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Chapter 44: Who Exactly Are You?

Outside, the sun was shining brightly. A breeze stirred the curtains by the window. The bed was crisp white, and the person lying on it looked just as pale, his delicate skin under the light revealing faint blue veins, giving off a fragile appearance.

Ji Xueli sat at the bedside, looking at his bandaged right hand.
“His hand is really okay, right?”

“Don’t worry. The doctor said no bones were injured. But, Lili, you should be more concerned about your hand,” Chengdu said, glancing at her bandaged fingertips with a pained expression.

“Besides that, where else is he hurt?” Ji Xueli ignored him and continued asking.

“The doctor said he had a head injury—a mild concussion, a closed fracture in the neck, and multiple soft tissue injuries…” Chengdu explained.

Ji Xueli couldn’t help but grasp the hand resting by the side of the bed.
“Has the truck driver who hit us been found?”

“Yes, he’s currently in police custody.” Chengdu had begun investigating as soon as he heard about the accident.

“There’s definitely someone behind this. It was probably aimed at Duan Qingyu,” Ji Xueli said solemnly.

Hearing how certain she sounded, Chengdu couldn’t help but ask,
“Why do you think that?”

“I just returned to the country. How could I have such deep enemies already?” Ji Xueli replied, as if it were obvious.

“Oh… that actually makes sense.”
But… she did have quite a few enemies.

“…Lili, you’re really confident…”

“It’s not about confidence, it’s—” Just then, a weak voice interrupted. Ji Xueli thought it was Chengdu and turned around, ready to argue, only to see Chengdu’s eyes widen in surprise.

Both of them turned at once—Duan Qingyu had woken up at some point and was looking at them.

“You’re awake! Do you feel any discomfort?” Ji Xueli and Chengdu were immediately flustered.

“Wait, wait, I’ll go get the doctor!” Ji Xueli panicked and tried to get up, only for Chengdu to press her down.

“You’re a patient too—stop moving. I’ll go. Qingyu, wait here.”

Duan Qingyu felt a bit dizzy watching them, and as he tried to move his hand, he realized it was being held. He looked up.

“Oh, sorry…” Ji Xueli noticed she was still holding his hand and let go. Despite her words, her expression didn’t show the slightest hint of apology.

He noticed the bandages on her fingers and looked away.
“When did you wake up?”

“Not long before you did. Are you still in pain anywhere?” Ji Xueli asked.

“Aren’t you in pain?” Duan Qingyu looked into her eyes.

“Of course I am, but you’re probably worse off. Don’t worry, I, Ji Xueli, am not someone who forgets a favor. How about you move in with me so I can take care of you?” she said seriously.

This kind of scene is straight out of a drama, and she wasn’t going to miss the chance—maybe this was her big break, a blessing in disguise, a shortcut to a perfect ending.

Hehe…

Duan Qingyu glanced away, seeing the small smile creeping onto her face, clearly lost in some fantasy.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Eh? How could I let anyone else take care of you? I wouldn’t be at ease,” she declared righteously.

Duan Qingyu curved his lips slightly. “The one who wouldn’t be at ease is probably you.”

“Duan Qingyu, how can you look down on me like that? Let me tell you, I got through those years abroad all on my own—” she began passionately defending herself.

Watching her animated expression, especially when she said “how can you look down on me,” her tone rising with indignation, something flashed in his mind.

“Duan Qingyu, how can you look down on me? I placed fifth in the whole grade this time. It was all me—I’m really smart, you know. You just don’t believe me. I just don’t like studying, that’s all. Hmph…”

That vaguely familiar memory overlapped with the present—the proud look on the girl’s face, even down to her gestures…

Duan Qingyu gripped the blanket tightly, his fingers turning white from the force. He remembered those moments, yet they suddenly felt blurry, incomplete…

His head throbbed intensely, like a jolt of electricity was racing through his brain, jabbing at every nerve. His thoughts became chaotic, the pain stabbing at his skull like countless tiny needles.

Everything felt surreal. Sweat beaded across his forehead…

Ji Xueli was still in the middle of her fiery defense, but noticed he wasn’t responding. Looking over, she saw his face had gone alarmingly pale. She quickly stood and grabbed his trembling hand.

He heard her voice and turned his head, but what he saw was a woman’s face cloaked in a white mist—unclear, intangible…

Panic rose in his chest. He suddenly clutched her hand and yanked her close, his voice icy and bone-chilling:
“Who the hell are you?!”

“Ah… Duan Qingyu, it’s me—Ji Xueli!” Ji Xueli was confused, but the pain in her wrist made her struggle.

Just moments ago, he had been calm and cold. Now, his forehead was veined, his expression turned fierce, like he could kill someone.

Duan Qingyu’s head felt like it was splitting apart. He couldn’t breathe.

“Duan Qingyu… let go first…” Ji Xueli felt like her wrist might snap, but knowing his condition, she didn’t want to yank away too forcefully.

“Qingyu!” Chengdu rushed in, seeing Duan Qingyu clutching his head in pain. He quickly called to the doctor,
“What’s going on with him?!”

The doctor came in and immediately had the nurse administer a sedative.

After the injection, Duan Qingyu slowly calmed down. Though his eyes were closed, his brows were still furrowed.

Ji Xueli let out a breath and rubbed her aching wrist.

“Lili, are you okay?” Chengdu supported her.

“I’m fine. What’s wrong with him?” Ji Xueli looked at the now-unconscious Duan Qingyu, concerned.

“Emotional overload. Could be due to trauma to the brain. Please step out for now. The patient needs quiet rest,” the doctor said.

Trauma…
Ji Xueli frowned, her heart tightening with unease.

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