Chapter 63: Mixed Feelings

Hearing the commotion, Si Qinyu hurried out of his room, only to find the front door wide open. A gust of night wind had rushed in, gently swaying the curtains, while moonlight spilled across the empty floor, casting an unusual, silent aura over the space.

His brows furrowed deeply. As his gaze swept across the vacant living room, an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

He strode to the doorway and looked out. In the gathering night, Lu Qiqi’s figure had already vanished around the corner, leaving behind only the echo of hasty footsteps and the gradually blurring lights in the distance.

Si Qinyu felt a sharp pang in his chest, as if something had violently clutched at his heart. Hesitating for just a moment, he quickly changed his shoes and gave chase. His figure swiftly melted into the dark night, marching briskly in the direction Lu Qiqi had taken.

Just as Si Qinyu rushed out of the residential complex, he saw Lu Qiqi anxiously hailing a taxi not far ahead. The car door slammed shut with a bang, and the vehicle immediately sped away, leaving only a trail of exhaust dissolving into the night.

Si Qinyu quickened his pace, breathing heavily as he ran, his mind filled with unease and confusion. Running forward, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Qiqi! Wait for me!"

Yet, only the whistling of the night wind and distant, indistinct sounds answered him.

Finally, he came to a halt, bending over with his hands on his knees, staring intently at the receding tail lights of the taxi, his expression grave.

A moment later, he straightened up, took out his phone, and swiftly dialed Lu Qiqi’s number. Once the call connected, he asked urgently, "What's wrong? Qiqi, where are you rushing off to like this? Do you need my help?"

Sitting in the back seat of the speeding taxi, Lu Qiqi wore an expression of impatience that could not mask her profound anxiety. Speaking into the phone, her voice carried a trace of a subtle tremor, "Something happened to my dad. I'm heading to the hospital."

Through the half-open car window, the night cast mottled shadows across her tightly furrowed brow. Her fingers twisted unconsciously at the hem of her clothes, and her hollow gaze stared at the scenery flashing past outside, while her heart hammered wildly like beating drums, every single strike heavy enough to crush the breath from her lungs.

Outside the window, neon lights flickered like distant, elusive hopes, but her thoughts had already flown ahead to the hospital, praying with all her heart that her father would be safe and sound.

With a solemn expression, Si Qinyu said, "Go ahead. I'll be right there."

His expression serious, his brows locked tightly, Si Qinyu's eyes revealed unwavering determination and deep worry.

He turned abruptly and broke into a fast jog back toward home, his figure appearing exceptionally urgent and powerful against the backdrop of the night.

Reaching his front door, he snatched the car keys from the table and practically bolted out of the apartment.

Under the moonlight, his silhouette was stretched long across the deserted street, every stride carrying urgency and resolve.

He quickly climbed into his car and ignited the engine. The tires screeched sharply against the pavement before the vehicle surged out of the complex like an arrow released from a bow.

It sped rapidly toward the hospital, leaving behind a string of blinking tail lights in the night, as though they were his silent promise and companionship to Lu Qiqi.

Driving at breakneck speed, Si Qinyu arrived at the hospital and rushed anxiously into the emergency lobby.

His gaze searched everywhere until he finally spotted a helpless-looking Lu Qiqi amidst the crowd.

She was leaning against the cold hospital wall, her hands clenched into fists, her hollow gaze fixed in the direction of the operating rooms.

Si Qinyu stepped up quickly, gently patted her shoulder, and said in a firm tone, "Qiqi, I'm here."

After that, he sprang into action, helping to handle various administrative procedures, shuttling back and forth between doctors, nurses, and the families of patients. His busy figure darted ceaselessly along the corridors.

Sweat soaked his forehead, but he paid it no mind, entirely focused on shouldering a portion of Lu Qiqi's anxiety and pressure.

Watching Si Qinyu's busy figure move up and down the corridor, Lu Qiqi felt a whirlwind of complicated emotions in her chest.

The lights caught the micro-droplets of sweat sliding down his forehead, casting a faint glimmer. His gaze was resolute and focused, every single movement radiating unquestionable reliability.

She had never seen him like this; it was a stark contrast to his usual, occasionally irreverent self.

In this moment, he seemed to have become her most steadfast pillar of support. Lu Qiqi's eyes gradually grew moist, and she gently bit her lower lip as turbulent emotions churned within her—touched gratitude, heartache, and an ineffable sentiment quietly taking root and sprouting.

She stood quietly in place, her gaze closely following his every move.

The head nurse paused amidst her busy rounds, her gaze falling with gentle warmth onto Si Qinyu, who was carefully pouring a cup of warm water and handing it to Lu Qiqi's slightly trembling hands.

Those eyes, usually somewhat untamed, were filled at this moment with tenderness and care, as though they could perceive the deepest vulnerabilities of the human heart.

Approaching softly, the head nurse nodded approvingly toward Si Qinyu, a trace of subtle warmth lacing her voice, "Young man, this is truly rare. Seeing you care for your girlfriend's family with such dedication shows you are a very dutiful person."

Hearing this, Si Qinyu looked up and offered a faint smile—one that held both humility and a profound affection for Lu Qiqi. He gently shook his head, "Not just a girlfriend; Qiqi's family is my family too."

This scene was like a ray of winter sunlight, warm and deeply touching.

Mother Lu gently patted Si Qinyu's arm, her eyes filled with immense relief and gratitude, "Qinyu, you've been running around taking care of everything and you must be exhausted. Go back and rest first; I'm here."

Si Qinyu glanced at Lu Qiqi, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, saying softly, "Alright, Auntie, I'll head out first. I leave Qiqi in your capable hands."

Mother Lu smiled and agreed. Once Si Qinyu had departed, she took Lu Qiqi's hand and spoke earnestly, "Qiqi, seeing how dedicated Qinyu is, Mom finally feels at ease. You aren't children anymore; once your father recovers from this, you should think about having a child soon. Having a baby makes a home truly complete."

As she spoke, Mother Lu's eyes radiated anticipation for the future. Hearing this, Lu Qiqi felt her cheeks flush slightly, and she lowered her head in silence while ripples of emotion spread through her heart.

A trace of bitterness brushed against the corners of Lu Qiqi's lips. She parted them to speak, only to find herself momentarily at a loss for how to respond to her mother, forcing her to gently pivot the topic, "Mom, how did Dad end up falling so suddenly, and injuring his leg so badly?"

As she spoke, the image of her father lying on the hospital bed flashed across her mind, tightening her chest once again.

Mother Lu let out a soft sigh, a flash of lingering fear passing through her eyes as she shook her head.

"I don't know either."

Mother Lu gently patted the back of Lu Qiqi's hand, her eyes brimming with heartache and helplessness.

Noticing her mother's exhausted expression, Lu Qiqi persuaded softly, "Mom, you should go get some rest. I'll stay here and watch over Dad."

Mother Lu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately unable to overrule her daughter, she nodded gently and walked toward the lounge, turning back to look every few steps.

Watching her mother leave, Lu Qiqi turned around and walked back into the hospital room, only to find her father wearing an evasive expression, looking as though he wanted to gloss over something with vague excuses.