Volume One, Chapter 95: He asked, "Is this your answer?"

The hospital room was very quiet. Xu Zhi stared at her phone screen until her eyes ached with fatigue. She couldn't help but blink. Tears fell, and she raised her hand to wipe them away before replying to Liang Jinmo: I won't be coming over. I've already gone home.

After a long while, he sent another message: Is this your answer?

They both knew very well what "going home" meant. Xu Zhi held back her tears and didn't answer his question directly. Instead, she wrote: Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. What you and Zhou He said—just pretend I never heard it.

There was silence on his end; no further reply came.

She put her phone away and stared vacantly at the IV drip, watching the liquid fall drop by drop. Suddenly, it felt as if her life was trapped in a nightmare.

She had tried, she had struggled, thinking everything would be different. In the end, she was back at the starting point, as if she had never made any progress at all.

Zhao Nianqiao's fever finally broke in the middle of the night.

Xu Heping rested on the companion’s cot in the temporary hospital room, and Xu Zhi had not closed her eyes either.

By dawn, Zhao Nianqiao awoke, her mind clear. Seeing Xu Zhi, she looked a bit bewildered.

Xu Zhi explained, "You had another fever. Dad and I brought you to the hospital."

Zhao Nianqiao recalled what had happened last night and immediately frowned. "Why did you come back?"

Xu Zhi signaled with her eyes, and Zhao Nianqiao followed her gaze to see Xu Heping asleep on the cot beside them.

Perhaps because a heavy weight had finally been lifted, Xu Heping was sleeping soundly.

Zhao Nianqiao lowered her voice. "Then hurry up and leave before your dad wakes up."

Xu Zhi shook her head. "I'm not leaving."

Zhao Nianqiao was momentarily stunned.

"I've already promised Dad to get engaged to Liang Muzhi," Xu Zhi stated calmly. "I've thought it through. If getting engaged can save our family business, then it's worth it. Besides, after all these years, the company has supported my life, my studies. Now that I'm needed, it's only right that I do my part."

Zhao Nianqiao frowned. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Xu Zhi said, "Nothing. I've just figured things out. Mom, you should rest and get your strength back. Don't worry about me anymore."

Zhao Nianqiao pressed, "Is it because of me?"

Xu Zhi shook her head. "Not entirely. Don't overthink it. Weren't Liang Muzhi and I promised to each other as children? I was never completely unprepared for this. I just think this is best for everyone."

Zhao Nianqiao's expression was grave. "Zhi, that boy Muzhi has been spoiled. He doesn't care about your feelings at all. The way he spoke to you in the hospital... How can you be with a man like that?"

Xu Zhi didn't want to discuss this any further. She pulled the blanket up for Zhao Nianqiao. "You've just gotten over your fever. Don't talk too much. Try to sleep a bit more."

She no longer wanted other people's words to disturb her mind. She couldn't allow herself to waver anymore.

When morning came, the three left the hospital and returned home.

Zhao Nianqiao was still very weak and rested in the bedroom. Xu Zhi lay beside her and managed to sleep for a while before being woken up by Xu Heping knocking on the door.

Liang Muzhi and Fu Wanwen had arrived.

As Liang Muzhi had said the day before, Fu Wanwen's visit was mainly to confirm Xu Zhi's decision and settle on a dress designer.

Liang Muzhi did not seem surprised to see Xu Zhi appear.

In fact, this was just like Xu Zhi—accepting whatever came her way. In the past, she had never made a fuss and followed her parents' arrangements in everything. She had made a scene this time, but the outcome was obvious.

Zhao Nianqiao was her weak spot; Xu Zhi could never really turn her back.

Fu Wanwen asked, "Zhi, have you made up your mind?"

Xu Zhi nodded. "I'll do as my father arranges."

Fu Wanwen was very pleased. This was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law she wanted—easy to manage. If she had a temper like Liang Muzhi, wouldn't that be more troublesome?

Fu Wanwen said, "Good. Is there a dress designer you like? Time is tight; it's best to choose someone local."

Xu Zhi replied, "No, I don't pay attention to such things. Please arrange it as you see fit. I have no opinion."

Liang Muzhi glanced at Xu Zhi and was suddenly struck by a sense of disorientation.

It seemed as if the old Xu Zhi had returned, obedient and compliant. Yet, inexplicably, he also felt that the old Xu Zhi would never return.

She looked docile and acquiescent, but the tranquility and ease that once filled her eyes were now replaced by a dull, ashen gloom.

It was as though...

She had grown up.

Having finished the necessary business, Fu Wanwen prepared to leave. Liang Muzhi said, "Mom, you go ahead. I want to talk to Zhi for a bit."

Fu Wanwen looked at him, hesitated, then finally said, "Treat Zhi well. She's your fiancée now, and one day she'll be your wife."

"Got it," Liang Muzhi replied with growing impatience. He hated being lectured, even by his own mother.

Xu Heping was in good spirits that day. He saw Fu Wanwen to the door, then came back and called out, "You two have a chat. Zhi, pour Muzhi some tea."

Liang Muzhi said, "No need. I'll go to her room with her."

Xu Zhi did not object. The two of them went upstairs, one after the other.

In her room, Xu Zhi, exhausted, collapsed onto the sofa, leaned against a cushion, and asked, "What do you want to say?"

Liang Muzhi walked to the window and looked down. "You've got guts now. You used to be timid as a mouse. Now you jump out a second-story window."

He admitted he was vindictive; he couldn't be satisfied without a few barbed remarks.

Xu Zhi understood his nature. She lowered her eyes. "You won't die from a second-floor fall. Besides, dying might be even better."

Liang Muzhi seemed stung. He turned to stare at her. "Is it really that bad? Am I that awful?"

Xu Zhi met his gaze. "Did you forget what you said at the ski resort? You said just looking at me made you sick."

Liang Muzhi truly had forgotten. He'd been angry then, saying the harshest words he could. Now, thinking back, he realized how excessive he'd been. He fell silent, then muttered, "Well, that was because you insisted on provoking me, hanging around with that bastard..."

Xu Zhi cut him off. "He has a name. Liang Jinmo."

Liang Muzhi retorted, "Are you going to argue with me over him again?"

Xu Zhi turned her face away and fell silent.

She still didn't want to hear anyone emphasize Liang Jinmo's illegitimate status or say anything bad about him.

She thought, even if he truly wanted revenge, she would not deny the person he was for it. It was the world that had wronged him.

Liang Muzhi reluctantly compromised. "Fine, I won't mention him. He's irrelevant anyway. So you've decided to go through with the engagement, right?"

Xu Zhi lowered her head. "You know I have no choice."

Liang Muzhi nodded. "It's fine. Honestly, I don't want this either, but what can we do? Let's just get it over with. Can you help me talk to my parents about dismissing the bodyguards?"

He pointed out the window where the bodyguards were standing below. "I've had enough. I told them I wouldn't run, but they don't believe me. Now that we're both accepting the engagement, help me get rid of them."

Xu Zhi said, "I can try."

Liang Muzhi breathed a sigh of relief. "If you ask, they'll definitely listen."

Now that everything was settled, Liang Muzhi felt a strange mix of emotions. He and Xu Zhi were about to get engaged, even if it was all fake.

He studied Xu Zhi, who sat there with her eyes downcast, lost in thought.

Her mind seemed far away, her entire being suffused with melancholy.

This Xu Zhi was a stranger to him. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "How are things with that guy?"

Xu Zhi snapped back to the present. "Who?"

"The man you like."

Xu Zhi was silent for a few seconds before answering, "It's over."

Liang Jinmo hadn't messaged her again. She thought it was just like him—never one for clinging or sentimentality.

He had always been reserved and taciturn. She had simply been allowed, for a few brief days, to glimpse the side of him unknown to others.

Liang Muzhi was unwilling to let it go. "Who is he, anyway? What makes you so hung up on him?"

Xu Zhi said nothing.

He didn't know why he cared so much, but he pressed on, "Is he really that great?"

This time, Xu Zhi responded. She nodded. "Yes, I've never met anyone better."

Liang Muzhi felt a lump in his chest. "Are you blind? There's someone right here, you know."

Xu Zhi glanced at him. "You don't even come close to a single strand of his hair."