I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 61

In the chaotic, crowded throng, Zhou Youling was nearly suffocating. Someone stepped on her leg, and another on her back.

Cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she desperately shielded her belly. She heard someone scream, “Someone’s fallen!”

“It’s Boss Zhou! Please be careful!”

“Stop pushing! Maintain order!”

“Someone’s down! Stop pushing!”

Lying on the ground, Zhou Youling felt pain coursing through her entire body. She wanted to get up, but found herself utterly powerless.

Around her were the sounds of footsteps and various shouts.

Chaos, confusion, clamor, and turmoil.

In that moment, a fleeting thought of death crossed her mind. She had read about stampede accidents in the news; this was no trivial matter.

But now, what terrified her more was the tiny life inside her.

She was scared, helpless, and utterly at a loss, able only to weakly plead, “Please…”

Suddenly, she heard a familiar, cool voice, “Move aside!”

The surrounding noise quickly subsided.

The chaotic footsteps ceased, and the clamorous shouting stopped.

Zhou Youling heard the faint sound of leather shoes on the ground, followed by a warm embrace enveloping her back.

The entire world seemed to calm.

A familiar scent filled her senses, and without opening her eyes, she knew who it was.

In that instant, Zhou Youling felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

“Where are you hurt?” Fu Xunzhou’s voice was filled with a restrained panic.

Just moments ago, he had been across the street, watching helplessly as Zhou Youling was tripped by the crowd, his heart in turmoil.

He suddenly recalled the day she recklessly dashed across the road, and without hesitation, he rushed over from across the street.

He pushed through the crowd, found her, protected her, wanting to give her all his warmth and keep her safe.

Zhou Youling looked up at Fu Xunzhou, her eyes involuntarily welling up with tears.

She had been truly terrified, and now, perhaps feeling the aftershock of surviving a calamity, she was momentarily speechless.

Seeing her silent and teary-eyed, Fu Xunzhou anxiously asked again, “Is it your foot or somewhere else?”

He had seen someone step on her ankle and another kick her.

Holding her, he frowned slightly, filled with worry.

But Zhou Youling misinterpreted the emotion in his eyes.

She suddenly remembered the time when her heel was blistered, and his furrowed brow had the same troubled look, which made her feel a bit fearful.

She really wanted to tell him her stomach hurt, but feared he would disdain her for her weakness.

Fu Xunzhou prepared to lift Zhou Youling. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No need.” Zhou Youling instinctively resisted, refusing to let Fu Xunzhou carry her.

By now, the crowd had given Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou some space.

Fu Xunzhou asked, “Why not? Can you stand?”

Zhou Youling replied, “I don’t need you to take me to the hospital. I can go myself.”

Fu Xunzhou couldn’t believe that even at this moment, she would still argue over such matters.

Wasn’t her health more important right now?

“At a time like this, please don’t throw a tantrum, okay?” Fu Xunzhou almost abandoned all his pride, his sole concern being whether she was hurt. Yet, he was not accustomed to comforting others, and his tone inadvertently carried a hint of sternness.

Zhou Youling freed herself from Fu Xunzhou’s grip, enduring the pain as she said, “I’m not throwing a tantrum.”

She pushed Fu Xunzhou away forcefully, only to stagger backward a few steps, losing her balance. Those steps led her to collide with a firm chest.

“Elder sister.” Xu Jiaze reached out gently to support Zhou Youling’s arms, his voice soft and filled with self-reproach.

Around them, gasps quickly filled the air.

“It’s Ah Ze…”

“I wish Ah Ze was holding me!”

“Ah Ze looks so serious, is he angry?”

“It’s all our fault, causing Elder sister to fall.”

Turning to see Xu Jiaze, Zhou Youling grasped his wrist urgently and said, “Jiaze, could you please take me to the hospital?”

Standing just a step away, Fu Xunzhou’s face was as cold as if it had been pulled from ice.

She would rather seek help from a stranger than let him assist her.

Whatever Xu Jiaze said next barely registered in Zhou Youling’s ears; she only saw the crowd parting to make way, and then Xu Jiaze guiding her onto the nanny van with the help of the staff.

Yet, even after getting into the van, Zhou Youling’s mind was still occupied by Fu Xunzhou’s forlorn expression.

Fu Xunzhou stood at the edge of the crowd, knowing full well that if he continued to persist, it would only make her more resistant and defiant. All he could do was stand quietly, watching her safely board the vehicle.

As long as she was safe, he was at peace.

Not long after, Fu Hexu approached from across the street.

With Xu Jiaze’s departure, the crowd dispersed, leaving the street somewhat desolate.

Fu Hexu patted Fu Xunzhou’s shoulder and asked, “Why are you standing here in a daze?”

Fu Xunzhou glanced at Fu Hexu, a thousand words in his heart, but ultimately chose silence.

From a young age, Fu Xunzhou rarely had doubts; even if he did, he would find the correct answers himself. But in matters of the heart, despite his efforts to find answers, nothing seemed right.

Not far away, Fu Xunzhou noticed a cute hat lying on the ground. He slowly walked over, bent down, and picked it up, gently brushing off the dust from the brim.

Fu Xunzhou remembered this hat; he had seen Zhou Youling wear it last year. But he also recalled that she hadn’t taken it with her when she left. She preferred to buy new things she liked rather than take anything from him.

…

“I’m sorry.”

Xu Jiaze’s voice brought Zhou Youling back to reality.

Zhou Youling held her abdomen protectively, the pain causing her to frown slightly.

Xu Jiaze asked nervously, “Elder sister, it’s all my fault. Where do you feel uncomfortable? The nearest hospital is just ten minutes away; hang in there.”

Zhou Youling shook her head and said, “I’m okay.”

She was dressed warmly, and the nanny van’s heater was on high, soon making her feel a wave of heat rise within her.

The initial pain subsided, but Zhou Youling felt utterly exhausted.

Xu Jiaze’s agent, Yu Wenwei, turned to Zhou Youling and said, “I’m really sorry about this. We didn’t expect such an accident to happen. It’s our fault.”

Zhou Youling looked up at Yu Wenwei and forced a smile, saying it was fine.

Yu Wenwei, always observant, noticed Zhou Youling’s hand resting on her abdomen. He cautiously said, “If you’re not feeling well, just let us know. We’re not outsiders. You helped Jiaze out of kindness before, and he’s always remembered it. I’m grateful to you too.”

Yu Wenwei had brought Xu Jiaze to the restaurant today to shoot a small documentary. Xu Jiaze had specifically requested to come to Food and Color, so Yu Wenwei agreed. However, the fans somehow got wind of it and rushed to the restaurant, causing a crowd.

Yu Wenwei felt very apologetic and worried about Zhou Youling’s condition.

It was then that Zhou Youling said, “I’m pregnant.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiaze’s gaze was fixed on Zhou Youling’s abdomen.

Xu Jiaze knew about Zhou Youling’s divorce and recognized the man at the restaurant entrance as her ex-husband. But he never imagined that Zhou Youling was pregnant. It seemed she might have kept this from her ex-husband as well.

A fall like that could be serious for a pregnant woman.

Xu Jiaze reassured her, “Elder sister, everything will be fine.”

Yu Wenwei was concerned too, but lacking experience, he quickly contacted a doctor friend to wait for them at the hospital.

From the incident to reaching the Emergency, Yu Wenwei’s efficiency was impressive, taking only about fifteen minutes.

At the hospital, medical staff known to Yu Wenwei were ready to receive them, wasting no time.

After the doctor’s examination, it was found that Zhou Youling’s injuries were not severe. Her ankle was slightly sprained, but it wasn’t a major issue. The doctor advised Zhou Youling to rest in the hospital for a few days, preferably staying in bed and minimizing movement.

With the assurance that everything was fine, Zhou Youling felt relieved.

It was around eight in the evening, neither too early nor too late. Thanks to Yu Wenwei’s connections, Zhou Youling was admitted to a private room.

Once settled in the room, a doctor from the Inpatient Department came to check on Zhou Youling and instructed a nurse to administer glucose.

After getting comfortable in the room, Yu Wenwei apologized once more, asking Zhou Youling, “I’m really sorry about today. Do you need me to contact your family?”

Thinking of her overly dramatic mother, Zhou Youling shook her head.

She had been busy with the branch store in B City for the past few days and had just returned tonight, only to encounter this situation.

Zhou Youling, ever optimistic, thought to herself: surviving a disaster must bring good fortune.

All she wanted now was a good night’s sleep, as she was utterly exhausted.

Yu Wenwei, still a bit worried, suggested, “How about I get you a caregiver?”

Xu Jiaze couldn’t help but interject, “I’ll stay and keep Elder sister company!”

Yu Wenwei glanced at Xu Jiaze and said, “That’s not possible. You know your current status. Besides, you have rehearsal tonight and an early train to catch to Shanghai for an event tomorrow.”

It wasn’t that Yu Wenwei was being unsympathetic; Xu Jiaze’s situation was indeed unique.

The incident at the restaurant could already be considered an accident, and Yu Wenwei didn’t want a repeat of such events.

“Can the event be postponed?” Xu Jiaze asked.

Yu Wenwei shook his head, “No, it can’t.”

Xu Jiaze looked at Zhou Youling with helplessness and apology, “Elder sister, I… I’m sorry.”

Zhou Youling smiled, “How many times have you apologized tonight? My ears are getting calluses. I don’t blame you. You don’t need to feel guilty.”

Yu Wenwei appreciated Zhou Youling’s understanding. Seeing that Xu Jiaze’s rehearsal time was approaching, he quickly arranged for temporary care for Zhou Youling and hurriedly left with Xu Jiaze.

Once the caregiver arrived, they exchanged awkward glances with Zhou Youling. Feeling uncomfortable, Zhou Youling asked the caregiver to leave. She wasn’t used to having a stranger around, and despite her fatigue, she couldn’t fall asleep.

The caregiver, seeing Zhou Youling’s insistence, had no choice but to leave, having already received her payment from Yu Wenwei.

The hospital room soon fell into silence.

Zhou Youling picked up her phone to check the time, surprised to find it was already ten o’clock. Exhaustion overtook her as she set down her phone and fell asleep almost instantly.

Zhou Youling once read about a loneliness ranking, which categorized how people endured solitude. During her three years of marriage to Fu Xunzhou, she had done many things alone-shopping, dining, watching movies, and even visiting the sea.

But staying alone in a hospital room was a first for Zhou Youling. Even when she had a high fever in the middle of the night, a family maid was there, and Fu Xunzhou eventually rushed back to be with her.

As she drifted into a hazy sleep, Zhou Youling felt a warm hand gently touch her face.

She was all too familiar with his presence; she didn’t need to open her eyes to know who it was.

Zhou Youling opened her eyes and clearly saw that it was Fu Xunzhou. Her memories blurred, recalling the time she went to the hospital with a high fever, back when she hadn’t divorced Fu Xunzhou.

“You came…” Zhou Youling murmured softly.

Fu Xunzhou paused, his hand resting on the edge of her blanket.

He feared she might ask him to leave.

After all, he had once again come uninvited, a behavior that could be seen as bothersome.

Zhou Youling grasped Fu Xunzhou’s hand and asked, “Weren’t you on a business trip in B City? How did you get here?”

Fu Xunzhou’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he leaned closer to Zhou Youling.

Afraid to disturb her sleep, he whispered, “I was worried about you.”

Those words brought a smile to Zhou Youling’s lips.

But she was truly exhausted. Holding Fu Xunzhou’s hand, she said, “I’m fine… I’m so sleepy…”

Fu Xunzhou’s hand gently caressed Zhou Youling’s smooth, delicate cheek, “Sleep, I’ll stay here with you.”

“Don’t leave…”

“Alright, I won’t leave.”