She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Goodnight — If you don’t behave, I’ll kiss you…

When she opened her eyes again, she was in a completely unfamiliar environment.

Xia Leshuang’s heart jolted. As she turned her head, she caught sight of a woman’s silhouette standing not far away. The figure was so familiar; over the past few days, when she was starving and delirious, she had seen it constantly in her mind’s eye.

So, is this a dream too?

“Shuyu…” Xia Leshuang couldn’t help but murmur. A sharp, dry pain instantly shot through her throat.

This isn’t a dream?

“You’re awake?” Lu Shuyu turned around immediately and hurried to her side. “How are you? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

She leaned in close, her amber eyes filled with urgency and worry. Xia Leshuang dazed for a moment before whispering, “Thirsty…”

“Okay.” Lu Shuyu went to pour water without a second thought and returned quickly. “Let me raise the head of the bed for you first.”

The upper half of Xia Leshuang’s body was gradually lifted, allowing her to see her surroundings clearly. It was a hospital room. She was in the hospital.

She sat there blankly as Lu Shuyu handed her a cup with a straw. “Don’t drink too fast.”

Xia Leshuang sipped through the straw, looking incredibly docile. Lu Shuyu’s heart ached. How long had she been starved? She’s practically dazed from hunger.

After the cup was empty, Lu Shuyu asked, “How is it? Better? Any other discomfort?”

Xia Leshuang shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Lu Shuyu sighed softly, pointing to the IV drip beside the bed. “This is glucose to help you regain your strength. You need to stay under observation for two days. We’ll run some tests tomorrow, and if everything’s fine, I’ll take you home.”

“Okay…” Xia Leshuang nodded.

“For now, just rest. I bought some porridge downstairs. I’ll call you to eat once it cools down.”

Xia Leshuang remained obedient. Lu Shuyu forced a smile. “Sleep a bit longer.”

As she reached down to lower the bed, Xia Leshuang’s eyes, which had been half-closed, suddenly snapped wide open. She looked as if she had been spooked.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Shuyu paused. “Are you in pain?”

Xia Leshuang’s lips parted slightly. It took a long time for her to speak: “How… how did I get here?”

In her current state, she lacked the energy to hide her emotions. Lu Shuyu understood the subtext instantly: Xia Leshuang didn’t want anyone to see her in such a pathetic state.

Lu Shuyu maintained a calm expression, reciting the cover story she had already prepared. “President Min couldn’t reach you, so she contacted Director Xia.”

Panic and embarrassment flashed across Xia Leshuang’s face.

“Director Xia said you collapsed from exhaustion while taking care of your mother,” Lu Shuyu swallowed her heartache and smiled. “And since you hadn’t been eating properly, you were hospitalized.”

She knew Xia Leshuang likely wouldn’t believe it, but sometimes, keeping the facade intact makes it easier to move past a traumatic event. Sure enough, Xia Leshuang’s expression shifted before she finally said, “Thank you.”

“Alright,” Lu Shuyu checked the time. “The porridge should be cool. Eat first, then sleep.”

…

After Xia Leshuang fell back asleep, Min Wutong arrived. To avoid waking her, the two sat in the hallway outside the room.

“How is she?” Min Wutong asked.

“She woke up once. She seems okay, shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Min Wutong breathed a sigh of relief, but her eyes filled with disgust. “It’s infuriating that we just have to let this go.”

Lu Shuyu was silent for a moment before sighing. “Protecting Teacher Xia is the priority.”

Xia Leshuang’s career was peaking. Her parents were a famous director and a Film Queen. If they pushed the issue—whether through a police report or a media war—it would end in a “lose-lose” situation. Xia Ye was right about one thing: it was a family matter. Until they knew Xia Leshuang’s own wishes, Xia Ye and Xu Ruyue were still her flesh and blood. Kinship is perhaps the hardest bond to sever. Neither Min nor Lu had the right to decide for her.

“Whatever, let’s not talk about it. It just makes me angry.” Min Wutong took a deep breath. “What’s the plan now?”

“I want to take her back to my place to live,” Lu Shuyu said.

The image of that locked door being opened was still vivid in her mind. Every time she thought of it, her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t want to risk that ever happening again.

Min Wutong scoffed. “Are you stupid? Do you think Xia Leshuang ended up like that because she couldn’t beat Xia Ye in a fight?” Xia Leshuang had been imprisoned not just by family ties, but by external force. “So what if she’s done eight years of Muay Thai? Can she take on ten people at once?”

“I know that,” Lu Shuyu said helplessly. “But how can I let her be alone? This is a society ruled by law. Between Xia Ye and Xia Leshuang, it’s a ‘family matter,’ but if you add me into the mix, it isn’t anymore, is it?”

“Good lord,” Min Wutong sighed. “I actually can’t argue with that logic right now.”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Shuyu wasn’t being reckless. “My current lease is about to end anyway. I’ll find a new place in a high-security complex. It’ll be safer.”

Min Wutong had a headache but couldn’t think of a reason to stop her. “Fine. I’ll help you find a place.”

“Thanks, President Min.” Lu Shuyu didn’t decline.

“That’s more like it.” Min Wutong prepared to leave. “I’ll have Chen Qian pack some of her things from her house. The rest will be packed and sent directly to your place.” She paused, raising an eyebrow at the hospital door. “If she disagrees, we’ll just have to force the matter.”

Lu Shuyu chuckled and handed her her keys. “Don’t worry. I have my ways.”

…

That night, as Lu Shuyu was unfolding the cot, Xia Leshuang woke up.

“Did I wake you?” Lu Shuyu stopped moving.

Xia Leshuang didn’t speak for a long time, looking a bit dazed from sleep. Lu Shuyu smiled, finished setting up the bed, and lay down. She looked up, meeting Xia Leshuang’s direct, lingering gaze. Xia looked like a startled animal—nothing like the person who, not long ago, couldn’t wait to be miles away from her.

“Xia Leshuang,” Lu Shuyu couldn’t help but say, “you didn’t actually go stupid on me, did you?”

The woman blinked her clear, dark eyes and immediately retracted her gaze. Lu Shuyu laughed softly. The height difference between the hospital bed and the cot wasn’t much; even if Xia Leshuang turned away, Lu Shuyu could still see her profile.

“Being a little ‘stupid’ is actually quite cute,” she said, “but I’d still prefer you to be healthy.”

She spoke earnestly, and the room fell silent. After a long while, Xia Leshuang spoke up: “Are you… sleeping here tonight?”

…

Oh man, her reaction time is so slow. Is she really traumatized?

Lu Shuyu sat up abruptly, meeting a pair of eyes filled with nervousness and hesitation.

“What… what is it?” Xia Leshuang’s eyes widened.

Okay, she’s not stupid. She’s just shy.

“Nothing.” Lu Shuyu lay back down. “Yeah, I’m staying. I wouldn’t feel right leaving you here alone.”

Xia Leshuang seemed better now; her response time was back to normal. “I’m a grown woman, what’s there to worry about…”

Lu Shuyu hummed a laugh, not bothering to argue. She remembered something she wanted to bring up now. If she waited until Xia Leshuang was fully recovered, she wouldn’t be as easy to convince.

“Xia Leshuang,” she called out softly.

“Hmm?” The soft response drifted down from above.

Lu Shuyu’s eyes crinkled. “When you’re discharged, come home with me.”

The room went deathly silent. Even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish. Lu Shuyu waited until she was almost out of breath herself before she heard Xia Leshuang ask: “Why?”

Sigh… I should have asked the moment she woke up!

“Your health is poor. I’m your friend. Isn’t it normal for me to take care of you?”

Again, silence. Lu Shuyu sat up and stared intensely at the woman who was staring at the ceiling. Her gaze was so “hot” that Xia Leshuang couldn’t handle it. “Friends shouldn’t be such a burden…”

Her voice trailed off, lacking confidence, likely because they had just had a “discussion” about friendship recently.

Lu Shuyu didn’t back down. She smiled and changed the subject. “Speaking of which, I was looking through my call logs and found a strange number from L-City—”

Xia Leshuang’s hands, clasped over her stomach, tightened.

“Teacher Xia,” Lu Shuyu asked softly, “I haven’t changed my number in ten years. Have you really remembered it all this time?”

“I asked Chi Shan for it,” Xia Leshuang replied instantly.

“Oh~” Lu Shuyu raised an eyebrow and pulled out her phone. “Let me ask her then.”

The person on the bed jolted so hard her IV hand almost hit the bed rail.

“Be careful!” Lu Shuyu was startled, and her finger accidentally tapped the call button.

“Hello? Shuyu?”

Xia Leshuang froze completely. Lu Shuyu also froze, her brain racing for a work-related excuse, but it was past 9 PM—too weird. She decided to be honest. “Sorry, my finger slipped. Wrong number.”

On the other end, Chi Shan seemed speechless. After a pause, she said, “Goodbye to you, then!” and hung up.

Xia Leshuang let out a long breath of relief.

Seeing this, Lu Shuyu smiled and dropped a bombshell: “So, Teacher Xia, be a good girl.”

“If you don’t behave, I’ll kiss you.”

Xia Leshuang turned her head, her eyes full of shock and confusion. “What did you say?”

“I said—if you don’t behave, I’ll kiss you.”

Lu Shuyu repeated it without any psychological burden. She knelt up on her cot, her hands gripping the hospital bed rail.

Xia Leshuang was clearly terrified. She actually pursed her lips and shut her mouth tight.

“Good~” Lu Shuyu suppressed a laugh. “For the sake of our ‘ship of friendship’…”

She reached out her hand. Xia Leshuang instinctively dodged to the other side, looking genuinely scared.

Snap.

The room went dark, leaving only the dim glow of the floor-level nightlight. The cot creaked as Lu Shuyu lay back down.

“Alright, let’s sleep. Goodnight, friend.”

In no time, Lu Shuyu’s breathing became long and steady. She was asleep.

Xia Leshuang finally breathed. She pressed her hand against her chest, afraid her heartbeat was so loud it would wake the other woman. She quietly turned her head, and after a moment, slowly turned her whole body. Using the faint light from the floor lamp, she stared wantonly at Lu Shuyu’s sleeping face.

So close. So unguarded. She hadn’t even dared to dream of such a scene.

Her heart raced again. Intense emotions surged in her chest with no exit, eventually turning into hot sweat on her palms. It was agonizing. Xia Leshuang couldn’t help but let a joyful smile spread across her lips.

You’re sleeping so well. You have no idea how much I’m dreading falling asleep and losing this moment.