. I think you know very well that I once loved you deeply. But now that I have Jingjing in my heart, I don't want to be unfaithful to her. So... do you understand?"

Xu Shu, who had been busy, suddenly went still. Her face turned pale instantly, and she remained frozen in one position like a statue for a long time. Finally, she gave a miserable smile. "Do you... hate me?"

I shook my head. "No! I’m just afraid that if I spend too much time with you, I won't be able to control myself. Don't you realize how much influence you have? How many men could resist a woman like you? I can never betray Jingjing in this life, so being with you is truly dangerous. I don't have the confidence to treat you with an ordinary heart, so I have to keep my distance. If you truly consider yourself a friend to me and Jingjing, please don't come anymore!"

Xu Shu lowered her head. After a long silence, she said, "I understand. I... will go now."

She stood up, tidied her things, and quickly walked to the door. I called out, "Xu Shu!"

She stopped immediately and turned back. There was a glimmer of hope in her eyes, mixed with deep resentment. I nodded and said, "I wish you success in your career. May you become an international superstar soon!"

Xu Shu looked disappointed. She forced a smile and said, "Thank you." Then, she opened the door and vanished from my sight.

In the days that followed, my injuries improved day by day, and the pain subsided. Xu Xin came to visit me every day, but by the eighth day of the New Year, she had no choice but to return to T-City.

On the ninth day, I summoned several employees from the company's R&D department and Manager Fan to my hospital room. I produced a detailed report I had hand-written while in bed regarding the acquisition of Ye Jian Xiang tea, and I set specific requirements for the operation during the meeting.

After the meeting, I spoke with Manager Fan for a long time. She was an outsider to the tea industry, so I shared some expertise with her. Judging by her expression, she seemed to have finally shaken off her troubles.

Another period passed, and the cast on my leg was removed. I found that my muscles had withered significantly, and I still had a long way to go before a full recovery.

I don't know which day it was when Xu Shu’s bodyguards stopped coming. I spent my days idle, thinking only of my Jingjing. I didn't know how she was doing. I decided that as soon as I could walk, I would go find her!

My family bought me a wheelchair, which finally allowed me to get outside and breathe some fresh air. By the time the Guyu solar term arrived, I could walk slowly and laboriously with someone’s help, and the wheelchair had been replaced by a cane.

A week later, Fan Yunting called from Yunwu Mountain with good news: the wild Ye Jian Xiang tea harvest had been excellent, they had acquired a large amount, and they would be returning to B-City soon. I was thrilled; the time for me to show my skills was almost at hand.

Through phone calls, I checked with Zhao Yanjin and Cheng Jia and learned that after the New Year, Hua Jingjing had never returned to work at the Lady Green Company. Her mobile phone was always turned off. I was anxious, having no idea what had happened to her.

Finally, one night, I leaned on my cane and quietly slipped out of the hospital. Hua Qiming was a famous figure in B-City, and his home was easy to locate.

I took a taxi to the luxurious Hua estate by the Yudai River and stood there with my cane, staring at the sprawling European-style architecture. I wasn't stupid; I knew that if I just barged in, I wouldn't see Jingjing—I would likely be beaten up and thrown out.

I was just there to observe. Being closer to my Jingjing made me feel a sense of satisfaction. I hoped that if I were lucky, I might catch a glimpse of her shadow in some window, and that... would be pure happiness!

I was staring longingly when, suddenly, a car horn honked twice behind me. I turned around and was shocked to see Jingjing’s red Ferrari parked right behind me. I was overcome with excitement; my hand loosened, and I dropped my cane. I stumbled toward the car, calling out, "Jingjing! Is that you?"

The Ferrari’s window rolled down, and a strange girl in her early twenties poked her head out. She looked at me with amusement and said, "Hey! You cripple, what are you doing blocking our driveway?"