Rose in No-Man's Land

29 It'll be alright

As summer stars fell into a haze, in a moment of confusion, she seemed to catch a whiff of a familiar scent—a mix of woody notes and watery tobacco.

She thought it must be an illusion, just like the flickering memories that resurface at the brink of death, showcasing the most significant aspects of one's past life.

At 21 years old, apart from the piano, she never felt that anything was truly important to her. Yet, at this moment, when death seemed imminent, she realized that there was, in fact, something infinitely precious to her—an attachment that might even surpass her devotion to the piano.

Perhaps it was because, throughout these 21 years, loved ones had passed, friends dispersed, being deceived and exploited, losing flesh and marrow. The ups and downs of the world, the uncertainties of gain and loss-she had experienced every kind of pain.

Tao Ye was the only one who had ever given her real warmth.

When she woke up again, Xia Xingmian didn't know how much time had passed since being in the basement.

She opened her eyes to see an IV drip hanging above her, with medicine slowly dripping through the tube. A device emitted a beeping sound, but she could only hear it in her left ear.

Struggling to lift her head, she looked around. In the corner of the room, on a single sofa, Lu Qiurui sat with a serious expression, her arms crossed, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing Xia Xingmian awake, Lu Qiurui glanced at her without speaking, then called out, "Tang Li..."

Tang Li walked in.

Lu Qiurui said, "Get a doctor over here."

Tang Li replied, "Okay..."

Lu Qiurui continued, "I want to see Tao Ye. You go to her place and bring back the soup she made." After giving her orders, Lu Qiurui stood up, as if she intended to leave.

Xia Xingmian hoarsely spoke, "You saved me."

Lu Qiurui stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing, her gaze complex with emotions she could not articulate. "Don't think too much about it, I didn't save you."

Tang Li rolled her eyes internally, she had seen Lu Qiurui hurry out after a video call.

Just as Lu Qiurui was about to leave, the ward door was suddenly flung open.

Zhou Xifan rushed in, her coat collar revealing a volleyball team uniform. It seemed today was indeed the day of the match, but it must have already concluded.

She paused for a moment upon seeing Xia Xingmian in the hospital bed, then shot a fierce glare at Lu Qiurui, stormed over, and slapped Lu Qiurui across the face.

"Smack!!"

Lu Qiurui's earring got knocked off.

Tang Li quickly stepped forward, "Miss Zhou, please calm down!"

"Don't think I don't know what you did." Zhou Xifan stepped closer to Lu Qiurui, speaking in a low voice that Xia Xingmian could not hear. "My family wants to uncover a matter that no one can conceal. Wu Fang was purposefully lured over by you, right?"

Lu Qiurui raised her eyes, her voice weak, "This is between me and her, it has nothing to do with you, Miss Zhou."

Zhou Xifan countered, "You better not do anything else to hurt her, or else—"

Lu Qiurui seemed unfazed by Zhou Xifan's threat, scoffing in retort, "If you cared about her, why didn't you tell her that Xia Huaimeng has returned?"

Zhou Xifan froze.