Chapter 32: I Just Love Being Tormented by Her!

Chapter 32: I Just Like Being Tormented by Her!

Mother Li was rarely this harsh with her son, but seeing him admitted to a men's hospital because of a girl—how could she possibly swallow her pride?

In truth, she felt more heartache than anger. She pitied her son. What kind of decent girl could cause a man to be hospitalized in a men's department?

"Auntie, please don't get upset. Be careful not to hurt your health."

Lin Biqi, whose own tears had not yet dried, did not forget to step forward and stroke Mother Li's back to soothe her, putting on an air of an obedient and sensible girl.

"Mom, stop making a scene!"

Hearing his mother's words, Li Xiao sat up with agitated emotion, only to accidentally pull at his injured area. The pain caused his face to contort instantly: "Hiss—"

"Don't move around!" Seeing this, Mother Li rushed forward to check on him. "How are you? Do you need to call a doctor?"

Sweat beaded on Li Xiao's forehead from the pain, but he still looked at his mother with a serious expression and urged, "Mom, I'm begging you. Please stop causing trouble for Shen Ci. I can handle things between her and me."

In truth, Li Xiao harbored some resentment toward his mother. The day Shen Ci had abruptly broken up with him was the same day his mother had privately arranged a meeting with her.

Everything had gone wrong after that meeting in the coffee shop. He didn't know what his mother had said to Shen Ci, but he was convinced it had something to do with her.

Therefore, he couldn't let his mother go after Shen Ci again. He was already like an ant on a hot pan; he truly couldn't handle even the slightest additional variable.

"Xiao-zai, can you please snap out of it!" Mother Li was once again infuriated by Li Xiao's stubbornness. "You're in this state and you're still thinking about her? Were you born to enjoy being mistreated?"

"Yes!" Li Xiao nodded sharply. "I just like being tormented by Shen Ci. I like it when she hits me. I just love her!"

Looking at his near-manic state, Mother Li was momentarily speechless.

Her face was filled with grief and helplessness, as if she had lost all strength and means in that moment.

After a long pause, she took a deep breath and nodded. Knowing that her son's physical health was the priority, she took a step back and said, "Fine. I won't make things difficult for her for now. But if your health truly ends up being compromised, I will never let her off!"

"The doctor said I won't have any major problems," Li Xiao said with a dark expression.

Mother Li gave a cold snort and said no more. Instead, she opened the nourishing soup she had brought and sat down. "Have some. Mother Feng stewed it all night; it's very restorative."

"Just leave it there. You guys should go; I want to sleep for a bit."

He was truly exhausted and sleepy; he hadn't slept well for the past two days, constantly being woken up by pain.

Mother Li wanted to stay longer, but Li Xiao had already turned on his side to lie down. She took a silent, deep breath and closed the lid of the thermos.

"Remember to drink it. Get your strength back first."

Leaving those words behind, she left the ward. Lin Biqi looked at Li Xiao with lingering attachment, but since he didn't even bother to glance at her, her small mouth pouted in grievance, and she turned to follow.

"Biqi, go and ask the doctor for Xiao-zai's medical report for me."

In the hallway, Mother Li looked at Lin Biqi with a weary expression.

Lin Biqi was stunned. "Auntie, didn't you say you weren't going to the school?"

Mother Li sneered. "I said that for Xiao-zai's sake. Do you think I can just act like nothing happened after my son was hurt like this? Impossible!"

Lin Biqi's face instantly brightened, and she nodded repeatedly in agreement. "You're right, Auntie. That Shen Ci is a natural menace. Staying by Brother Li Xiao's side will only harm him sooner or later."

"But Auntie, don't be too angry with Brother Li Xiao. He's completely under Shen Ci's thumb right now; he's in the heat of it, so it's normal that he won't listen to you. Once he realizes it later, he'll know you did everything for his own good."

Looking at Lin Biqi, Mother Li couldn't help but show a comforted smile. "If only Xiao-zai were half as sensible as you. Go on then, I'll wait for you here."

***

The temperature had suddenly risen today, so it was very comfortable to have the air conditioning blowing in the dormitory.

Shen Ci was huddled with Gu Lianxing, sharing half a watermelon while watching a variety show. The two of them burst into laughter from time to time, feeling incredibly relaxed and happy.

Gu Lianxing wiped away the tears from laughing and asked Shen Ci casually, "Honey, are you going back to your hometown for the National Day holiday?"

The smile on Shen Ci's face hadn't faded, but upon hearing the question, her expression froze. She slowly regained her composure and finally nodded. "I am."

There were things she had done wrong in the past that she hadn't been able to redeem herself for in the decades that followed, carrying guilt toward her mother until the very end.

Even though she knew now that she had a chance to choose again, every time she remembered her mother holding her hand on her deathbed, saying, "I hope you can forgive me," her heart felt as if it were being carved by a knife.

She had long since forgiven her mother, but she had never had the chance to say "I'm sorry" to her, or to hope that her mother could forgive her too.

Sensing that Shen Ci's mood was off, Gu Lianxing instinctively put down the watermelon. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Shen Ci shook her head, her expression returning to normal as she smiled. "No, I just miss my mom."

"I remember you have a younger brother, right?"

Shen Ci nodded. "Yes, he's taking the college entrance exam next year."

"That's nice. I'm an only child. I used to wish my mom could have given me a younger brother or sister, but then again, I don't like kids. It would be great if I could just have a sibling who is already about to graduate high school."

Shen Ci laughed at her serious expression. "With your imagination, it's a shame you didn't join our Astronomy Department."

As they were speaking, Shen Ci's phone rang; it was a voice call.

Usually, Director Li sent text messages for matters; he rarely called directly via voice. Knowing it might be urgent, Shen Ci stood up and walked to the balcony to answer.

"Director Li."

"Shen Ci, are you at school? Regardless of whether you are or not, come to the Principal's office immediately. It's urgent."

"The Principal's office?"

Shen Ci was a bit dazed. To be honest, she had been enrolled for over a year and had no idea where the Principal's office was.

Because she had never been there!

"Yes, just come first. The teacher will message you the details to explain. Think about how to handle this on your way."

Hearing Director Li's tone, Shen Ci knew this was definitely a major matter.

After hanging up, Shen Ci didn't delay. Seeing her about to leave, Gu Lianxing tried to follow, but Shen Ci held her back. "It's boiling outside. Just stay in the dorm; I'll be back soon."

Sensing that Shen Ci had serious business, Gu Lianxing didn't force her way along. She nodded and reminded her, "Message me if you need anything."

As soon as Shen Ci left the girls' dormitory, she opened her sun umbrella. She walked while reading the messages Director Li had sent to understand the situation, paying no attention to her surroundings or the people around her.

Consequently, when she was crossing the basketball court and someone suddenly jumped out from the side, Shen Ci was truly startled!