Before My Withering [枯萎之前]

Chapter 41

[When I look back, I know it clear that there have been happy times. But without you, what else do I have?]

The Qi family was in full disarray when Qi Shu fell. I couldn't tell how many people with bad intentions had tried to enquire a few times under the guise of seeing a patient, but they had all been turned down by Zhou Chen.

Qi Shu had two disappointing younger male cousins who were subpar in both skill and character but enjoyed to cause mischief. When Qi Shu had yet to return to the company, he would switch on the television every day and watch the bad news.

Zhou Chen couldn't stand by and let this problem unfold, so he temporarily took over Qi Shu's work and dealt with it for him.

I assumed he was busy at first, but after a few days, I realized he was purposely alienating me.

I was disturbed by the discovery. People seldom knew how to cherish what they had once they got it, and I was afraid he was no exception.

When I walked out of Qi Shu's hospital room one day, I smelled a slight odor of smoke as I went by the stairway. I walked over with gentle footsteps, as if feeling something. I noticed a man standing at the window, staring out into the evening sky, holding a lighted cigarette between his fingers.

It was Zhou Chen.

His figure seemed lonely, made even more so by the dull light of the day-night cycle.

A big willow tree stood outside the window, its limbs swinging softly in the evening breeze like an overgrown concern on a summer night.

Zhou Chen said he had to get some work done, but he was actually smoking quietly here alone.

I thought he'd already quit...?

I had already stepped behind him, placed my arms around his waist, and rested my face on his back by the time I realized what I had done.

——My body seemed to have its own thoughts.

For a little while, Zhou Chen remained still. In a hurry, he extinguished the smoke in his palm. He wanted to turn, but he didn't dare to.

"Sir," I said quietly, "what are you doing?"

"I..."

"My hand hurts," I said, pointing to the middle of my left palm, which was wrapped in gauze. T"he scab is separating. When I change the dressing, it aches. "

After the first few days of my recuperation, the pain was minimal, at least not to the point that I felt the need to appear weak and coquettish.

It's only that the mottling looked terrible and awful when it peeled, and I didn't want to see it for myself.

Zhou Chen was visibly upset, which gave me a sense of security.

"I forgot to replace the gauze with you, I'm sorry," he said as he carefully grasped my wrist, turned around, wrapped me in his arms, and kissed the top of my head.

"The doctor mentioned it would leave scars; my hands would look ugly now."

There was still a slight whiff of smoke in his chest, which smelt really nice, and I instinctively buried myself a bit further.

"Are you going to stop liking me?"

The question was so sticky that I couldn't help but blush as I asked it.

I'm scared that I won't dare to be so unscrupulous unless I face Zhou Chen.

"How could that be?" he remarked, sighing slightly, "Where is Qi Shu? Has he taken a rest?"