Chapter 86: But I Will Never Forgive You

Sister Hui wiped away her overflowing tears and said, “Sir, Miss Jiang is in this condition and still refuses to go to the hospital. What should we do?”

Zhou Lichuan composed himself for a moment, stood up, and took out his phone to make a call. “I’ll get a doctor to come. Hui, fetch some alcohol and cotton balls. Let’s lower her temperature physically before the doctor arrives.”

“Alright, I’ll go right away!”

As Hui left to get the items, Zhou Lichuan dialed Tufang Private Hospital in Changzhou— the city’s largest and finest medical institution.

...

As the pain from the fever gradually subsided and her mind began to clear, the clammy, sticky sensation on her skin snapped Jiang Zao back to reality.

She slowly sat up, noticing a fuzzy head resting by her bedside.

A familiar scent washed over her— one belonging solely to Zhou Lichuan.

As she turned, the movement sent a sharp pain through the back of her hand. Only then did Jiang Zao look down to see an IV needle.

She was on a drip?

How could this be? She was still carrying a child!

Her sudden movement woke Zhou Lichuan. He immediately got up, gently pressed her hand down, and said softly, “Don’t worry. The doctor prescribed this medication— it’s safe for pregnancy. I promise you, there’s absolutely no problem.”

Jiang Zao stopped moving and looked into his eyes.

In that instant, tears welled up and spilled over.

Unable to bear the sight of her tears, Zhou Lichuan hurried forward, reaching out to wipe the glistening tracks from her cheeks.

Jiang Zao shrank away, dodging his outstretched hand.

“Zaozao... does it still hurt?”

She shook her head. “I need to use the bathroom.”

Zhou Lichuan glanced at the IV. “There’s a little left. Shall I hold it for you?”

“Where’s Hui?”

He illuminated his phone screen and showed it to her. “It’s 2:40 a.m. Hui has already gone to bed. I’ll help you, alright?”

Jiang Zao hesitated, but finally, unable to resist nature’s call, nodded.

It had been so long since she’d been this close to Zhou Lichuan.

His large hand supported her shoulder, while the other held the IV bottle aloft as he accompanied her step by step to the bathroom.

Standing before the toilet, Jiang Zao glanced at him with a blank expression. “Go out.”

Zhou Lichuan’s helping hand froze in place, then he finally gave in, hooked the IV bottle onto the towel rack, and left the room.

Jiang Zao’s lack of resistance was no good sign.

She might appear gentle and compliant, but she had strong opinions and unshakeable principles; no one could sway her decisions.

The more naturally she acted around him, the more resolutely she refused to accept him.

Zhou Lichuan understood this all too well.

After a long while, the sound of flushing came from the bathroom, and Jiang Zao’s soft voice followed: “I’m done.”

Only then did Zhou Lichuan gently push open the door, support her back to bed, and settle her in.

As she sipped warm water, Jiang Zao finally spoke of the day’s events.

“Thank you, I’m alright now. Please don’t tell your parents, I don’t want them to worry.”

With his eyes lowered, he replied, “If you don’t want them to know, I won’t say anything. Don’t thank me. I... it was I who wronged you first.”

She managed a faint smile. “It’s alright, I’m not angry anymore. You’re fully recovered, aren’t you?”

She left the rest unsaid, but both remembered it well.

[But I will never forgive you.]

Zhou Lichuan spoke with a trace of sorrow, “I’ve been well for a long time now, completely recovered, including...”

“Zhou Lichuan, do you remember what I said to you the last time we met before I left?”

He lowered his head, not daring to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry. I know I went too far. It was unforgivable.”

Jiang Zao stared at him in silence for a long time, then sighed softly and asked, “Were you doing this for me, or for the child?”

Zhou Lichuan looked up suddenly, flustered. “Of course it’s for you! Zaozao, believe me, you’ve always been the most important person to me— even more than the child. If you’d truly needed intensive medication today, I would rather give up the baby.”

“You don’t want the child?”

“I do. I dream of it.”

His firm, unwavering answer startled her.

“But compared to your health, nothing else matters.”

Jiang Zao’s brows knitted slightly as she replied calmly, “Alright. I understand. I’m a bit tired now. Go and sleep on the couch.”

Zhou Lichuan remained seated. “I’ll stay here and watch over you.”

She frowned. “You don’t smell good. Leave.”

He had nothing more to say, so he rose and quietly left the room.

“Close the door behind you.”

Late at night, the tall, upright man sat on the sofa, gazing at the small two-bedroom apartment, lost in thought for a long time.

So this was the home Zaozao had so longed to return to.

Timing it carefully, he slipped quietly in to remove the IV from her hand. Seeing her sleeping soundly, he couldn’t bear to disturb her.

He leaned back on the sofa, and only when the sky began to lighten did Zhou Lichuan finally relax and close his eyes...

Seven in the morning.

When Hui awoke and saw Zhou Lichuan in the living room, she was startled. “Sir! Did you stay up all night?”

He’d slept just over two hours and awoke with images of Jiang Zao’s tears haunting his dreams— all kinds of tear-filled glances: stunned, wounded, disheartened, resolute. And tonight’s, whose cause he still didn’t fully understand.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stood and said, “Hui, I’ll go with you to the market.”

She shook her head. “No need, sir. I bought the breakfast ingredients yesterday. I’ll only go out before lunch. Please... get some rest. Miss Jiang will be up soon.”

He glanced at the clock. “She may not want to see me. I’ll go for now. Sorry to trouble you these days. I’ll come back this evening.”

Hui hesitated, then only sighed and went into the kitchen.

Zhou Lichuan cast a deep look at the closed bedroom door, put on his coat, and left.

...

Jiang Zao’s illness had frightened Zhou Jiayan, who called three times a day, just to be sure she was alright.

Learning that Jiang Zao had gone out to eat with her, only to catch a chill on the way home, she was filled with guilt.

It took Jiang Zao a long time to comfort her before Zhou Jiayan reluctantly hung up.

“If anything happens, call me right away. Du Bin and I are ready to come to Changzhou at any time.”

“Alright~ Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhou. Now go have fun, don’t keep anyone waiting.”

Meanwhile, Zhou Lichuan quietly shelled hazelnuts by her side, listening to the two chat on the phone.

Jiang Zao, without a hint of reserve, reached for a hazelnut kernel from the plate, popped it in her mouth, and chewed contentedly.

The hazelnuts Meng Qiaoyuan had given her for the New Year were long gone. Somehow, Zhou Lichuan had learned of her fondness for wild hazelnuts, and had specially sent someone to the northeast to gather a batch, shipping them overnight and presenting them to her like a treasure.

These days, he had been especially attentive, handling everything related to Jiang Zao himself— even Hui thought it was over the top.