Chapter 16: Unexpected Reunions and Lingering Shadows

Zhou Jinzhu was only surprised for a moment, dismissing any further thoughts.

“You two certainly share a unique fate, don’t you? How long has it been since you last met?”

Sheng Xiao was already quite old; it was natural for him to have had past relationships.

Not only him, but Zhou Jinzhu himself had also had his share.

Thus, he genuinely wasn’t overly concerned by the revelation.

Ji Xiao replied, “It’s been many years. We haven’t seen each other since shortly after high school graduation.”

Zhou Jinzhu curved his lips into a smile. “That truly is a long time—over a decade.”

“He doesn’t seem to want his family to know about this. Would it be alright if I delivered his meals every day for the next few days?”

“Of course.”

****

Black Cat remarked admiringly, “It seems you didn’t wait for the female lead to make her move; instead, you swooped in. Was it to get closer to Mo Lin? Zhou Jinzhu also seems quite easy to appease, so this task shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

Ji Xiao’s gaze remained cold.

‘Swoop in, my foot.’

‘This foolish cat. If the female lead delays, should I just stand by and do nothing?’

****

That evening, Zhou Jinzhu prepared an extra portion of food, carefully packing it into a thermal container.

“Let’s eat first. After we finish, you can take the meal to the hospital. I specifically made something suitable for a patient.”

Ji Xiao gently stroked his head. “You’ve worked hard.”

Zhou Jinzhu swatted his hand away. “Stop that. I’m not your son.”

Sheng Lin, whose head had just been patted, looked up. “Papa, who are you taking food to at the hospital?”

“A friend of Papa’s.”

“Oh, then Papa, hurry and eat.”

****

At the hospital, Mo Lin had indeed not informed his parents about his hospitalization, merely telling them he was taking advantage of his rare return to visit an old classmate.

As Ji Xiao entered the ward with the thermal container, a petite and lovely woman was seated by the bedside, holding up her phone and laughing heartily while showing something to Mo Lin.

Mo Lin didn’t join in the laughter, but the melancholic cloud in his eyes had, for once, dissipated somewhat.

Black Cat exclaimed, “Wow! It’s the female lead!”

Ji Xiao walked over with an indifferent expression, placing the thermal container on the cabinet beside the bed. “I’ll set up the table for you. Eat your meal.”

Mo Lin responded, “No need.”

Qu Qian stood up and moved aside, asking curiously, “Brother Mo, is this your friend?”

Mo Lin’s complexion wasn’t particularly good. “Mm.”

Qu Qian put away her phone. “Since your friend is here, I’ll take my leave now. It’s dinnertime anyway, so I’ll go buy some food for my sister.”

Mo Lin replied, “Alright.”

After Qu Qian left, the bedside table was set up. Ji Xiao meticulously arranged the dishes from the food container, casually asking,

“Where did that woman come from? She’s quite cute.”

Mo Lin’s jaw tightened. “None of your business.”

Ji Xiao chuckled softly, not pressing further. “Eat.”

Suddenly, Mo Lin looked up at him. “Sheng Xiao, can you just stay away from me?”

Ji Xiao’s smile vanished. “No.”

“Once I’m discharged, I’ll leave this place immediately and never return,” Mo Lin’s eyes suddenly reddened slightly. “Can’t you just let me go?”

Originally, the events of that year had gradually blurred in his mind.

Only the pain and fear lingered in his consciousness.

But seeing Ji Xiao, the humiliating and unbearable scenes began to resurface in his mind.

Mo Lin thought, ‘I shouldn’t have come back.’

Even if his sister had married here, he shouldn’t have returned.

Who would have thought that after more than a decade, on his first return, he would actually run into him again?

Ji Xiao tapped the table. “Eat while it’s hot. Ah-Zhu specifically cooked this for you.”

Mo Lin remained silent.

“My boyfriend, remember him? You saw him today.”

Silence stretched between them.

Ji Xiao’s fingertips twitched. “I’m going out for a smoke. If you haven’t started eating by the time I return, I’ll feed you myself.”

After he left, Mo Lin’s expression became somewhat distraught.

Yet, he numbly lowered his head and began to eat.

It was unexpectedly delicious, which only made him feel even more miserable.

‘I hope I’m overthinking it.’

‘After so many years, he shouldn’t still be dwelling on me… Zhou Jinzhu’s resemblance to him must be a coincidence.’

****

In the smoking area, Ji Xiao spotted Qu Qian’s figure in the distance, carrying a food container. He extinguished the half-smoked cigarette in his hand and quickly walked towards her.

Qu Qian stopped, looking at him in confusion. “You… are Brother Mo’s friend? Is there something you need from me?”

Ji Xiao replied, “I was hoping you could help me with something.”

Qu Qian hummed. “Tell me about it. If it’s not too difficult, I’ll help you.”

“You’re delivering food, right? Let’s talk as we walk, so you don’t delay your delivery.”

“Okay.”

“How do you and Mo Lin know each other?”

Qu Qian lightly coughed. “Actually, we only met today, but I feel like we really hit it off. We’re already friends.”

Ji Xiao remained silent. ‘Hit it off?’

Qu Qian continued, “My sister is actually in the room next door to his. When I went out today, I heard him break a cup…”

Mo Lin had accidentally broken his cup when putting it back on the cabinet after drinking water, which drew Qu Qian’s attention from outside.

Seeing that he was alone, and noting his handsome yet melancholic demeanor, she couldn’t help but stay to talk with him.

Of course, she did most of the talking, and he listened.

But she felt that he listened very intently, and that made her happy.

“So, what do you need my help with?”

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