Chapter 45: Are You Really Going to Leave With Him?

The door closed behind Liu Xiaohan's retreating figure, leaving the ward in a suffocating silence.

Song Qi Nian pressed her fingers against her temples, fighting waves of exhaustion. Liu Xiaohan's words refused to leave her mind, each one a stab of pain. The truth in them was what hurt the most - Shen Chi Yan didn't care about her. Why would he come to see her in the hospital?

To him, she was nothing more than a means of atonement for her father's sins, a body to satisfy his desires. She knew this better than anyone, yet the mere thought of divorce - of becoming strangers with Shen Chi Yan - made her chest constrict until she could barely breathe.

Word of her hospitalization brought visitors: Miao Ziai and Shen Yu Shu. After the obligatory concerned questions about her health, Miao Ziai leaned in, eager to share the latest office gossip.

"Nian Nian, you're lucky you've been away. You wouldn't believe it - President Shen's been like a ticking bomb these past few days. He's been tearing into everyone who crosses his path. The whole company's walking on eggshells."

Song Qi Nian managed a weak smile but kept quiet.

"But here's the real shocker," Miao Ziai continued, lowering her voice. "President Shen's face is all bruised up! Everyone's wondering who'd dare lay a hand on him."

A complicated mix of emotions stirred in Song Qi Nian's chest.

"Most people think whoever did it is basically dead meat. But some are saying..." Miao Ziai paused for effect, "that maybe President Shen got cheated on. I mean, everyone knows about his girlfriend in the coma, but we've never heard about him seeing anyone else. Unless..."

Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Oh my god, what if someone actually managed to... you know... with his comatose girlfriend?"

Song Qi Nian could only stare in silence.

"Would you stop it?" Shen Yu Shu cut in, shooting Miao Ziai a warning look. "That kind of talk could land you in serious trouble."

Miao Ziai mime-locked her lips and didn't dare breathe another word about Shen Chi Yan.

A nurse's voice broke through their conversation: "Patient Song Qi Nian, Ward 33? Your medication is ready."

When the nurse called, Miao Ziai jumped to her feet. "Stay with Nian Nian, Yu Shu. I'll get the medication."

"Sure..."

After Miao Ziai left, Song Qi Nian studied Shen Yu Shu's face - the dark circles under his eyes, the obvious exhaustion. [What's going on with you, Yu Shu? Is everything okay?]

Shen Yu Shu tensed. He hadn't expected Song Qi Nian to see through his carefully maintained facade.

"It's nothing," he said, forcing a smile. "Just been working too hard lately, not getting enough sleep."

Song Qi Nian accepted this at face value, simply telling him to take better care of himself and get some rest.

They left soon after.

During her hospital stay, Song Jia Shu became a regular fixture in her room, visiting every evening after school. On weekends, he camped out there all day.

[Jia Shu, you need to focus on your studies,] Song Qi Nian urged him. [Don't waste your time here worrying about me.]

Song Jia Shu was peeling a mandarin orange. He split it in half, feeding one portion to Song Qi Nian before popping the rest into his own mouth.

"I can study here just fine," he said through his mouthful, smiling despite the way it pulled at his still-healing bruises.

At eighteen, Song Jia Shu cut an impressive figure - already 1.8 meters tall, with messy black hair and a simple white T-shirt that emphasized his youthful energy. The young nurses doted on him, calling him "little brother" whenever they came to change Song Qi Nian's dressings, delighting in the way he called them "big sister" in return.

One nurse even brought him a hard-boiled egg from the cafeteria for his bruises. Song Jia Shu, who usually avoided physical contact with others, accepted it with polite thanks before immediately passing it to Song Qi Nian.

"Sis, you can help me with it while I read."

Song Qi Nian couldn't help but smile at his bright expression. She took the egg and began gently rolling it over his bruises to help reduce the swelling. The two sat together in comfortable silence, sister tending to brother with practiced care.

Song Jia Shu sat beside the bed, absorbed in his chemistry textbook, studying reactions between elements. The room felt peaceful and warm - almost too perfect, like a scene others might envy from afar.

The tranquility shattered when Shen Chi Yan strode in, his face carved from ice. Song Qi Nian froze at the sight of him, her heart racing with worry that another confrontation was about to explode between him and her brother.

Her fears weren't unfounded. The moment Song Jia Shu spotted Shen Chi Yan, he transformed - dropping his book and leaping up to shield her, arms spread wide like a barrier. His eyes blazed with hostility. "What do you want?"

Shen Chi Yan's expression darkened further. His gaze, sharp and unreadable, fixed on the egg Song Qi Nian held, completely dismissing Song Jia Shu's presence. His voice cut through the air: "How much longer do you plan to stay here?"

"Are you serious?" Song Jia Shu's fury erupted. "You're the one who hurt my sister, and now you're rushing her out of the hospital?"

Shen Chi Yan continued as if Song Jia Shu hadn't spoken, his eyes never leaving Song Qi Nian. "Make your choice. Recover at home or stay here?"

Song Qi Nian hesitated, trying to decipher his motives. Was he actually offering to take her home?

"What's with this attitude, Shen Chi Yan?"

His patience visibly thinned at her silence. "I'll count to three. Stay here enjoying your cozy time with your precious brother, or come home with me."

"One..."

Song Jia Shu glared helplessly at Shen Chi Yan, his anger finding no purchase against the man's stone-cold demeanor.

"Sis, don't let him push you around!"

"Two..."

Song Qi Nian knew Shen Chi Yan well enough - when he reached three, he would walk away without looking back.

She thrust the card into Song Jia Shu's hand, speaking quickly and quietly. [There's more than ten thousand yuan on this. Use it wisely, Jia Shu. Don't tell Mom, and stop taking those part-time jobs.]

Song Jia Shu stared at the card, his chest tight with pain. "I don't want it!" He tried pushing it back to her, but she caught his hand, gripping it firmly until he stopped resisting.

[Focus on your studies. That's all you need to worry about right now. If you need money, just ask me. I got a raise recently, plus some good bonuses.]

"Sis..."

[Promise me you won't make me worry anymore?]

Song Jia Shu clutched the silver card, his eyes growing wet. "Are you really going to leave with him?"

Shen Chi Yan watched Song Qi Nian intently as she nodded, resignation clear on her face.

"Fine!" Song Jia Shu turned to Shen Chi Yan, his voice hard. "Listen carefully, Shen Chi Yan. I might not be able to stand up to you now, but that won't always be true. If I ever find out you've hurt my sister again, you'll answer to me!"

Shen Chi Yan didn't even acknowledge the threat - to him, Song Jia Shu was nothing more than an annoying distraction. Yet his mood seemed to lift slightly. When he saw Song Qi Nian struggling to get out of bed, he stepped forward and lifted her into his arms.