Qiao Chuchu snapped back to reality, brushing it off casually: "It's nothing, my skin is thick. A little redness won't hurt."
She grabbed his arm: "Lean on . I'll help you up—don't fall."
Shi Yu nodded and slowly stood, only for his vision to darken, sending him crashing into Qiao Chuchu and stumbling into the bathroom!
Qiao Chuchu, caught off guard, frantically wrapped her arms around Shi Yu, pinning him against the wall!
Shi Yu winced: "Mmph!"
Qiao Chuchu broke into a cold sweat: "Are you okay?!"
Dizzy and disoriented, Shi Yu shook his head and looked down at her.
Her arms held him firmly against the wall—like a shorter person attempting to "wall-slam" soone taller.
His deep eyes darkened as his hand slowly lifted, hovering behind her waist.
Almost as if embracing her.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned in, inhaling her scent: "Thank you for protecting , Miss Qiao."
Qiao Chuchu exhaled in relief: "As long as you're fine."
"I am. This is normal for ." Shi Yu’s hand settled on her waist, pressing lightly. "You’ve saved twice now, Miss Qiao. I don’t even know how to repay you."
Qiao Chuchu pulled away, picking up the fallen crutch: "Don’t talk about repaynt. I didn’t do much. It’s just… we’re tied together sohow, like we’re shackled. It’s suffocating."
Shi Yu took the crutch, mulling over her words.
Shackled together?
His gaze dropped, lancholy creeping in: "Earlier, I ntioned wanting to live with you—paying rent, sharing a space. You refused, didn’t you?"
Qiao Chuchu hesitated, apologetic: "Yes. I don’t think we should be bound like this. I have my own life to focus on."
Shi Yu’s eyes dimd: "I understand. I know my approach was presumptuous. To you, my intentions must seem impure, so your rejection is justified."
"But I ant every word."
"Being with you, Miss Qiao… it gives strength. And it’s addictive."
He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with her: "Deep down, I feel this dependence on you—on your very existence—will grow into sothing deeper."
Qiao Chuchu froze, his earnestness pressing down on her like an invisible weight.
She shook her head: "I’m sorry. My decision stands."
Shi Yu paled: "No matter what?"
"*No matter what.*"
His shoulders slumped: "Alright."
Qiao Chuchu turned to leave, the air suddenly too heavy: "I should go."
Shi Yu’s voice was hollow: "Okay…"
Her chest tightened as she hurried downstairs.
[Ugh… What a ss.]
[Rejecting soone like Shi Yu feels like kicking a stranded seal—if I don’t leave fast, I’ll lose my resolve!]
Shi Yu gripped his crutch, watching Qiao Chuchu’s retreating figure before glancing at the staircase. A flicker of determination flashed in his eyes.
A deafening *crash* echoed behind her!
Qiao Chuchu whirled around—just in ti to see Shi Yu tumbling down the stairs!
She shrieked like a boiling kettle: "AHHH!!! SEAL—I AN, SHI YU!!!"
He landed on the landing, face ashen, the crutch clattering onto his stomach.
Qiao Chuchu sprinted over in her heels, shoving the crutch aside: "How did you fall?!"
Yun Sui and Grandpa Shi rushed in, horrified: "Shi Yu!!"
Shen Zhuoyan, having just straightened his suit, strode upstairs toward the commotion.
Ji Yanchuan staggered out, hair disheveled, lips bruised: "D-don’t you *dare* walk away! I can still fight! So what if I lost to Qiao Chuchu?! You think I can’t take *you*?!"
Within seconds, the landing was crowded.
Qiao Chuchu crouched beside Shi Yu, noticing his twisted left foot.
Her expression darkened: "Your foot’s fractured."
Yun Sui burst into tears: "Shi Yu, why didn’t you call for help? Grandma could’ve assisted you!"
Grandpa Shi remained calm: "Call an ambulance! Now!"
A housemaid rushed off.
Shi Yu, trembling, weakly reached for Qiao Chuchu.
Baffled, she took his hand.
Gritting through the pain, he addressed his family with forced bravery: "Don’t call an ambulance. dicine doesn’t work on anymore. Just let die."
Yun Sui and Grandpa Shi froze, tears streaming: "Shi Yu, don’t say that! We’ll get you the best treatnt—you *will* recover! You can’t leave us behind! You’re all we have!"
Shi Yu squeezed Qiao Chuchu’s hand, gazing at her with heartbreaking tenderness: "Miss Qiao, thank you for coming today. I know wasting your ti on a dying man was selfish of ."
"But…"
He smiled weakly: "This will likely be our last eting."
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
His eyes grew distant: "The next ti you hear my na… it’ll be news of my death. And I… I’m honored to have seen you one final ti."
Yun Sui wailed: "Shi Yu, stop this! You’re killing your grandmother!"
Grandpa Shi wiped sweat from Shi Yu’s brow, voice breaking: "Hush, child. You’ll pull through. You *have* to!"
Shi Yu shook his head slowly: "I know my ti is short."
His fingers interlaced with Qiao Chuchu’s, his gaze lingering on their joined hands: "I’ll cherish this mont… forever."
Qiao Chuchu’s disbelief morphed into irritation, her chest heavy.
She leaned in, her whisper laced with steel: "Tell the truth, Shi Yu. Did you *plan* this fall?"
He stiffened.
Her breath was hot against his ear: "You know I don’t like you, right? You know this won’t change anything?!"
Shi Yu shuddered, fingers tightening around hers.
She squeezed back, a silent threat: "*Answer .*"
A tremor ran through him. His frail facade shattered as he whispered: "I… I did it on purpose. I wanted your pity."
Qiao Chuchu exhaled, resigned: "Let’s go to the hospital."
Shi Yu peeked at her: "Alone?"
She yanked her hand free: "*I’ll* take you. And pack your things—you’re moving in with . We’ll settle rent and expenses later."
Shen Zhuoyan: "?"
Ji Yanchuan, swaying: "?"
Shi Yu’s face lit up: "You an it?!"
Qiao Chuchu deadpanned: "I an it."
Shi Yu bolted upright, grabbing Grandpa Shi’s hands in delight: "Grandpa, have soone pack my bags! I’m moving in with Miss Qiao! *I’m moving in with Miss Qiao!*"
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