So, Arthur and I were already seeing each other.

Because I didn't like him, all the things that had happened before no longer mattered, and that was why I was in such a hurry to sever ties with him.

He tilted his head back against the wall and slowly closed his eyes.

"Gu Elena, what am I supposed to do..."

The laughter and chatter in the ward didn't stop for a long time.

When Arthur took my hand to walk out of the ward, Julian was already gone.

I quietly pulled my hand away and followed Arthur silently until we were in the car, at which point I spoke: "Brother Arthur, you didn't have to do that."

My voice was soft, laced with a cautious sense of guilt, like a child who had done something wrong, helplessly twisting my fingers.

Arthur gave a light chuckle: "You actually don't think I'm taking advantage of you."

He joked, but the corners of his mouth quickly dropped. His dark eyes were dim, and his throat bobbed as if there were words he wanted to say but held back.

In the end, all he said was:

"Just act along with it. It’s better than him pestering you all the time."

Chapter 28

Actually, Arthur knew it deep down.

He was the one who most wanted this play to continue, but the things that had happened between Julian and me were probably far more complicated than he understood.

This uncertainty made him feel uneasy, even desperate enough to use this method to force Julian to withdraw.

I looked at the scenery outside the window and didn't speak again.

"It’s alright. When Julian is gone, I will explain it to your aunt clearly. You don't need to have any psychological burden."

I didn't answer. After a long while, I took a deep breath and said: "Brother Arthur, I..."

Before the words of apology and refusal could escape, Arthur interrupted.

"I know, Elena. I’m not forcing you to make a decision, and you don’t need to rush to reject me. I can wait. I can wait as long as it takes. I like you because you are you. No need to apologize."

I pursed my lips and lowered my eyes.

Arthur was always like this—seemingly cracking jokes in a carefree way, yet he would quietly help you handle everything. Those unspoken emotions and hesitations were things he noticed and understood.

"Brother Arthur, thank you."

I raised my head and thanked Arthur sincerely.

Days passed one by one.

In the blink of an eye, the New Year was approaching.

Snow had also fallen on my small balcony, and the flowers that had bloomed so vividly in the summer had fallen into a deep sleep.

Knock, knock-knock.

The door was knocked on. As I was braiding my hair, I hurried to the door to open it.

The moment the door opened, Arthur smiled and waved his hand at me.

"You’re getting ready so quickly. Sit for a moment, I’ll be ready in a second."

I hurriedly gave instructions, tilted my head slightly, and ran to the dressing table, my hands moving even faster to tie my hair.

Arthur sat on the sofa, legs crossed, and picked up the newspaper I had read that morning—"Female Vagrants Appear in Many Parts of Nancheng."

He said "no hurry," but his eyes remained fixed on me.

My back was busy in front of the mirror, carrying a sense of stable happiness.

This was also the reason he had liked me the first time he saw me.

"Ready, Brother Arthur, let's go."

I walked over as I tied my scarf. Arthur put down the newspaper, stood up, and went downstairs side-by-side with me.

Before leaving, Xie Wanzhi didn't forget to remind her son: "Pick out two new outfits for Elena!"

The task of shopping for New Year’s supplies this year fell to Arthur and me. We got in the car and headed straight for the largest department store in Nancheng.

The department store was packed with people.

Arthur and I walked through the crowded throng. A man carrying holiday supplies brushed past, knocking me off balance.

Arthur was quick-witted, catching me instantly with a look of concern: "Are you okay?"

I shook my head: "I'm fine, I just lost my footing."

Although I said that, Arthur’s arm remained on my shoulder, not letting go—a completely protective posture.

Julian watched this scene from not far away, a mixture of emotions churning in his heart.

He couldn't help but wonder: if he hadn't misunderstood Gu Elena in the first place, would she be living happily in the capital right now? As the New Year approached, he would be the one bringing her out to shop for supplies, legitimately protecting her in the crowded mass of people.

Instead of being like this—tailing, peeking, living in the shadows.

"Young man, what are you looking at? Are you buying or not? If you’re not buying, I’m selling to someone else."

The salesclerk waved her hand in front of Julian’s face, looking puzzled.

He came to his senses, immediately put the item down, and chased after the back of Gu Elena.

After a brief moment of distraction, Arthur’s figure had disappeared. In front of him was only a girl with a similar figure to Gu Elena. Julian hurried forward, reached out, and tapped the girl on the shoulder.

She turned around, startled: "Comrade, do you need something?"

"Apologies, I mistook you for someone else."

It wasn't Gu Elena.

Chapter 29

Arthur possessed strong investigative and counter-investigative skills.

From the moment we left the house, he had discovered Julian. The reason he chose such a crowded department store was precisely to shake him off.

He had witnessed Julian mistaking someone else for me, and after taking me in his arms, he got us back into the car.

"Are we not buying anything anymore?"

I hadn't noticed Julian; I had assumed that since our conversation in the hospital stairwell, he had left the city.

"It's too crowded here. Let's go wander somewhere else first."

I had no objections to Arthur’s decision. With so many department stores in the city, there really was no need to keep crowding in here.

When Julian emerged from the department store, the shadows of Arthur and me were long gone.

Fortunately, there was a thin layer of snow on the ground, and the tire tracks were faintly visible.

He immediately got into his car and gave chase.

On the other side.

I leaned against the window, looking out at the festive, joyous atmosphere that permeated everything.

A few children were running and playing, holding candied haws, which made me let out a sound like silver bells.

Arthur couldn't help but turn his head to look: "What are you looking at? You're so happy."

"I'm watching those children; they are truly happy."

I leaned over the car window, wiping away the moisture that had fogged up from my proximity, my shining eyes full of envy.

Back when I was at home, I had also gone up the mountain to pick wild hawthorn, but I could never eat a single one. Everything had to be carried to town to be sold for money. Only a tiny portion could be kept, and even then, it was only for my stepfather’s foolish son to eat.

Such bright, glistening candied haws wrapped in a sugar coating—I had only ever seen them at the market.

Before I knew it, the car had pulled steadily to the side of the road.

"A single candied haw makes you happy? Wait here, Brother will go buy you some."

Arthur jumped out of the car and strode toward the peddler selling candied haws across the street.

I also got out of the car and waited for him at the street corner.

"Day after day I wait, when will it be New Year's Eve? With fish and tofu to choose from at my will! Day after day I wait, when will it be New Year's Day? With new watches and shoes too many to see!"

The children’s nursery rhyme echoed in my ears.

Just then, a car shot out from nowhere, heading straight for me!

The screams of passersby followed one after another, and the disheveled woman in the driver’s seat, looking like a madwoman, slammed on the accelerator. The vehicle lunged toward me like a wild horse that had broken its bridle!

By the time I turned, it was too late to dodge. I could only scream at the children playing ahead: "Run!"

Attracted by the commotion, Arthur’s eyes widened instantly. He threw away the candied haws in his hand and ran toward me.

In that split second of extreme peril, a dark shadow charged in from the side and shoved me out of the way.

"Bang!"

A violent sound of impact erupted from behind me, followed by the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.

After a series of sharp screeching sounds, the car slammed into a phoenix tree by the road. The front of the car crumpled, and glass shards scattered everywhere.