“Xingbao, I’ve noticed you’re acting a bit strange lately,” Xie Ling said, cupping her face with both hands and tilting her head as she spoke softly to Shen Nanxing in the classroom. Shen Nanxing was looking attentively at the podium, pretending to focus on the lesson, but in reality, his mind was elsewhere. Ever since he and Fu Zhiyuan had confirmed their romantic relationship, Fu Zhiyuan had become more clingy, wanting to be with him 24/7.

“Xingbao, what are you thinking about?” Xie Ling noticed he wasn’t answering and waved her hand in front of his face.

Shen Nanxing snapped out of his thoughts, turning to face her, only to find Xie Ling looking at him with a teasing smile. “What’s up?”

“I called your name twice just now, and you were off in your own world. Xingbao, you’re not thinking about…” Xie Ling paused, letting a mischievous smile creep across her face. With her ten years of experience in shipping couples and reading boys’ love novels, she was sure Shen Nanxing was in a relationship!

“Not thinking about what?” Shen Nanxing asked, puzzled, wondering why Xie Ling seemed so odd today.

Xie Ling, with a teasing glint in her eyes, said, “You’re not thinking about a man, are you?”

“Ah… cough, cough, cough…” Shen Nanxing choked on her shocking words, hurriedly denying it. “W-what man? There’s nothing like that!”

Seeing his guilty expression, Xie Ling had already figured it out. She pointed at Shen Nanxing’s wrist, giving him a serious look. “Still denying it? Then who gave you that red string on your wrist?”

Shen Nanxing instinctively lowered his hand and responded nonchalantly, “I bought it myself.”

Seeing that he was still being stubborn, Xie Ling sighed dramatically. “Oh, I thought this was a couple’s version. Guess not!”

Shen Nanxing, hearing her mention the couple’s version, still found it hard to believe. “No way!” If it were a couple’s version, why hadn’t Fu Zhiyuan mentioned it when he gave it to him? Was it because he was afraid Shen Nanxing wouldn’t accept it, so he kept it a secret?

Xie Ling noticed his subtle change in expression and smirked, knowing that Shen Nanxing was embarrassed. She stopped pressing the issue and took out her phone, opening Weibo. “By the way, Xingbao, let me show you something.”

Shen Nanxing took the phone, and as he kept reading, he felt a growing sense of unease. Xie Ling showed him a post from Xu Yuan’s Weibo fan club, which had recently gone viral. The post claimed to be from a fan who had interacted with Xu Yuan at Beijing University not long ago and had even eaten with him privately. The post included photos and detailed stories, with some gullible fans actually believing it.

After reading, Shen Nanxing returned the phone, feeling speechless.

“I thought at first that the person in the post was you, but after a closer look, I’m not so sure,” Xie Ling said, flipping to another picture.

Shen Nanxing had already guessed who the person was—except for Lin Bai, who else could it be? But what puzzled him was why Lin Bai would do this. Didn’t he fear being exposed? What was the benefit for him? When did the protagonist become so foolish?

After class, Shen Nanxing was about to leave the campus when Zhou He called him in a frantic voice. “Nanxing, Mu Mu was in a car accident. He’s still in the hospital, undergoing emergency treatment…”

When Shen Nanxing arrived at the hospital, Zhou He appeared dejected, his eyes vacant as he stared at the door of the operating room. Shen Nanxing walked up to him, but Zhou He didn’t react much.

Shen Nanxing patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry too much, Xia Zimu will be fine.”

Zhou He’s eyes were red, and his voice was full of guilt. “It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me…”

Shen Nanxing opened his mouth but didn’t know how to comfort him. Although he didn’t know what had happened between them, Zhou He’s condition was clearly worrying. At that moment, Xia Zimu’s parents arrived.

“Nanxing, how is Mu Mu? How is he?” Qiao Yun’s eyes were swollen from crying, and Xia Zhenyu supported her as they approached Shen Nanxing.

Shen Nanxing shook his head. “Auntie, Uncle, I just got here, and I’m not sure about the situation either.”

Zhou He, with a hoarse voice, spoke up, “Mu Mu will be fine.”

He wasn’t sure if he was speaking to Xia Zimu’s parents or comforting himself.

“Mu Mu, you’ll be fine,” Zhou He thought. For a moment, none of the four spoke, each praying in their hearts that Xia Zimu would make it through safely.

The door to the operating room slowly opened, and Zhou He hurried forward, his eyes filled with anxiety. He urgently asked, “Doctor, how is Mu Mu?”

Dr. Chen gently removed his mask, his tone laced with fatigue. “The patient’s surgery has been completed, but he still needs to be closely monitored for 24 hours to determine whether he is truly out of danger. As for the injuries to his leg…” Dr. Chen paused, his gaze tinged with sympathy. “I’m afraid it will take quite some time for him to fully recover.”

Zhou He’s body swayed, visibly shaken by the news.

Qiao Yun, upon hearing this, lost control of her emotions, tears flooding down her face. “Doctor, how is my son’s leg?” Her voice trembled with despair and unease.

Dr. Chen took a deep breath, his voice steady and comforting. “Please don’t be too pessimistic. His leg injury is severe, but as long as we actively cooperate with treatment and rehabilitation, there’s a great chance for a full recovery. This will take time, and it will require your confidence and patience.”

Xia Zhenyu, feeling a deep ache for his wife, wrapped his arms around Qiao Yun’s waist, his brows furrowed with worry. “Thank you, doctor.”

The nurse quickly and steadily pushed Xia Zimu’s bed down the corridor, bringing him to a well-decorated, fully equipped high-end hospital room. Shen Nanxing followed closely behind, his gaze fixed on Xia Zimu with deep concern.

Xia Zimu’s face was pale as he lay quietly on the bed, his eyes tightly shut, seemingly still asleep. Qiao Yun tiptoed to his side, her fingers gently brushing against his cheek. Her eyes were filled with pain and reluctance, her voice choked. “He was fine yesterday, how could this happen today…” Her words were full of confusion and sorrow.

Zhou He stood to the side, as if drained of all spirit. His eyes were vacant, staring at the still figure on the bed, lost in deep thought and silence.

Shen Nanxing stepped forward, tugged at Zhou He’s sleeve, and forcibly pulled him out of the room, taking him to the hallway. He asked bluntly, “Do you like him?”

Zhou He nodded silently.

Seeing him admit it, Shen Nanxing thought, “As I suspected, Zhou He really does like Xia Zimu.”

“Then how did he end up in this situation? Did you two have an argument?” Zhou He’s gaze was hollow, and his voice was hoarse. “When I got the call, he was already in the hospital…”