My Straight Childhood Friend Successfully Pursued Me After The Breakup - Chapter 37.2

She scooped up a spoon of millet porridge, gently blew on it, and held it to Tao Ran’s lips.

Tao Ran raised an eyebrow but accepted it naturally, opening her mouth to take the spoon.

The auntie’s cooking was excellent; even a simple porridge was delicious. Tao Ran was indeed hungry, eating one spoonful after another with obvious pleasure.

As Zuo Xian fed her, she found a certain delight in it. Tao Ran looked very gentle and harmless as she lowered her eyes to drink the porridge, her long eyelashes cast downwards.

Her pale lips were slightly redder after finishing the porridge, which gave Zuo Xian a strange sense of accomplishment.

After feeding her breakfast, she put down the empty bowl with a slight regret, wishing Tao Ran had a bigger appetite.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door of the hospital room. Zuo Xian and Tao Ran looked over.

Jiang Ningxiu and Zuo Zhimi walked in front, followed by a man and a woman, both looking solemn.

“It seems Xianzai took very good care of you.” Jiang Ningxiu stroked Tao Ran’s hair. Her eyes were a little bloodshot, looking tired, as if she hadn’t slept all night.

Tao Ran gave a light smile, then her gaze fell on the two strangers behind her. “Are these two… police officers?”

“Yes, they’re here to ask you and Xian Zai some questions about yesterday’s events,” Jiang Ningxiu said. “If you don’t want to relive it, we can postpone it for a few days.”

After all, both were minors, and they had just been through such an ordeal yesterday. Out of humanitarian concern, the police wouldn’t demand immediate cooperation.

Before Tao Ran could speak, she first cast a look of concern towards Zuo Xian.

After all, Zuo Xian was the person held hostage yesterday, and the person holding her was her father. Psychologically speaking, Zuo Xian should be the most traumatized person in this incident.

But Zuo Xian didn’t hesitate at all. “I can do it.”

Zuo Zhimi was a bit worried. “Xianzai, if you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to force yourself.”

Based on the confirmation from eyewitnesses and surveillance footage yesterday, Zuo Zhimi knew the entire process of Zuo Xian being held hostage.

A deranged father, a cold knife point—these were things a child in her teens shouldn’t have to endure. Zuo Zhimi was very concerned that Zuo Xian might have lasting psychological trauma.

If Zuo Xian hadn’t insisted on staying to take care of Tao Ran yesterday, Zuo Zhimi would have brought Zuo Xian home that same night and taken her to a psychologist the next day.

When the police found Zuo Zhimi, hoping to talk to her, her first reaction was to refuse.

However, the police said that from the surveillance footage, Jiang Yuhai seemed to have said something to Zuo Xian before getting into the car, which caused Zuo Xian, who had initially been compliant, to resist desperately.

What he said was very important, as it would affect his sentence.

“I’m fine.” Zuo Xian pursed her lips. “Mom, I’m fine. Ranran protected me very well. So I have to send Jiang Yuhai, who hurt her, to prison for a long time!”

Zuo Xian got up and looked at the two police officers. “Are you asking now?”

The female officer was very amiable and nodded. “Let’s talk outside.”

“Okay.”

The female officer took Zuo Xian and her mother, Zuo Zhimi, to an empty room, and after asking for consent, turned on the recording device.

“Zuo Xian, did Jiang Yuhai say anything while he was holding you hostage?”

Zuo Xian recalled, frowning. “He said… it was all my mom’s fault, that my mom pushed him to the limit. He said he had nothing left now, and he wanted Mom to pay the price for it.”

Even though she was mentally prepared, Zuo Zhimi couldn’t help but curse under her breath. “Lunatic.”

The female officer glanced at her, then asked a few more questions, which Zuo Xian answered truthfully.

“I’d like to know what Jiang Yuhai said to you before getting into the car that made you change your submissive attitude and choose to resist.”

The hospital air was always filled with the faint smell of disinfectant. Zuo Xian lowered her head, her fingers intertwined.

After a long moment, she looked up and asked, “Can my mother step out for a moment?”

The female officer was stunned, perhaps not expecting this reaction, but she shook her head. “I’m sorry, no. As a minor, you must have a guardian present.”

“What did he say?” Zuo Zhimi was no less shocked than the female officer, not expecting Zuo Xian to ask her to leave.

Being stared at by two pairs of eyes, Zuo Xian felt a lot of pressure. After a while, she sighed. “He said…”

Meanwhile, only Tao Ran and Jiang Ningxiu were left in the hospital room.

The breakfast containers they had just finished were still on the small table, not yet cleaned up. Jiang Ningxiu glanced at them and asked with concern, “Does your wound hurt badly? Does it affect your eating?”

Tao Ran’s lips curved slightly. “No, A Xian feeds me.”

The girl was wearing a blue and white striped hospital gown, her figure a little fragile, her hair loose, and her face somewhat pale from blood loss. Her sickly appearance was endearing.

But the smile on her face was genuine, gentle, and had a subtle, proud undertone, as if showing off to her mother.

Jiang Ningxiu smiled. “How come, even though you’re injured, your mood seems quite good?”

Tao Ran just smiled. “The nurse said maintaining a pleasant mood can speed up my recovery.”

Jiang Ningxiu wasn’t sure if the nurse had said that, but she was very familiar with her daughter’s personality.

Always steady and gentle, this slightly childish demeanor was rare. Jiang Ningxiu couldn’t help but look at her a few more times.

Only then did she bring up the serious matter. “I won’t let Jiang Yuhai off easy, but what you did won’t be hidden from Tao Yizhang either. Ranran, have you thought about how you’ll explain it?”

It was important to remember that Tao Yizhang most despised undue kindness—this might be related to his inherent lack of this moral quality.

Men always disparage what they cannot possess.

Tao Ran lowered her eyes, her voice calm. “I will explain it with a reason he can accept, Mother, don’t worry.”

The mother and daughter didn’t talk for long before the hospital room door opened, and Zuo Xian and Zuo Zhimi returned.

Zuo Zhimi’s eyes were a little red, as if she had been crying, but Zuo Xian seemed alright.

After they all sat down, Jiang Ningxiu noticed the bandaged wound on Zuo Xian’s neck.

“A Xian, do you want to go home and rest?” Jiang Ningxiu asked. “Auntie couldn’t free up time yesterday, and you worked hard. You don’t have to trouble yourself today.”

“Ah? No need, I’m fine, I don’t need to rest.” Zuo Xian shook her head, wanting to stay.

She shook her head too quickly for a moment, pulling at her wound. Her facial expression froze for an instant. Afraid of being found out, she quickly forced herself back to normal.

Unfortunately, she didn’t fool anyone present.

Everyone could understand Zuo Xian’s desire to do something for Tao Ran, but she was still a child. After going through what she did, she needed rest just as much as Tao Ran.

So Zuo Zhimi also patted her shoulder. “Be a good girl, Xianzai. Go home with Mom, rest well, sleep, and then come back to see Ranran, okay?”

“Mom, I’m really not tired,” Zuo Xian insisted, frowning.

“A Xian,” Tao Ran also spoke. Zuo Xian immediately looked at her, hoping she would let her stay.

Tao Ran said softly, “Go back and rest first. You didn’t sleep well last night. Sleep well, and then come back to keep me company tonight, okay?”

Jiang Ningxiu chuckled. “You’ve got it all planned out. I keep you company during the day, and A-Xian keeps you company at night.”

Tao Ran looked into Zuo Xian’s eyes. “I’ll wait for you to come back tonight.”

Zuo Xian was a little reluctant but could only nod. “Alright.”

After sitting for a while longer, Zuo Zhimi took Zuo Xian home.

Worried that Zuo Xian might have some psychological trauma, Zuo Zhimi initially planned to sleep with her, but Zuo Xian drove her out, citing that her mother steals the blanket when she sleeps.

Lying alone in bed, Zuo Xian stared at the ceiling. The suppressed exhaustion slowly washed over her.

She thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but unexpectedly, she slept very soundly and had a very long dream.

She dreamt again about being held hostage yesterday.

This time, she didn’t choose to resist immediately, but instead jumped out of the car after they started driving. Jiang Yuhai crashed the car into the guardrail and died instantly.

Tao Ran rushed up from behind, very worried, hugged her, and said she would repay her with her life, crying and wanting to marry her.

A beautiful dream.

Even after waking up, Zuo Xian was still somewhat immersed in the beautiful dream. After a while, she remembered that she was supposed to go accompany Tao Ran that night.

Checking the time, it was four o’clock in the afternoon.

She immediately sprang up, quickly tidied herself up, changed her own dressing, and then prepared to leave for the hospital.

Just as she walked out of the bedroom, she saw Zuo Zhimi sitting on the sofa handling company affairs.

Zuo Zhimi also noticed her. “Why don’t you eat dinner before going to the hospital?”

“I’ll grab something on the way.” As she spoke, Zuo Xian was already at the door putting on her shoes, moving very quickly.

Zuo Zhimi was speechless. “Xianzai, you’re a little too eager.”

“Tao Ran got hurt saving me, so I definitely have to…” Zuo Xian pursed her lips. “Work like an ox or a horse to repay her.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll transfer some money to you. Tell me if it’s not enough.”

“Got it.” As the words fell, Zuo Xian was already out the door, sending a message to Auntie Li to pick her up.

While waiting for Auntie Li, Xue Shuangxi also messaged her.

Xue Shuangxi: I just found out about this huge thing that happened to you two! Why didn’t you tell me? Are you at the hospital? School’s almost over; I’ll come see you guys at the hospital.

Zuo Xian: I’m heading to the hospital now. Wait at the school gate; I’ll pick you up on the way.

Xue Shuangxi: Okay.

Auntie Li’s car arrived quickly. After picking up Zuo Xian, she drove towards the school. They arrived just as Xue Shuangxi was dismissed, and the two met up.

Xue Shuangxi saw the wound on Zuo Xian’s neck and felt quite distressed. “That dad of yours is really a piece of garbage.”

“Don’t mention him. He’ll have to pay for his sins in prison for the rest of his life,” Zuo Xian squinted her eyes, gritting her teeth secretly.

She thought a decade or so in prison was too easy for Jiang Yuhai; a dangerous individual like him should just get the death penalty.

They didn’t talk much. The car quickly stopped at the hospital entrance. The two got out and walked towards Tao Ran’s room.

Just as they reached the door, through the glass window, they saw a strange woman standing by Tao Ran’s bed, leaning slightly, her fair fingers pinching Tao Ran’s chin.

Tao Ran was gazing at her, her eyes dark and deep.

The scene looked like flirting.