Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The next day, I dropped He Chen off at kindergarten on my electric scooter.
After that, I headed straight to the hospital.
By the time the morning was over, I was walking out of the hospital pressing a cotton swab against a fresh injection site.
Winter was a blessing; thick clothes could hide all the needle marks and bruises.
It saved me from He Chen constantly following me around, asking, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
I put on my helmet and got on the scooter. Looking down, I noticed a pink thermos and a pair of apricot-colored gloves tucked into the small storage basket beneath the handlebar wind guards.
They were both brand new.
The thermos was filled with warm water.
I finally understood why He Chen had been obsessed with picking up plastic bottles and cardboard boxes lately.
That silly child.
I put on the gloves; they were warm and cozy.
It was the simplest style imaginable.
Yet, I couldn’t stop staring at them.
As the cold wind blew, my eyes began to sting.
I often wondered what would happen if I left this world one day.
What would happen to He Chen?
Would he have to grow up all alone?
I couldn’t bear the thought.
Actually, I could go to Liang Jingnian and beg him for money.
Maybe it could cure my illness.
But I figured he still hated me.
He was such a stingy man; he wouldn’t even give me a single yuan.
I was lost in thought.
On the way home, while stopped at a red light, I accidentally scraped a black Horch.
The moment the owner rolled down the window, I froze.
I was stunned for several seconds, completely forgetting the scrape on my palm.
Until I snapped back to my senses and quickly shoved my hand into my pocket.
The man stepped out of the car, gave the scratch a cursory glance, and then looked at me.
Staring at those familiar features, my fingertips rubbed together nervously. My throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton-sore, swollen, and tight.
I was on the verge of tears.
“Miss He, long time no see.”
His voice was deep.
The look he gave me was cold and indifferent.
His gaze swept over my scraped hand, but he said nothing.
After quietly inspecting the damage to the car for a few seconds, he lifted his eyelids to look at me. “How do you plan to compensate me, Miss He?”
His tone was as cold as if he were speaking to a complete stranger.
Just as he had said back then-if I left, he would never forgive me in this lifetime.
If we ever met again, we would be strangers.
I remained silent for a few seconds because I truly had no money.
His phone rang at that moment.
He didn’t bother to step away, answering it right in front of me.
“I’m out. You go ahead and eat.”
“Don’t be difficult. I’ll be back tonight to keep you company.”
“Should I bring you a strawberry cake?”
After patiently coaxing the person on the other end, he looked up, and his expression returned to cold indifference.
His eyes were full of scrutiny. “Miss He, how are you going to pay?” he repeated.
He then took out his phone and opened his QR code.
I stared at it for a moment but didn’t add him.
Instead, I reached up and unfastened the jade pendant from around my neck. It was the only thing of value I had left.
I placed it in my palm, my voice very soft. “Take this as payment. I don’t have anything else.”