Friend(GL) 152

Chapter 152: Epilogue

You Ruxu remained unconscious for half a month. What happened between her and Sang Qi in the operating room was still unknown. When the police stormed in, both You Ruxu and Sang Qi had been shot. You Ruxu, wearing the informant’s bulletproof vest, hadn’t been directly hit, but the close-range shot had fractured her ribs and damaged her internal organs, she was unconscious.

Sang Qi, shot three times, died at the scene. The police, while relieved, discovered that Sang Qi’s last phone call hadn’t been disconnected, which meant that his final conversation with You Ruxu had been heard by the person on the other end. They traced the number; it belonged to a notorious thug who had joined Zhang Ping’s organization with Sang Qi four years ago, fiercely loyal to Sang Qi, not even Zhang Ping or Li Ting could contact him. The deputy captain immediately decided to suppress the news of You Ruxu’s survival. After receiving emergency treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital, she was transferred to Yuxin Hospital, the official report stating that You Ruxu had been shot three times.

You Ruxu regained consciousness once after being transferred, for less than ten minutes, Captain Zhou hadn’t even arrived yet, she only spoke a few words to the doctor, then slipped back into unconsciousness. Her injuries were severe, her life hanging by a thread, she was kept in a special ward, and besides the police and her attending physician, no one knew about her condition. The doctor hadn’t intended to tell Zhou Tianzui, in this situation, the fewer people who knew she was alive, the safer she would be, but when Zhou Tianzui arrived at the hospital with the package, desperately asking about You Ruxu,

Asking if anyone knew You Ruxu.

The doctor had stood there, then finally handed over the package.

She thought, whether You Ruxu lived or died, Zhou Tianzui deserved to know, and if You Ruxu didn’t make it…then this was her last wish, and the doctor couldn’t refuse, especially not seeing Zhou Tianzui’s state, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

She had expected Zhou Tianzui to rush to Yuxin Hospital, learning about You Ruxu, but she hadn’t.

She controlled herself. Used her rationality to restrain her emotions.

You Ruxu was both her weakness and her strength.

Like You Ruxu before, it was now Zhou Tianzui who hugged the teddy bear to sleep. Yu Qiao seemed to understand, but Zhou Tianzui didn’t say anything, refusing all visitors, no one entered the ward besides the doctors and the police.

Even Chen Xiang came to visit.

Zhou Tianzui asked, “Is she okay?”

Chen Xiang looked at her, unable to lie, but also unable to say that You Ruxu was “okay,” she remained silent for a few seconds, and Zhou Tianzui said, “Would you like some fruit?”

It was like that day, when she, distraught, had talked incessantly, and You Ruxu had asked, “Have you had dinner?”

Chen Xiang felt a pang in her heart, she took the fruit Zhou Tianzui offered, bit her lip, the taste bitter, Zhou Tianzui quietly watched her and heard her ask, “Dr. Zhou, are you being discharged today?”

Zhou Tianzui, “Yes, are you coming for dinner tonight?”

Chen Xiang said, “I have an interview this afternoon.”

Zhou Tianzui nodded.

The public’s curiosity about the case had reached a fever pitch, but those present at the scene refused to be interviewed, the nurses didn’t want to cause Zhou Tianzui any more pain, mentioning You Ruxu would only hurt her, He Wei was on extended leave, Zhou Tianzui remained in her ward, refusing visitors, and You Ruxu, who had directly confronted Sang Qi, even less so.

The only information available was the brief statements released by the police. Zhou Tianzui also watched the news, her daily routine now to wake up, read the news, watch the updates on the case, but there was nothing new.

The police had visited her once, before she was discharged. She had looked at Captain Yao, wanting to ask about You Ruxu, but in the end, just asked, “The case isn’t closed yet?”

Captain Yao had said, “We haven’t apprehended everyone yet.”

She hadn’t asked about You Ruxu, and Captain Yao hadn’t mentioned her.

But Zhou Tianzui already knew the answer.

After being discharged, she rested at home for two days, The police released an update on the fishing boat case, a press conference, Chen Xiang was there, and when she heard they had caught everyone, she was so excited she immediately called Zhou Tianzui, “Dr. Zhou! Dr. Zhou! Have you seen the news? They caught them all! I heard they were apprehended last night!”

Zhou Tianzui breathed a sigh of relief, “What about Ruxu?”

“I, I don’t know yet,” Chen Xiang said, “She should still be at Yuxin.”

Zhou Tianzui hung up and went to her room, the weather warmer now, she took out a sweater, put it on, and then put on some makeup, her hand trembling slightly as she applied lipstick. She paused for a moment, then finished her makeup.

Arriving at the hospital, the ward was empty, no one there.

After the arrests last night, the police presence had been reduced. You Ruxu was still in the special ward, which required a key card to enter, unless the door was opened from inside, the head nurse and the other nurses, their faces pale, “Could Reporter You have left?”

“She just woke up, she’s still very weak, how could she leave the hospital?” The head nurse said, “And she hasn’t fully recovered, she can barely walk.”

Zhou Tianzui asked, “When did she wake up?”

“This, this morning,” the nurse said, her voice trembling with fear. They had been so worried about You Ruxu because of the fishing boat case, only relaxing after everyone was arrested, and now this, they immediately called the police, Zhou Tianzui entered the ward.

She saw the neatly folded blanket, “No need to call the police, she left on her own.”

The head nurse was puzzled, “Huh?”

“That’s impossible, she’s too weak, she couldn’t have left the hospital.”

Zhou Tianzui looked down, her eyes suddenly reddening. She turned and left the ward, drove straight home, and arriving at her apartment building, she suddenly hesitated, she smoothed her hair, then gripped the doorknob. Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door. The key slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor. She bent down to pick it up, and just as she was about to insert it into the lock, the door opened from inside, the key falling from her hand again.

You Ruxu stood at the doorway, her face pale, her movements slow and deliberate, weakened, she looked at Zhou Tianzui.

Zhou Tianzui didn’t pick up the key, just stepped forward and pulled You Ruxu into a tight embrace.

You Ruxu buried her face in Zhou Tianzui’s shoulder.

A familiar, comforting warmth, and she closed her eyes, hearing Zhou Tianzui’s voice, “You’re still recovering, why did you leave the hospital?”

You Ruxu said, “I woke up, and you weren’t there.”

So I came to find you.

Zhou Tianzui’s embrace tightened, tears dampening You Ruxu’s shoulder, her face buried in You Ruxu’s neck, her shoulders shaking, days of fear and anxiety finally released, a bittersweet relief. She held You Ruxu tightly and whispered, “A Ran.”

No longer an empty room, a silent apartment, an unanswered call.

A soft voice replied, “Mm-hmm.”

Zhou Tianzui’s voice broke as she cried, “A Ran.”

You Ruxu’s arms were still weak, when she woke up, the room was empty, they hadn’t even left her a phone, she had wanted to see Zhou Tianzui so desperately, she had taken a taxi, the fare paid by the landlady, who had looked at her as if she had seen a ghost, “R-Ruxu?”

And she had nodded, “It’s me.”

The landlady had gasped, then after paying the taxi driver, helped her inside.

“You didn’t—” She had stopped mid-sentence, “It’s so good, so good! This is wonderful! Ruxu, you’re okay, this is wonderful!” For some reason, the landlady’s eyes were also red. “Come to our place for dinner tonight!”

You Ruxu had said, “Thank you.”

She had entered her apartment, but Zhou Tianzui wasn’t there.

Where was she?

She had desperately wanted to see her, a frantic need, she had wanted to go out and look for her, when the door opened, and Zhou Tianzui stood there,

She was here.

She hadn’t had the strength to take another step forward, thankfully, Zhou Tianzui had pulled her into a tight embrace.

A smile appeared on You Ruxu’s pale face. Zhou Tianzui’s embrace was tight, almost painful, “It hurts,” she said softly.

Zhou Tianzui immediately loosened her grip, her face paler than You Ruxu’s.

You Ruxu didn’t have dinner at the landlady’s that night, she was taken back to the hospital, Zhou Tianzui accompanying her. Chen Xiang was the first to visit, carrying a fruit basket and flowers. Visitors weren’t allowed in the ward, but Chen Xiang, flaunting her press pass, strode in confidently, looking at You Ruxu, “Teacher You, I missed you so much.”

You Ruxu smiled faintly.

Zhou Tianzui called Wu Xiulian, who had been kept updated on You Ruxu’s condition, wanting to come to Jindu half a month ago, but the police had advised against it. Now that everything was resolved, Wu Xiulian immediately booked a flight, arriving tomorrow morning.

After calling Wu Xiulian, she called Yu Qiao. Turning around, she saw You Ruxu listening to Chen Xiang, her expression calm and serene, it was a scene Zhou Tianzui had seen countless times in her dreams, for a moment, she thought she was dreaming.

“Dr. Zhou,” Chen Xiang called out.

She returned to her senses.

This wasn’t a dream.

Because she wouldn’t dream of Chen Xiang.

Zhou Tianzui nodded at Chen Xiang and walked over to You Ruxu, “Are you tired?”

Chen Xiang, much more perceptive now, immediately said, “I have something to do, I should be going.”

You Ruxu said to Zhou Tianzui, after she left, “You scared her away.”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I didn’t,” sitting down on the edge of the bed, just as she was about to reach out and touch You Ruxu, she heard her say, “I’m sorry.”

Zhou Tianzui looked at her, “What for?”

You Ruxu said, “Chen Xiang just told me, you thought I was dead, I’m sorry.”

Although it had been a necessary measure, it had undeniably hurt Zhou Tianzui. You Ruxu hated herself for not waking up sooner, if she had, Zhou Tianzui wouldn’t have suffered so much,

Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s not your fault.”

You Ruxu asked, “Are you still in pain?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Where?”

My body, or my heart?

You Ruxu looked at her, and Zhou Tianzui’s eyes darkened, their gaze intense, “Then where do you hurt?”

Zhou Tianzui took her hand and placed it on her chest. You Ruxu, unprepared, her hand covering Zhou Tianzui’s soft skin, instinctively curled her fingers. “Don’t,” Zhou Tianzui said softly.

A blush crept up You Ruxu’s pale cheeks, she looked at Zhou Tianzui.

And smiled.

It was the Zhou Tianzui she knew.

Zhou Tianzui held her hand, her grip tightening slightly, and asked, “Do you hurt?”

You Ruxu shook her head, “Not anymore, not seeing you here.”

A rare expression of affection, and You Ruxu, after saying it, quickly looked away, Zhou Tianzui said, “I have that effect on you? What am I then? An anesthetic?”

You Ruxu chuckled, shaking her head, “No, you’re not.”

Zhou Tianzui looked at her, “Not what?”

You Ruxu said, “You’re not an anesthetic.”

Zhou Tianzui’s gaze deepened, “Then what am I?”

You Ruxu, meeting her gaze, after a moment, her voice firm and certain, “You’re Zhou Tianzui.”

The Zhou Tianzui I love, the Zhou Tianzui I adore.

The same answer as before.

But this time, it was Zhou Tianzui’s eyes that filled with tears.