Chapter 40: Falling Ill

"We have already broken up. There is no longer any relationship between us... You were the one who abandoned me, who gave up on our future... Please, can you stop doing this?" I gestured to Su Xuefei that I would be gone for a moment, then continued as I walked away, "And stop bringing up those ridiculous promises. Compared to your sudden departure, I find the very concept of a promise to be a joke."

"Is that what you really think?" Luo Qing’s voice became somewhat blurred; I had to listen very carefully to catch the words.

Hearing the disappointment in her voice, I felt that everything that had happened between us was beginning to fade. How much longer would those so-called "beautiful memories" truly linger in my heart?

"Yes, that is exactly what I think. You shouldn't dwell on it anymore. That’s it, goodbye!"

I hung up the phone and walked back to Goddess Su. I let out a soft sigh, unwilling to share the situation with her. At that moment, besides smoking, I truly didn't know what else could numb my nerves.

"Yang Chen, if there's an emergency at the shop, we should head back. Home is right here; we can always come back later when things are settled," Su Xuefei said, gently stroking Li Xiaoya’s hair. She smiled at me, touched the scarf around her neck, and whispered, "Could you give this to me?"

I looked at the scarf around Su Xuefei’s neck and hesitated, but nodded nonetheless. In truth, that scarf held a certain sentimental value for me, but I had kept it tucked away in a cupboard for a long time, only rediscovering it by chance when I came home. Since Su Xuefei liked it so much, I decided to let her have it.

"It holds many memories of mine. You must treasure it."

"It’s so precious... maybe I shouldn't take it," Su Xuefei said, though I could see the reluctance in her eyes. I couldn't quite understand why such an ordinary scarf, with no special decorations, mattered so much to her. Perhaps a girl’s aesthetic is simply different from a man’s.

"A gentleman’s word is his bond," I said, gently pressing her wrist as she hesitated to touch the scarf, smiling. "Just treasure it, that’s all."

"Mm!" Su Xuefei nodded firmly.

We spent most of the day just wandering around, occasionally popping into small snack shops to pick out some candies for Xiaoya.

In the afternoon, I unexpectedly received a call from Naonao. I was surprised, as I truly thought she would have blacklisted me after everything that had happened. The content was simple; after some monotonous small talk, she told me she felt terrible about yesterday and wanted to truly treat me and Su Xuefei to a meal as a gesture of reconciliation. Hearing her say this, while I agreed with the idea of making amends, I felt a surge of irritation at the memory of her friends insulting Su Xuefei. I gave a cold, dismissive refusal.

Ultimately, I agreed to attend the dinner that night, but with one condition: she had to come alone, as I would only accept an apology from her.

When I told Su Xuefei, she merely nodded slightly without saying anything. Perhaps, as she had said, in her heart, people who had nothing to do with her could never stir her emotions.

Back at home, I lay on the bed, my eyelids heavy. After a sleepless night and a full day of running around, my willpower was completely exhausted, despite my usual claims of high energy. Beyond the exhaustion, I simply couldn't handle my mother’s nagging anymore; every time I heard her call my name, my head felt like it was swelling.

As soon as I lay down, Su Xuefei sat at the head of the bed, watching my face in silence. This unusual behavior made me instantly more alert. What was up with this goddess? Was I really that handsome?

"If you're bored, go watch cartoons with Xiaoya," I said, closing my eyes, not caring whether she left or not.

"It's fine. You sleep; I’ll just rest here for a while."

"Alright, I won't worry about you then. I’m genuinely exhausted. Remember to wake me up around six; we have to go out for dinner," I reminded her before closing my eyes. At first, I felt too restless to sleep with her sitting beside me, but slowly, the exhaustion took over, and I drifted off into a deep sleep.

I woke up, my eyes opening hazily, not because Su Xuefei had called me, but because of the incessant ringing of my phone.

I grabbed the phone from the nightstand with a groan, struggling to make out the name on the screen: Yang Xiaoyu.

"Hello? Miss Yang, what is it now..." I asked, still groggy.

"Yang Chen! You need to come back! That woman has fainted!"

"Which woman?" I muttered, before realizing in an instant. *Oh, god, it couldn't be Luo Qing, could it?*

"Is it Luo Qing? What... what happened to her? How is she now?" I sat bolt upright in bed, shouting. *Luo Qing, you girl, I told you so much, why wouldn't you listen? In the end, I’m the one who got dumped, yet I’m the one who has to coax her? Is there any logic left in this world?*

"I’ve already called an ambulance, but it hasn't arrived yet. I... I don't know what happened... She was just resting on the table, and in the blink of an eye, she collapsed to the floor. Now she won't wake up no matter what I do!" Yang Xiaoyu’s voice was trembling; a nineteen-year-old girl, how could she have experienced this before?

"Have you pressed her philtrum?" My brain raced. "Don't try to lift her up. Let her lie flat on the ground, and then unbutton... are there any men around you?"

"No... no there aren't," Yang Xiaoyu said in a panic. "Just me and a few waitresses."

"Then unbutton her outer coat. Is her breathing normal?" My heart felt as though it had stopped beating, and my hand holding the phone trembled. *Luo Qing... please don't let anything happen to you... please.*

"Her breathing... I, I don't know if this is normal!"

"That means she is still breathing, right? Xiaoyu, you have to watch her. If she stops breathing, perform CPR... Do you know how to do that?" I paced the room, desperate to fly to the scene.

"Xiaoyu, I’m heading back right now. You must watch over Luo Qing. If you don't know what to do, call me immediately, understand?" My voice trembled. "The ambulance should be arriving soon. You must go with her to the hospital and stay until her condition is stable!"

"Brother Yang, don't worry, I’ll take care of her, but, but..."

"No more 'buts.' I’m buying a ticket now. Just take care of her!"

After repeating my instructions, I rushed out of the room, grabbing Su Xuefei and hurriedly putting on my coat.

"Yang Chen?" Su Xuefei, unaware of what was happening, looked at my frantic state in confusion.

I looked at the clock—5:30 PM. There was a 7:00 PM train to Yichun. I could make it!

"Goddess, come with me, something happened at the shop... You two, get dressed quickly. I’m going to tell my parents." I ran into the room, quickly explained the situation to my mother, and dashed out without waiting for a reply.

Su Xuefei seemed to sense the severity of the situation. She packed our things quickly, took Xiaoya by the hand, and followed me out the door.

Facing the wind and snow, I sprinted down the street. I needed to catch a taxi to the train station. Only then did I realize the true meaning of "time is life." Perhaps my urgency wouldn't change anything, but if I missed that moment, I would regret it for the rest of my life—I would never forgive myself.

Finding a taxi, I pulled Su Xuefei and Xiaoya in and shoved a hundred-yuan note at the driver. "It's an emergency, please, drive as fast as you can!"

"I’ll go as fast as I can while keeping us safe. I’m fine, but the safety of your family of three is in my hands, isn't it?"

I didn't want to explain anything else. We arrived at the station, and I ran into the crowded terminal to buy three tickets. I checked the time—6:30 PM. Only half an hour left.

Sitting in the waiting room, I felt my body trembling. I didn't know what was wrong with me; I hadn't even heard the outcome yet, so why was I in such a panic?

"Yang Chen, don't worry, everything will be fine," Su Xuefei leaned against me, offering comfort. I nodded, my heart settling slightly.

"Goddess Su... I am so sorry..." Before I could finish, Su Xuefei reached out and pinched me lightly, smiling softly. "What are you saying? We face difficulties together."

"Mm." I was moved. Su Xuefei had come to my hometown for two days, and not only had I failed to make her stay comfortable, but she had also suffered insults... I was such a failure as a person. Now, returning to Yichun in such a panic, I had to be comforted by her instead. I was truly pathetic.

While waiting, I called Yang Xiaoyu twice more, learning that Luo Qing’s condition was stable and that she was already on the ambulance and nearing the hospital. I reminded Yang Xiaoyu again not to leave, to guard Luo Qing for me, at least until she was out of danger.

Finally, the train arrived. I walked quickly toward the carriage. Fortunately, there weren't many people heading to Yichun that night, so Su Xuefei could be a little more comfortable—that was the only meager comfort I could find.

Luo Qing... why were you so foolish? Even if I didn't know what you were thinking, no reason could justify self-abuse. When I see you, I will scold you severely as a friend... Please, don't let anything happen to you... You must not have anything go wrong...