“But Miss, please be careful—this flower is poisonous. Don’t eat it by mistake.”
Yu Aiyu said to herself, then noticed Qin Haiyue looked completely uninterested.
“Not interested? That’s fine, Miss. I have plenty of other flowers here. I’m sure there’s a kind you’ll like.”
“No… I just want to ask, do you only do this kind of thing normally? Isn’t it boring?”
“Not at all. My usual work is already quite busy, and raising flowers is my hobby. Using my spare time to care for them and watching them bloom gives me a sense of accomplishment, like raising a child.”
“Is that so…”
“Miss, you seem a bit down?”
“No, you’re mistaken.”
“Miss, as everyone grows up, they must face their emotions—both positive and negative. Confront them, see the problems hidden behind them, and solve them. Only then can you become mentally strong and less prone to illness.”
“I just want to tell you, Miss, no matter what you’re thinking, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. These emotions are not disgraceful or hard to face. They belong to you; they’re a part of you.”
“…You want to hear it?”
“If you’re willing.”
“Fine, fine. I know you’re a doctor now. A world-class doctor.”
“I’m just fulfilling my duty as a psychologist.”
“Heh. Maybe you’re not that annoying after all?”
“Since you know that, please trust my professionalism.”
“I didn’t notice you were so smug before. Anyway, what I’m thinking about is actually pretty simple.”
Qin Haiyue leaned on the windowsill, gazing outside. It had been a long time since she used this posture. She used to do it often.
Why did she used to do it often?
Maybe because she was bored. Staring blankly into space was a good way to dispel melancholy.
But not everyone can manage to zone out, empty their mind, and think of nothing. At least she found it hard now. Once she quieted down, chaotic thoughts kept bubbling up, with no end in sight.
“I just feel… a bit empty? Maybe I should find something to do, like growing flowers as you said…”
“Weren’t you dating someone before?”
“Dating…”
Qin Haiyue was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.
Could that be considered dating?
It was nothing more than a one-sidedly forced role-play.
She used violence to threaten the other person, occasionally spent a little money to offer some benefits, and made them obediently comply.
If that could truly be called love, then so-called love was nothing but a series of crimes.
Back then, she was just bored and irritated. She happened to come across someone beautiful and easy to bully, wanted to play a role-playing game, and used her status to keep that person bound to her in a seemingly reasonable way.
“Judging by your expression, Miss… I take it you don’t believe this relationship can give you the ‘meaning’ to fill the void?”
Qin Haiyue frowned and said unhappily:
“That’s not the point. Huh? Why do you think that?”
“That’s not the point, Miss. What I’m trying to say is, since you’ve started a relationship, no matter what your initial motive or goal was, please do your best to maintain it until you decide to abandon it completely.”
“Everything in the world—even the intangible connections between people—will wither if left unattended.”
“Do you always like to say such pretentiously profound things?”
Qin Haiyue found her annoying again.
“Just some musings, Miss.”
“Maintain a relationship? What’s there to maintain between her and Ye Xingmian?”
Ye Xingmian was nothing but her toy. She could do whatever she wanted with her—hit her when unhappy, hug her when happy, tease her when bored. After all, she had no room to resist, and Qin Haiyue didn’t need to care about her opinion.
The only thing required was that she obediently stay by her side.
Of course, Ye Xingmian herself definitely didn’t want that.
If left alone, Ye Xingmian would try to escape.
But Qin Haiyue had no intention of actually being good to Ye Xingmian. She still preferred watching that girl get beaten, covered in wounds, and on the verge of tears.
Every time she saw it, she felt an inexplicable excitement, immense pleasure.
“What are you thinking about, Miss?”
“I’m thinking about when you’ll get out of here. I’ve had enough.”
“Hehe… naturally, after I make a precise diagnosis for you. This process can take anywhere from a few months to several years. But you’ve been in good condition recently, so I believe that day will come soon.”
“I told you, I’m not sick.”
“The Second Young Miss cares about you a lot, Miss.”
“If she really cares, why doesn’t she come herself? Isn’t it because she’s afraid of getting beaten?”
“It must be due to her studies and busy work. Recently, the Second Young Miss has gradually started taking over some of the company’s affairs.”
“Her? How old is she?”
“Miss, don’t underestimate the Second Young Miss. After all, she’s a genius who can maintain the top grade in school while also producing the year’s best results in the company’s marketing reports.”
“She’s that amazing?!”
Qin Haiyue was a little surprised.
“If you don’t believe me, I can show you the relevant data.”
“I don’t want to see it.”
She didn’t know when the gap between her and her younger sister had grown this large.
Now she couldn’t even see her sister’s shadow. Perhaps catching up was no longer possible.
When the gap becomes too big, instead of jealousy, one feels a sense of resignation.
“You’re so eager for me to leave, Miss. Are you hoping to bring your lover home? I naturally wouldn’t be so insensitive. If you’re willing to inform me in advance, I certainly won’t disturb your date.”
“…Shut up!”
“Then, since there are no other issues, shall we continue looking at the flowers?”
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the blinds, slanting into the luxurious hospital room.
The girl lying on the table fluttered her eyelashes and soon raised her head.
“Mianmian, having another dream?”
A voice calling her came from behind.
She turned around silently.
In just a few short months, her father had lost all his hair, his skin was pale, his face gaunt, but his eyes still held concern. The pain of cancer couldn’t erode his love for his daughter.
Qin Jiangmian knew her father didn’t have much time left.
She gave a slightly weary smile.
“I’m fine, Dad. I’ll step out for a bit. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
The air in the corridor was much colder than in the ward, filled with a pungent smell of disinfectant.
But the cold also cleared Qin Jiangmian’s mind.
Silently, she opened her phone and tiredly searched through the photo album.
She found it quickly.
Her family portrait.
Her parents smiling lovingly, herself with her head down, introverted, and her sister with an impatient expression.
She gently stroked the photo.
She knew this family could never go back.
She loved her family, but she couldn’t stop her father from leaving, couldn’t make her grieving mother smile again.
And her sister…
Sister…
Why have you become like this?
Back when you were little, you were so gentle, so lovable.