CTS 35

Shen Mo had vaguely guessed something before, but hearing Ji Mingxuan say it out loud made him understand why Ji spoiled Ji An’an so much. He had lost his mother at a young age, and his only sister had always been frail and sickly. Naturally, all his tenderness was poured into her.

Shen Mo wasn’t good at comforting others, so after thinking for a bit, he said, “Medical science is so advanced now. Heart disease isn’t impossible to treat.”

“Yes. An’an had surgery when she was very young, but the result wasn’t ideal. No one knows when she might leave this world.” Ji Mingxuan closed his eyes and said, “Ever since I was a child, I’ve thought that no matter what An’an wants, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen. I want her to live every day, every minute, every second with joy.”

He wished he could give up everything just to place the entire world before his sister.

But…

“But what she wants is Zhou Yang.” Ji Mingxuan let out a sneer. “Zhou Yang. I’ve never liked him, but it doesn’t matter, as long as An’an likes him. Originally, a marriage alliance between the Ji and Zhou families was something everyone was happy to see. Who would’ve thought…”

He glanced at Shen Mo and didn’t continue.

Shen Mo silently added the rest in his heart. Who would’ve thought I’d become the stumbling block.

“Even though something unexpected happened, Zhou Yang still knew where his priorities lay. Since he’s willing to cooperate, I don’t mind giving An’an a false image. As long as it’s…” His voice trembled slightly. “As long as it’s something that can make her happy.”

But once that illusion is shattered, the consequences are unthinkable.

Shen Mo remembered he hadn’t yet explained what happened earlier, so he briefly described the situation.

Ji Mingxuan listened quietly, only frowning when he heard Zhou Chu’s name. In the end, he said, “I understand.”

Right now, he only cared about Ji An’an’s condition. Everything else could wait. Retribution would come later.

Before long, Zhou Yang arrived. He had changed clothes and had the wound on his face treated. Whether it was guilt or genuine concern, the first thing he asked was, “Where’s An’an?”

Ji Mingxuan’s expression remained icy, and he didn’t even look at him. Shen Mo didn’t want to talk to him either. Zhou Yang looked embarrassed and didn’t sit down, just stood silently by the wall.

The air was heavy with silence. Every passing second felt torturous.

Thankfully, Ji An’an was finally wheeled out of the emergency room. Though still unconscious, the doctor said her condition had stabilized and she wasn’t in immediate danger.

Ji Mingxuan went to speak with the attending physician. When he came out, his face was frighteningly dark. No matter how much Zhou Yang questioned him, he said nothing. He simply shot Zhou Yang a cold glance and said one word.

“Get out.”

Zhou Yang refused to leave, but fearing it might upset Ji An’an further, he didn’t enter the hospital room. He remained outside, waiting.

Shen Mo remembered that Ji An’an had been rushed over and had nothing with her, so he went to buy some toiletries and supplies.

It was past midnight when Ji An’an finally woke up.

Shen Mo didn’t dare go in. Through the glass, he saw Ji Mingxuan bend down and say a few words to her. Then, he gently reached out and stroked her hair.

Ji An’an gave a small nod, slowly closed her eyes, and drifted back to sleep.

Ji Mingxuan stayed in that same position, watching her for a long, long time before finally tucking the blanket around her.

In that moment, Shen Mo truly felt that Ji An’an must be the person Ji Mingxuan loved most in this world.

Not long after, Ji Mingxuan stepped out of the hospital room.

Zhou Yang and Shen Mo immediately went up to him.

Ji Mingxuan only said one sentence to Zhou Yang. “An’an said she doesn’t want to see you again.”

Then he turned toward Shen Mo.

Shen Mo tightened his grip in his palm, feeling as though he were waiting for a verdict.

Ji Mingxuan looked at him for a moment before saying, “Come with me. I have something to say to you.”

There weren’t many private places to speak in the hospital, so they ended up standing in a quiet corner by the window. Spring was only a few days away, and the wind seemed to carry a faint scent of flowers.

Shen Mo’s nerves had been stretched tight all day, and he hadn’t rested at all. In that moment, his mind began to drift. He thought that if nothing had happened to Ji An’an, he and Ji Mingxuan would be flying to that island in a few days. He could almost hear the soft sound of waves…

“Shen Mo.”

Ji Mingxuan’s voice brought him back to reality.

Shen Mo snapped out of it and asked, “What did Miss Ji say? Does she… not want to see me either?”

He had already prepared himself for the worst, but Ji Mingxuan didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, “Back at the hotel, you asked me if I was the one who told the Zhou family about your relationship with Zhou Yang. I’ll give you the answer now.”

Shen Mo’s heart skipped. A wave of dread swept over him. He quickly grabbed Ji Mingxuan’s hand and said, “Please don’t. I don’t want to know.”

Ji Mingxuan gently returned the grip and gave his hand a light pat.

It was such a simple gesture, but Shen Mo felt that Ji Mingxuan had never been more tender than he was right then. And then he heard him say, “It was me.”