Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The professor slapped the desk and surged to her feet.

“He!”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I know you care about patients. You don’t want a naive young woman to get hurt because she failed to protect herself, and neither do I. But how many times must I tell you to watch your manner? Do not speak to patients so aggressively!”

Blood ran from He Shiyu’s palm and dripped onto the white tiles.

He looked as though his soul had been torn out, leaving only an empty shell. The professor stepped between us.

“He, you’re in no state to remain in the consultation room. Take the rest of the day off, calm down, and get that hand treated while you’re at it.”

He did not move. His eyes stayed on me, his chest rising and falling violently.

“Did you hear me?”

The professor’s temper flared, and her voice jumped another octave.

At last, He Shiyu moved. He took one step back. Without looking at his hand, he fixed his gaze somewhere above my head.

“I’m sorry, Professor.”

He turned, and the white coat disappeared through the doorway.

Silence settled over the room.

The professor sighed and sat down, rubbing between her brows as she tried to explain her student’s behavior.

“I’m sorry he frightened you. He is never like this.”

“He is the calmest, most self-controlled and dependable student I’ve ever taught. I don’t know what came over him today. Perhaps he has a younger sister at home and seeing you made him think of her. Maybe his emotions got the better of him. Please don’t take it personally.”

She bent to pick up the broken pen and murmured,

“Goodness, he snapped it right through. His hand will probably need a couple of stitches.”

Whatever she said afterward never reached me.

All I could see was blood dripping from He Shiyu’s hand.

He was hurt.

And he had misunderstood everything.

I desperately wanted to run after him and explain. But what could I possibly say?

That I was a bad girl with needs I could not satisfy?

That I had written “pain during sex” because the truth was too humiliating?

That four hours ago, I had been by myself and had…

I could not say it.

How was I supposed to explain when I had always presented myself to He Shiyu as innocent and pure? How could I expose my most embarrassing side to the person whose opinion mattered most?

He had injured himself because of me, yet I did not even have the courage to chase after him.

A soft, self-mocking laugh escaped me.

Forget it.

What was there to explain?

I had liked He Shiyu for so long, and he had never given me a clear answer.

I was the one who asked him out.

I was the one who sent messages in the middle of the night.

I was the one who pursued him shamelessly.

From beginning to end, it had been a one-woman show.

He Shiyu… did not like me at all.

Strangely, beneath the heartache, I tasted a trace of relief-the freedom of finally having nothing left to lose.

Maybe this was for the best.

I drew a deep breath and forced down the ache in my chest.

This would end my foolish hope for good.

At least I could leave with a shred of “dignity.”

See? Someone else wanted me.

I… was not hopelessly fixated on him.

I wiped the corner of my eye, composed myself, thanked the professor politely, and left the consultation room.

After collecting my medicine, I walked toward the hospital entrance with my head down. Near the doors, several young women were huddled together, whispering excitedly.

“He’s so handsome. Who’ll ask for his contact? I’ll buy you lunch for a month.”

“Is he a celebrity?”

I followed their gazes without thinking-and froze.

He Shiyu was standing at the bottom of the steps outside.