Song Qinian walked in and found Shen ChiYan was not in bed. She took two steps forward before seeing Shen ChiYan standing on the balcony.
His gaze was fixed downwards, and she didn't know how long he had been standing there.
Just as Song Qinian was about to speak, she suddenly realized that from this balcony, one could see where she had just been talking with Li JunShen.
Could it be that Shen ChiYan had been watching them the entire time she was chatting with Li JunShen?
Song Qinian's mood was complicated. The weather was bad that day, with dark clouds and strong winds. Seeing Shen ChiYan wearing thin clothes, Song Qinian grabbed his windbreaker and walked over to drape it over him. The next second, Shen ChiYan abruptly turned around and grabbed her wrist.
His grip was strong, and Song Qinian winced in pain.
"Song Qinian, I underestimated you. After just finishing your rendezvous with Li JunShen, you come here to fawn over me. You're quite skilled at playing both men."
Song Qinian fiercely shook off Shen ChiYan's hand. They all thought she was playing both sides, but who knew her inner pain and fear?
Song Qinian's expression turned cold. "If you don't want to see me, you can just let me leave. I don't want to serve you!"
Shen ChiYan's face became terrifying, especially when he heard Song Qinian say she didn't want to be with him. He pushed Song Qinian against the wall. "Say that again if you dare!"
Song Qinian met Shen ChiYan's gaze. "What if I say it again? You and Li JunShen fought, so go to him to take responsibility! Why do you want me to take care of you? And why are you throwing a tantrum now?"
Their eyes locked, both filled with fire, neither willing to back down.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, an awkward voice suddenly broke the silence, "Ah... Ah Yan..."
Song Qinian and Shen ChiYan turned their heads together and saw Lin Qiutong standing at the door. Shen ChiYan let out a heavy sigh and released Song Qinian.
Song Qinian hadn't expected this scene to be witnessed by Lin Qiutong. She tidied her clothes and heard Lin Qiutong's timid and embarrassed words, "I'm sorry, it seems I've come at an inconvenient time."
Shen ChiYan left the balcony and walked to the sofa. "No, you've come at the perfect time."
If Lin Qiutong hadn't appeared, Shen ChiYan wouldn't have been sure what he might have done to that damned woman, Song Qinian.
Hearing this, Song Qinian assumed they had planned this. She felt a pang of sadness and, not wanting to see them together, decided to leave.
"Stop!"
Shen ChiYan's clear voice suddenly called out to her.
Song Qinian halted but didn't turn back to look at him.
"Don't you see a guest has arrived? Go and pour some water."
Upon hearing the word "guest," Lin Qiutong's expression faltered for a moment. Had she already gone from being Shen ChiYan's friend to a mere guest?
However, Song Qinian, who was still angry, didn't pick up on any subtleties. She turned to look at Shen ChiYan and said coldly, "I only came to take care of you, not to be your nanny or your secretary. If you want water, get it yourself!"
For some reason, Shen ChiYan's expression softened slightly when he heard this.
Lin Qiutong, standing beside him, immediately said to Shen ChiYan, "Ah Yan, don't trouble yourself. I just heard you were hospitalized and came to see you. Besides, I'm not thirsty at all right now."
Song Qinian didn't want to listen to their conversation and wanted to leave again. Shen ChiYan's voice rang out once more, "Then I need water. Go and get it for me, and don't leave!"
Song Qinian: "..."
Song Qinian took a deep breath and went to pour Shen ChiYan some water.
Lin Qiutong watched the two of them, feeling a peculiar discomfort. Song Qinian had clearly betrayed Shen ChiYan, yet he still kept her by his side. While she, having done nothing wrong, hadn't been seen by him for two years.
Seeing Shen ChiYan's gaze occasionally follow Song Qinian, Lin Qiutong felt even more disheartened. What kind of love was this, where one couldn't let go even when knowing the other had betrayed them?
Lin Qiutong had a lot she wanted to say to Shen ChiYan, but sitting there, she suddenly didn't know what to say.
She hadn't expected that she and Shen ChiYan would reach a point where they had nothing to say to each other, and the cause of all this was Song Qinian.
"Ah Yan, your stomach isn't well. Don't drink alcohol anymore from now on."
"Mm."
"Did the doctor say when you'll be discharged?"
"No."
"Do you need anything? I can help you buy it."
"No."
Lin Qiutong: "..."
Seeing that Shen ChiYan had no intention of paying attention to her, Lin Qiutong didn't want to embarrass herself further, especially in front of Song Qinian. She didn't want Song Qinian to think Shen ChiYan no longer cared about her.
She had initially hoped that by accompanying Shen ChiYan during his illness, their relationship could return to what it was before. Now, it seemed she had overthought things.
But if she gave up like this, she was unwilling.
After all, falling in love with such an excellent man, it was natural to want to have him.
Thinking of something, Lin Qiutong said with difficulty, "Ah Yan, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Shen ChiYan finally looked back at Lin Qiutong. "What is it?"
Lin Qiutong smiled slightly. "I have a special interview in a few days, and there's a segment where I call friends and family. Could I call you?"
As soon as Lin Qiutong finished speaking, Song Qinian walked over with a glass of water. Her face was expressionless, as if she were completely uninterested in the conversation between Shen ChiYan and Lin Qiutong.
Shen ChiYan replied without hesitation, "I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Lin Qiutong looked disheartened. "It's just an interview call, they won't ask about your privacy or..."
"But if you make that call and I answer it, things between us will become unclear. Besides, you have so many friends and family, you don't need me."
On the surface, Song Qinian pretended not to care, but in reality, she was straining her ears.
She hadn't expected Shen ChiYan to refuse Lin Qiutong so resolutely. Could everything Qin Qin had said be true?
Lin Qiutong felt deeply grieved. She hadn't expected Shen ChiYan to refuse even such a small request. It must be because Song Qinian had returned!
Damn Song Qinian, why did she come back after leaving?
Feeling that things were pointless, Lin Qiutong knew that staying any longer would only make Shen ChiYan more annoyed with her, so she found an excuse to leave.
As she was leaving, she didn't forget to say to Song Qinian, "Nian Nian, can you see me out?"
Before Song Qinian could answer, Shen ChiYan spoke first. "Do you really need someone to escort you? I can have a nurse take you downstairs. Song Qinian still has things to do for me."
Lin Qiutong's expression turned even worse. She let out a dry laugh. "No... no need. Then I won't disturb you anymore."
Lin Qiutong's original intention was to talk to Song Qinian privately, but she hadn't expected Shen ChiYan to be so inseparable from Song Qinian.
After Lin Qiutong left, Shen ChiYan gave Song Qinian a cold look. "Do you have anything to say?"