After Dumping the Female Lead, It's My Turn to Cry - Chapter 7

If the first physical examination was enough to fill Ruan Yubai with resentment, then when the same thing happened for the third time in the exact same way, she began to suspect she had fallen into the wave-particle duality.

She pointed expressionlessly at herself and said, “Although humans haven’t invented tools precise enough to observe microscopic particles yet, you should be able to see a physical examination form as large as me, right?”

One examination wasn’t enough, why were there second and third ones?

Qing Ling picked up a cup, took a sip of water to moisten her lips, and said, “This time, it’s Laureus Hospital.”

Laureus Hospital?

Ruan Yubai’s eyes instantly lit up.

This was no ordinary hospital. In ancient times on Earth, it would have been called the Imperial Hospital; in Mary Sue TV dramas, it would be the Noble VVIP Exclusive Emergency Room; and in the melodramatic novel The Proud Girlfriend of the Interstellar Captain A, it was the Royal Must-Have Hospital.

In one word: extravagant.

In one phrase: extravagantly inhuman.

Although the Ruan family was already quite wealthy, Ruan Yubai had only heard about this luxurious area where even the toilets were studded with diamonds from others. She had only been able to indulge her imagination through the novel that had changed her slacker life.

But…

She flipped through the pages of the book, a little confused. There was definitely no such plot before the start of the school term. Could it have been omitted?

Regardless, even if Ruan Yubai was curious about such a place, she only wanted to visit it as a tourist, to admire it like a famous historical site, not to go there as a patient.

Besides, “I’m not sick!”

Puffing out her cheeks, Ruan Yubai looked somewhat displeased at her biological father, seeking approval from her gentle Omega dad. She shook his arm back and forth and said, “Right, my handsome dad?”

Usually, Ruan Yubai’s mouth was sharp and irritating, but only when she needed something would she act so sweet. Ruan’s father knew his daughter well, but every time he saw her lively almond-shaped eyes blinking, he couldn’t help but soften. He nodded subconsciously and said, “Right.”

Ruan Yubai raised an eyebrow triumphantly and turned to look at the calm and composed Qing Ling, her happiness practically overflowing from her eyes: See? No matter what, this is my biological father. He wouldn’t agree to your strange…

“When are we going?” Ruan’s father casually pulled his daughter’s arm away and poured another cup of water for Qing Ling. “I just feel like she’s been too lazy lately, skipping meals and snacking all day. Her face has even gotten thinner. How can that be okay? The ordinary hospitals here really don’t have such advanced medical equipment, and I’ve been quite worried about it. Thank you so much, Xiao Qing. Getting into a hospital like this for a check-up must have taken a lot of effort, right?”

Qing Ling smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m the one who’s been troubling you all along.”

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Ruan Yubai’s inner universe was on the verge of exploding. As soon as her father left the table, she practically pounced on him with an “Ouch!” and rolled up her sleeve to show him. “What did I ever do to you? My arm is practically full of holes from all the needles, and you still won’t let me off?”

It wasn’t actually that exaggerated. In total, she had only had her blood drawn two or three times, but because she lived such a lazy, inactive lifestyle, her skin was unusually fair and delicate. Even drawing a small tube of blood would leave behind bluish-purple bruises, making her look as pitiful as if she had been mistreated.

She had never seen anyone so delicate.

Qing Ling rubbed her temples, hooked a small box over with the heel of her shoe, and opened it. Inside were nitrogen bags used to maintain temperature. She deftly retrieved a test tube containing a vibrant crimson liquid. Seeing Ruan Yubai’s puzzled expression, she explained helplessly, “Your blood.”

In other words, there was no need for the girl to have her blood drawn again.

Just moments ago, Ruan Yubai had been darkly speculating that the box beside her contained some kind of interstellar-destroying reagent. She never expected that all this effort was just to spare her from having one more tube of blood drawn.

Now it was Ruan Yubai’s turn to feel embarrassed. She looked up at Qing Ling in confusion and asked, “Why are you so considerate of me?”

If she hadn’t read the novel, she might have mistaken Qing Ling’s actions as a sign of affection.

Thinking this, Ruan Yubai pursed her lips and added, “Actually, it’s only because conditions have improved now that so many hospitals can be established. Before this planet was built, most illnesses could be treated just by lying in a medical pod, right?”

A medical pod?

Qing Ling couldn’t help but chuckle, though she didn’t refute the girl’s somewhat naive question.

“It’s not just for you,” she said, putting away the anticoagulant tube used for sampling. “My family has a hereditary stomach condition, and we’ve always been treated at this hospital. For example, my grandmother often coughed up blood in her later years and suffered a lot due to stomach ulcers. I also make it a habit to get regular check-ups.”

When Ruan Yubai heard the words “coughed up blood,” her heart stirred. Without thinking, she instinctively touched her lower abdomen and asked, “Can it be cured?”

Although Ruan Yubai knew deep down that her own issue of vomiting blood was mainly due to that trashy novel, people always hold onto hope. Until things were settled, she couldn’t help but cling to that sliver of possibility.

Qing Ling took note of her series of actions but pretended not to notice, replying calmly, “If it’s detected early and treated in time while you’re young, it usually won’t become a serious problem.”

The bait was obvious, and Qing Ling didn’t even need to reel her in, Ruan Yubai, the lazy one, had already taken the hook.

This time, while riding in the car, Ruan Yubai was unusually energetic instead of her usual drowsy self. She chattered happily, pointing out the scenery outside the window to Qing Ling.

“See that intersection? There’s a stall nearby that sells sour plum drink. It’s refreshing and not too sweet, so thick it clings to the cup. But they love using hunger marketing tactics, in the summer, I’m lucky if I can snag even one cup.”

“Have you seen this street? There’s a stall here that sells stinky tofu, and it’s absolutely amazing. I have no idea how they make their brine, and the tofu is fried to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender inside.”

“A skyscraper? What skyscraper? I’ve never heard of it. Oh, you mean this place? This is a barbecue food street! You can get a plate of grilled kidney beans for just one star coin. A sweet-talking cutie like me can even score an extra skewer of grilled mushrooms for free. Too bad last time I didn’t get any chili powder next time, I’ll definitely make up for that regret.”

“The rose congee from this place is my true love! So thick and fragrant, paired with some refreshing seaweed salad. And if that’s not enough, we can order some oyster omelets too. Ah, it’s just too delicious.” Ruan Yubai pressed her face against the window, watching the congee shop disappear behind the green belt before reluctantly pulling her gaze back. Still, she couldn’t stop murmuring, “Once we finish this last check-up quickly, I’ll treat you to congee. This time, we can also order some soup dumplings. I can’t finish them alone, but the two of us definitely can.”

Qing Ling had figured it out by now, this girl navigated the world entirely by food. Desserts were her compass. How she had managed to grow up safely was a mystery.

In truth, Qing Ling had always preferred quiet. Back when she was still with the Qing family, people passing by her door would tiptoe, careful not to make too much noise and disturb her. Strangely enough, though, Ruan Yubai had been chattering nonstop the entire way, yet Qing Ling didn’t find it the least bit annoying.

Naturally, Ruan Yubai had no idea what Qing Ling was thinking. After all, she had always been cast in the role of a minor, disposable character. But when she saw the female lead patiently watching her, she couldn’t help but break into a smile, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling. The idea of becoming a heinous, ultimate villain faded slightly.

Maybe the female lead wasn’t so bad after all, she thought, a little conflicted. Perhaps she didn’t need to aim for world-destroying villainy maybe just a regular, small-time antagonist would do?

But such thoughts vanished without a trace during the subsequent check-up.

Watching the nurse skillfully draw her blood, Ruan Yubai whimpered in pain, tears welling in her eyes as she glared at Qing Ling. “You lied to me!”

Hadn’t they agreed there would be no blood drawn? What kind of honest, kind-hearted female lead was this? She was definitely a villain! The author of this novel had completely messed up the characters!

In truth, Ruan Yubai was being a bit unfair. Qing Ling hadn’t forgotten to bring along the vial of blood she had taken earlier and had properly handed it over to an acquaintance, a doctor. But the doctor had refused it.

“Xiao Qing, you know our hospital’s coagulation process is different from others. Yes, I know you collected it according to our method, but there are still variations depending on gender. The reagent you used is meant to suppress pheromones, but this girl is a Beta, it actually has the opposite effect. We could still run tests with this blood, but the results wouldn’t be as clear as with the standard blood draw procedure.”

After a moment’s thought, the doctor added, “But this Miss Ruan looks quite pale. Could there be an issue with her blood production?”

Qing Ling fell silent. This was the real reason Ruan Yubai was now hissing in pain, staring at her arm.

From a young age, Qing Ling had been groomed as the next family head. However, her upbringing was far from the pampered, luxurious life most imagined. Because she was destined to lead, her elders were exceptionally strict with her. Even their care was wrapped in a cold exterior, all to forge her into a calm and rational individual.

To analyze the progress of her abilities and mental strength, she had blood drawn almost every month. But compared to the grueling training she endured, this was trivial not even worth a mosquito bite. Qing Ling had never considered it something worth noticing.

Yet, seeing Ruan Yubai’s pale face, Qing Ling actually felt the pain herself.

So fragile.

It’s truly astonishing that someone could exude such delicacy from the inside out.

She wasn’t just like the rose carefully tended by the little prince, that comparison fell far short. Ruan Yubai was even more delicate than the one-of-a-kind rose on Asteroid B-612. Even if she were placed under a glass cover, one would still worry she might be hurt by the gazes of others.

Qing Ling withdrew her gaze, momentarily unsure where the slight restlessness in her heart came from. Before Ruan Yubai could say anything more, she stood up with a cold expression.

The nurse beside them was a bit stunned, murmuring to herself, “I’ve never seen the young lady get angry before.”

It wasn’t exactly anger, just a slight display of emotion. But for the nurse who had practically watched her grow up, this was an extremely rare sight.

The nurse gave Ruan Yubai a complicated look, wondering inwardly if this Beta was too noisy and had annoyed Qing Ling.

Even so…

She carefully pressed a cotton swab to stop the bleeding on the girl in front of her and said gently, “It’s done. Just this once. Hold it in place.”

Even so, Ruan Yubai was genuinely adorable. Even when she scrunched her face up like a bitter melon, she still called her “pretty sister,” making her heart bloom with delight and sweeping away any impatience.

Of course, someone like Qing Ling was surely different from ordinary people like them. The nurse, for one, found Ruan Yubai utterly charming. Even her whiny complaints weren’t the least bit annoying. She even comforted the girl, “Don’t worry, the young lady won’t be angry with you over something like this.”

These words left Ruan Yubai momentarily confused.

Qing Ling was angry?

Her brain froze for three seconds before a wave of anger surged over her.

She hadn’t even gotten angry yet, how dare the female lead be the one to get angry! How outrageous! Even a novel’s female lead had no right to be this unreasonable!

Before Ruan Yubai could open her optical terminal to curse the female lead for three hundred rounds, the door cracked open slightly, and a faint, delicate scent of freesia drifted in.

Ruan Yubai had only typed half of her angry words and was stunned to see the person in question return so suddenly. She instinctively parted her lips slightly, only to feel a sweet sensation on her tongue. The other’s slender fingers had brushed past her lips and withdrawn.

What was that?

She wanted to look up at Qing Ling, but before she could ask, she realized what the other had placed in her mouth.

It was sweet, with a sprinkle of sour sugar frosting.

A blueberry-flavored gummy worm, already discontinued.

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