Meanwhile, Jun-Yu's condition was gradually getting worse. He had no habit of walking for long periods. Completely exhausted, he lay down beside the road and rested for a while. He took off the black coat he was wearing over his white T-shirt and pulled it over his face like a blanket, trying to shield himself somewhat from the scorching sun.
There were no shops or people anywhere nearby. He had no way to get food, water, or ask for help. Looking at the sky and judging the sun's position, Jun-Yu realized that the afternoon was passing.
He stood up again. But after taking a few steps, he felt intense pain in the muscles of his legs. Since he was not accustomed to walking, after covering nearly fifteen kilometers, both his legs seemed unwilling to bear the weight of his body any longer.
Jun-Yu:—"Oh God... please help me. I don't know what I should do now. Even if I return to Grandma's house, I'll still have to walk a long way, and reaching the city also seems almost impossible."
After saying that, he tried to turn on his phone. But the phone, which had been damaged after falling into the mud, would not turn on no matter what he did. However, Jun-Yu was not someone who would give up so easily. Irritated, he began walking again.
Meanwhile, after returning from the university, Xiao-Tong and Shi-Han saw Shu-Yang looking very cheerful with a girl near the swimming pool. Xiao-Tong was carrying a bag from a famous and expensive Five-Star restaurant.
This meant that they had eaten outside today and had also brought food back for Shu-Yang and Jun-Yu. Shi-Han had seen Wan-Qing before, so she knew her. But Xiao-Tong strangely kept looking at Shu-Yang and Wan-Qing.
Seeing Shu-Yang so happy, Shi-Han smiled faintly. But for some reason, Xiao-Tong began to feel sad.
Shi-Han:—Brother looks so handsome when he smiles, doesn't he, Xiao-Tong? You know, in all the time I've known him, I've never seen him this happy.
Xiao-Tong asked softly, "Who is that girl with Shu-Yang? Do you know her?"
Shi-Han:—Yes! She's Jun-Yu's senior. Besides, Brother already knew Senior from before.
Xiao-Tong:—He already knew her? Then maybe she's Shu-Yang's girlfriend.
Shi-Han:—I can't say for sure. But Senior is very beautiful, and they look absolutely perfect together. Besides, Senior saved Brother's life in an emergency by donating her own blood to him.
Xiao-Tong said nothing. Her gaze remained fixed on the swimming pool. A slight discomfort began to settle in her chest, but she herself could not understand why she felt that way.
Shi-Han:—What do you think? How would it be if they became a couple? But you know what? I think they'll become boyfriend and girlfriend very soon.
Hearing Shi-Han's words, Xiao-Tong completely avoided the question. She handed the food she was carrying to Shi-Han and said—
Xiao-Tong:—Listen, I just remembered something very important I need to do. I have to go outside right now. Please give these to Shu-Yang. And give him his medicine too.
Saying that, Xiao-Tong began to leave.
From behind, Shi-Han called out—
Shi-Han:—Hey, what work do you have again? Where are you going? Wait, I'll go with you.
Xiao-Tong did not look back even once. She continued walking ahead quickly. Seeing Xiao-Tong leave, Shi-Han also went away.
It was around 11:30 p.m. Jun-Yu somehow managed to reach the door of his own apartment. Leaning against the wall, he stood there, breathing heavily. His entire body was covered in dust, mud, and sweat. His white T-shirt and black coat were completely stained with dirt.
With trembling hands, he pressed the doorbell.
Ding... Dong...
As soon as the bell rang, his body could no longer respond. He collapsed onto the floor beside the door.
Shi-Han opened the door from inside. She had come to give Shu-Yang his food and was still there.
After opening the door, she initially looked straight ahead. She had not yet noticed Jun-Yu sitting on the floor below. At that exact moment, a mud-covered shoe flew forcefully toward Shu-Yang.
Shu-Yang barely managed to move his head and avoid the shoe. But before he could recover, the second shoe came flying toward him. This time, he reached out and caught it.
Wan-Qing was still there. She was in the kitchen, reheating the food Shi-Han had brought. But if someone kept throwing shoes at him in front of her, where would his dignity go? Shu-Yang stood there thinking about all of this.
Shi-Han finally looked down and burst into laughter.
Shi-Han:—"Jun-Yu! Haha... You finally made it! Come on, come inside."
Jun-Yu did not reply. He slowly stood up and entered the apartment. Just as he was heading toward the kitchen, he suddenly stopped. His eyes became fixed on Wan-Qing.
Wan-Qing was wearing Shu-Yang's white shirt. The shorts Shi-Han had given her reached down to her knees. Her wet hair was loose. Wan-Qing also stared at Jun-Yu in surprise.
Aaaaaah!
Jun-Yu and Wan-Qing both startled when they saw each other. Jun-Yu felt embarrassed in front of her, while Wan-Qing was startled as if she had seen a ghost.
Wan-Qing:—"What happened to you?"
Without saying anything, Jun-Yu went straight to the basin and repeatedly splashed water onto his face. He was hungry after spending the entire day under the sun, and he was thirsty, but even though he saw the food in front of him, he could not eat.
His body was drenched in sweat.
He desperately wanted to run to the refrigerator, open it, and drink some cold water. But the mud covering his sweaty body made him feel so uncomfortable that he could not eat anything without freshening up first.
Shu-Yang stood silently, watching Wan-Qing from the corner of his eye. With her loose black hair over the white shirt, she looked strangely beautiful. But Wan-Qing did not understand anything.
Shu-Yang could tell that Jun-Yu's silence was the silence before a storm. After a while, Jun-Yu slowly approached and stood in front of Shu-Yang.
The two of them stared at each other for a while. Finally, Shu-Yang said in a trembling voice—
Shu-Yang:—"I sent a driver, but he couldn't find you. Then I was preparing to go out myself…"
Before he could finish speaking, BAM! Jun-Yu kicked the glass table beside him with all his strength. Then, in an angry voice—
Jun-Yu:—"You sent a car?" "Then did the car fly away halfway? Or had I turned into air?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jun-Yu cried out—
"Ahhh...!"
Jun-Yu grabbed his own foot with both hands. The kick had hurt his foot more than the table.
When he began hopping on one leg in pain, Shi-Han turned her face away and tried to suppress her laughter.
A faint smile also appeared on Wan-Qing's lips.
Jun-Yu did not miss the suppressed smiles on everyone's faces. This time, he pointed a finger at Shi-Han and shouted—
Jun-Yu:—"Miss Shakchunni! Don't you dare laugh! This is all your fault! Why didn't you tell me beforehand that vehicles wouldn't be running in the village today? Why didn't you help me walk along the village road? If you had helped me, I wouldn't have fallen into the muddy water!"
His voice was so loud that the entire living room seemed to shake. Shi-Han quickly covered one ear with a finger.
Shi-Han:—"Okay, okay... Don't shout so loudly! Calm down."
But Jun-Yu said nothing more. He slowly ran a hand through his hair and sat down on the floor.
After walking fifteen kilometers, his legs seemed unwilling to support his body's weight any longer.
He sat with his head lowered for a few moments before saying in a disappointed voice—
Jun-Yu:—"The future CEO of Shin-Shing Company... CRRC Road Racing Champion... Junior Scientist at Shanghai University... Today, I became a mud-covered madman in the eyes of the villagers."
Hearing those words, the smiles gradually faded from everyone's faces. Shu-Yang realized that Jun-Yu was not actually angry with anyone. He was furious with himself.
Jun-Yu slowly stood up and began walking toward his bathroom. From behind him, Shi-Han called, "Jun-Yu..." But he did not look back even once.
As soon as Jun-Yu left, Shu-Yang understood that Shi-Han felt upset because of the incident. Looking at her, he said in a calm voice—
Shu-Yang:—"Sister, don't feel bad because of what he said. Jun-Yu isn't so arrogant that he would turn this incident into a matter of his dignity. He's just angry with himself. Give him some time. Everything will be fine."
At Shu-Yang's words, Shi-Han simply nodded and wanted to leave Jun-Yu's apartment.
Shu-Yang:—"Where are you going, Sister? You can stay here for a little longer."
Shi-Han:—"Brother, Xiao-Tong went out for a while. I'll go and see if she has returned."
As soon as Shi-Han said that, she left.