I stepped out of the shower, water dripping from my body, and reached for my phone. It was ringing.
"Wen Zhin is out of the OR and stable," Top said on the other end. "But they said the first 24 hours are crucial, so we need to prepare ourselves for anything. You didn't look good when you left, so I think you should rest before coming to see him. We'll take care of him while you get some sleep."
"I'm good," I mumbled, my voice heavy with exhaustion. "I don't need to rest. I need Wen Zhin to get better."
"How is making yourself sick going to help him get better?" he countered. "If you want him to get better, you have to get better yourself. That's final. You're not coming to the hospital until you've rested."
He hung up before I could argue.
I sighed, walked back to the bathroom to grab my hair dryer, and began drying my hair. Once I was done, I lazily pulled on my pajamas, half-heartedly fixed my bed, and collapsed into sleep.
It was the next morning. I was sleeping peacefully when my phone rang again.
It was Zha Zha.
"Zhao Zhao, he's awake!" she said, her voice full of excitement and relief. "The doctor checked him. Everything's fine. The bullet didn't cause any permanent damage. He could be discharged today if he wants to!"
I didn't waste another second. I rushed to the bathroom, took a quick shower, got dressed, and headed straight to the hospital.
When I got to his room…
I found him cuddling with Xiao Zhi.
"I can't believe this. I was worried and sick over you, and the first thing you do after waking up is cuddle with him?" I folded my arms and scowled. "I should have let your ass spend some time in hell before saving you."
"Ummh! Don't be mad, okay?" he said with a shy smile. "I'm sorry I scared you. I'll take better care of myself from now on. So… can I get a hug now?"
He spread his arms wide, waiting for me.
I rushed into them, hugging him tightly. Tears spilled uncontrollably from my eyes. I couldn't stop them. It felt like something inside me broke open and poured out. Maybe it was all the fear, the stress… maybe it was because I always bottle up my emotions, and now they were bursting out.
Wen Zhin is my aunt's son. He's the only family I have left.
After we lost our parents, it was just the two of us. The thought of losing him? It destroyed me.
That evening, Wen Zhin was discharged from the hospital.
We headed to Top's house, but just when I thought everything would finally settle down, Top dropped a bomb.
"Can is dating Sean," he said casually.
"WHAT?!" I nearly choked. "Can is dating Sean?! You mean the whole Cantaloupe is dating that player Sean?! Damn! Things really did take a huge turn."
I knew Can wasn't dating Bas, but I didn't expect him to be in a relationship with that Fly.
<<<<< Types of Players >>>>>
Carbon – Someone who goes around bonding emotionally even while in a serious relationship.
Fly – Someone who never commits, sleeps around with anyone they set eyes on.
But I guess love really can change people.
Just when I thought that was the end of the surprises, Can announced,
"I'm engaged to Sean."
[HUH?!]
Bro, I just found out you were even in a relationship—and now you're engaged?! How the hell did I miss all of that?
I'm always the first to know the spicy gossip, but now I'm the last to know everything.
Am I really losing my title as Gossip Queen?
But... I guess everyone needed some good news after all that's happened.
I sat in silence, a strange ache blooming in my chest—like my heart lost something it didn't even know it was holding on to.
Three days passed, and we returned to China.
As soon as we arrived, I rushed to my room to binge-watch BL and comfort myself.
Everyone else just stared after me, dumbfounded.
"I really thought she had changed…" Top muttered as he walked to the living room to join Xiao Zhi and Zha Zha.
He was just about to sit down when the doorbell rang.
He stood up to open it.
And there she was—Wen Qin, standing at the door, anxiously waiting.
As soon as she saw him standing there unharmed, she rushed forward and hugged him tight, her tears soaking into his shirt.