She was very shocked and a bit angry.

He could sense the fluctuations of her emotions from her flickering gaze, slightly pale face, and the quietly clenched fists.

Lu Zongyue was somewhat surprised that he could read her feelings. He didn’t remember ever having studied her reactions so carefully before; perhaps it was because he was more attentive now, allowing him to notice her subtle changes in demeanor.

“Why do you want to stay here? What do you mean by saying you won’t get married?” After a long pause, she asked through clenched teeth.

He had already prepared his words for this. “You know I’ve been in the hospital for over a month. After waking up, I realized many of my thoughts have changed.”

“Changed thoughts?” She narrowed her eyes, and he could tell she was on guard, like a frightened kitten arching its back.

“I don’t think I’m suited for marriage,” he explained in a low voice. “And Jasmine…”

“What about her?”

“I don’t think she really wants to marry me.”

She fell silent, merely staring at him, her intense gaze making him feel inexplicably anxious. He hoped his expression appeared calm and indifferent, not revealing a hint of resentment or anger.

In that situation, discovering that the woman he had always loved didn’t truly care for him and was even conspiring with another man to seize his wealth made him feel humiliated.

This humiliation was something he didn’t want anyone to know, especially her.

“So, you found out?” She suddenly raised her voice slightly.

He froze.

“Ding Jasmine doesn’t love you as much as you think, right?”

He was shocked, his dark eyes flickering uncertainly.

His reaction gave her the answer, and her lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “I saw her on a date with another man.”

He gasped, anxiously asking, “You saw? When? With whom?”

“Before your car accident,” she said indifferently. “I don’t know that person.”

Had she noticed long ago? Was it possible that he was the only one kept in the dark while the whole world knew?

Lu Zongyue’s gaze froze, his face darkening as he couldn’t help but question, “Why tell me now?”

“Why should I tell you?” she retorted coldly. “That was your own choice, and would you even believe what I said?”

He was left speechless.

Indeed, if she had told him before he fell into a coma that Jasmine didn’t love him, he might have only felt anger and embarrassment.

Seeing his dejected expression, Zhong Xintian’s cold smile became sharper, and an indescribable satisfaction swept through her heart—perhaps she really did hate this man, so she relished seeing him in such a sorry state.

“I visited you several times in the hospital but never encountered Ding Jasmine. At that moment, I thought, so this is what an unforgettable first love is like.”

Lu Zongyue felt a twist in his heart and suddenly glared at her, his chest churning with complex feelings he couldn’t even distinguish.

Yuan Yuan… she actually had a sharp-tongued side. Back when they were still a couple, he was the only one who ever lost his temper with her, and she always silently endured. The only time she had retorted was when he had insulted her father—

“You can criticize me, but don’t involve my family. My dad might be a bit indecisive, but he… is a good father. Without him raising my sister and me, we wouldn’t have grown up safe and sound.”

He still remembered how she looked then, her eyes shimmering with tears, gritting her teeth, and though she seemed fragile, there was an indescribable stubbornness within her.

So beautiful.

And now, knowing he bore a wound that should not be touched, she could calmly pour salt into it. Had she become more aggressive, or had he grown soft-hearted?

This must be the so-called karma! Who made him foolish enough to blind himself to who truly cared for him and who feigned concern?

Lu Zongyue took a deep breath, painfully forcing out a hoarse voice. “Yuan Yuan, you hate me.”

The only response was a derisive scoff.

She didn’t deny it, and he felt a dryness in his throat.

“Leave!” She coldly threw the words over her shoulder, turning to walk away.

He instinctively reached out and grabbed her arm.

“What are you doing?” She frowned.

“Yuan Yuan, I’m not leaving.”

“You…”

“I want to stay here.” He tightly held her delicate wrist, gripping it hard enough that it caused her pain.

What did he want to do?

She suddenly became furious. “Lu Zongyue… don’t push it! Even if you broke up with Ding Moli, what does that have to do with me? Why do you have to stay with me?”

She struggled to shake off his hand, but he held on firmly. In the midst of their tug-of-war, she unknowingly stepped on something, stumbled, and lurched forward.

He feared she would fall and quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, spinning them both so that he landed on the ground first, cushioning her fall with his body.

His back hit the ground with a jolt of pain.

She was startled. “Zong… Zongyue, are you okay? Is it alright?”

He didn’t respond right away; his head felt a bit dizzy. Since being discharged from the hospital, he hadn’t properly rested. Last night, he had spent the night at the train station, so he had already been aching all over, and now this fall was just adding insult to injury.

But stronger than the pain was the soft, slender body he held in his arms, faintly scented.

Suddenly, he remembered long ago, when they had first met, they had collided in a similar accident, and he instinctively became the cushion for her fall. Back then, she had some weight to her, pressing down on his chest so hard that he could barely breathe.

But now…

“How did you get so thin?” Coming back to his senses, the first thing that slipped out was his genuine concern.

She paused for a moment, then realized the meaning behind his words. Shocked and embarrassed, she began to struggle. “Lu Zongyue, let go of me!”

He closed his eyes, suppressing the sudden rush of sadness, and gently released her. She felt as if she had been granted a reprieve, quickly breaking free and standing up. She looked at him, her face slightly pained, as if feeling a bit sorry. Her small hand hesitated, unsure whether to help him up.

He didn’t bother with pleasantries, grabbing her soft hand to pull himself up, then rubbing the muscles in his lower back.

“Are you alright?” she asked softly.

He looked at her; her face was pale, her two arched eyebrows knitted together, and her delicate lips bit with worry and frustration. She also tried to appear indifferent, like an avalanche in spring, inevitably collapsing onto his chest.

Suddenly, he felt that so-called face and male dignity didn’t matter anymore. What did he have to brag about in front of her? It was better to play the rogue to the end.

“Yuan Yuan, do you remember the first time we met? You fell onto me just like this.”

Zhong Xintian trembled at his words.