Chapter 53: Won't You Come Home With Me? Don't You Like Me Anymore?

Before the female doctor could finish, Shi Runrun had already jumped down from the chair and hurried to Xiao Xuezheng’s side. She pressed him down, turned to the doctor and said anxiously, “Doctor, please take care of his wound first! His forehead keeps bleeding!”

The doctor responded promptly, bringing gauze and antiseptic from her medical kit, and began treating Xiao Xuezheng’s injury.

Her skills were exceptional; within moments, the bleeding on his forehead was stopped, and the wound was wrapped in gauze. He looked none the worse for wear.

“All right, you may leave now,” he said. The doctor quickly packed up her things and left, closing the door behind her.

In an instant, the cramped rental room was left with only the two of them. The atmosphere turned awkward and tense.

Shi Runrun sat on the bed, right next to him, staring at him in a daze, feeling terribly ill at ease.

The room was small, and the distance between them even smaller. Every second, she could sense the mature aura emanating from him—a man’s charm, so familiar, so intoxicating, so irresistible…

She had fled the capital to City B, hoping to sever this absurd love story. Yet now, meeting him again, she was at a loss, uncertain of what to do.

Unconsciously, Shi Runrun withdrew her gaze from him, slipped off the bed, and tried to leave before she lost control of herself. But before she could take more than a few steps, a strong hand wrapped around her waist, pulling gently yet firmly, and she found herself seated back on the bed, this time leaning right against his chest.

Thump, thump…

She could feel, so clearly, the steady beat of his heart.

Shi Runrun suddenly felt her eyes grow moist.

Then his hands moved up, softly encircling her, holding her as if she were a precious treasure, fearful of hurting her. He embraced her gently, lowering his jaw until it rested against her forehead.

Shi Runrun—

She couldn’t bear such closeness, such intimacy, such contact with him.

Especially after days apart…

She simply couldn’t bear it.

But the next moment, with his forehead pressed against hers, he gently caressed her and spoke in a hoarse voice, word by word, “I found you… I finally found you…”

Shi Runrun—

Her breath caught sharply. His words pierced her heart like a blade, tearing it open, making it tremble violently.

Her whole body, held tightly in his arms, shook with emotion.

In the end, she could not resist such tender words.

Shi Runrun lost all strength to fight, leaned into his chest, and broke down in tears.

Her tears flowed like a river, slipping from her eyes and soaking his white shirt.

Shi Runrun felt herself falling completely under his spell.

The days of longing that gnawed at her bones had left her unstable, unable to resist, unable to do anything but let him hold her, listen to his sweet words, and surrender…

If he uttered even a word about still caring for her, still loving her, she would surrender completely…

But… the baby was gone…

Their baby was gone…

He had been unfaithful…

Was there any chance for them to be together again?

Shi Runrun didn’t know, but her heart still hoped.

The days away from him had tortured her with longing, leaving her wounded, and through it all, she had come to understand her heart. She loved him, loved him beyond reason.

A voice echoed in her mind, urging her to forgive him… He had come to find her… spoken such words of longing…

That meant he cared about her, too…

There was hope for reconciliation…

But at the same time, another cold voice whispered within.

Had she forgotten the despair she felt, lying on the ground in a pool of blood, calling him for help, and hearing a woman’s voice?

That heart-wrenching pain—did she want to experience it again?

Shi Runrun truly didn’t know what to do next, what choice to make…

As she hesitated, he spoke again.

“Runrun, come home with me… It doesn’t matter that the baby is gone, we can still—”

His words stopped abruptly. Shi Runrun looked up sharply to see his eyes closed, his face pale, his body limp as he suddenly collapsed backward!

His hand slipped from her waist.

“Xiao Xuezheng!”

Shi Runrun cried out in panic, her tears flowing again in fear and worry as she saw him crash heavily onto the bed, groaning in pain, his expression suddenly strange.

“Xiao Xuezheng?! What’s wrong?!”

Shi Runrun shouted, reaching for his arm, only to feel searing heat under her touch.

Heavens!

How could he be so hot?!

He had a fever?!

Shi Runrun immediately pressed her hand to his forehead.

As expected!

He was burning up! Her palm felt scorched.

Shi Runrun’s heart leapt in alarm.

“Oh my God! Xiao Xuezheng! You have a fever?! Why didn’t you tell the doctor just now?!”

She scrambled off the bed, intent on finding fever medicine in the room.

Luckily, she had bought some supplies shortly after moving in.

But just as she left his side, she heard him, eyes closed, call out in a deep voice, “It’s nothing… Runrun, come back…”

He was terrified that, once she left, she would disappear again…

Shi Runrun knew his illness must be serious.

Such a proud man would never allow others to see his vulnerability unless he was truly ill.

If even she could sense his discomfort, he must be seriously unwell.

She rummaged through boxes, pulling a small medicine kit from under the bed, grabbed a cooling patch, and ran out to the kitchen, tearing it open as she went. Then she hurried back to the bed and stuck it onto his forehead.

“Xiao Xuezheng, bear with it for a moment. I’ll boil some hot water for you. A little warm water will help.”

But just as she turned away, the man on the bed suddenly summoned unexpected strength, propping himself up and grabbing her wrist.

He pulled her back, his voice deep and insistent, “Runrun, answer me first—will you come home with me?! I want your answer, or I won’t accept your care!”

Shi Runrun—

His words made her heart twist painfully.

She pressed her lips together, falling into silence.

She didn’t know how to answer him, didn’t know what choice to make.

Xiao Xuezheng stared at her, watching her evasive eyes, and continued, “You don’t want to come home with me? Why? Don’t you love me anymore? Why not?”

“Because of Zaozao?!”

Shi Runrun—