Meeting you in autumn

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xu turned around and quickly left the hospital with slightly heavy steps.

Guan Qing was left standing there blankly, tears streaming down his face like broken beads.

Seeing this, Chen Feng quickly reached out and firmly supported the swaying Guan Qing.

After a long while, Guan Qing finally came to her senses as if waking from a dream. She raised her hands tremblingly and wiped away the tears on her face haphazardly.

Then, she took a few deep breaths, forced a smile, and tried to make herself look like nothing had happened.

Finally, Guan Qing composed herself, put on a smiling face, and walked firmly toward the ward.

As soon as she opened the door, she said loudly, trying to sound relaxed, "Mom, don't worry! Nothing's wrong, we're all fine!"

However, the bloodshot look in her eyes betrayed her, but no one noticed and just looked at her with pity.

Guan Qing walked to his mother's bedside, took her hand, and whispered, "Mom, you will get better."

Despite the turmoil in her heart, she forced back her tears and gave her mother a firm smile.

In the days that followed, Guan Qing and her mother left the hospital and returned to their small home.

…………

"Why did you come back too, kid?" Shen Chen sat lazily on the soft sofa in the bar, a teasing smile on his face, and joked to the person in front of him.

Chen Xu elegantly picked up a brightly colored cocktail that had just been prepared in front of her, took a small sip, and savored the unique taste and flavor spreading across her tongue.

Then, calmly and unhurriedly, he replied, "There are some things I need to take care of when I get back."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, Chen Xu added, "Oh right, I happened to see A Yu's sister today."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chen instantly stopped playing with his lighter. His previously nonchalant gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Chen Xu, asking with a look of confusion, "Xiao Yu?"

"Well, but..." Chen Xu deliberately dragged out his words, a playful smile playing on his lips, as he stared at Shen Chen with great interest.

Shen Chen was getting a little annoyed by his hesitant manner and couldn't help but urge him, "Stop being so mysterious and just tell me!"

"Hehe, I saw her with that Jing family kid, and their relationship seems to be quite special." Chen Xu said, while gesturing to Shen Chen with his eyes to observe his reaction.

She then added, "They even held hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xu stared intently at Shen Chen with an expression of anticipation.

Shen Chen's brows furrowed slightly, forming a shallow "川" shape, and his face instantly darkened. The knuckles of his fingers gripping the wine glass turned white from the force.

The next second, he slammed the glass in his hand into the corner, the sound of shattering glass particularly jarring in the quiet bar.

At this moment, Shen Chen felt as if a raging fire was burning inside him, with nowhere to vent it.

Seeing this, Chen Xu chuckled and then shook his head helplessly.

On the other side, Jing Yi and Guan Yu were strolling hand in hand down the street.

"Ayi, I want to eat ice cream. Can you go buy it for me?" Guan Yu's eyes lit up when she saw an ice cream shop across the street.

Jing Yi ruffled Guan Yu's hair and smiled as he agreed, "Okay, wait here for me for a moment, I'll be right back."

Watching Jing Yi walk away towards the ice cream shop, Guan Yu's face was filled with a happy smile.

Guan Yu stood quietly under the tree, watching him walk into the shop.

However, at that moment, a fresh-faced, handsome, and elegant young man walked briskly to Guan Yu's side.

A bright, sunny smile spread across his face as he gently greeted Guan Yu, saying, "Hello!"

The sound was crisp and melodious, like the first rays of morning sunlight shining into one's heart.

Upon hearing this unfamiliar yet vibrant voice, Guan Yu subconsciously looked up.

When her gaze met the boy's, a hint of confusion flashed across her face. She blinked, parted her lips slightly, and asked softly, "Excuse me... is there something you need?"

The boy was attracted by Guan Yu's exquisite, porcelain-like face, especially her bright, star-like eyes and slightly upturned lips, which exuded an irresistible charm.

Not only that, Guan Yu's sweet voice made the boy momentarily stunned, and his cheeks involuntarily flushed red, making him appear somewhat shy.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and mustered up his courage to say, "Um... can I add you on WeChat? I think you're very cute and I'd like to be friends with you."

His words caused Guan Yu, who had been calm and composed, to frown slightly.

She pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then answered decisively, "I'm sorry, no." Her tone was gentle, but it carried an undeniable firmness.

Just as the boy was about to try to win her back, Jing Yi, who had gone to buy ice cream, returned.

Jing Yi's tall figure quickly approached Guan Yu. Without hesitation, he reached out a hand and wrapped it around Guan Yu's slender waist in a domineering yet tender manner. With his other hand, he handed Guan Yu the ice cream he had just bought, his eyes full of doting affection.

Then, he turned around, his face ashen, and looked at the boy in front of him, saying coldly, "I am her boyfriend. If you have something to say, please tell me."

Seeing this, the boy felt a pang of anxiety, knowing he had no chance.

He quickly lowered his head, hurriedly said "sorry," and then turned around and fled the awkward scene as fast as he could, leaving Jing Yi and Guan Yu behind.

"Ah Yi, it's so delicious!" Guan Yu, who was in his arms, took several bites and then looked up at Jing Yi.

Seeing Guan Yu happily eating ice cream, Jing Yi's mood improved as well.

He gently wiped a bit of ice cream from the corner of Guan Yu's mouth and said affectionately, "Little foodie, eat slowly, don't choke."

Guan Yu winked mischievously, "I know, A-Yi is the best!" Then she scooped up a big mouthful and put it in her mouth.

The two continued walking hand in hand, enjoying this peaceful and beautiful time.

With a creak, the door opened, and Jing Yi and Guan Yu walked in. When Jing Yi was fully inside, he saw Shen Chen and Feng Ming on the sofa and frowned slightly.

Guan Yu, who was standing to the side, was completely absorbed and did not notice the subtle changes in the atmosphere around him.

She excitedly called out to Shen Chen, "Brother Shen Chen, you didn't go out?" Her clear and melodious voice seemed to penetrate people's hearts.

However, upon hearing Guan Yu's seemingly ordinary words, Shen Chen looked helpless. He frowned slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his deep eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Then, he replied in an extremely gentle tone, "What? Don't you want me here?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept intentionally or unintentionally toward Jing Yi, who was standing next to Guan Yu, his eyes filled with undisguised provocation.

Upon hearing Shen Chen's words, Guan Yu felt a pang of anxiety, realizing that he might have misunderstood her meaning.