You Don't Want to Either...

With Tang Qinqin's medical expenses resolved, the heaviest weight in Lin Yu's heart finally settled.

Holding the bank card that still had a full balance of 400,000 yuan, Lin Yu planned to wrap things up and hurry home to sleep under the cozy warmth of the heater.

Using mobile banking, he transferred 300,000 yuan from the card to another account, leaving only 100,000 yuan behind. He pocketed the card and prepared to check on Tang Qinqin's condition.

When he reached the emergency room doors, he realized Tang Qinqin had already undergone surgery.

The area outside the emergency room was now empty, and the sign above the door glowed a dim green, indicating no patients were inside.

Dragging his exhausted body to the hospital's information desk, Lin Yu learned that Tang Qinqin had been moved to the ICU. He let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed the surgery had gone smoothly.

Following the nurse's directions and asking along the way, Lin Yu quickly found the intensive care unit.

Seeing the mother and daughter waiting outside, Lin Yu tightened his grip on the bank card in his pocket and walked toward them.

His footsteps, far from light, echoed through the hospital corridor.

At first, Tang Manman and Tang's mother were lost in their own thoughts, heads bowed, unaware of the approaching sound. Only when Lin Yu was right in front of them did they look up.

Recognizing him, the two immediately rose from their seats.

Their nervous, uneasy demeanor made it seem as if Lin Yu were some high-ranking figure who held their family's fate in his hands.

Tang's mother wiped the tears from her face and eagerly stepped forward. Forcing a smile that was clearly meant to please, her reddened eyes brimming with hope, she asked cautiously,

"Xiao Yu, you..."

"Auntie, don’t worry. I’ve already covered the surgery costs and the follow-up treatment. You don’t need to stress anymore," Lin Yu reassured her with a polite smile.

"Good, good."

Hearing his words, Tang's mother’s forced smile collapsed. She repeated "good" twice before breaking down, covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Thank you, Lin Yu," she choked out between cries.

"I really don’t know how to thank you enough."

"Thank you."

"Thank you..."

Tang Manman stood beside her mother, also wiping away tears, overwhelmed with relief.

But unlike her mother, there was something more complex in her eyes—something beyond gratitude.

A look Lin Yu couldn’t face yet couldn’t ignore, prompting him to quickly change the subject.

"It’s nothing."

"No need to thank me."

"Tang Manman helped me out a lot before. Consider this repayment."

Lin Yu smiled, then glanced toward the ICU room ahead and asked,

"How is Tang Qinqin doing now?"

Tang's mother wiped her tears, calming slightly as she explained in a shaky voice,

"She’s stable for now."

"The doctor said the surgery was successful."

"She just needs to rest and recover for a while."

Lin Yu nodded, his lingering worry finally easing.

"That’s good."

He pulled out the bank card with the remaining 100,000 yuan and handed it to Tang's mother.

"Auntie, this has 100,000 yuan inside. Take it for now, and if it’s not enough, just let me know."

"No, no."

Tang's mother refused immediately, pushing his hand back.

"We’ve already troubled you enough by making you pay so much."

"We really can’t accept this."

Lin Yu took her soft hand and firmly pressed the card into her palm.

"Auntie, just take it."

"Don’t feel bad about it."

"If it makes you uncomfortable, think of it as a loan."

Tang's mother shook her head, still resolute.

"No, I can’t take this money."

"Now that Qinqin’s medical bills are settled, we don’t have any urgent expenses. Xiao Yu, please take it back."

"Auntie, just keep it," Lin Yu insisted.

"Tang Qinqin got hurt because of the hotel fire—they’re liable for compensation. Once the settlement comes through, you can pay me back then."

"Besides," he added,

"Even if you don’t need the money, your daughter does."

"Tang Qinqin just had surgery—she needs proper nutrition."

"If she doesn’t recover well, she could end up with long-term health problems."

"And with this money, if you can’t manage alone, you could hire a caregiver."

"Tang Manman has her college entrance exams in half a year—she should focus on studying."

At the mention of Tang Manman’s studies, Tang's mother wavered. Seizing the moment, Lin Yu pressed further.

"Auntie, take it. You wouldn’t want Tang Manman distracted and missing out on a good university, would you?"

"..."

Huh?

Lin Yu paused, a question mark popping up in his mind.

Why did he always end up phrasing things like this?!

Tang's mother frowned, wrestling with the decision, before finally sighing and accepting the money.

"Lin Yu, I truly don’t know how to thank you."

"If I ever get the money, I’ll return it to you immediately," she vowed firmly.

"No rush," Lin Yu replied gently.

With the matter settled, Lin Yu—his head still heavy—just wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and sleep. But before he could say goodbye, his phone rang.

Pulling it out and seeing the familiar number, his heart skipped a beat.

Damn.

How could he have forgotten about her?!

Answering the call, he rubbed his nose guiltily and greeted her awkwardly.

"Hey."

"Lin Yu, are you busy right now?"

Gu Yue’s playful, lilting voice came through the receiver, making Lin Yu’s stomach sink. Still, he answered honestly.

"Not really, no."

"Oh, that’s great~"

"Could you do me a favor and bring me two black buttons and a pointy carrot?"

Her tone was unnervingly cheerful, sending a chill down his spine as she maintained the forced brightness.

"Lots of people passing by say my snowman cosplay doesn’t look convincing."

"I need you to bring me some props so they can see what’s what!"

"..."

Lin Yu stayed silent for a moment before mustering an apology. After all, he was in the wrong—standing someone up in this freezing weather without even a heads-up was downright rude.

"Sorry about that. I’ve been sick with a fever today—must’ve gotten a little delirious."

Lin Yu put on an apologetic grin, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Huh?"

"Are you running a fever?"

"Is it serious?"

"Do you need me to come help?"

Gu Yue's urgent voice crackled through the phone receiver. Lin Yu exhaled in relief, grateful she wasn't holding his last-minute cancellation against him—and unexpectedly touched by her concern.

This little rascal.

Truly worthy of being the only underling he'd ever acknowledged.

At least she knew how to show some respect to her boss!

"No need."

"You should head home. I'm still feeling pretty rough—think I'll crash soon. Let's reschedule for another day."

Lin Yu knew his current state absolutely couldn't handle another outing, so he had no choice but to fully bail on the invitation.

"Alright then."

Gu Yue's voice carried disappointment, but she didn't forget to add:

"Take care of yourself, okay? Don't skip your meds!"

"Got it, got it."

After hanging up, Lin Yu pocketed his phone. His sluggish brain finally registered the three devices weighing down his jacket—one of them being Tang Qinqin's forgotten mobile.

Pulling out the most outdated model from the bunch, he extended it toward Tang Manman with one hand while shoving the other phones back into his pocket.

"Your sister's phone—"

To his surprise, no one reached for it. Lin Yu glanced up to find Tang Manman staring at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, expression unreadably bitter.

When their gazes met, she snapped back to reality, accepting the device before bowing her head deeply. Though she maintained a fragile facade of composure, Lin Yu easily detected the storm of emotions beneath.

Watching teardrops splatter against the hospital corridor's icy tiles, shattering like glass, Lin Yu sighed inwardly. He had to admit—Tang Qinqin had been right.

Tang Manman was in no condition to be left alone.

She needed guidance.

Just... not right now.

Every inch of his body ached with exhaustion. All Lin Yu wanted was another dose of cold medicine and his bed. After a weary wave farewell to Tang Manman and her mother, he left the hospital and hailed a cab home.