Chapter 23: Ciyu, Do You Hate Me?

“Did you two have a fight?” Qu Muqing asked.

“Did she say that?” Fu Ciyu replied softly.

“She didn’t say anything. She was supposed to go to the Qu residence tonight, but you didn’t go. She told me that something came up and the time needed to be changed.”

Fu Ciyu then remembered that he had promised her to return to the Qu residence, but this afternoon, for his sake—

His hand, hanging by his side, clenched into a fist, his heart in turmoil.

“Ciyu, since you’ve decided to marry her, you should understand that you have accepted her past and her previous stubbornness.”

Qu Muqing had never doubted Fu Ciyu’s feelings for Qu Wanwan, and he still didn’t. Seeing his sister lying on the operating table like that made him furious.

That was why he had come here alone, keeping it from his father; he was afraid that his father, at his age, wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“I know—”

He had always known; it was just that he couldn’t get over the hurdle in his heart.

When he saw the lifeless person just now, everything seemed trivial. As long as she was alive, that was all that mattered.

She had already suffered once; why should he let her suffer again?

Two hours later

“Director, Miss Qu has woken up—”

Just as Gu Yichen was about to speak, Fu Ciyu burst into the ward.

Qu Wanwan was in excruciating pain. All she remembered was being stabbed and worrying about Qing Jiu—

The moment she opened her eyes, her nose tinged with bitterness, and her eyes instantly turned red.

“Is anywhere hurting? I’ll call Yichen—” The man’s eyes were filled with concern.

Qu Wanwan gently shook her head, her voice dry: “I’m fine—”

“Tell me if you’re not feeling well.”

“Mm.”

The more Qu Wanwan thought about it, the more her heart ached. She forced a bitter smile: “Ciyu, do you hate me?”

Fu Ciyu was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”

“You pushed me away—”

“You left home on your own—”

“I made your favorite sugar-free small cakes—”

“But I couldn’t find you—”

“I called you more than ten times, but you still didn’t answer—”

Each of her words was like a sharp blade stabbing into his chest.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry—”

“It’s my fault.”

Fu Ciyu’s heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer. He had never expected his silence and evasion would cause her such great pain.

He tightly grasped her hand, his face filled with regret and unease.

“Wanwan, I—” His voice was strained, unable to continue.

“I just… I just didn’t know how to face it.”

“I was scared, scared to lose you, scared you would be hurt. I hate myself for not being able to protect you completely in that lifetime.” His voice was low and trembling.

“That wasn’t your fault. I was the one who messed up a good situation—” Qu Wanwan said weakly.

“I went out today to interrogate Lu Yu and Shen Man. I turned off my phone before going to the basement. Wanwan, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t let them die yet—”

“I want to know who is behind Lu Yu.”

“Isn’t it Lu Nanzhi?” Fu Ciyu asked, puzzled.

“It’s not. Lu Nanzhi is behind Shen Man, and don’t you find today’s events strange?”

“Hmm?”

“You caught Lu Yu and Shen Man, and then someone hurt me.”

“Are you saying someone was following you?”

“I’m just suspicious—”

“You should rest well and not think of anything. I will handle this matter.” Fu Ciyu’s gaze darkened, but when he looked at Qu Wanwan, his eyes softened.

“Okay.”

At the entrance of the ward, Qu Muqing clicked his tongue: “Did you see that? I’m heartbroken for her.”

Qu Wanwan heard Qu Muqing’s voice and looked over in surprise: “Brother?”

“You only noticed me now, you ungrateful little thing.”

“How did you get here?”

“How do you think I got here? If Dad came, wouldn’t I have to watch over both of you?”

“Dad knows too?”

“I didn’t dare let him know. You should rest and recover.”

Qu Wanwan suddenly thought of Qing Jiu and looked at Fu Ciyu: “What about Qing Jiu? How is she?”

“She’s fine.” Fu Ciyu reassured her.

“Don’t blame her. She couldn’t fight against dozens of people alone. If she hadn’t been quick-witted, I would be—”

Seeing his gloomy face, Qu Wanwan didn’t continue.

Qu Muqing also understood the seriousness of the situation. He said solemnly: “You go handle it; I’ll stay here.”

Fu Ciyu frowned, seemingly uneasy.

“If you’re not at ease, let Qingye come. I’ll also have a few people guard outside the ward.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Ciyu’s brow relaxed. He said gently to Qu Wanwan: “Stay at the hospital obediently. If you feel unwell, tell Yichen. I’ll come and keep you company when I’m finished.”

“Mm, be careful.”

“Okay.” Fu Ciyu leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning to leave.

Leaving the ward, his sharp-featured face was devoid of any expression.

He pulled out his phone and called Qingxun: “Go to the Lu residence and ‘invite’ Lu Nanzhi over.”

“Master—”

“Our relationship with the Lu family—” Qing Ming hesitated.

“Do as I say.”

“Yes.”

Qingye and Qing Ming hadn’t gotten back yet. It seemed the person behind this was well-prepared.

Meanwhile, in Haicheng

“Boss, Fu Ciyu’s people have started investigating.”

In the darkness, a man with a high-bridged nose and amber eyes with a hint of wickedness, his silhouette cast like a demon in the light.

He said coldly: “Let them investigate.”

“Boss, why did you hurt that woman today?”

“That’s Fu Ciyu’s woman. It makes him suffer, and I’m happy.” A sneer played on his lips.

“Should we keep Lu Yu?”

“Keep him for now, I still have use for him.”

“By the way, a force appeared in Haicheng today, seemingly searching for a woman.”

“Did you find out where they’re from?”

“From Kyoto—”

“Kyoto again. It seems we need to stay in Kyoto for a while.”

“Yes, Boss, I’ll make the arrangements.”

After the man left, the man looked at the bustling streets outside the window, his fingers twisting the ring on his hand.

A hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes: “Fu Ciyu, long time no see.”

Qu Cheng’an learned about Qu Wanwan’s hospitalization three days later.

Seeing his daughter lying in bed, his heart ached.

He kicked Qu Muqing, glaring at him: “How could you watch over your sister? Such a big thing and you didn’t tell me? Do you think I’m dead?”

Qu Muqing touched his nose helplessly: “Dad, I was just afraid you couldn’t handle it. If you also ended up in bed, I’d have to take care of two of you—”

Qu Cheng’an was furious: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Dad—”

Qu Wanwan called softly, and Qu Cheng’an quickly sat by her bed.

“Where does it hurt? Should I call a doctor?”

Qu Wanwan shook her head: “Dad, I’m fine, I’m feeling much better. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Don’t say such silly things.”

Fu Ciyu said apologetically: “Dad, I’m sorry. I failed to protect Wanwan.”