Though he already knew the answer, Lin Tongze couldn't help but want to care.
Su Banxia understood what he meant and said calmly, "It's fine, not much different from before."
Hearing this, a bitter smile flickered across Lin Tongze's lips. He steadied himself and said slowly, "Take good care of yourself. If Pei Shaoze bullies you, don't go easy on him."
"Tongze, how have you been lately?"
Su Banxia asked earnestly.
She knew the situation with the Lin family—always up and down—how could she not worry?
"I'm doing well."
Lin Tongze replied with a faint smile.
They chatted warmly for a while before hanging up. Su Banxia sat on the bed, basking in the sunlight, and unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
When she woke up again, it was already completely dark.
Rubbing her throbbing head, Su Banxia struggled to sit up. Glancing sideways, she saw someone beside the bed reviewing a contract and was startled.
"When did you get here?"
Hearing her voice, Pei Shaoze looked up and gave her a brief glance. "Just now."
"Um, you..."
"You snored."
"..."
Su Banxia's face flushed bright red. How could his deadpan comment make her want to spray him with water!
"I had Yan Xin bring some porridge. For now, have some snacks to tide you over."
Pei Shaoze put down the contract, turned to pick up a lunchbox, and handed it to her considerately.
Su Banxia was momentarily stunned. "Thanks."
Pei Shaoze didn't respond further, quietly picking up the contract and flipping through it beside her. Su Banxia, seeing this, didn't dare disturb him but occasionally stole glances at him from the corner of her eye.
Sometimes she really felt the Creator was unfair—giving him such a solid foundation and then adding that devilishly handsome face on top.
"Mommy."
Just as Su Banxia was spacing out, Fang Shiqing suddenly walked in from outside with the two children.
Su Banxia quickly gathered herself, cleared her throat, and looked at the newcomers.
"Guoguo."
Su Guoguo rushed to the bedside, her little face full of grievance. "I heard from godmom that you're sick, so I made her bring me here. Why can't you take better care of yourself?"
Hearing her daughter's complaint, Su Banxia's face reddened slightly. She steadied herself and said slowly, "Then while Mommy was away these two days, did Guoguo take good care of herself?"
"Of course! Uncle Pei found us an auntie, and she takes care of everything for us every day."
Su Guoguo answered honestly.
Hearing this, Su Banxia couldn't help but look up at Pei Shaoze, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.
Fang Shiqing, sharp-eyed, noticed the tense atmosphere and tactfully slipped out of the ward.
Standing in the hallway outside, she looked through the window at the view downstairs.
The hospital at night was actually quite beautiful.
Lights twinkled, colors flowed, and the flowers in the garden were truly lovely.
Fang Shiqing unconsciously walked downstairs and strolled through the garden.
"Fang Shiqing!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Fang Shiqing quickly turned around, her expression complicated. "What are you doing here?"
"That's what I should be asking you, huh? Tsk. In a hospital, what could you be up to?"
Lin Haoran clicked his tongue, his gaze roaming over her.
"Crazy."
Fang Shiqing snorted coldly, not bothering to deal with him.
Lin Haoran, having finally run into her, wasn't about to let her slip away so easily. He stepped forward and blocked her path.
"What do you want?"
Fang Shiqing's eyes blazed as she coldly stared at the man before her.
"What do you think?"
Lin Haoran raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curling on his lips.
Fang Shiqing let out a cold laugh. "I've never met a more clingy piece of trash than you."
"Are you with Yan Xin now?"
Lin Haoran paused, then asked coldly.
"What's it to you?"
"You two won't end well. Yan Xin is still the young master of the Yan family—do you really think he'd see you as worthy?"
Hearing Lin Haoran's words, Fang Shiqing couldn't help but sneer. "Do you think everyone's like you, desperate to climb the social ladder?"
"You—"
"Lin Haoran, let me tell you, who I like is my business, and who I'm with is my choice. Who are you to lecture me?"
Fang Shiqing cut him off mercilessly, her tone sharp.
Lin Haoran's face darkened instantly. He clenched his fists and stepped forward slowly.
Seeing his expression turn ugly, Fang Shiqing grew wary and backed away step by step until she hit the wall. She looked up at him, panicked. "There are cameras here—don't you dare try anything!"
"Don't think that just because Pei Shaoze has your back, I'm afraid of you. You're just a woman—do you really think they care that much?"
Lin Haoran's gaze was icy.
"Bastard!"
Fang Shiqing gritted her teeth and cursed indignantly.
Lin Haoran wasn't surprised by her reaction. He straightened up, looking down at the woman before him, then suddenly reached out and placed his hand on the wall, trapping her in his embrace.
"What are you doing?"
Fang Shiqing's heart seemed to skip a beat as she nervously glanced around. The evening air was chilly, so few people were out for a stroll.
Besides, with their intimate posture, anyone who saw them would mistake them for a couple on a date.
"Lin Haoran, if you dare do anything, I won't let you off!"
Fang Shiqing was terrified inside.
"Quite the fire in you, but let's see if you can keep it up."
Lin Haoran smirked, reached out to lift her chin, and then leaned down to kiss her.
Fang Shiqing caught the distinct scent of him and felt nothing but disgust. Seizing the moment he wasn't paying attention, she kicked him hard in a sensitive spot.
Lin Haoran's face instantly turned beet red as he doubled over, clutching himself. "Bitch!"
"You asked for it."
Fang Shiqing wiped her mouth heavily with her sleeve and then quickly ran off.
In her haste, she accidentally collided with someone.
"Ouch."
Fang Shiqing couldn't help but gasp.
"Assistant Fang?"
"President Yan?"
Fang Shiqing steadied herself and saw the man standing before her, feeling as if she'd found a savior. She grabbed his arm.
Lin Haoran rushed out from behind, his face full of rage, but the moment he saw Yan Xin, he forced it back down.
"President Lin, not enough punishment yet?"
Yan Xin immediately understood what had happened, and his expression darkened.
"Yan Xin, I suggest you mind your own business."
Lin Haoran said coldly, his face grim.