After accepting the business card, Cornelia hurried toward Su Cheng's apartment. Since she had registered during her first visit, the security guard recognized her and didn’t stop her from entering.
Just as she arrived at the building, a familiar blue shared bike parked near the entrance caught her eye. She narrowed her beautiful eyes and stared at it for a long moment.
"He’s home," she murmured, relieved at the sight of the bike. Without hesitation, she quickened her pace upstairs, took the elevator, and pressed the doorbell to Su Cheng’s apartment.
"Ding-dong~"
A minute passed—no response.
Knock, knock, knock~
She tapped lightly on the door.
"If he’s home, why isn’t he answering?"
Frowning, she knocked harder.
Bang, bang, bang!
Still, silence.
Cornelia’s unease grew. Memories of Su Cheng’s past suicidal tendencies flashed through her mind, and panic set in. She began pounding her head against the door, her voice trembling as she cried out, "Su Cheng! Su Cheng! I know you’re in there! Open the door, please! I’m begging you!"
After nearly fifteen seconds of relentless knocking, there was still no movement from inside. Her fear intensified.
Did he really…?
Horrifying images flooded her mind, freezing her in place. Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"What’s all this racket?!"
An elderly neighbor from upstairs flung open her door and leaned over the railing, scowling. "What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know people are trying to rest?!"
Cornelia looked up at the woman, biting her lip before pointing at the locked door, her voice shaking with fear. "I-I’m sorry, Auntie… My boyfriend… something’s happened to him!"
"What happened?" the old woman asked, startled.
"H-He might be… inside…"
Cornelia’s voice broke with grief, as if she were about to lose someone dear to her. But before she could finish, the door suddenly swung open.
There stood Su Cheng, dressed in hospital clothes, his expression cold and detached as he stared at Cornelia. "I need to be alone. Come back tomorrow, if you must."
Bang.
The door slammed shut again.
Cornelia stood frozen, then awkwardly turned to the old woman upstairs.
"Young lady, don’t go spreading nonsense," the woman grumbled, shooting her a disapproving look. "Or the property values will drop." With that, she retreated back into her apartment.
Cornelia exhaled shakily before slumping against the wall beside the door. She hugged her knees and curled up on the floor, looking as pitiful as an abandoned golden retriever.
Her mind was a tangled mess—she didn’t know what to do or where to turn.
Then, an idea struck her.
Milk. I need milk.
Desperate for comfort, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a thermos filled with walnut milk. Without hesitation, she gulped it down, hoping to steady her frayed nerves.
After a few deep swallows, her chaotic thoughts began to settle. Clarity returned, and suddenly, she remembered—
"Wait… Sister Qin! Maybe she can help!"
Realizing this, she rummaged through her things again and found the business card that had just been given to her. She examined it carefully, confirming it was the female driver's phone number, then quickly reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and dialed.
Beep, beep, beep…
The phone rang repeatedly in her ear as she waited.
Cornelia held her breath, anxiously waiting for the call to connect. Right now, she desperately needed someone to confide in, to pour out her grievances and confusion.
"Hello, XX Taxi..."
"It's me, the one who just rode in your car."
"Ah, little girl. Already run into trouble?"
The familiar voice of the female driver came through the other end.
"My boyfriend... he..." Cornelia stammered, tears uncontrollably rolling down her cheeks.
"Did your boyfriend dump you again?"
Hearing how much she had to say, the driver replied while pulling into a temporary parking spot.
Cornelia clutched her chest, gasping for breath as she spoke haltingly, "He said he wants to be alone."
"Huh? That's it?"
"Yes!"
Cornelia nodded, wiping away her tears before continuing, "I'm really scared right now. I don’t know what to do."
The driver frowned. "So, why don’t you want him to be alone?"
"Get to the point!"
Startled, Cornelia hurriedly explained, "I’m afraid he might hurt himself. He’s done something like that before..."
"Seems like you're not the only emotionally unstable one here."
The driver pressed further, "Are you sure his mental state is that dangerous?"
"Yes." Cornelia wiped her eyes, sobbing softly. "He’s tried hanging himself before."
"Alright, I happen to like you, kid. Guess I’ll help you out today."
The driver slowly pulled out of the parking lot. "He’s still at XX Apartments, right? Which building and floor? If you’re there, keep an eye on things."
After Cornelia gave her the address of the complex and Su Cheng’s unit, the two hung up.
Once the call ended, Cornelia didn’t waste any time. She pressed her ear against the door, listening intently for any movement inside.
"Hah..."
She took a few deep breaths, trying to suppress the fear gnawing at her, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Splash, splash, splash~"
The sound of running water came from inside. She could faintly tell it was coming from the bathroom.
In that instant, her mind conjured up an image—Su Cheng lying in the bathtub, wrists slit, crimson blood flowing freely, his eyes closed, face serene with the peace of death.
Her imagination even added a tragic, almost ethereal beauty to the scene, making it unbearably poignant.
"No..."
Cornelia trembled violently, her legs shaking uncontrollably as she pressed against the door, teeth chattering audibly.
"He can’t do this..."
"He mustn’t...!"
"Waaah..."
She couldn’t withstand the overwhelming force of her own imagination. But soon, as the sound of water stopped, the horrifying fantasy shattered.
Next came the sound of a fridge opening, the pop of a soda can, followed by a loud gulp—then silence.
"Hah..."
Cornelia exhaled in relief, feeling as though she’d narrowly escaped death’s door, her nerves utterly frayed.
"Hmm...?" Suddenly, Cornelia's nose twitched as she caught a whiff of a strange yet familiar scent—something she had smelled somewhere before.
"Wait, is that... instant noodles?!"
"How can anyone eat something so unhealthy!" Cornelia frowned instantly. The combination of instant noodles and soda was simply awful.
Even a stray dog like Big Yellow would turn its nose up at it.
And Su Cheng rarely ever touched such junk food...
In fact, he had even expressed disgust toward it before.
Could it be...
Such unusual behavior!
A final indulgence before... suicide?!
Her mind racing with wild thoughts, Cornelia grew increasingly anxious. Just as she couldn’t take it anymore and was about to knock on the door to talk Su Cheng out of it, someone suddenly grabbed her hand.
Startled, Cornelia turned and saw a strikingly beautiful face hidden behind sunglasses—the female driver.
"Shh!"
Sister Qin pressed a finger to her lips, signaling Cornelia to follow her away.
Bewildered, Cornelia let herself be dragged toward the elevator before Sister Qin finally explained, "I scouted the area earlier. The building across from yours has a stairwell with a window facing your floor’s balcony. We can get a clear view of what your boyfriend’s really up to."
"Really?"
Cornelia’s eyes lit up. "Take me there, quick!"
Guided by Sister Qin, the two soon reached the opposite building’s stairwell.
"Here, use this." Sister Qin pulled out her phone and handed it over.
"Huh?"
Cornelia hesitated as she took it, staring at the device in confusion.
"This phone has a 5x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. It’ll work as a makeshift telescope."
Sister Qin patiently explained how to use the camera to spy through Su Cheng’s window.
Following her instructions, Cornelia peered through the screen—and gasped.
"He’s really eating instant noodles! And this time, he even added sausage!"
Though it was nighttime, she could vaguely make out his movements—noodles in one hand, sausage in the other. The phone’s resolution wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to confirm he was alive and eating.
"Good, since he’s fine for now, why don’t you fill me in on what’s going on?"
Sister Qin pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag before adding, "If you want my help, I need to know what we’re dealing with."
Cornelia lowered the phone, biting her lip in hesitation before finally asking,
"Um... Auntie Ye?"
"What ‘auntie’? I’m 17."
"No way."
"Forever 17. Call me Sister Qin." She rolled her eyes and snatched the phone back, scrutinizing the room. "I’ll keep watch. You talk."
"Alright..."
Cornelia reluctantly tore her gaze away, her eyes downcast as she struggled to find the right words.
Then, she noticed the red cigarette in Sister Qin’s hand and froze.
"What? You smoke too?" Sister Qin caught her stare and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh—no, I don’t. It’s just... my friend Big Yellow smokes the same brand." Cornelia quickly clarified.
"Oh?"
Sister Qin smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Seems your friend has similar taste as me. I bet we’d have a lot to talk about. Introduce us sometime, won’t you?"
"Uh..."
"This apartment of yours really isn’t the most peaceful place, is it?"
Sister Qin suddenly remarked, as if noticing something.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Cornelia asked, puzzled.
"Look at that car over there."
Sister Qin pointed toward a vehicle parked at the street corner.
Cornelia turned to look and saw a black van, slightly larger and taller than a regular sedan. At a glance, it appeared entirely ordinary.
"What’s wrong with it?" Cornelia asked, confused.
"That car’s been modified—most likely a surveillance vehicle used by the authorities." Sister Qin glanced at it briefly before turning back, explaining, "Law enforcement agencies, for instance, have access to this kind of high-end equipment."
"So, I suspect there might be a criminal suspect in the area, and they’re conducting some kind of high-stakes covert operation."
Cornelia’s eyes widened, clearly startled. "R-really?!"
"Yep. We shouldn’t linger here too long. If we’re spotted, our current situation would look way too suspicious. Getting questioned would be trouble." Sister Qin took a deep drag from her cigarette, exhaling a long stream of smoke before adding, "Now, hurry up and tell me about that kid across the way."
"Alright..."
Cornelia gave a slight nod, stealing a glance at Su Cheng’s figure before slowly organizing her thoughts. She then summarized his background and personality in broad strokes.
"An orphanage… Flame City Private Academy… and he doesn’t even know about his own condition?"
Sister Qin furrowed her delicate brows, mulling over these three points. After a moment, she looked up and said gravely, "His state of mind is far more complicated than you realize. Stay calm, and don’t get emotional. Listen to me first."
She gripped Cornelia’s shoulders, forcing her to focus. "First, his dreams and beliefs might have already shattered. As the saying goes, ‘Excellence in learning leads to public service.’ The ultimate goal is a government job."
"What do you mean? Explain it to me properly."
Though Cornelia didn’t fully grasp the implications, she sensed the gravity of the statement and pressed for details.
"Well… What I’m saying is, his life’s ambition may have completely collapsed. People with heart conditions can’t qualify for civil service exams—no employer would hire him. And the worst part? His condition currently has no cure!"
Sister Qin hesitated but decided to lay out the truth plainly. "After you took him to the hospital today, it’s now an official diagnosis. His medical records have been uploaded to the entire healthcare system. It won’t be long before the school finds out, and even the orphanage will likely hear soon. In cases like this, he’ll be forced into hospitalization."
Cornelia froze for several seconds before the reality sank in. Remembering Su Cheng’s stubborn nature, a wave of dread washed over her. "W-what do I do? What should I do now?"
"Like you said, there’s a very real chance he might take his own life."
Sister Qin let out a sigh. "You need to prepare yourself mentally. In his current state, there’s nothing left to keep him going—it’s almost like he’s completely given up, his heart as cold as ashes."
At that moment, Cornelia realized just how little she truly understood Su Cheng.
She had assumed he was refusing medical treatment simply because he didn’t want to owe her a favor, but now it seemed the situation was far more complicated than she’d imagined…
"But—" Sister Qin began, only to be cut off by an agitated Cornelia.
Cornelia grabbed her hand, her face pleading. "But what?"
To her, Sister Qin seemed like the last lifeline she could cling to. She gripped her sleeve, desperation written all over her face.
Seeing this, Sister Qin paused for a few seconds before patting her hand reassuringly. "In this situation, I believe you’re the only one who can save him."
"Me?"
Cornelia pointed at herself in disbelief, then shook her head. "But I don’t know how. Sister Qin, please tell me what to do."
"Aren’t you his girlfriend?" Sister Qin said. "Use love—it’s the greatest force in the world! With someone like you by his side, I’m sure he can find redemption."
Hearing this, Cornelia’s heart sank. She let out a bitter laugh. "Well… actually… he’s never really seen me as his girlfriend."
Her expression darkened, her eyes reddening as her voice choked up. "It seems like it’s just been my wishful thinking all along."
"Oh. So you’re the one chasing after him. That boy’s got quite the luck."
Cornelia wiped away her tears quietly. "Up till now, he’s only ever treated me as a friend."
"Then you won’t have much sway over him, will you?"
Sister Qin pondered for a moment. "If he sees you two as just ordinary friends, then—wait—"
"Didn’t you say there’s that childhood friend of his from the orphanage? The older sister?"
As if struck by an idea, Sister Qin gestured to her phone and urged Cornelia, "Call her right now and get her to come see him as soon as possible."
"She’s in a wheelchair—it’s not easy for her to move around," Cornelia hesitated. "And she doesn’t even know me."
"Doesn’t matter," Sister Qin waved her hand impatiently. "Hurry up, just explain the key points. Have her call Su Cheng and comfort him. That’ll be enough."
"Okay, okay!"
Cornelia was on the verge of tears, hastily taking the phone and dialing a number from memory.
Beep—beep—beep—
After three rings, the call connected.
"Hello… Who is this?"