Wei Yumeng naturally did not leave. In fact, she was watching everything unfold from a nearby hospital room.
If it were an ordinary day, Qiu Zhun would have noticed the problems within the situation.
For instance, with such a major incident occurring, there were no other onlookers in the hospital. Even the security guards who arrived numbered only two or three, and they showed no intention of intervening.
Besides them, the entire corridor was empty.
The doctor who was previously being threatened was completely engrossed in the unfolding drama, as if watching a play.
No one called the police, and the atmosphere did not feel as menacing as it should have.
Some of what the man said were pre-arranged lines, while others were relayed by Wei Yumeng in real-time through a Bluetooth earpiece.
Yet, even with the obvious presence of the Bluetooth earpiece, Qiu Zhun did not notice.
This was enough to illustrate the point: Qiu Zhun cared so deeply for Wen Xueshan that everything else became unimportant.
When Wen Xueshan was in danger, Qiu Zhun's heart was solely focused on her.
Wei Yumeng had her answer. Just as Zhan Mohan had said, to truly force out Qiu Zhun's genuine feelings, perhaps a more drastic approach was needed.
So, she whispered into her phone, "Don't lie to yourself anymore. Think carefully, does this man truly love you? Is the reason he's treating you this way simply because of the child you're carrying? Or perhaps it's just pity due to your current condition?"
The man repeated Wei Yumeng's words.
Hearing this, Qiu Zhun's expression soured. Wasn't this exactly what he had always believed he was doing?
But why did it feel so wrong when spoken by a stranger?
It's not like that… not entirely…
Qiu Zhun felt something on the verge of escaping his lips.
"Alright, I don't have time to waste here with you. You two choose: either one of you steps forward for me to deal with. Or both of you."
The man said, pointing the tip of his knife at Qiu Zhun, then at Wen Xueshan.
"Of course, it's me!" they both exclaimed in unison.
The man appeared exasperated. "If you're both so eager, what's the difference between that and being killed by me together?"
Qiu Zhun looked at Wen Xueshan. "Xueshan, listen to me. You're carrying our child now. You must protect him. He's very important to us. If something happens to me today, at least you two will still be my concern."
"No, you can't… you can't!" Wen Xueshan cried out loudly.
But the man grabbed Qiu Zhun, the tip of the knife pressing against his throat. "Alright, is there anything you want to say before you die?"
Wen Xueshan was already in tears.
It seemed that both Qiu Zhun and Wen Xueshan had fully succumbed to the charade.
"Xueshan, I… only now do I truly understand my own heart. Many things changed long ago, but I didn't realize it," Qiu Zhun took a deep breath. "I even regret only awakening to this now… I actually…"
"Don't say it!" Wen Xueshan loudly interrupted him. "Everything will be fine. You can tell me all of this after we're safe!"
At this moment, seeing that things had progressed sufficiently, Wei Yumeng looked at the two Zhan family bodyguards disguised as police officers.
They understood immediately and rushed forward, "Stop!"
The man appeared visibly startled, and his knife clattered to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Qiu Zhun broke free from the man's grasp and ran to Wen Xueshan's side.
"Are you alright? Were you scared? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Wen Xueshan was already in tears. "You're asking me? You were the one in danger just now!"
Qiu Zhun pulled her into his embrace. "As long as you're alright, that's all that matters. As long as you're alright, I'll do anything."
They embraced tightly, not even noticing the other actors who had begun to leave.
Wei Yumeng watched them re-enter the ward before emerging from her room.
Jing Yan, standing beside her, couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems these two are truly meant to be. Madam, your initial decision was not mistaken. After all this, they seem to have circled back to where they began."
Wei Yumeng also breathed a sigh of relief. At least their current relationship lessened her guilt.
As Jing Yan put it, despite all that had happened, and the seemingly insurmountable chasm that had once existed between them, today's conflicts seemed to have faded in importance. What mattered now was how they viewed each other.
Wei Yumeng composed herself. It was time for her to make her appearance and conclude the performance.
She entered Wen Xueshan's ward, feigning just arriving.
"Are you two alright? When I arrived just now, I saw the police taking someone away," Wei Yumeng said, appearing concerned.
Qiu Zhun smiled at her. "We're fine, don't worry."
Wei Yumeng nodded. "That's good then."
Qiu Zhun looked at Wei Yumeng, feeling that since he had clarified his own thoughts, he should tell her.
This way, Wei Yumeng wouldn't have to worry about the matter anymore.
"Miss Wei, can we talk privately?"
Wei Yumeng glanced at Wen Xueshan instinctively. Seeing that Wen Xueshan showed no reaction, she nodded. "Alright."
Wei Yumeng followed Qiu Zhun to the stairwell.
However, Wei Yumeng waited for a long time, but Qiu Zhun remained silent, seemingly troubled.
After a while, Wei Yumeng spoke, "What's wrong? Are you facing any difficulties?"
"No, rather than a difficulty, it's an answer that surprised even myself."
Qiu Zhun felt a sense of novelty regarding his current emotions.
Indeed, before this incident, he was certain that Wei Yumeng was the one he admired.
But he also knew that a relationship with Wei Yumeng was impossible, so he had almost buried her in the deepest corner of his heart, content to simply watch her from afar.
But was that truly love?
Now, he knew the answer.
It was indeed a form of admiration, but not the love between a man and a woman.
Instead, his feelings for Wen Xueshan were deeper. He had developed an interest in Wen Xueshan, then been hurt by her, and now, after much circling, they had reached this point.
In fact, if he truly felt nothing for Wen Xueshan, he could have simply walked away.
Yet, each time, he had chosen to resolve things in other ways for Wen Xueshan's sake.
Although at the time he felt forced, if he had truly been unwilling, who could have truly threatened him?
"Miss Wei, I am truly grateful for everything you have done for me and Xueshan. However, today, I have completely figured things out. I finally know how I feel about her. It has nothing to do with pity for her condition, nor is it solely a father's responsibility. I believe… I wish to stay by her side."
Qiu Zhun's tone was more resolute than ever. He had never understood his own feelings more clearly.