However, just as Julian was about to get in, Arthur slammed on the gas and shot off.

"You still want to scheme against me? Go eat a few more years of rice, kid! Today, I’ll show you what it means to lose both the bride and the soldiers!"

The force of the acceleration startled me. I turned around, my heart still pounding, to see Julian chasing the car, but his figure grew smaller and smaller.

I turned back around, suddenly finding it a bit funny.

"Brother Arthur, I didn't think you could be this childish."

Arthur smiled but said nothing, slowly slowing the car down and driving steadily.

I leaned against the door, watching the scenery fade away outside the window, and let out a long breath.

For me, things I have decided to let go of are things I must never look back on. Compared to the current Julian, I would prefer he still held that dismissive attitude toward me.

The way he is now only makes me feel at a loss.

I closed my eyes and thought: The exams are over; I should find a full-time job, hurry up and save money, and pay off my debt to him as soon as possible.

Chapter 26

I had hoped my indifference would make Julian retreat.

Unexpectedly, when I arrived at the hospital the next day, I saw someone I didn't want to see standing right in front of Evelyn’s bed.

"Oh my, Sister Evelyn, you are truly blessed! The young man who usually comes with Elena has such a good background, and this young man is a high-ranking officer from the capital—he’s incredible!"

"Elena is so beautiful, it’s only natural she has a few suitors. Isn't 'free love' all the rage these days?"

Evelyn sat up in bed, offering a bashful, awkward laugh.

If my legs weren't feeling so weak, I would have run faster than anyone.

As soon as I saw him, I felt like I had found a savior.

"Elena, you’re here."

Evelyn looked at me, but her eyes kept darting to Julian, winking at me incessantly.

I took a deep breath, walked forward with a dignified air, and gave Julian a polite smile. Then, under his expectant gaze, I bowed to him.

"Thank you, Comrade Julian, for your generosity two years ago, helping my mother pay her hospital fees. I have always remembered this kindness. I’ve saved up almost enough money to pay you back. If you give me a call or send a telegram, I will mail it to you; you didn't need to come all this way yourself."

Once these words were out, Julian’s image instantly transformed from "prospective son-in-law" to "debt collector who traveled thousands of miles to demand payment."

The two aunts who had just been praising him shifted their tone immediately.

"Oh, how much money could it be to warrant a special trip from the capital?"

"Young man, you’ve made this so troublesome. We’re all familiar with Elena; she’s not the type to owe money and not pay it back."

"Exactly. It’s not easy for a young girl to take care of her mother. She would have paid you back if she had the money. You... this is a bit too pushy."

Everyone chimed in, and Julian’s face darkened as he pulled me outside.

At the corner of the stairwell.

"Elena, do we really have to be like this?"

Julian looked at me with trembling eyes, but I remained cold and distant, even pulling my hand away and stepping back to create space.

"Julian, do you realize how much trouble you’re causing me with this unreasonable behavior?"

My tone was uncharacteristically stern, and I didn't give him a chance to rebut, just as he used to do to me.

"I’ve already told you I would pay back the money I owe you. I paid back a portion last time, but you refused to take it. Now you’re coming to make a scene in my mother’s hospital room—isn't this going too far?"

"Yes, in your heart, I’ve always been a woman who climbs the social ladder and behaves improperly. So please, stay far away from me, okay? Not only do I have no improper thoughts about you, but if you didn't show up, I wouldn't even think of you."

"No... Elena, that’s not what I meant."

This time, it was Julian who was powerless to argue.

"Julian, everything you are doing now is truly superfluous. Compared to the person you are now, I preferred the one who rejected and reprimanded me without mercy. At least that wouldn't make me feel burdened."

"Instead of it being like this—where the one who did something wrong suddenly becomes me."

My words were piercing.

For the first time, Julian experienced the pain of being mistrusted, the inability to defend himself, and the agony of being repeatedly pushed away.

His eyes turned uncontrollably red, and he looked at me with a hint of pleading.

"Elena, I know you’re still angry at me. You can say whatever you want, you can hit me or scold me, but I beg you—give me a chance to make amends, okay?"

As he spoke, he tried to take my hand, but was cruelly pushed away.

I frowned: "Julian, you are ridiculous."

With that, I turned and left the stairwell.

Julian slammed his fist into the wall with all his might, his right knuckles instantly becoming a bloody mess.

He felt as though he had truly gone mad—to love someone so humbly, wanting to return to her side even after being pushed away time and time again.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about giving up. Such emotions, which stripped him of his reason, were too dangerous. He had endured for a year, trying not to think or look, hoping to dig Gu Elena out of his heart.

But no matter how bloody and painful the wound was, he couldn't truly let go.

It was as if a voice in his mind were repeatedly reminding him—

You cannot lose Gu Elena, otherwise, the rest of your life will be spent in regret.

Chapter 27

Stepping out of the stairwell,

I finally released my tightly clenched fists.

I never wanted to use such sharp language to sting Julian, but I truly lacked the strength to bear the risks that might come with being with him. I only wanted to stay far away from him and live a peaceful life.

"Julian, I’m sorry."

After saying this, I turned and headed back to the ward.

Separated by a single door,

Julian listened to my receding footsteps, lowered his head in silence, and felt a dull ache in his chest. He couldn't understand why I was so repulsed by him, why I would rather intentionally say things against my heart to push him away than give us another chance.

The footsteps faded away. Julian exhaled a long, heavy breath and said hoarsely, "No need to say sorry. You haven't done anything to anyone."

When I returned to the ward, it was quiet inside.

Arthur was sitting by Evelyn’s bedside, using a small knife to peel an apple into a single, long, continuous strip. His movements were slow, and a faint, subtle smile played on his lips. He looked incredibly patient.

"Elena, you’re back."

Evelyn greeted me with a smile, then looked at Arthur. Her eyes were full of tenderness and approval: "Arthur is truly meticulous. Whoever marries you in the future will be truly blessed."

Arthur smiled but didn't speak, only casting a glance at me—a look that certainly didn't seem innocent.

Through the back-and-forth of this past year, anyone with eyes could see Arthur was interested in me, but since the two of us hadn't gotten together, Evelyn was anxious.

Especially now that Julian had entered the picture.

My impression of Julian was certainly not good.

I glanced at Arthur. He was focused on his work, and the sunlight pouring in from the window plated his resolute profile with a rim of soft, golden light.

He truly was a rare, good man.

I lowered my head and sighed silently to myself, but I simply couldn't cross the threshold in my heart, and I couldn't hold him back any longer.

Just as I was thinking this, I saw Arthur stand up and hand the plate of sliced apples to Evelyn, laughing: "As for the blessing of marrying me, only Elena can enjoy that."

Hearing this, Evelyn actually forgot to chew, staring at him blankly.

"You... you two? You’re... dating?"

Arthur smiled and nodded: "Yes, Auntie. We’re dating. We originally planned to tell you when Elena’s college entrance exam results came out, to make it a double celebration."

He tightened his grip on my shoulder slightly. I understood his meaning and caught a glimpse of a shadow flickering outside the observation window.

I pursed my lips and did not refute him.

Outside the door,

Julian leaned against the cold hospital wall. His heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy blow.