Min Er leaned back against the passenger seat and smiled.
"Actually, doing this feels pretty bad, pretty much like a green tea bitch, and I'm really sorry to Sister Nan Fang."
"But I still want to go."
Zhan Bei Jue looked at her, gesturing for her to continue.
"In my entire life, besides you, I've never held another man's hand. Nor have I ever dated another man."
"I might never have another chance. Can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a few hours and accompany me to do some things couples do?"
She spoke the most cruel words in the world with a light, casual tone.
Zhan Bei Jue felt a pang of pain again, staring at her intently.
"How can that be? You're so young, you still have decades of life ahead of you, how could you not meet someone who loves you?"
"I can accompany you in doing anything. But I won't allow you to talk about yourself like that."
"I hope Sister Nan Fang doesn't resent me when she sees this."
Min Er changed the subject.
"This is my first formal date with a man, and I don't know what to do. Will you arrange everything?"
Actually, Zhan Bei Jue hadn't dated much either.
Thinking about it made him feel quite sorry for Jiang Nan Fang.
Besides working and taking care of the child, the most they did was stay close at home.
He didn't like going out, nor had he thought of doing some sweet and romantic things with her.
"How about we go for afternoon tea first? Then watch a movie, and I'll treat you to dinner. After the date, I'll take you home, alright?"
"That sounds pretty good."
Min Er smiled.
"Then let's go."
Zhan Bei Jue searched for a highly-rated cafe on his phone.
On the way there, Min Er spotted a large shopping mall.
"My face probably looks quite ugly, and I don't want to look unsuitable for you. Could you take me to buy some cosmetics?"
As long as she had the desire to try and improve herself, Zhan Bei Jue was happy.
The two of them went to the makeup section.
Sales assistants from various brand counters eagerly greeted them.
Min Er chose a counter nearby and asked the sales assistant if she could help her with makeup.
The sales assistant sized up her face and likely noticed her injuries, but she only spoke kind words.
"Your skin is truly good, fair, smooth, and flawless. You're very beautiful, miss."
"Our brand's foundation, setting powder, and lipstick are all excellent. You can try them out, and if you like them, you can consider buying a set later."
The sales assistant skillfully worked on her face, and soon, a beautiful, lively, and ethereal Min Er emerged.
Zhan Bei Jue dutifully paid for everything she used.
Even though her gait was still awkward, she felt much more confident walking beside him like this.
"Can we just browse around here? Okay?"
"I've been in Nan Cheng for so long, and this is my first time shopping in a mall."
"Okay."
As he had said before, as long as she was happy and willing to rekindle her hope in life, Zhan Bei Jue was willing to do anything.
The two of them browsed from the first floor to the third.
Min Er wanted to buy him an outfit.
"Back in Switzerland, I could only give you Da Mei's husband's worn-out clothes. I really, really wanted to buy you a nice outfit..."
"Now that I have the chance, you don't need it anymore."
"Who says I don't need it? My wardrobe is actually missing a set of clothes. You pick one."
"I never got to see you in your youthful prime when you were studying. I really want to see what you'd look like dressed as a college student. Shall I pick something casual for you?"
"Okay."
She chose a white hoodie, beige casual pants, and white sneakers for Zhan Bei Jue.
Shedding his serious and dull suit, he instantly looked like he had returned to his school days.
Standing together, they looked like a couple who had grown up together.
"This is great," Min Er said with immense satisfaction. "Today has been a perfect day."
"We're just getting started. We haven't even watched a movie yet."
Zhan Bei Jue carefully helped her to the seventh-floor cinema.
At this hour, only melodramatic romance films were being shown.
Min Er watched with great interest, laughing and crying, as if it were the best movie in the world.
After the movie, they went to the rooftop for dinner.
Min Er said that hot pot had a sense of everyday life and brought more happiness, which was more interesting than cold steak.
"Eat more."
She didn't eat much, spending the whole time cooking and picking up food for Zhan Bei Jue.
In fact, Zhan Bei Jue didn't have much of an appetite, but seeing her so enthusiastically cooking, he accepted it all.
They had been out for over five hours, returning at eight in the evening.
As the streetlights illuminated the city, the car drove through the beautiful streets of Nan Cheng. Min Er rested her head on the car window, letting the breeze blow through her hair, her mood reaching its peak.
"I love Nan Cheng, this must be the most beautiful city in the world."
"The night view is really stunning. I don't think I'll ever forget the night scenery of this street."
Even if Zhan Bei Jue didn't understand women's feelings very well, he sensed something from her words.
Many of the things she said and did today were filled with hidden meanings.
They seemed full of hope, yet also subtly like farewells.
He wasn't sure if he was overthinking it, but he looked at Min Er with concern.
"If you like watching, I'll accompany you out to see it every day. Wherever you like to go, I'll accompany you there every day."
Min Er smiled.
"Don't talk to me in that pitying tone. I don't need it."
"I'm not pitying you. I'm being sincere."
"Never mind, let's not talk about this. In any case, I had a great time today. Thank you for being my boyfriend for a few hours."
Min Er changed the subject again.
"I'm very sorry for the trouble I caused you before. I wasn't thinking straight back then, you don't resent me for it, do you?"
Zhan Bei Jue's heart skipped a beat, and he reached out to grasp her hand.
"Min Er, don't let your mind run wild. You haven't done anything wrong, it's those scumbags who are wrong. Don't put psychological pressure on yourself."
Min Er feigned casualness, "What's wrong? Your eyes looked so scared just now. Did I frighten you?"
"I won't allow you to overthink, nor will I allow you to degrade yourself in your heart. A person's purity or goodness is not defined by these things."
Zhan Bei Jue continued to hold her hand.
"You are wonderful. You deserve to meet someone even better. You must believe this."
Min Er fell silent, closed her eyes, leaned back on the seat, and squeezed his hand back.
She didn't speak again until Zhan Bei Jue carried her back to the hospital bed.
Zhan Bei Jue's anxiety reached its peak, a strong premonition screaming at him.
Something was wrong with Min Er.
Everything she had done today seemed like a farewell to this world.
From this second onwards, he didn't even dare to close his eyes.
He was terrified that in the blink of an eye, if he wasn't paying attention, Min Er would vanish before his eyes.
Min Er lay on the bed with her exquisite makeup.
He sat motionlessly in front of her, staring at her intently.
He thought that by doing so, Min Er would be safe.
However, the silence was soon broken.
A group of uniformed staff, holding an arrest warrant, suddenly pushed open the hospital room door and barged in.
"Zhan Bei Jue, you are hereby arrested on suspicion of intentional personal injury. Please cooperate and come with us."