As soon as Zhang Xiaochu sent his message, Bai Tang replied.
"Don't you have any self-awareness?"
Zhang Xiaochu felt a lump in his throat, but before he could type back, his phone rang again.
"Can't you just stay quiet in the hospital? Do you have to humiliate yourself?"
"All I care about now is studying. I love studying!"
Zhang Xiaochu: "..."
Damn it!
Zhang Xiaochu grabbed his phone, typed something, deleted it, then typed another line, his finger hovering over the send button. But he felt the words didn't capture his anger and dominance, so he deleted them again.
He repeated this several times, finally sending just four words: I'm angry!
He stared at his phone for a long time, but there was no reply. Eventually, Zhang Xiaochu lost it, tossed his phone aside, and felt like he was about to spit blood.
Just then, there was a knock on the hospital room door, followed by it opening. A man in sunglasses walked in.
In his left hand, he held a bouquet of flowers; in his right, a fruit basket—the classic look of someone visiting a patient.
But did they even know each other?
"You've got the wrong room," Zhang Xiaochu said, his mood utterly sour.
Thinking about Bai Tang's blatant disdain—comparing him to studying and calling it self-humiliation... Damn!
And now this guy shows up with flowers and fruit. Why was there such a difference between people?!
The more he thought about it, the more twisted Zhang Xiaochu felt.
A heavy aura of resentment filled the room.
The man didn't leave. Instead, he calmly looked at Zhang Xiaochu, took off his sunglasses, and revealed a handsome, striking face.
Zhang Xiaochu studied him, his gaze catching on a scar near the man's eye. The dangerous vibe radiating from him made Zhang Xiaochu frown involuntarily.
Zhang Xiaochu suppressed the light in his eyes, met the man's oppressive stare, and asked, "Who are you?"
The man set down the vibrant flowers and fruit basket, then extended his hand toward Zhang Xiaochu. "Hello, I'm Bai Wu!"
As he spoke, the oppressive aura around Bai Wu softened, carrying a hint of friendliness.
Zhang Xiaochu stared at this man, who seemed both righteous and sinister, and after a few seconds of silence, reached out to shake his hand.
After the brief handshake, Zhang Xiaochu said, "I don't think I know you."
"I came to the hospital to thank you," Bai Wu said.
Zhang Xiaochu looked at him, utterly confused.
"Xiao Bai mentioned that you've been really good to her at school, and she really likes you as a friend."
Xiao Bai?
Zhang Xiaochu frowned in confusion. The only person with the surname Bai he was close to was one.
Zhang Xiaochu paused, still hesitant. "Xiao Bai... Bai Tang?"
Bai Wu nodded. "Yeah."
With the confirmation, Zhang Xiaochu thought to himself: Same surname, maybe a relative like a cousin?
With that thought, Zhang Xiaochu's casual demeanor tightened. He sat up straight, a self-assured smile spreading across his face.
He hadn't expected to meet the family so soon.
It really caught him off guard.
"Bro, don't just stand there. Have a seat," Zhang Xiaochu said with a grin, pointing to a nearby chair.
Bai Wu didn't refuse and sat down.
"Bro, have some fruit."
Zhang Xiaochu grabbed a washed apple and handed it to Bai Wu, smiling like a blooming flower.
"No need to be so polite. I just came to see you and have a chat."
Bai Wu said calmly, amused by Zhang Xiaochu's almost sycophantic eagerness, but his face remained expressionless.
Zhang Xiaochu put the apple down, sitting as straight as a schoolboy, and looked at Bai Wu. "Bro, what do you want to talk about?"