After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 29.1

This time, no one stopped Gu Qingzhu’s request to be “discharged.”

Shan Qiaoyun probably knew her image was tarnished in both their eyes, so she didn’t show up again until the day of the discharge.

While Assistant Lu handled the paperwork, Ying Xu stayed in the ward to keep Gu Qingzhu company.

Though “keeping company” mostly meant Ying Xu watching Gu Qingzhu while Gu Qingzhu read the script, maintaining the facade of a devoted lover. Only when Gu Qingzhu was about to look up did Ying Xu avert her gaze, ensuring no trace of her thoughts was revealed.

Gu Qingzhu might have noticed, or she might not have. But remarkably, after this incident, Gu Qingzhu’s favorability toward Ying Xu increased by a single point.

To put it in perspective, when Ying Xu had wiped Gu Qingzhu’s tears earlier, the Omega’s favorability had only risen by a symbolic “2.”

A woman’s convictions weren’t easily shaken, just like her current attitude toward Ying Xu slightly softened, but not by much.

Ying Xu had lost her status as a “lover,” and Gu Qingzhu had lost an “enemy.”

That seemed to be the only takeaway from their hospital stay.

On the day they left, Ying Xu realized this wasn’t a regular hospital.

It was a psychiatric facility specializing in mental illnesses.

Still wary from the previous incident of being photographed, Ying Xu instinctively scanned their surroundings flat terrain, low buildings, no crowds.

She frowned unconsciously and turned to Gu Qingzhu.

The woman wore a hat and a mask, shielding her face. The wide brim made it impossible to glimpse even a hint of her expression.

She always looked straight ahead, never sparing a thought for what or who was behind her.

But this time, Gu Qingzhu unexpectedly turned her face slightly.

“What?” she asked, her voice still slightly hoarse. “Don’t want to walk?”

For confidentiality, the car was parked at the hospital’s side entrance, a somewhat remote spot that required a bit of a walk.

Ying Xu wasn’t concerned about the extra steps. Instead, she suddenly realized that even if she had rejected Shan Qiaoyun’s proposal and actually contacted Cheng Jun to leave this place, Shan Qiaoyun could still release hospital surveillance footage proving Ying Xu had been here.

The label of “perpetrator” was something the public observed from a distance, believing it wouldn’t affect them, so they indulged in the gossip casually. Aside from Gu Qingzhu’s fans, who despised Ying Xu to the core, most people just treated it as entertainment, moving on once the spectacle was over.

But if the label was prefaced with the descriptor “lunatic,” the public would suddenly unite in righteous indignation, eagerly ostracizing the outlier.

Ying Xu looked at Gu Qingzhu because she was suspicious.

If someone like her a normal person, could be at risk of being slandered as mentally ill at any moment.

What about Gu Qingzhu? A genuine “lunatic.” For those who understood her, manipulating her would be all too easy.

But before Ying Xu could voice her thoughts, Gu Qingzhu’s reaction took her by surprise.

How rare. Gu Qingzhu had actually asked for her opinion.

Ying Xu shook her head, and Gu Qingzhu frowned, stopping in her tracks.

What did shaking her head mean? Was Ying Xu tired, or wasn’t she?

Ying Xu’s medical records stated she had a heart condition frail since childhood, only recovering after surgery, with no relapses in over a decade.

In the past, she had seemed so normal, even healthier than most. Gu Qingzhu had never imagined she’d one day hesitate over something as trivial as “whether a short walk would tire Ying Xu.”

She found it almost laughable, instinctively wanting to scoff. But then again if not for her, Ying Xu wouldn’t have had a relapse in the first place.

This was her responsibility.

In just a few seconds, Gu Qingzhu made her decision.

But Ying Xu spoke faster than she did.

“I’m not tired,” Ying Xu paused slightly, “I’m just worried.”

“Worried about me?” Gu Qingzhu misunderstood, finishing the sentence for her. Her ability to “read the room” had improved significantly compared to the past.

Ying Xu didn’t deny it.

Unless absolutely necessary, Qing Hong wouldn’t target Gu Qingzhu. Even if she did, it would only be handing her a pillow, making things easier for her.

Yet the Omega fell silent at her wordless response.

Dark pupils fixed on her for a moment before Gu Qingzhu turned her face away.

“Mind your own business” sounded too harsh.

“I’m fine” seemed a bit dismissive.

“Don’t worry about me” came off as ungrateful.

She wanted to respond but couldn’t think of the right words.

In the end, Gu Qingzhu remained silent until they got into the car.

When she noticed Ying Xu didn’t seem inclined to continue the conversation either, Gu Qingzhu exhaled quietly, unsure of her own emotions.

She turned her head. Outside the window, the world was still a blinding expanse of white.

Gu Qingzhu saw her own reflection and Ying Xu’s profile, also gazing out the window.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like any other day from the past.

Silent. She looked outside, Ying Xu looked at her.

But it was just a fleeting moment.

The car stopped in front of the mansion.

Before opening the door, Ying Xu hesitated. “If I, stay with Qingzhu and get photographed ”

Gu Qingzhu propped her chin on her hand, leisurely studying the Alpha’s expression before finally speaking. “A lot of your belongings are still here. Someone’s already packed them for you.”

For the first time, Ying Xu’s forced smile became genuine.

Gu Qingzhu had called her here just to kick her out.

Shocking, but not entirely unexpected.

Even so, Ying Xu took a quiet breath, steadying herself.

The motion was subtle, but Gu Qingzhu noticed. It was the first time that day she allowed herself a faint smirk.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Qingzhu countered. “You’re unhappy that I’m making you leave?”

“Of course not,” Ying Xu denied more firmly than before. “This is Qingzhu’s home. Whatever you decide is right.”

“My home?” At the mention of the word, most of that smirk faded. Gu Qingzhu’s tone turned colder. “Stop projecting your assumptions onto me. Get out.”

As the words left her lips, even Gu Qingzhu realized she’d gone too far.

But the word “home” was too repulsive. In the end, she offered no explanation.

Watching the Omega’s retreating figure, Ying Xu thought this was for the best.

When Gu Qingzhu smiled, it was hard to dislike her, hard to summon hatred.

This mercurial temperament was far more familiar far more fitting for her.

Stepping into the mansion for the second time in a month, her state of mind was entirely different.

The moment she entered, Ying Xu spotted the oversized suitcase in the corner.

Assuming it held her belongings, she frowned briefly before letting it go.

When she thought about it without Gu Qingzhu, this was a place Ying Xu would never have set foot in. Being allowed to leave with dignity was already a form of “mercy” from its owner.

Besides, apart from clothes, there was nothing important left in the room.

The person named “Ying Xu” previously treasured Gu Qingzhu’s bag the most. Currently, the most valuable item she owned was the earphones gifted by Sheng Qiuyu. Due to their compact size, she always carried them with her, but they had been left behind at the hotel.

Of these two items, the former was utterly useless to Ying Xu.

The latter, she could retrieve at any time.

Thus, Ying Xu wasn’t in a particularly bad mood. She even walked toward the suitcase proactively, hoping it would make her appear more composed.

Yet the servant observing her movements hesitated at that moment: “Miss Ying, these are just miscellaneous items cleared out from the residence.”

Ying Xu: “…”

Ying Xu turned to look at Gu Qingzhu. The woman had, at some point, picked up a teacup and was sipping slowly.

Her voice, softened by the tea, sounded sweeter: “You can stay here until your filming wraps up. Don’t worry about me asking anything of you, I have many matters to attend to and will be moving out soon.”

“I haven’t forgotten my promise from last time.”

“Your future is long, and I’ll have professionals arrange your next steps.”

“Of course,” Gu Qingzhu paused, “you can also refuse my proposal.”

She respected Ying Xu’s choice.

With those words, Ying Xu’s “path forward” was laid bare.

Redemption was an unmistakable dividing line. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Gu Qingzhu would end everything once filming concluded.

Allowing Ying Xu to remain in the residence was likely the rare kindness the Omega had shown.

But bridges were bridges, and roads were roads.

How lightly spoken.

Ying Xu stared at Gu Qingzhu’s beautiful face. At this point, she wouldn’t make any other choice.

Right before Gu Qingzhu’s eyes, the Alpha’s lips trembled slightly, revealing an expression of disbelief, one even more pitiful than tears. It was as if someone parched in the desert had finally found water, a sight that would move anyone.