The thought that the other person was a man made Nangong Yehen feel irritated.
"My friend is injured and hospitalized. I'm going to see her."
It wasn't just about visiting her—it seemed he'd also have to pay her medical bills and deal with the aftermath of the fight.
"I'll go with you."
Chu Lingzhi was stunned. "Young Master Nangong doesn't need to accompany Miss Ouyang?"
Nangong Yehen's eyes flickered slightly, and he curled his lips. "It seems you heard everything we said?"
Chu Lingzhi shrugged. "I'm not deaf."
Nangong Yehen's lips curved into an unfathomable smile.
Chu Lingzhi glanced at him sideways. What did that smile mean?
"Come on, I'll go with you to the hospital to see your friend." Nangong Yehen extended his arm.
Chu Lingzhi looked at his outstretched arm in confusion. "Young Master Nangong, this is..."
"Hold my arm."
"Huh?"
"Silly girl."
His voice carried a hint of affection. When she didn't take his arm, he took the initiative to wrap his hand around her waist, leading her away from the scene.
"...What's going on?" Hearing him call her "silly girl," her heart stirred.
Looking down at the large hand on her waist, his sudden gentlemanly demeanor made her very uncomfortable.
Behind the sandalwood pillar at the top of the stairs, Ouyang Ruobing's pale yellow figure emerged.
She watched Nangong Yehen's tall, sturdy back with a sorrowful expression. As that figure gradually disappeared, her sadness deepened, and tears of grief welled up in her eyes—
She had clearly seen who it was: Chu Lingzhi, Yichen's biological mother.
Nangong Yehen had truly fallen for her. He no longer had to live the chaotic life of the past five years. Now he could settle down and enjoy a happy, reunited family of four.
They were all together now, living under one roof. There was no need for her to appear and disturb them anymore.
...
Chu Lingzhi stood by the hospital bed, looking at Mu Yu with utter speechlessness.
This damn girl—how had she been beaten up like this?
Her face was bruised and swollen, and her once fair skin was now marked with several scratches.
Those were left by fingernails—long, deep, conspicuous, and ugly.
Mu Yu seemed about to complain and vent to Chu Lingzhi, but when she saw the godlike man standing behind her, she instantly felt awful.
Such a cool, handsome, imposing, and dignified man had seen her at her ugliest and most disheveled.
She wanted to faint, but her mind remained painfully clear.
She recognized this man—the king of two cities, the most talked-about figure in the Wu Kingdom over the past two years.
"Lingzhi..." Mu Yu looked at Chu Lingzhi, desperate to ask how she knew Nangong Yehen.
But Nangong Yehen's cold gaze made her afraid to speak.
Chu Lingzhi stared straight at her scarred face and said earnestly, "Didn't you say you'd rather your man cheat than become ugly yourself? Look at yourself now—how ugly have you become?"
"Don't talk about me. I'm already upset enough."
"I'm even more upset."
"I'm the one who got hurt, the one who turned ugly. How can you be more upset than me?"
"I have to pay so much in medical bills and compensation to the other party. How could I not be upset?" Chu Lingzhi rolled her eyes.
Mu Yu pursed her lips and choked out, "The other party provoked me..."
She couldn't hold back and fought back, but it ended in mutual destruction. Since she struck first, she had to pay compensation.
Chu Lingzhi had already asked about the reason for the fight in the other patient's room.
"Over such a minor role, the two of you fought. Was it worth it?" Chu Lingzhi took out a tissue and wiped the tears streaming from Mu Yu's eyes.