The late autumn sun was something people cherished.
When Shen Ke Qin arrived at the hospital, she saw many family members bringing patients downstairs to sunbathe.
Watching the contented and relieved smiles on everyone's faces, she couldn't help but curve her lips. While illness was indeed terrifying, bathed in the bright sun, it felt as though all illnesses could be overcome.
Holding a lunchbox, Shen Ke Qin was about to cross the garden, first to deliver a meal to Jian Mu Bai, and then to find Ye Jing Qiu, when Ye Jing Qiu's voice suddenly rang out.
"Qin Qin..."
Shen Ke Qin turned around and saw Ye Jing Qiu, dressed in his white coat, standing in the pavilion. Patients and their families were gathered around him.
Shen Ke Qin stopped and walked slowly towards him. At the same time, Ye Jing Qiu walked towards her.
After a thorough look at her, Ye Jing Qiu sincerely praised, "Princess Qin Qin, you look truly beautiful today."
Shen Ke Qin smiled slightly, "Thank you, you look handsome too."
Seeing the lunchbox in his hand, Ye Jing Qiu was taken aback, "This..."
"Ah, someone saved my mother, and my mother, to thank him, asked me to bring him food."
Ye Jing Qiu's eyes flickered slightly, "Oh, then I'll accompany you to deliver the meal first."
"No, no, let's chat first!"
They found a less crowded spot. As Shen Ke Qin saw a chair and was about to sit down, Ye Jing Qiu grabbed her arm, "Wait..."
He took out a tissue, wiped the chair, and then made a gesture for Shen Ke Qin to sit.
"Thank you." Shen Ke Qin smiled at him, then teased, "Do all doctors have germophobia?"
Ye Jing Qiu sat down next to Shen Ke Qin, "I'm okay, I just can't let your beautiful dress get dirty."
Shen Ke Qin gave a dry chuckle.
After that, neither of them spoke.
In reality, Ye Jing Qiu was waiting for Shen Ke Qin to speak, while Shen Ke Qin didn't know how to begin.
A few seconds passed.
"Qin Qin..."
"Jing Qiu..."
They spoke at the same time, then smiled at each other.
Shen Ke Qin knew this couldn't be delayed any longer. Composing herself, she slowly began, "I'm sorry, Jing Qiu. Thank you for liking me, but I... I can't be with you."
The smile on Ye Jing Qiu's face gradually disappeared, but he didn't seem surprised by her answer. A dense ache and sting spread through his chest.
Seeing Ye Jing Qiu's silence, Shen Ke Qin's heart tightened, and she quickly explained, "Jing Qiu, you are very gentle, gentlemanly, and handsome. I don't dislike you either. It's just that I feel..."
Many people had pursued Shen Ke Qin before, and she had rejected them without batting an eye. But when rejecting Ye Jing Qiu, she suddenly didn't know how to phrase her words without hurting him.
Ye Jing Qiu curved his lips into a wry smile, "Was I given a 'friend zone' card?"
"I... I'm sorry..."
Ye Jing Qiu sighed softly. He reached out and gently touched Shen Ke Qin's head, "There's nothing to be sorry about. Didn't you say you don't dislike me? It's just a liking between friends, not the stirring of hearts between lovers."
Shen Ke Qin pursed her lips and nodded slightly.
"Then do you like Jian Mu Bai?"
Shen Ke Qin's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Ye Jing Qiu to ask such a question.
"I..."
This was a question not only Ye Jing Qiu had asked her, but also Song Qi Nian, Miao Zi Ai, and Shen Chi Yan.
She hadn't had an answer then. Now... she had an answer, but didn't know what to do.
Shen Ke Qin's hesitation and silence had already said it all.
Ye Jing Qiu felt incredibly unwilling, yet also thought that if the person was Jian Mu Bai, it seemed rather reasonable.
After all, Jian Mu Bai had been with Shen Ke Qin since she was twelve. He was arguably the first man Shen Ke Qin had ever truly interacted with, and he was so outstanding. It would be strange if Shen Ke Qin wasn't moved.
Thinking of something, he asked with a sliver of remaining hope, "Qin Qin, when you looked for me two days ago, was it to give me this answer, or... did you decide to reject me only after you were kidnapped and saved by Jian Mu Bai?"
Shen Ke Qin was not someone who fell in love just because she was moved. Some things, if spoken, might hurt. But if left unsaid, they would give others hopeless expectations, only to hurt them more.
"I'm sorry, Jing Qiu. My answer has never changed. You are a good person, and you will surely meet a girl who loves you as her life, and whose eyes are filled only with you."
Seeing Shen Ke Qin's serious and earnest expression, Ye Jing Qiu suddenly smiled. Such a sincere girl was truly endearing, making one reluctant to let go.
He also knew very clearly that if he persisted, Shen Ke Qin might feel a little guilty at first, but later it would only turn into annoyance.
He didn't want to be disliked by her. Even if they couldn't be lovers, he hoped they could still be good friends.
"Yes, I've received your answer, and I accept it. But... can I have a hug?"
Shen Ke Qin hadn't expected this to be resolved so easily. She let out a heavy sigh of relief, placed the lunchbox aside, and then stood up and threw herself into Ye Jing Qiu's arms.
Ye Jing Qiu held her tightly, closing his eyes tightly, feeling her in his embrace. His heart ached, and his nose felt a stinging sensation.
In high school, he had been captivated by Shen Ke Qin's every move. For so many years, he had secretly loved her. Even with the heavy and busy studies abroad, he would still carve out some time to think of her.
He had thought that once his career was successful, he would have hope of winning her over. But ultimately, he was too late.
No, he was many steps too late.
"Qin Qin, you must be happy."
Listening to Ye Jing Qiu's gentle and pleasant voice, Shen Ke Qin nodded heavily, "I will be."
Just as Ye Jing Qiu was about to release Shen Ke Qin, he suddenly felt a sharp, piercing gaze. He instinctively followed the line of sight and saw someone standing by the window on the 32nd floor.
Even though he could only see a blurry figure, he knew who it was.
Ye Jing Qiu curled his lips slightly and deliberately moved closer to Shen Ke Qin, whispering in her ear, "If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Shen Ke Qin's ear tickled slightly. She quickly pushed Ye Jing Qiu away, "Okay, thank you."
Ye Jing Qiu had positioned himself at a very tricky angle. From Jian Mu Bai's perspective, it looked as if he had kissed Shen Ke Qin, and she had shyly pushed him away.
His hand, which had dropped to his arm, clenched into a fist. Due to the force, blood seeped from his wound, but he seemed not to feel any pain, his face devoid of expression.
Just then, two nurses walked past him, chatting about Ye Jing Qiu and Shen Ke Qin.
"Dr. Ye and Miss Shen are quite a match, aren't they? Both in terms of family background and appearance, they are a perfect match."
"Yes, yes. I heard Dr. Ye specifically booked a restaurant to confess to Miss Shen before."
"Really? Did Miss Shen agree to Dr. Ye then?"
"Such an excellent man like Dr. Ye, what woman could refuse him? Didn't you see Miss Shen bringing him food when she came up earlier? It looks like good news is on the way."
"Alas... Our hospital's campus heartthrob is being snatched away by the little princess of the Shen family. But thinking that it's Miss Shen, and not some other random woman, I'm not that heartbroken. In fact, I'm a little happy."