The man's handsome face was as dark as ink, his voice icy: "Do you think I can sleep well like this?"
His wheat-colored arm was covered in bite marks of various sizes, the worst being the one she had just inflicted, with deep indentations.
"Not only do you have bad sleeping habits, but you also like to bite?"
Shen Xiaoxing had never encountered such a bizarre woman in his life. Married for five days, he hadn't slept peacefully for four nights! Every morning he woke up feeling like a small mountain was pressing down on him.
---
An Ruo had taken several days off and was urged by her advisor to come to school early in the morning.
She was a junior this year, and due to her excellent grades, the school had fast-tracked the review of her internship report.
"If you submit this thesis for review, the results should be out by tomorrow. Then you can prepare and start your internship," the advisor asked again. "Do you have any requirements for the internship company?"
An Ruo took the documents. "No requirements."
As long as she could start working in society and earn money as soon as possible, she didn't care about the work environment or location. She had to support An Che on her own.
As An Ruo walked out of the office, Chen Keqiao suddenly jumped out and startled her.
"Lately, you've been having some romantic luck, appearing out of nowhere and skipping classes for days." Chen Keqiao walked backward. "Tell me, where did you go to have fun?"
An Ruo's lips twitched slightly, but the smile never fully formed. "Grandma just passed away. Where could I go to have fun?"
Knowing how important Grandma An was to her, Chen Keqiao stopped joking and came over to comfort her. "Sis, look on the bright side. Grandma An in heaven definitely wants you to be happy every day, not frowning. We have to make the most of every day."
An Ruo was introverted and usually had few friends, only Chen Keqiao, who was like a little sun always around her.
"There's a trendy hotpot place in the south of the city with great business. Want to go for dinner tonight?" Chen Keqiao linked arms with her and patted her chest. "My treat."
"Sorry, Xiao Qiao, not today. I need to hurry and submit my thesis."
"Are you short on money lately?" Chen Keqiao, her best friend, knew she had a tough time at the An family and had often helped. "Tell me. I'm a nouveau riche, useless except for money."
"..." An Ruo laughed. "Thank you, Boss Qiao, for your generosity, but this time it's different. I need to raise funds quickly."
"Is Xiao Che sick again?"
An Ruo didn't plan to hide it from her. "Yeah."
"Why didn't you say so earlier? How much do you need?" Chen Keqiao pulled out her wallet and handed her a card.
An Ruo quickly stopped her. "I don't want it. You've helped me too much already."
"At a time like this, you're still worried about that? Just take it."
"Really, no need." An Ruo told her the truth. "The hospital helped cover the surgery costs. I can handle the rest myself."
"Really?"
"I'll ask you if I need anything."
Chen Keqiao nodded. "Alright, I'll visit Xiao Che at the hospital another day. Take care of yourself while looking after him, and call me if anything comes up."
Since childhood, no one had wanted to play with her, except Chen Keqiao, who never looked down on her background and stayed by her side, making her laugh.
An Ruo was公认 beautiful, but her beauty was striking. Especially since she rarely smiled, giving off an aloof first impression, so most peers were jealous and didn't particularly like her. But when she smiled, her two dimples made her look sweet and pure—both alluring and innocent.
Chen Keqiao loved seeing her smile. Just one smile from her would make it worth being a foolish king like Zhou of Shang. A beauty's joy was worth more than gold.
---
Shencheng Hospital.
The doctor said An Che was recovering well. After the surgery, his complexion had improved, and he could eat some light meals.
An Ruo had specially made his favorite congee. Carrying the insulated thermos, she hadn't even reached the ward when she saw a crowd of patients gathered in the hallway, craning their necks to look into one of the rooms.
Xiao Che's room?
An Ruo had a bad feeling. Hurriedly apologizing, she pushed through the onlookers and saw An Qing with two bodyguards trying to forcibly move An Che from his hospital bed.
The fruit she had brought was scattered everywhere. An Che's IV tube had been pulled out, and medicine bottles lay shattered on the floor.
It was a mess...
"Stop!" An Ruo rushed over and shoved the bodyguard who was about to lift An Che.
"Sis..." The boy grabbed her clothes in fear. Since childhood, his sister had always protected him.
"What are you waiting for?" An Qing crossed her arms, looking impatient. "Hurry up and drag this dying man out of here. He's an eyesore."
The bodyguards moved to grab him, but An Ruo shielded An Che behind her, forcefully shoving away the outstretched hands, glaring at An Qing with hatred!
"This is a hospital, not the An family home. What right do you have to kick us out?!"
"The right that this hospital is funded by the An family. I don't want to see you here. Is that reason enough?"
What a ridiculous reason—she just couldn't stand to see them doing well.
Ever since Grandma An brought her into the family, An Qing had been against her, playing tricks and bullying her in every possible way.
"Hospitals are places to save lives. Even if the An family invested in it, I've paid the medical bills!"
An Qing snorted coldly. "All these years, the An family has been supporting you two useless people. Where did you get the money?"
The 500,000 she had asked from An Deyu to buy luxury goods—An Ruo hadn't gotten a single cent. Now she claimed to have paid the medical bills.
Could it be...