Zhang Shutong held Gu Qiumian.
That familiar, rich fragrance was with him again.
But then his body uncontrollably fell backward.
Zhang Shutong knew it was a bit embarrassing, but there was nothing he could do. He really had no strength left.
In the end, it was Gu Qiumian who pulled him, and he barely managed to stand steady.
They looked at each other in the night.
Gu Qiumian's hands were still wrapped around his neck.
And his hands were around her waist.
Gu Qiumian moved her lips, wanting to say something, but in the end, she just reached out, seemingly wanting to touch his forehead.
"Not hot. Let's go."
Zhang Shutong dodged and said in a low voice.
He turned around and led the way. How could he still be hot? The night wind had been blowing on him the whole way. Even the hottest forehead should have cooled down by now.
He glanced in the direction of the study, only able to see the side, where a light was faintly on.
He hoped the villa's soundproofing was good enough and that Mr. Gu hadn't heard the commotion outside.
Fortunately, no bodyguards came out to smoke again. Zhang Shutong checked the ground. The snow in the yard had long been cleared, so there would be no footprints.
He silently pointed to the gate, signaling for Gu Qiumian to go first.
Now he was paying the utmost attention. Any little oversight could lead to failure.
He used the sole of his shoe to sweep the spot where he had just stood, erasing the last trace. He had reminded Gu Qiumian on his way there to remember to pull the curtains and close the window before leaving. He looked up, and the girl had done as he asked.
Then the two of them carefully crossed the yard to the fence. He held Gu Qiumian's hand and hid in the blind spot, gently closing the gate.
There was another electronic prompt sound.
It seemed to announce the successful conclusion of this operation.
Only then did they have time to talk.
"Did you bring your phone?"
"Of course, I did..."
The girl said in a low voice.
Her decisiveness seemed to only exist in that moment when she jumped from the terrace. When they were really walking together, she didn't know what to say.
Zhang Shutong turned on his flashlight, lighting up the path ahead. He took the initiative and asked:
"Are your feet cold?"
"A little. What about you?"
"My feet aren't cold."
"Who asked about your feet? I'm asking how high your fever is."
"I didn't check."
"Let me feel."
Gu Qiumian tugged at his sleeve.
Zhang Shutong shook his head and told her he was fine:
"Do you want to change into my shoes?"
"No." She pouted. "Who's as silly as you? It's not like I don't know to wear socks."
"I..."
"How many times have I told you I'm fine? Why won't you listen?"
"..."
"Why are you running around outside at night instead of getting a good night's sleep? It's so cold. I was ready to go to bed. Do you think I wanted to come out with you?"
"..."
"It's all because you were lying to me all day today. I hate people who lie the most. You're so annoying."
"..."
"Also, ever since that day, you've been saying you want to take me out, making it so serious, but you wouldn't tell me why..."
"..."
"Please don't blame me."
"Blame you for what?" Zhang Shutong was stunned. He hadn't expected her to say something like that. "Who's blaming you?"
Gu Qiumian didn't reply and instead asked:
"You're not lying to me this time?"
"I'm not lying to you. What do I have to blame you for?" Zhang Shutong turned his head and looked into her eyes. "I just hope you don't blame me."
"I'm not blaming you either. Let's hurry up," she said in a low voice.
They soon reached the winding mountain road.
He knew that Gu Qiumian couldn't walk fast, so he walked slowly in front.
With every step, Gu Qiumian stepped into his footprints.
Behind them was the palace-like building glowing with lights. The night was like a tide, and they walked through the thick darkness. The cold wind was like waves that rose from time to time.
Their shoes made a crunching sound on the snow. Zhang Shutong forgot who told him that walking in the snow was a romantic thing.
He didn't believe it before and still hadn't changed his mind, but he felt that at least it wasn't so bad.
After a while, Gu Qiumian said again:
"Zhiruo called me when you came."
"Who?"
"The girl with short hair. I didn't know she would add you as a friend. She said she originally wanted to provoke you, but she didn't expect you to be getting a shot at the hospital. If I had known you were at the hospital, I wouldn't have called you..."
"I would have come whether you called or not."
"I think so too," Gu Qiumian said in a low voice. "You fool."
Zhang Shutong wanted to say that she wasn't that smart either, but he had recently discovered that Gu Qiumian wasn't dumb at all, so he was too embarrassed to say it.
But why would a smart person come out with him?
Zhang Shutong thought about it and said seriously:
"Thank you for trusting me so much."
But it would have been better if he hadn't said that. She pinched the soft part of his waist instead:
"Who trusts you?"
Gu Qiumian finally glared at him:
"Do you really think I believed you? That something would happen if I stayed at home? That I ran out to seek refuge?"
"Then what else?" Zhang Shutong was also confused.
He thought to himself, "I was so touched just now. I even handed over the job to your dog and promised it that I would be a good apprentice. And you didn't believe me at all?"
Gu Qiumian said:
"Now I have two more scores to settle with you. What about your mom? Does she know you're running around on a bike with a fever?"
"Uh, she's not home..."
"So what did you think I came out for so late? Did you think I wanted to keep running around with you? I came out to make sure you go home and sleep obediently!"
After Gu Qiumian finished speaking, she stared at him, as if she wouldn't continue walking unless he nodded.
Zhang Shutong reluctantly agreed. Although he had no intention of running around with her, it now seemed that she had come out to protect him.
He was about to ask her when he owed her two more scores, but as he was about to open his mouth, he saw a flash of light in the corner of his eye from down the mountain road.
—It was the car with the two bodyguards returning.
Gu Qiumian immediately became a little anxious and grabbed his hand, wanting to run back.
Only then did Zhang Shutong realize that she had been nervous the whole time.
She just didn't show it easily.
It made sense, of course. How could she not be nervous after secretly running out, hiding from her father and a house full of people, without even considering how to get back?
At the time, she had firmly said not to worry about it. What she meant was not that she could handle it herself, but that she didn't want to think so much and just acted on a whim.
Gu Qiumian had always been an emotional girl.
Zhang Shutong quickly told her not to panic. He said he had considered this situation on his way here and had already found a place to hide.
Zhang Shutong thought of what the young nurse said—don't talk empty words. Zhang Shutong deliberately tried to appease her and said, "Didn't expect that, did you? I have a trump card." His past experiences proved that this sentence had a special effect on her. Gu Qiumian was a little dazed and indeed stopped panicking. She held back the smile on her lips and glared at him:
"What a time to say that!"
They came to a depression in a mountain wall.
He had brought that black down jacket with him when he came—originally to keep Gu Qiumian warm—but now it served as camouflage. He shook it open and held it up to block their view. Even if the car lights shined on it, it would look like a rock to anyone who wasn't looking closely.
They were pressed tightly against each other, their breaths close. Gu Qiumian's eyes shimmered in the darkness, and she gently let out warm breaths. He could feel her chest rising and falling.
No one paid any more attention to the passing car.
It was almost eleven o'clock when they got off the mountain road.
Only then did Zhang Shutong remember to ask:
"How did you know I had a fever?" He had been covering his mouth and nose while hiding just now, afraid of getting too close and passing on his cold.
"Teacher Song told me. I still want to ask him how he knew you were running around outside."
Zhang Shutong roughly understood what had happened.
"Get on the bike."
"Mmm."
When the bike started moving, Zhang Shutong asked her:
"Do you want to get a late-night snack?"
"No, let's go home."
"I might not be able to go home. My bike is almost out of gas," Zhang Shutong explained. "Can we go to the hospital and wait for a while? They're open at night, and there are beds in the rooms."
"Whatever."
"Isn't that your least favorite word?"
Gu Qiumian gently rested her face against his back:
"Anywhere is fine, as long as you stop running around on the bike."
Zhang Shutong twisted the throttle.
...
They stopped at a convenience store that still had its lights on.
Although they were in the city, the streets were empty.
Or rather, this was the only place open for miles around.
The store only had one door open and one light on. It mainly served men who came out to buy cigarettes at night.
"I'll buy a coffee to keep me awake. Wait for me."
With that, Zhang Shutong put down the kickstand and told Gu Qiumian to wait for him on the bike.
He walked into the store. The boss behind the counter yawned lazily. Zhang Shutong scanned the shelves. There wasn't much left on them. He had overestimated this place. There was no coffee for sale, only regular drinks.
He took a pack of cookies and a bottle of yogurt. There were no refrigerated display cases here, so the yogurt wasn't real yogurt but an an Nutritional Express-style drink.
He had hoped to find a convenience store for the girl to rest at, where they could have a steaming bowl of oden and warm drinks to warm their hands. Unfortunately, there was no such place on the island.
He paid and left the store. On the silent, long street, a few old streetlights were dimly lit.
The motorcycle was parked under a light, casting a long shadow.
Gu Qiumian sat on the back seat, looking in the direction of the store.
Zhang Shutong returned to the bike and crouched down in front of Gu Qiumian:
"Don't move. I bought you a pair of socks and slippers." He had noticed that her slippers were wet earlier.
"I'll do it myself..." Gu Qiumian's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. She awkwardly pulled her feet back and was about to use his shoulder to get off the bike.
"Let me do it. It's not convenient for you."
Zhang Shutong took off her socks. Her feet were ice-cold. She struggled for a moment, then let him hold them. He felt like he was putting a glass slipper on a princess:
"But they're cheap. Just make do with them."
"Mmm."
"I'll find a way to borrow a car," Zhang Shutong said again. "I'll definitely get you back before dawn. Of course, even if we go back, it'll be hard to explain why you're on the first floor. I'll probably have to ask Aunt Wu for help."
"Mmm."
"For example, when the bodyguards are asleep, she can press the elevator to the first floor. I'll find a way to distract the bodyguards outside, and you can sneak in. We won't be caught. If that doesn't work, there are other ways." Zhang Shutong was silent for a while. "Since you came out with me, I won't put you in a difficult position."
"You fool, you're worrying about other people again," Gu Qiumian didn't ask about going back but asked in a low voice, "What were you doing today?"
"It's a long story. I was just riding my bike aimlessly and got an IV drip at the hospital. What about you?"
"I sang, played the piano, and built blocks with my friends."
"Did you have fun?"
"Not really."
"Why?"
Gu Qiumian didn't answer the question.
She asked again:
"Did you use that card?"
"No. In the end, Teacher Song paid. Oh, by the way, Teacher Song went to the hospital."
"What? Is it serious?" Gu Qiumian exclaimed.
"He got a little hurt in a car accident. I went to the hospital with him this afternoon. Of course, he's fine now. Then he might have thought I was still running around outside and was worried, so he sent you a message."
"Then I'll talk to Dad tomorrow and have him say hello."
"Let's talk about it later. It's probably not necessary."
He had already put on her slippers and got back on the motorcycle:
"Let's go."
A little after eleven, they rode to the hospital.
The motorcycle's fuel gauge finally hit rock bottom. There might have been some hidden fuel in the tank, but it could only go for another kilometer or two at most.
It had gloriously completed its mission. Zhang Shutong said a silent thank you to his dad's motorcycle.
He and Gu Qiumian entered the hospital together, once again smelling the disinfectant.
There was only one person on duty at the registration desk in the lobby.
"Do you still need a shot?" Gu Qiumian asked.
"I won't get one today. It's too late."
"This is my first time here," Gu Qiumian said, wrinkling her nose as she looked at the lobby. "It's really small."
Zhang Shutong smiled. "Of course, it's small."
"I regret it," Gu Qiumian mumbled. "I should have had you go to school instead. The library has heating and snacks."
"There are too few people there. Just the two of us," Zhang Shutong explained. "At least the hospital has some human presence."
"Who comes to a hospital to find a human presence... Forget it. Just stay here and don't go out again."
This was the fourth time Zhang Shutong had been to the hospital today.
He took Gu Qiumian to the second floor and entered the hospital room. He had been gone for less than an hour, but it was empty inside. The wall lamp was flickering.
He told Gu Qiumian to find a place to sit first. Fearing she would think it was dirty, he took off his jacket and laid it on the sofa.
Zhang Shutong went to the pharmacy.
The young nurse heard the footsteps and raised her head from the desk with a yawn:
"Give me the prescription first. Did you pay..."
But before she could finish, her eyes widened:
"No, why are you here again?"
Zhang Shutong was a little embarrassed. He couldn't say, "I have nowhere to go right now, so I can only bring a girl here to wait for a while."
By the way, public hospitals wouldn't kick people out, would they?
Before he could speak, the young nurse immediately stood up, as if facing a formidable enemy:
"You want another shot? Let me tell you, I'm not giving you one. I've only been transferred here for a year and just finished my internship. If you run off again, it'll be considered a medical incident. Why don't you go trouble someone else tomorrow..."
Before she finished speaking, she saw Gu Qiumian sitting outside:
"Oh..."
She was stunned again.
"Is that the girl you were talking about?"
Zhang Shutong nodded.
"She's so pretty..." She shook her head, feeling that the girl looked out of place here. "No, I mean, why did you actually bring her back?"
Now the young nurse looked at him with admiration.
"I'm not here for a shot," Zhang Shutong finally found a chance to speak. "Can we rest here for a while?"
"It's not allowed by the rules, but..." The young nurse tugged on his shirt and said in a low voice, "You're like a half-apprentice to me, so I'll make an exception. But don't stay here. The head nurse will be doing her rounds soon. Besides, who brings a girl to a place like this? I'll find you two a private room..."
Zhang Shutong quickly thanked her.
"No need to thank me," she said with a smile, turning a key. "Since you didn't take her straight home, I see you're a good young man of the new era."
Zhang Shutong's phone rang again.
It was Ruoping calling.
It was now 11:10 p.m.
There were fifty minutes until midnight.