Chapter 31:

Back in the car, Shen Qingzhou glanced at the black roses on the passenger seat, symbolizing “You are the devil, and you belong to me” and “Gentle and sincere love, I would give everything for you.” He heavily slumped onto the steering wheel.

After listening to Du Xinling’s reminder, Shen Qingzhou decided to change the flowers. Although he intended to apologize, yellow roses carried multiple meanings, and in some contexts, even symbolized a breakup. He didn’t want Lin Qiao to misunderstand, so he decided to choose another type of flower.

Given Du Xinling’s attitude at the time, there was no way he would help buy more flowers, so Shen Qingzhou had no choice but to go himself.

Thus, his anxiety and worry transformed into violent actions, driving him to destroy the yellow roses scattered on the ground. However, this large bouquet of black roses still hadn’t made it into Lin Qiao’s hands.

Actually, he could have gone out and stopped her when she was about to drive away, but for some reason, he lost his courage at that crucial moment.

Straightening up and loosening his tie, Shen Qingzhou backed the car out of the parking lot and drove away. Passing a trash can, he threw the unclaimed black roses from the passenger seat into it, drawing various curious glances from passersby.

He didn’t spare anyone a glance, rolled up the windows, and sped off. A few female college students passed by, hesitated for a moment while looking at the retreating white Ferrari, then picked up the roses.

“There’s a card here too,” one girl said.

“Let’s see what it says,” another suggested.

The girl holding the flowers nodded, took out the card, and read aloud the words: “I’m sorry.”

Three simple words, straightforward, without a title or signature. They were written in black ink with a bold, elegant handwriting—each stroke clean and decisive. People often say that handwriting reflects the person, and it was clear this came from someone with excellent manners.

“What kind of woman could possibly reject his apology?”

The girl sighed with pity and left with her classmates.

When Lin Qiao came out of the convenience store, she saw the three female students pass by, one of them holding a large bouquet of black roses.

She hesitated for a moment, feeling a strange sense of envy.

If only Shen Qingzhou had put in a little effort to please her, they wouldn’t have reached this point.

Opening the yogurt in her hand, Lin Qiao began drinking it as she walked toward where she had parked. She didn’t go home but drove straight to her company, continuing her busy work.

Today was August 2nd; there were only five more days until her birthday. This was the final deadline she had set for Shen Qingzhou. If he hadn’t reached out to her by the day after her birthday, she would have no reason left to justify defending him any longer.

Days passed, and Lin Qiao still hadn’t received any calls from Shen Qingzhou or seen him. Two days before her birthday, Lin Weiming told her he planned to throw her a birthday party. Upon hearing her father’s arrangement, Lin Qiao shook her head and declined.

“In past years, Jiaqi and the others have kept me company. It’s been fun catching up with classmates. But this year, Jiaqi’s family has been through something, and with too many people around, someone might say something careless and hurt her. I’m worried about that,” Lin Qiao thought for a moment and said, “Forget it. I’ll just invite a few close friends over for a simple dinner at home.”

Lin Weiming found her reasoning reasonable and nodded in agreement: “Alright then, it’s all up to you.”

Lin Qiao slightly nodded and softly said, “I’ll go prepare dinner. It’s still two days until my birthday, Dad, you’re rushing too much.”

Looking at her increasingly thin back, Lin Weiming sighed: “The one who should be anxious isn’t, so I have to be anxious for them.”

Who should be anxious? Who should be making an effort for someone else’s birthday? No one.

On the evening of August 7th, the Lin household, which had been quiet for a while, became lively. Qin Muyao, Wang Jiaqi, and others had come to celebrate Lin Qiao’s birthday. The entire living room was beautifully decorated, filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Standing in such a scene, Lin Qiao’s previously depressed mood improved a bit. She took the gift from Qin Muyao and put it aside, softly saying, “Thank you, Senior Qin. Your presence is enough; you didn’t have to bring a gift.”

Qin Muyao’s gaze swept around the room before settling on Lin Qiao. “I had to come in person, and I had to bring a gift too.”

Lin Qiao smiled and invited him to sit next to Wang Jiaqi.

Wang Jiaqi could sense Lin Qiao’s inner thoughts. She kept glancing toward the door. As the time to cut the cake approached, the doorbell still hadn’t rung.

Damn it, what was going on with him? She had texted him several days in advance about this, and he had agreed so readily. Why was he letting her down at such a crucial moment?

Qin Muyao sat beside Wang Jiaqi, observing her impatience. He could easily guess the reason.

He slightly lifted the corner of his lips, sipped his champagne, leaned back on the sofa to relax, and behind his glasses, his refined eyes followed Lin Qiao’s every move.

Lin Qiao wore a white long dress that evening, making her appear even more tall and graceful. Her shoulder-length black hair occasionally fluttered in the breeze, making her look almost too beautiful to be real, like a painting.

Not seeing the person she hoped for, Lin Qiao’s mood wasn’t high. When it was nearly time, Lin Weiming urged her to cut the cake. Lin Qiao didn’t hesitate, took the knife, and prepared to do so.

Coincidentally, her phone rang at that moment. Thinking of someone specific, she immediately put down the knife and picked up her phone. Although she wasn’t sure whether she would answer if it really was Shen Qingzhou calling, she really hoped it was him.

Back in the car, Shen Qingzhou glanced at the black roses on the passenger seat, which symbolized “You are a demon, and you belong to me” and “With a gentle heart, I am willing to give everything for you.” He slumped heavily over the steering wheel.

After Du Xinling’s reminder, Shen Qingzhou decided to change the type of flowers. Although his intention was to apologize, yellow roses carried many meanings, including, in some contexts, representing a breakup. He didn’t want Lin Qiao to misunderstand, so he resolved to choose a different flower.

Given Du Xinling’s attitude, it was clear he wouldn’t help buy another bouquet, leaving Shen Qingzhou to handle it himself.

Frustration and worry turned into violence, driving him to destroy the yellow roses scattered on the ground. Yet, this large bouquet of black roses still hadn’t made it into Lin Qiao’s hands.

He could have stopped her when she was about to drive away, but for some reason, in that moment, he lost his courage.

Straightening up and loosening his tie, Shen Qingzhou got back into the car, reversed out of the parking lot, and drove off. As he passed a trash can, he tossed the unclaimed black roses from the passenger seat into it, drawing varied reactions from passersby.

He didn’t spare anyone a glance, simply rolled up the window and sped away. A few female university students passing by hesitated for a moment before picking up the roses.

“There’s a card attached,” one of them said.

“Let’s see what it says,” another added.

The girl holding the flowers nodded, took out the card, and read aloud: “I’m sorry.”

Just three simple words—no name, no signature. Written in black ink, the handwriting was elegant and refined, with clean strokes from start to finish. As the saying goes, handwriting reflects character; it was clear these words came from a person of great cultivation.

“What kind of woman would refuse an apology from a man like that?” the girl sighed regretfully before leaving with her friends.

As Lin Qiao stepped out of the convenience store, she saw three female students walk past, one of them holding a large bouquet of black roses.

For a moment, she felt dazed and unexpectedly envious.

If only Shen Qingzhou had put in a little effort to make her happy, they wouldn’t have ended up where they were now.

Opening the yogurt she had just bought, Lin Qiao drank it as she walked to her car. Instead of going home, she drove straight to the office, immersing herself in her busy work.

Today was August 2nd. Her birthday was in five days, and she had given Shen Qingzhou this final deadline. If he hadn’t reached out to her by then, she would have no reason to justify defending him any longer.

The days passed, but Lin Qiao still hadn’t received a call from Shen Qingzhou or seen him. Two days before her birthday, her father, Lin Huiming, suggested throwing a birthday party for her. Lin Qiao listened to his plans but shook her head and declined.

“In previous years, Jiaqi and the others celebrated with me. It was fun chatting with classmates, but this year, with what happened to Jiaqi’s family, I’m worried someone might say something careless and hurt her,” Lin Qiao explained after a moment’s thought. “Let’s keep it simple—just invite a few close friends over for a meal.”

Lin Huiming agreed with her reasoning and nodded. “That’s fine. We’ll do as you say.”

Lin Qiao nodded slightly and said softly, “I’ll go make dinner. My birthday is still two days away—you’re worrying too early, Dad.”

Lin Huiming sighed as he watched her increasingly slender背影. “If the one who should be worried isn’t, then I have no choice but to worry for him.”

Who should be worried? Who ought to care? Who is naturally expected to put thought and effort into someone else’s birthday? No one.

On the evening of August 7th, the Lin residence, quiet for so long, became lively again. Qin Muyao, Wang Jiaqi, and others came to celebrate Lin Qiao’s birthday. The main hall was beautifully decorated, filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Surrounded by such a scene, Lin Qiao’s depressed mood lifted slightly. She accepted the gift from Qin Muyao and set it aside, saying gently, “Thank you, Senior Qin. You didn’t need to bring a gift—your presence is enough.”

Qin Muyao’s gaze swept across the room before settling on Lin Qiao. “I had to come, and I had to bring a gift.”

Lin Qiao smiled and invited him to sit next to Wang Jiaqi.

Wang Jiaqi could sense Lin Qiao’s preoccupation. From time to time, Lin Qiao glanced toward the door. As everyone arrived and it was time to cut the cake, there was still no sign of the doorbell ringing.

Dammit, what’s going on with him? She had texted him days ago about this, and he had agreed. How could he bail at the last moment?

Qin Muyao, sitting beside Wang Jiaqi, noticed her anxiety and could guess the reason. A faint smile touched his lips as he took a sip of champagne, leaned back on the sofa, and relaxed. Behind his glasses, his sharp eyes never left Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao was wearing a white dress that accentuated her tall, graceful figure. Her shoulder-length black hair occasionally fluttered in the breeze, making her look almost unreal, like a painting.

Not seeing the person she had hoped for, Lin Qiao’s spirits remained low. When it was time, Lin Huiming urged her to cut the cake. Without hesitation, she took the knife and prepared to do so.

Coincidentally, her phone rang at that very moment. Her thoughts immediately turned to a certain someone, and she put down the knife to answer the phone. Even if it was Shen Qingzhou, she wasn’t sure whether she would answer, but she desperately hoped it was him.

Her heart told her she didn’t want to let things end like this. She was unwilling and unable to do so.

Unfortunately, the caller wasn’t Shen Qingzhou. Strangely enough, the screen displayed Du Xinling’s name.

Lin Qiao glanced at the guests waiting for her to cut the cake, then answered the call. Du Xinling’s urgent voice came through immediately.

“Miss Lin, I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s something I must tell you. Shiheng drank too much and has a stomach hemorrhage. He’s in the hospital undergoing emergency treatment.”

Lin Qiao was stunned. “What did you say???”

“To be honest, Shiheng has been going out every night these past few days, drinking heavily until he passes out. I’ve warned him many times, but he wouldn’t listen. Now, things have taken a turn for the worse,” Du Xinling’s voice sounded serious, not like a joke.

Lin Qiao pursed her lips, stepped away from her friends, and walked to the window. “Which hospital is he in?”

“The same one where Xiao Ning is staying. I know today is your birthday, and I wish you a happy one. I’m not calling for any other reason than to let you know he didn’t intentionally miss celebrating with you. He picked out your gift last month, but circumstances prevented him from giving it to you.” Du Xinling paused, then lowered his voice. “Miss Lin, perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but before he met you, Shen Qingzhou never touched a drop of alcohol.”

Lin Qiao’s mind was in turmoil, unsure how to respond. Du Xinling didn’t wait for an answer, simply said goodbye and hung up.

Dazed, Lin Qiao put down her phone. Qin Muyao’s gentle voice sounded beside her. “Was it Shen Qingzhou?”

Lin Qiao turned to him and denied it. “No.”

Qin Muyao studied her expression and said softly, “But from the look on your face, even if it wasn’t him, it must be related to him.”

Lin Qiao forced a bitter smile.

She left Qin Muyao’s side and walked to the table, apologizing to her waiting friends. “I’m so sorry, but something urgent has come up, and I need to leave. Please enjoy yourselves. Dad, could you cut the cake for me? I have to go.”

She pulled her father to her spot, bowed apologetically, and explained sincerely. Everyone present was her friend, so they didn’t press her, though they were curious about her sudden departure.

“What could be more important than your birthday?” her father said disapprovingly.

Lin Qiao fell silent for a moment, her eyes sweeping over everyone watching her. Finally, she sighed helplessly. “My boyfriend is in the hospital. I need to go see him.”

“Your boyfriend?” Her friends and classmates exclaimed in surprise. “We never knew you had a boyfriend!”

Wang Jiaqi interjected, “I know about this. Don’t keep her any longer—her mind is already elsewhere. Let’s enjoy ourselves!” She raised her glass of champagne and gave Lin Qiao a meaningful look.

Grateful, Lin Qiao grabbed her car keys and left the Lin residence. Qin Muyao chased after her to the door, watching her car disappear into the distance. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, and he leaned dejectedly against the wall.

Her silver Buick sped toward the hospital. Upon arrival, Lin Qiao called Du Xinling for details. He informed her that Shen Qingzhou was already in a hospital room, still unconscious but in stable condition.

After getting the room number, Lin Qiao hung up and entered the hospital. As she stepped into the elevator, she wondered whether she should wait for Shen Qingzhou to wake up. But once she arrived, she realized she was overthinking it—by midnight, Shen Qingzhou still showed no signs of regaining consciousness. Du Xinling had to take care of Xiao Ning and couldn’t stay, so Lin Qiao had no choice but to take on the task of caring for him.

It wasn’t that she didn’t try to refuse, but Du Xinling gave her no opportunity, listing difficulties and reasons before appealing to her emotions and logic, leaving her with no option but to agree.

Sitting by Shen Qingzhou’s hospital bed, looking at the pale, unconscious man, Lin Qiao felt as though a lifetime had passed.

It had been less than a month since they last met, yet he had lost so much weight. His complexion was awful, likely due to his illness, but despite everything, his appearance remained impeccably neat, without a trace of stubble. His personal hygiene was something he never neglected, no matter the circumstances.

As she watched him, Lin Qiao kept thinking about what to say when he woke up—how to avoid upsetting him without seeming too eager. She pondered for a long time, coming up with several approaches, only to realize once again that she was overthinking.

Shen Qingzhou still hadn’t woken up.

Time dragged on. Lin Qiao’s birthday had passed, yet Shen Qingzhou remained unconscious. She stayed by his side, caring for him, but he showed no signs of waking even after four days.

When Du Xinling brought food for Lin Qiao, she was sitting in a chair, staring blankly at Shen Qingzhou. He sighed, set down the food, and walked over to her. “Don’t worry too much. He’ll be fine.”

Hearing this, Lin Qiao’s expression shifted as if all the tension and worry of the past few days had finally erupted. Her voice heavy with emotion, she said, “But it’s been four days. Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Not wanting to see her like this, Du Xinling changed the subject. “Has the doctor been by?”

Lin Qiao lowered her head. “Yes, he just administered a nutrient IV.”

“You should eat something too. Hospital food isn’t great, so I brought you something from outside.” Du Xinling patted her shoulder, urging her to eat.

Lin Qiao shook her head. “I’m not hungry. I’ll leave it for now.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Du Xinling let it be. He had to tend to Xiao Ning, who needed treatment that day, so he soon left.

Lin Qiao leaned over the bed, gazing at Shen Qingzhou’s unconscious form. He looked terrible, yet the doctor had assured her he would recover and wake up. But he stubbornly remained unconscious—what was going on?

With a long sigh, Lin Qiao buried her face in the bedsheets. There were so many things she wanted to say, but not a single word made it out.

After all this time, she no longer wanted to be angry with him, didn’t want to cry, and didn’t want to be apart from him. Not at all.

After everything he had done, was holding onto these feelings just her being foolish?

Unfortunately, the caller wasn’t Shen Qingzhou. But intriguingly, the name displayed on the screen was Du Xinling.

Lin Qiao looked at the people waiting for her to cut the cake, pressed the answer button, and Du Xinling’s urgent voice immediately came through.

“Miss Lin, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must tell you something—Shiqing has had a gastric hemorrhage from drinking too much and is currently in the hospital being treated.”

Lin Qiao was momentarily stunned and asked incredulously, “What did you say??”

“To be honest, Shiqing has been going out every night recently and drinking heavily. He’s been passing out drunk every time, and I’ve told him many times, but he won’t listen. Now, he’s finally had an accident,” Du Xinling’s voice didn’t sound like he was joking.

Lin Qiao pursed her lips, moved away from her watching friends to the window, and asked, “Which hospital is he at?”

“He’s at the same hospital where Xiaoning is staying. I know today is your birthday, happy birthday to you. I’m calling for no other reason than to let you know—he didn’t intentionally skip your birthday. The gift he chose for you was ready last month, but circumstances prevented him from giving it to you.” He paused slightly, then lowered his voice, “Miss Lin, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but before he met you, Shen Qingzhou never touched alcohol.”

Lin Qiao felt her mind spinning, unsure how to respond. Du Xinling didn’t wait for her reply, simply said goodbye, and hung up.

Dazed, Lin Qiao put her phone down. Qin Muyao’s gentle voice came from beside her: “Was that Shen Qingzhou?”

She turned to look at him and denied, “No.”

Qin Muyao observed her expression and softly said, “But judging from your reaction, even if it wasn’t him, it must have something to do with him.”

Lin Qiao pursed her lips and gave a bitter smile.

She left Qin Muyao and walked to the table where her friends were waiting, apologizing, “I’m really sorry, but I suddenly have something urgent to take care of. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves. My dad can cut the cake for me. I have to go now.”

She pulled her father over to her seat and bowed sincerely to apologize. Everyone there was her friend, so naturally, they didn’t make things difficult for her, though they were all curious why she suddenly had to leave.

“What could be more important than your birthday?” Her father disapproved.

Lin Qiao was silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping over everyone watching her, before she finally sighed, “My boyfriend had an accident and is in the hospital. I have to go see him.”

“Your boyfriend?” Her classmates and friends couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “We’ve never heard of you having a boyfriend!”

Wang Jiaqi jumped in, “I know about this. You guys shouldn’t hold her up any longer. Her heart is already gone. Let’s just have fun ourselves. Come on!” She waved her champagne glass and gave Lin Qiao a knowing look.

Grateful, Lin Qiao grabbed her car keys and left the Lin residence. Qin Muyao chased to the doorway, watching her car disappear into the distance. His hand slowly clenched into a fist at his side as he leaned against the wall nearby, feeling defeated.

The silver Buick sped toward the hospital. Upon arrival, Lin Qiao called Du Xinling for updates. He told her that Shen Qingzhou was already in the ward, still unconscious but in stable condition.

After confirming the ward number, Lin Qiao hung up and entered the hospital. As she stepped into the elevator, she was still thinking whether she should wait for Shen Qingzhou to wake up. But when she arrived, she realized she was overthinking. It was already past midnight, and Shen Qingzhou still showed no sign of waking up. Du Xinling needed to take care of Xiaoning and couldn’t stay, so Lin Qiao found herself unavoidably taking over the responsibility of looking after him.

She tried to refuse, but Du Xinling gave her no chance. He laid out a series of difficulties and reasons, then appealed to her emotions and logic, leaving Lin Qiao with no choice but to agree.

Sitting beside Shen Qingzhou’s hospital bed, looking at the pale, unconscious man, Lin Qiao felt as though she were in a dream.

It had been less than a month since they last saw each other, yet he had lost so much weight. Probably due to the illness, his complexion was terrible, but even so, his face remained impeccably clean, without a trace of stubble. He never neglected his personal hygiene, no matter the circumstances.

As she looked at Shen Qingzhou, Lin Qiao kept thinking about what she would say when he woke up—how she could speak without hurting him or seeming too eager. She spent a long time thinking of various responses, only to realize she was overthinking again.

Shen Qingzhou didn’t wake up.

Time dragged on. Lin Qiao’s birthday had already passed, yet Shen Qingzhou remained unconscious. She stayed by his side, taking care of him, while he had been asleep for four days since that night.

When Du Xinling came to bring Lin Qiao some food, she was sitting in the chair, staring blankly at Shen Qingzhou. He sighed, placed the food box down, walked over, and gently said, “Don’t be too anxious. He’ll be fine.”

Hearing that, Lin Qiao’s expression changed, as if all the tension and worry of the past few days had finally erupted. Her voice thick with emotion, she said, “But it’s already been four days. Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Trying to change the subject, Du Xinling asked, “Has the doctor been by?”

Lin Qiao lowered her head and replied, “Yes, he just finished giving him a nutrient injection.”

“You should eat something too. Hospital food isn’t great—I brought this from outside for you.” Du Xinling patted her shoulder, gesturing for her to come eat.

Lin Qiao shook her head, “I’m not hungry. Just leave it for now.”

After hesitating for a moment, Du Xinling finally gave up. Xiaoning had treatment today, and he needed to be there, so he left quickly.

Lin Qiao leaned over the bed, gazing at the unconscious Shen Qingzhou. He looked terrible, but the doctor had told her not to worry too much, saying he would be fine and would wake up. Yet he stubbornly remained asleep. What kind of situation was this?

Sighing deeply, Lin Qiao buried her face in the blanket, with so many words she wanted to say but couldn’t utter a single one.

After all this time, she no longer wanted to be angry with him, didn’t want to cry, and didn’t want to break up. Not at all.

After everything he had done, was it still okay for her to feel this way? Was she being pathetic?