He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan looked up, staring at her expressionlessly without uttering a word.

Wei Yinuo felt a little uneasy under his gaze, and a sense of guilt rose in her heart. She awkwardly looked away.

Seeing this, Xu Ning quickly stepped forward, breaking the suffocating silence.

He smiled and said to Zhou Yan, "Brother, you go back first. I'll stay here with Nuonuo."

However, Zhou Yan seemed not to hear Xu Ning's words at all. His gaze remained fixed on Wei Yinuo, showing no intention of leaving.

"You're letting me leave?"

Wei Yinuo's body trembled slightly.

Her hands, hanging at her sides, tightened unconsciously.

She mustered her courage, looked up, met Zhou Yan's gaze, and said in a casual tone, "Uncle Zhou Yan, thank you for your help today. Aning can stay here with me, so you can go back now."

Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, gave Wei Yinuo a deep look, and then turned and left without saying a word, leaving behind a cold and indifferent back view.

As soon as Zhou Yan left, Xu Ning immediately went up to Wei Yinuo and asked with a face full of curiosity, "Nuo Nuo, where did you and my brother go today?"

Wei Yinuo hesitated for a moment, then casually replied, "I'm going out to take care of some things."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning frowned and asked, "What business do you have? I've been waiting for you here all afternoon."

Wei Yinuo was somewhat surprised: "What are you doing here so early?"

"I wanted to see you soon, but you weren't in the ward."

"Why didn't you call me?"

It would have been better if she hadn't said anything, because as soon as she did, Xu Ning angrily retorted, "You didn't even bring your phone, how could you answer if I called?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yinuo smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Sorry, I forgot."

"What are you guys doing out there? You forgot your phones."

Wei Yinuo didn't tell the truth, giving a perfunctory reply: "I just went out to take care of some things, everything's fine now."

"Didn't the doctor say you can't go out freely yet?"

Wei Yinuo nodded and said softly, "The doctor agreed, don't worry."

Xu Ning frowned and said with concern, "You haven't fully recovered yet, so it's best to go out less in the future. Once you're fully recovered, I'll go with you wherever you want to go."

Wei Yinuo raised her head and met Xu Ning's gaze. She sighed softly and said, "Ning, you don't have to do this."

Xu Ning chuckled, revealing two tiger teeth, and said, "I like you, and I did all this willingly. You don't need to feel any pressure."

Wei Yinuo was at a loss for words when she heard Xu Ning's blunt expression.

She didn't know how to respond to Xu Ning's feelings, so she could only watch him silently, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the ward became somewhat awkward. Neither of them knew what to say, and only a subtle emotion filled the air.

Xu Ning took a deep breath and said again, "I've already spoken to your mother on the phone, and she's agreed that I'll stay with you tonight."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yinuo was about to refuse, but Xu Ning didn't give her the chance at all.

“Don’t refuse me,” Xu Ning said quickly. “I already said that this is my own choice. I just want to stay by your side and watch over you. That’s enough for me.”

Hearing Xu Ning say that, Wei Yinuo didn't know what to say.

As night fell, Xu Ning had dinner with Wei Yinuo in the hospital room.

Wei Yinuo quietly watched the boy cleaning up the trash, hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and said softly, "A-Ning, I have something I want to tell you."

Xu Ning's hand suddenly paused, and her previously relaxed movements became somewhat stiff.

He gripped the garbage bag tightly, as if it were his last shred of resolve.

"Let me finish packing first."

Xu Ning's voice was somewhat low as he continued cleaning up the trash, trying to mask his inner unease with his busyness.

However, Wei Yinuo showed no sign of backing down, her tone firm and decisive: "I want to say it now."

Xu Ning's heart sank when he heard her so confident words.

He knew that what Wei Yinuo was about to say would likely disappoint him.

Nevertheless, Xu Ning forced a smile, then slowly put down the bag in her hand, walked to the bedside, pulled over a chair, and quietly sat down in front of Wei Yinuo's bed.

"What do you want to say?"

Xu Ning's voice was a little hoarse. He stared at Wei Yinuo, his eyes revealing a hint of expectation and unease.

Wei Yinuo was silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly: "A Ning, I'm sorry."

With Wei Yinuo's words, Xu Ning's mind was finally at ease.

Just as he expected, he was rejected.

He forced a smile: "Aren't you going to reconsider?"

Wei Yinuo shook her head firmly.

Do you still like my brother?

Wei Yinuo shook her head again.

She lowered her eyes, staring at her tangled hands, and said in a low voice, "During this time, I haven't been able to sleep at all. As soon as I close my eyes, those people appear in front of me with their hideous faces."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning's heart tightened.

He reached out and held Wei Yinuo's hand to comfort her: "Nuo Nuo, it's all in the past, no one can hurt you anymore."

"But I can't get over there, I'm too dirty."

"No, you're not dirty at all. You're the cleanest person in my heart."

Wei Yinuo smiled bitterly: "A Ning, you deserve better. Don't waste your time on me anymore. I, I..."

The words "I don't want to live anymore" were stuck in my throat, and I just couldn't say them.

In the end, he could only utter three words in a faint voice.

"not worth it."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning became somewhat agitated.

"Whether it's worth it or not, I know myself. Nono, I won't allow you to belittle yourself like that. You're great."

Wei Yinuo's nose felt a little sore.

She tried hard to control her emotions and smiled lightly, "Thank you, Aning. You are my best friend. I will always remember you. As for feelings, let's just say we are not meant to be in this life."

"Next life, next life..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Ning interrupted him urgently: "I don't want a next life, I want this life, right now."

Wei Yinuo let out a soft breath.

She hadn't expected Xu Ning to be so persistent.

"Xu Ning."

Wei Yinuo spoke calmly.

Xu Ning looked at her without saying anything.

Wei Yinuo said, word by word, "I don't like you. You're right. I like Zhou Yan. I liked him before, I still like him now, and I will only like him for the rest of my life. So, don't waste your time on me."

Xu Ning stared at Wei Yinuo in disbelief: "You, didn't you say you didn't like him?"

Wei Yinuo sneered: "You believe me even when I'm lying? I didn't want to be so blunt, but you're stupid."

I'll say it again, I have absolutely no feelings for you. I don't like you, not at all.

As Wei Yinuo spoke, Xu Ning's eyes unconsciously reddened.

This was the first time he had ever liked someone, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do.