Chapter 13: He Zhimou, What You Need

By noon, Tang Susu had finalized the rental with the real estate agent.

The apartment was close to the school and very secure, but the rent was a bit steep.

Tang Susu was strapped for cash—her living expenses weren’t enough, and she also needed to quickly repay the 20,000 yuan she had borrowed from her bank card.

Maybe if she waited a bit longer, she could find a cheaper, more suitable place.
But He Zhimou couldn’t wait. Those thugs could show up anytime in a bad mood and go looking for trouble.

His leg needed a quiet place to recover, and once he moved in, getting to school would be easier too.

Yes, she didn’t just want his leg to heal.
She wanted him to return to school.

Even without attending, someone like He Zhimou had already made significant contributions to biotechnology.
If he actually got an education, he’d surely become a proper scientist—someone who could benefit the world.

As for money, she could earn it. Worst case, she’d just play a few more songs.

After signing the lease, Tang Susu saw she still had some time before noon and decided to check in on He Zhimou.

He hadn’t wanted her to accompany him to the hospital yesterday, but she still couldn’t rest easy.

The autumn air was crisp, and the sunlight harsh and glaring.

The urban village still looked run-down, but Tang Susu no longer felt the same aversion to the place.

She wore a plain white long-sleeved shirt and casual pants—just a simple student outfit.
Yet on her, it somehow looked like a low-key designer brand.

She jogged all the way to He Zhimou’s front door.

It wasn’t locked.

She knocked lightly, then pushed it open and stepped inside.

The boy was hunched over, holding a clear test tube with his slender fingers, seemingly adjusting some chemical reagents. He looked focused and serious.

Tang Susu waited quietly for him to finish the experiment before speaking. “He Zhimou.”

He washed his hands, wiped them dry with a cloth, and finally looked up. “Mm.”

She smiled. “I’ve secured the apartment. We can move in tomorrow.”

She glanced down at his injured leg and gently removed the wooden splint. It looked much better.

“How did it go at the hospital today? What did the doctor say?”

He Zhimou replied calmly, “Just a minor issue.”

“Let me see the medical report.” Tang Susu still wasn’t reassured. After all, in the novel, his leg had been amputated. She had to prevent any accidents.

He stared at her intensely.

She lifted her head and met his gaze.

His peach blossom eyes were slightly raised and filled with emotion.

Tang Susu reminded herself: Peach blossom eyes always look soulful. Even if he’s looking at a dog, it’d seem like he’s in love. Don’t get distracted by his looks.

She had to make absolutely sure his leg was fine.

Tilting her head, she prepared for a long standoff. If he refused to show her the report, she’d just keep staring at him.

Finally—

After five minutes of their silent standoff,

He Zhimou looked away. With a long finger, he opened a drawer and took out the medical report.

Tang Susu smiled, picked it up, and opened the first page.

She froze.

The handwriting was messy, but one bold line stood out clearly:

Displaced fracture. Surgery required.

And the surgery was scheduled for this afternoon.

She slammed the report down, furious and heartbroken.
“He Zhimou! Why didn’t you tell me you had surgery scheduled this afternoon? If I hadn’t checked the report, were you going to go alone?”

“It’s just a minor procedure.” He took the report back with his defined, pale fingers and returned it to the drawer.

Tang Susu was stunned. His nonchalant attitude made her heart ache.

She looked up at him. “He Zhimou, it doesn’t matter if it’s a minor or major surgery—it’s still surgery. It’s a big deal. You shouldn’t be alone.”

He tilted his head and said in a deep voice, “I don’t need anyone.”

“You do.” Her clear eyes locked onto his.

This time, she didn’t give him a choice. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and walked toward the door.
“I’m calling the homeroom teacher to request leave. I’m going to the hospital with you.”

He Zhimou stood where he was, watching her leave, his gaze dark and unreadable.

…

Hospital Surgery Building

The strong scent of antiseptic filled the entire surgical floor.

It was He Zhimou’s first time in a hospital, his first time entering an operating room.

Everything around him was a blinding white. He lay silently on the surgical table.

Under local anesthesia, he was fully conscious.
He didn’t know why, but for someone used to being alone, his mind suddenly wandered to Tang Susu—always smiling no matter what.

Was she still waiting outside?

Before the surgery, she had taken a phone call and looked flustered—probably something urgent came up. She must’ve left.

Good.
After the surgery, listening to her chatter would be annoying anyway.

Click. The surgery light went off.

A nurse came over to help him off the bed, but he turned away.

Despite his pale, sickly appearance, He Zhimou’s features were strikingly beautiful. Several nearby nurses blushed.

He limped on his newly-cast leg and gently pushed open the door.

Outside—it was empty. Not a soul in sight.

Just as he thought—she left.

Good.
At least she wouldn’t annoy him.

He’d always been alone.

He walked to the nearest elevator and waited.

He stared at the floor numbers lighting up as the elevator ascended.

Finally, it stopped on his floor.

The doors slowly opened.

And in the next moment—

Tang Susu appeared right in front of him.

Her eyes curved joyfully, and her face lit up.
“He Zhimou! You’re out!”

She hurried out of the elevator and helped steady him, explaining why she’d suddenly vanished.

“An elderly couple got on the wrong elevator. It takes two transfers to get to the 15th floor, so I helped take them there.”

The surgery building had eight elevators, and not all reached every floor. The couple had chosen the wrong one.

He Zhimou turned to her. “What does that have to do with me?”

Tang Susu smiled, knowing full well he wasn’t annoyed with her—he was just being difficult.

Just like yesterday—he’d told her to leave, but still protected her when danger came.

She coaxed him gently. “Okay, fine. It has nothing to do with you. It has to do with me. I injured your leg, so I’m responsible. If you’re not doing well, I can’t rest easy.”

He looked at her—so childish—and turned away with a huff.

Tang Susu’s lips curled slightly.

A proud boy who needed coaxing. Got it.

“Before surgery, the doctor said your injury isn’t serious, but it still needs proper rest. Let’s go stay at the new apartment today. We’ll move your equipment together later, okay?”

“Don’t say no,” she added before he could speak. “What if those gang members come looking for you again?”

He Zhimou lifted his eyes slightly and said coldly, “I’m not afraid.”

If he had a way to get rid of them without consequences, he’d have done it already.

Even with his weak, sickly appearance, his presence was imposing.

Tang Susu sighed and coaxed him again. “Fine, you’re not afraid. You’re amazing.”

He finally snapped, irritated by her coaxing tone. “Tang Susu!”

“Yes?” She stopped walking and looked at him seriously, like she was waiting for instructions—though her curved almond eyes were full of laughter.

He Zhimou deflated. He wasn’t about to argue with a girl.

Ding.
The elevator doors opened again.

Just as they were about to step in—

Tang Susu reached into her pocket and realized her school ID was gone.
“Oh no, I lost my ID. He Zhimou, wait—I need to find it.”

She looked up, only to see the boy limping into the elevator without saying a word.

Her heart dropped.

Their “friendship” had always been one-sided.
She’d never asked anything of him, but even so, it still hurt that he’d leave her behind like that.

She lowered her head, fighting the sting in her eyes.

Then—

A cool voice called out:
“Aren’t you coming in?”

She looked up.

There he was, standing in the elevator. His slender fingers held down the door-open button, waiting for her.

And right beside his foot—lay her school ID.

She froze.

So he hadn’t meant to leave her.

He’d seen her ID on the floor.

Her lips curled upward uncontrollably, and she rushed inside.

She bent down to pick it up—

But a clean, pale hand beat her to it, handing the card to her.