The middle-aged man that had given him the cigarette was standing by the road and wanted to talk to him, though he had retreated from his reticent attitude. Mo Han had kept a distance from him as he leaned against the tree. His face was stern as he remained silent.

  He finished the cigarette, having only taken out the cigarette only when the spark was about to burn to the end of the cigarette. He kept it between his fingers, not extinguishing it.

  The middle-aged man asked, “Do you want another cigarette?”


  Mo Han shook his head. He looked at the cigarette in his hand as he seemed to think of something. He then waved his hands and extinguished the cigarette stub on the rubbish bin next to them.

  Before he left, he nodded and said, “Thank you.”


  Mo Han walked to the hospital ward that Xia Qingyi was staying at. The moment he had reached the entrance, he heard the sound of ceramic breaking.

  Mo Han quickened his steps and entered the ward, only to see Xia Qingyi lying at the edge of the bed with her body slanted. Her hand was stretched towards the table, though she had yet to retract her hand, which was still attached to a drip, as it fell on the bed once more.

  “What are you doing?” Mo Han moved to support her and helped her to lie on the bed properly. He checked her hand, where the blood had flowed backwards. Mo Han carefully placed her hand back to its original position and forbade her from moving.

  An oxygen tube was still attached to Xia Qingyi’s nose. She looked extremely uncomfortable as her eyebrows were furrowed together. She did not speak either.

  Mo Han looked at the broken cup and the spilled water on the floor. He asked, “Do you want to drink water?”


  Xia Qingyi nodded her head.

  Mo Han help her lightly sit by the side of the bed. He went to get a new cup and filled it with water, before bringing the cup to her mouth.

  Xia Qingyi drank the water with small sips. It was then that her expression relaxed as she squinted at Mo Han with half-opened eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Mo Han asked uneasily since she kept looking at him.

  “When did you become like this?” Xia Qingyi’s voice was coarse and dry, though it was laced with slight humor, “You look so unkempt, even your beard had grown out.”


  Mo Han wiped away the remaining water droplets next to her mouth. His lips stretched into a smile as he kept quiet.

  “How long have I slept?” Xia Qingyi asked.

  “About a night.”


  Xia Qingyi closed her eyes again, “You smoked?”


  “Yes.”


  “Don’t smoke anymore. The smell is unpleasant.” Xia Qingyi said softly.

  “Sure.”


  Xia Qingyi’s head started to hurt again. She could faintly tell that the back of her head had been stitched. The pain from the unhealed wound made her sweat. Her body was sore all over for unknown reasons, and she did not have any strength to move at all.

  “I’m sorry, that I didn’t pick up your call.” Mo Han suddenly said with a low voice after a period of silence.

  “It’s alright. It seemed like that outcome would be like this even if you did pick up the phone.” it was apparent that Xia Qingyi did not care about these things.

  “I’m sorry I came late.” Mo Han caressed her hand. He had his head down, and his voice was hoarse.

  Xia Qingyi was a little surprised as she had never heard such a speaking tone from Mo Han. He looked like a lonely king of the animal kingdom that was downcast because he had lost his territory.

  Though, Xia Qingyi’s thoughts changed in the next second. A king of the animal kingdom would not let himself lose his territory.

  And Mo Han was not a king of the animal kingdom. He was a calm, steady and charismatic lawyer.

  “You didn’t come late. I’m still alive at least, and those men didn’t get their way.”


  Xia Qingyi could feel Mo Han’s grip on her hand clearly tightened, trembling as she said this.

  “I could have been earlier.”


  Xia Qingyi’s energy from the sip of water started to dissipate. She felt extremely comforted as she listened to Mo Han’s deep voice. She was tired, as sleep started to wash over her again.

  “Older brother, I want to sleep for a while. I’m too tired.” Xia Qingyi’s eyelids could not stay.

  “Let’s chat again when I’m awake.” Xia Qingyi propped herself up, wanting to lie back down on the bed despite the fact that this movement was too difficult for her currently.

  Mo Han quietly agreed as he helped her lie back down on the bed. He carefully covered her with the blanket.