Chu Han's Pursuit of Love Turns into a Burning Battlefield

"Zhou Yi! Please help me! You're the only one who can help me now!"

Chu Han was crying, her face streaked with tears like a rain-soaked pear blossom.

It was clear this wasn’t one of her usual acting performances—those pitiful, fake tears she often shed. This was real, raw emotion.

Zhou Yi gently pushed her away and spoke calmly, "Whatever it is, say it properly. But first, let’s go outside. We shouldn’t be making a scene at school."

Chu Han wiped her tears and followed Zhou Yi as they walked out of the school gates.

The streets outside were packed with students leaving for the day.

It was Friday, and everyone was heading home. The food stalls lining the sidewalks were doing booming business.

Zhou Yi’s mouth watered at the sight. He stopped in front of one of the stalls with Chu Han in tow.

"Two egg pancakes, please."

"Coming right up! That’ll be 18, kid."

Zhou Yi paid and took the freshly made egg pancakes from the vendor.

"Here."

Chu Han was still lost in her sorrow, but at Zhou Yi’s words, she snapped back to reality.

"Yi-gege, I’m not hungry."

How could she think about food when her mind was filled with images of her mother lying in a hospital bed?

Zhou Yi took a bite of the fragrant egg pancake before asking, "What happened? Tell me."

This was practically the first time he had ever seen Chu Han in such a disheveled state.

Her voice trembled as she choked back sobs. "I know begging you like this is shameless, but I have nowhere else to turn."

Earlier that day, her aunt had called with devastating news—her mother had collapsed at work and been rushed to the hospital.

The diagnosis was lung cancer, and the treatment and surgery would cost around 100,000 yuan.

For Chu Han, who came from a single-parent household, this news was a crushing blow.

She had never even known her father. Her mother had raised her alone, working tirelessly to make ends meet. Their financial situation had always been tight.

Now, as a student with no income, scraping together 100,000 yuan seemed impossible.

Before coming to Zhou Yi, she had already gone to Gao Wenhao for help.

The fact that she was standing here now meant Gao Wenhao had refused.

When Chu Han had pleaded with him, Gao Wenhao had been cold, even mocking:

"Why don’t you go ask your precious Yi-gege? He just bought a 1.8-million-yuan apartment without batting an eye. Surely he can spare some pocket change?"

At that moment, Chu Han’s heart had shattered.

She finally understood—dating a rich guy meant nothing.

If she wanted to climb the social ladder, she couldn’t rely on a wealthy man’s whims.

To them, she was just a plaything. They’d toss her a few coins when they were in the mood, then kick her aside the moment they got bored.

For a girl whose worldview was still forming, her past naivety now seemed laughable—and utterly hopeless.

There was only one person left she could turn to.

Zhou Yi.

After listening to her fragmented explanation, Zhou Yi could only sigh.

Her realization had come far too late.

But whether to help or not? He didn’t hesitate.

"Which hospital?"

Hearing Zhou Yi’s immediate response, Chu Han’s tears fell harder, her heart drowning in regret and self-loathing.

Even after everything she had done, he hadn’t turned her away.

[Chu Han’s remorse value +20, affection value +20.]

Her sobs grew louder as she forced out the words: "City First Hospital."

Zhou Yi flagged down a taxi, and the two of them headed to the hospital.

Inside the car, Zhou Yi handed her the egg pancake again.

"Eat. Otherwise, your mom will worry when she sees how weak you look."

Zhou Yi didn’t know much about Chu Han’s family, but he had noticed one thing—her mother adored her. She often visited the school to check on her.

The original Zhou Yi had met her several times—a delicate, slender woman with gentle features.

She had always assumed Zhou Yi and Chu Han were just good friends. Whenever she brought food for Chu Han, she made sure to pack an extra portion for him.

That kindness alone made it impossible for Zhou Yi to stand by and do nothing.

Besides, he needed Chu Han’s remorse points.

Zhou Yi was pragmatic, but not heartless—just enough warmth to keep him from seeming like a cold, calculating machine.

Chu Han took the pancake, tears still streaming down her face.

"I’m sorry… for how I treated you before."

This apology was genuine.

But the original Zhou Yi would never hear it.

Zhou Yi twisted the knife deeper: "This is your favorite egg pancake stall. I thought eating it might cheer you up."

[Chu Han’s remorse value +10.]

Chu Han broke down again.

She had always loved these egg pancakes, and Zhou Yi had bought them for her countless times. But she hadn’t even realized this was the same stall.

Her chest ached so much she could barely breathe. She couldn’t take a single bite, her tears unstoppable.

Zhou Yi handed her a tissue. "Wipe your face. I’ll help you, so stop crying."

Chu Han grabbed his hand, clutching it desperately, unwilling to let go.

In the past, she had cared only about money, scoffing at Zhou Yi’s love, trampling on his pride without a shred of guilt—even taking pride in it.

The more she thought about it, the more she hated herself. Overwhelmed, she suddenly slapped her own face.

Zhou Yi caught her wrist. "What are you doing?"

Chu Han whimpered, her voice thick with regret. "I—I treated you horribly. I was awful… I shouldn’t have done those things..."

Zhou Yi’s expression remained indifferent. "What’s done is done. You were my first love. I won’t let your mother suffer when I can help. You don’t need to do this."

Chu Han pleaded through her tears, "Yi-gege, I’ve changed. Please… give me another chance."

"Now I finally know who’s really worth loving. Please, just one more opportunity?"

Even if Chu Han wanted to reconcile now, Zhou Yi would never go back.

"Chu Han, there’s no future for us."

His words stabbed into her heart like a blade.

By the time she realized she loved him, he was already gone.

Her lashes trembled as fat teardrops splashed onto Zhou Yi’s hand.

"Just once… please? I’ve really changed."

"Some things can’t be fixed. You know that—broken mirrors don’t mend."

Chu Han released his hand with a devastated sob, burying her face in her hands as she wept.

Her cries were pitiful, the kind that would soften anyone’s heart.

But Zhou Yi didn’t comfort her again.

The taxi pulled up outside the hospital.

"We’re here. Let’s go."

Zhou Yi helped Chu Han out of the car. The girl was still sniffling, her eyes red and swollen like a rabbit’s.

"Do you want your mom to see you like this?"

Chu Han froze, then quickly wiped her tears, taking deep breaths to steady herself.

Now wasn’t the time to wallow in heartbreak. Her mother was waiting.

Once everything was settled, she would try to win Zhou Yi back.