Chapter 104: Keeping Distance from Her

It was already deep into the night. The VIP ward was so quiet that only the gentle breaths of the two people could be heard. Qin Yu seemed to be sleeping soundly, undisturbed by her presence.

Lin Xi wasn’t sure why she had come, nor did she know what to do. She simply sat there, gazing absentmindedly at the side of Qin Yu’s face.

In her memories, it was always she who slept while Qin Yu silently kept watch by her side. This reversal of roles was a scene she was experiencing for the first time.

Back then, she had an acute lack of security. Every night, she could only fall asleep listening to his voice. On weekends, while he worked, she would nap on her desk after finishing her tasks.

Each time, she would ask him to wake her in half an hour. He would agree, but always delayed, letting her sleep a bit longer. Most often, he waited until she woke naturally.

When she questioned him, he would smile and say, “You look so peaceful while sleeping, I couldn’t bear to wake you.”

If anyone else had said such words, she would have thought them insincere, a smooth talker. But this was Qin Yu—the silent, stoic Qin Yu.

Lowering her gaze, Lin Xi clenched her fist, pressing her fingertips hard in an attempt to keep herself awake.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket, startling her so much that she flinched and instinctively glanced at the figure on the bed. Luckily, the sound was soft and hadn’t disturbed him.

She dimmed the phone’s screen and opened WeChat to check the message.

It was Cheng Si.

He seemed worried about her, asking why she had come to the hospital so late.

It was a good question, for she herself didn’t know the answer.

She had spent a long time at home, trying to focus on work, reviewing everything from chip research to Feiyun’s plans for the next decade. She had thought through all the possible issues and solutions, meticulously considering every detail. In the end, only Qin Yu remained in her mind.

She hadn’t even thought it through—almost as if it was an impulse, urging her to leave quickly. By the time she realized it, she was already downstairs at the hospital.

She hesitated for a long while before replying, “I couldn’t sleep, so I came to see Third Brother. I didn’t pay attention to the time; he’s resting now, so I’m about to leave.”

Soon, the status above showed “the other party is typing.”

A few seconds later, Cheng Si sent her a voice call.

She was grateful to have the phone on vibrate, for if the ringtone had sounded, Qin Yu would surely have woken.

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She couldn’t help but suspect Cheng Si of doing it on purpose, though she had no proof.

She tapped to hang up and typed, “I’m still in the ward, can’t answer.”

Cheng Si replied with an “OK” sticker, and then nothing more.

Lin Xi stared at the chat window for a long time, waiting for a message that didn’t come. Just as she thought Cheng Si had gone to bed, Qin Yu’s phone screen suddenly lit up on the bedside table to her right, followed by the system ringtone.

A thunderous sound erupted in the empty ward.

Lin Xi froze, rapidly reaching out to press the hang-up button.

But it was too late...

Qin Yu was a light sleeper, waking at the slightest sound. In recent years, he’d developed sleep disorders, making him even more sensitive. His bedroom at home had been specially renovated for soundproofing.

Had he not been in poor health these past few days, he would have woken the moment Lin Xi opened the door. Tonight, he slept a little deeper, only awakening when the ringtone sounded.

Lin Xi remained motionless, still poised as if to turn off the phone, afraid to make any noise that might disturb Qin Yu.

Thus, when Qin Yu opened his eyes, he saw Lin Xi clutching his phone, sitting anxiously in the chair. Her whole body was stiff, and her posture looked uncomfortable.

At the sight of her, Qin Yu showed no reaction.

His expression was calm until he reached out and gently touched her left hand resting on the edge of the bed.

In that brief moment when their fingertips met, both were startled.

Lin Xi’s eyes widened, staring at him. Qin Yu frowned slightly, withdrawing his hand before she could speak.

The warmth on his hand vanished instantly.

Lin Xi stared blankly for a moment, lowering her gaze just in time to see his quick, evasive movement.

For a moment, Lin Xi’s heart ached.

This was exactly what she had always wanted—a familiar yet distant sense of space. But for some reason, seeing it made her heart hurt uncontrollably.

“Why are you here?” Qin Yu’s voice was unexpectedly hoarse, surprising Lin Xi. She composed herself, silently poured him a glass of water, and handed it over.

As she poured, Qin Yu sat up, reached for the remote, and turned on all the lights in the ward.

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Under the lights, Lin Xi stole a glance at him.

The man leaned against the headboard, his face pale. His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he drank. When he met her gaze, he didn’t fixate on her as he used to; a light glance, and he looked away.

From beginning to end, his eyes remained clear, revealing no emotion.

When he finished drinking, Lin Xi reached out to take the cup. But Qin Yu, as if not noticing her gesture, moved past her and placed the cup directly on the table.

Lin Xi’s hand was left hanging in midair. After a while, she placed it back on her lap, raising her eyes, her emotions wiped clean. “Third Brother, are you feeling better?”

“Nothing serious,” Qin Yu replied, his voice smoother than before. He glanced at the clock on the wall, brows furrowed. “Did Cheng Si ask you to come?”

“You’re supposed to be away on business. Has everything at the company been resolved? Coming here this late, aren’t you working in the morning?”

He tried to keep his distance, but concern for her still seeped through his words.

Lin Xi noticed this, staring at him for a long moment before answering, “Nothing major at the company; it’s all sorted.”

“I do have work tomorrow, but I slept through the day, so I’m not really tired now.”

“Fourth Brother didn’t ask me to come; I just heard you were hospitalized and wanted to check on you.”

“I’m glad you’re alright.”

She lowered her gaze, answering each question, appearing much more obedient than in the previous days.

Qin Yu looked at her deeply, evading her gaze before she could meet his eyes.

“It’s late. Ask Cheng Si to pick you up and go home.”

He clearly didn’t want to talk much more, and Lin Xi nodded in acknowledgment.

“Third Brother, take care of yourself. Your health is your own—don’t sacrifice it for others; it’s not worth it.”

How much had he drunk to end up in the hospital?

If Cheng Si or Bai Xu had been so reckless, it would have been understandable. She wouldn’t be surprised—those two had started clubbing before adulthood, and their wild drinking sprees often reached “lethal doses.”

But with Qin Yu, her heart felt heavy.

(End of this chapter)

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