Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter at the Hospital
The warm sunlight rose with the sun, casting its glow upon Xiao Yi.
In a daze, the face standing before Ran Xing suddenly transformed into Xu Ting’s.
Ran Xing cautiously raised her hand, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
Her lips trembled in disbelief as she uttered, “Xu Ting.”
Xiao Yi’s hand froze, awkward yet polite as he interjected, “Sister Ran, who is this Xu Ting?”
The unfamiliar voice instantly sobered Ran Xing.
She withdrew her gaze, suppressing the love swelling within her heart and the overwhelming yearning.
Taking a step back, she said coldly, “It’s nothing. Let’s leave it at that for today.”
Then she turned to Xiao Yuan and instructed, “No need to rehearse the kissing scene. Tell the director to go with him.”
——
On an empty, deserted road, a black Bentley sped forward.
Xiao Yi sat in the backseat, resting his eyes with one hand pressed against his forehead.
The man driving hummed a tune with one hand on the wheel and teased through the rearview mirror, “How’s it going?”
Xiao Yi lazily opened his eyes, a cold gleam flickering in their depths.
“Which matter are you referring to?”
The man rolled his eyes, “Obviously Ran Xing. Haven’t you met her twice already?”
Recalling the gaze full of affection that had just looked at him, Xiao Yi’s lips curved into a faint smile as he replied lightly, “Not bad.”
After a pause, he rubbed his temples and said helplessly, “Just a little uncooperative.”
The man’s smile faded, his expression growing serious.
“You mean her getting close to Yang Likang?”
“Yeah.” Xiao Yi sighed deeply, a shadow darkening his brow.
“But she’s doing it all for—”
“Enough,” Xiao Yi interrupted, “He’s dead. Have you forgotten?”
Lu Qing slapped his own mouth playfully. “Alright, I won’t say anymore.”
Then he glanced at the man’s icy expression and murmured quietly, “No wonder you dragged me to the hotel that day—it was to protect someone.”
“What did you say?” Xiao Yi’s voice was lazy.
Lu Qing shrugged, teasing, “I mean, did you get drunk on purpose just to cling to Ran Xing? If I hadn’t pulled you back after my shower, would you have left at all?”
Xiao Yi covered his mouth and coughed lightly, kicking the front seat with his long leg to change the subject. “Any news on the arsonist’s whereabouts?”
“Give me a little more time. It’ll be soon.”
——
After leaving the set, Ran Xing headed straight to the hospital.
As she entered the elevator, she coincidentally ran into Wen Xiaoning.
Though Ran Xing wore a mask and a hat, Wen Xiaoning recognized her immediately.
Before Ran Xing could speak, Wen Xiaoning smiled sweetly, “Sister Ran Xing, come on in.”
Outside the elevator, patients came and went.
Fearing further trouble, Ran Xing had no choice but to ride the elevator together.
——
Once the elevator doors closed, Wen Xiaoning’s expression changed, losing all the previous sweetness.
Her tone grew cold. “I think the psychiatric department is on the tenth floor, right?”
Ran Xing didn’t reply immediately. She removed her mask and hat, lifting her eyelids disdainfully as she retorted, “And you? What brings you to the hospital?”
Wen Xiaoning hesitated, “Naturally, important business.”
When the elevator reached the third floor, Wen Xiaoning glanced provocatively at Ran Xing behind her, then left with an air of nonchalance.
Watching her retreating figure, Ran Xing smiled slightly.
It seemed she had something to congratulate Wen Xiaoning on.
Soon, the elevator arrived at the tenth floor.
Wen Xiaoning’s guess was partially right—Ran Xing had indeed come to the psychiatric ward.
But she wasn’t there as a patient; she was there to see someone.
Outside the corridor, a young attending physician emerged from a VIP ward.
Seeing Ran Xing approaching, he greeted her, “Miss Ran, here to visit the patient again?”
Ran Xing stepped lightly forward, removed her mask, and peered inside the ward.
Seeing the woman in bed sleeping peacefully, she relaxed and asked, “Doctor Li, how is she today?”
Li Ping adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and sighed.
“She was given a sedative earlier. That’s why she’s finally asleep.”
Worry lined Ran Xing’s face. “How did it come to this?”
“Miss Ran, you should prepare yourself. Her condition has worsened.”
“I understand.”
After the doctor left, Ran Xing quietly turned the door handle.
Seeing the pale woman on the bed, her heart seemed to bleed.
She walked to the bedside, grasped the sleeping woman’s hand, pressed it to her cheek, her nose tingling with emotion as she whispered,
“Auntie, even though Xu Ting and I never registered our marriage, you are the only family I have now. So, even for Xu Ting’s sake, please live well, okay?”
Seeing the woman sleep soundly, Ran Xing gently covered her with a blanket, quietly closed the door, and stepped out.
Turning around, she accidentally bumped into a man coming toward her.
The mask and hat she held in her hand fell to the floor.
Fearing she might fall, the man instinctively held her. When he saw her face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Sister Ran?”
Ran Xing lifted her eyes, their gazes meeting.
A unique fragrance wafted from the man—was it the scent of white locust flowers?
After the man helped her steady herself, Ran Xing couldn’t help but ask.
Xiao Yi picked up her belongings, handing them over with a slight nod. “Yes.”
Ran Xing smiled bitterly, “Few people like the scent of white locust flowers. You’re the second I’ve met.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t hide a smile. “Is that so? But Sister Ran, what brings you to the hospital?”
Suppressing the turbulent emotions within, Ran Xing replied coldly, “To visit a patient.”
“What a coincidence, so am I.”
“Is the person you’re visiting on this floor too?” Ran Xing spoke more than she usually would.
A faint trace of loneliness flashed across Xiao Yi’s eyes, but he smiled lightly, “Yes, I’m visiting... an old acquaintance.”
At that moment, Ran Xing’s phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, she stepped aside to answer.
——
“What’s wrong?” came the anxious voice.
“Sister Ran, did you get my message earlier?”
Ran Xing was confused. “What message?”
“General Manager Yang Likang arranged a meeting for you with an international advertiser tonight at 7:30.”
Her heart clenched slightly. Yang Likang was efficient indeed.
But she had been so busy at the hospital she hadn’t checked her phone.
Glancing at the time, it was exactly seven o’clock.
Just in time.
She apologized, “I’ll head there right away.”
“I’ve sent you the address. It’s a private room in the KTV. The advertiser is waiting.”
“Okay, I’ll be there within twenty minutes.”
After hanging up, Ran Xing looked back at Xiao Yi.
Unexpectedly, she asked, “Can you drive?”
Xiao Yi smirked, “Of course.”
“Then please take me to Hongrui KTV. Thank you.”
——
On the road, Xiao Yi pressed the accelerator to the floor.
While driving, he expressed his gratitude, “Thanks for today’s rehearsal, Sister Ran. Without you, I wouldn’t have gotten the lead role. If there’s a chance, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”
“No need,” Ran Xing declined outright. “If you really want to thank me, just act well.”
Through the rearview mirror, Xiao Yi smiled indulgently but said no more.
——
They arrived at the bar at 7:55.
Ran Xing got out of the car without looking back, saying, “You can go back now.”
Xiao Yi was about to follow her inside when a phone call interrupted him.
Impatiently, he answered, “Lu Qing, you better have something important to say.”
“The arsonist has been found,” the other side said excitedly.
Xiao Yi’s frown relaxed as he watched Ran Xing’s departing figure.
“Alright, got it. Send me the location. I’ll be there in an hour.”
——
Inside a private room at the bar,
A middle-aged man slouched on a luxury sofa, his face flushed.
He cursed nonstop, “That Ran Xing, she really thinks she’s a big shot, daring to keep me waiting this long.”
Assistant Xiao Yuan bowed repeatedly, apologizing, “Sorry, Mr. Wang. Please wait a few more minutes. Sister Ran is stuck in traffic but will be here soon.”
The man snorted, downed the red wine on the table in one gulp, and stood up to leave.
“She’s just a problematic celebrity. Waiting half an hour for her is already giving her face. Tell her I’m not signing the contract!”
Just as he spoke, the door was pushed open.