Chapter 67 Xin Qing Falling off a Horse (2/2)

”That son of mine has always been clueless about how women think. When you wake up, I'll beat him up for you.”

Voices buzzed in Xin Qing's head. Xin Qing thought she saw a lot of people in white clothes. She saw Monica too, and Ying Hao. There was also a bearded man. After that, she felt pain in her head and passed out.

Xin Qing felt as if she was having a long dream. In the dream, her father was kind to her and she became a brilliant designer who had won a lot of awards. Every day, her mom would be at home preparing meals and waiting for her return. Their family of three would sit around the table and enjoy a meal filled with laughter. Then she saw a man. The man was holding a ring. He was proposing to her. But no matter how hard she looked, she could not make out the man's face.

The man turned around and left. She hurried after him, screaming for him to stay, but no sound came out. The man went further and further away before he became a vanishing black dot. Xin Qing turned around to go home, but only to see flames coming out of her parents' bodies. The flames engulfed everything, leaving nothing behind but ashes.

”No... mom, don't go! Don't leave me on my own. Don't abandon me...”

”Qingqing! Qingqing!”

”Who's calling me... who?”

It felt as if it had taken every bit of strength in her body when Xin Qing opened her eyes. When she did, her eyes fell upon a face with an unkempt beard.

Holding Xin Qing's hand, Ying Qingcang bellowed, ”Doctor! Doctor!”

”Qingqing, don't go back to sleep. I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Punish me any way you like, just please, don't go back to sleep,” Ying Qingcang cooed while stroking her face.

Xin Qing opened her mouth but her throat was so tight that she could barely make a sound.

”You've been unconscious for too long. Don't talk. Let the doctor examine you.”

The doctor examined Xin Qing swiftly before telling Ying Qingcang that the patient was fine, that she should be watching her nutrition and resting well for some time. After the doctor left, Ying Qingcang fed Xin Qing water with a straw. He also helped her sit up against the headboard.

”You've been out for a whole week...” All of a sudden, Ying Qingcang sounded as if he was choking up. Xin Qing tried to lift her arm, but she felt too weak. Ying Qingcang hurried out his next words. ”I've notified the family. They'll bring food here soon. You'll feel stronger after you eat something.”

Xin Qing blinked and tried to form words. ”I... don't...don't...feel like... talking to... you...”

”Okay, okay. Just ignore me and don't talk. Talk only after you've eaten something!” Ying Qingcang sniffed and reached for the sippy cup to feed her more water. This time, Xin Qing took a huge gulp. Looking at Ying Qingcang, she said, ”You look terrible.”

”He's been here watching you the whole time you were out. He didn't sleep and shave. Of course he'd look terrible!” Monica walked in with two massive lunch boxes. Then she shot Ying Qingcang a glare. ”She's awake now. So you can go home and sleep.”

Without saying a word, Ying Qingcang took the lunch boxes from Monica and set them on the table. He picked up a bowl of porridge. ”Have some porridge first. Otherwise, your stomach won't be able to take it if you suddenly eat solid food,” he spoke gently to Xin Qing.

”I'll eat it myself.” Xin Qing turned her head away.

Ying Qingcang's hands halted in their movements. He stared at Monica wordlessly.

”Me! I'll feed you!” Monica resigned to her fate and took over the bowl. ”Come, Xin Qing, open your mouth!”

Xin Qing felt too weak to move her arms, so she allowed Monica to feed her the porridge, mouthful by mouthful until the bowl was empty. Afterward, she finished another bowl slowly, this time on her own. After the meal, she could feel her body again. Before, when she had just woken up, she could barely feel her own existence.

When Xin Qing was done, Monica began cleaning up, nagging at Xin Qing as she did. ”Seriously, I don't get why you're out riding in the middle of the night. You could barely ride during the day, for heaven's sake. Where did you even find the guts to do that, huh? Why didn't you just call me, I could've taken you away...”

Monica swallowed the remaining words under the cold, watchful eyes of Ying Qingcang. Taking the hint, Monica waved at Xin Qing. ”I'm heading off first. I'll come see you again tonight!”

Xin Qing nodded and watched Monica leave. After that, she lay down with her back facing Ying Qingcang.

”Qingqing...” Ying Qingcang nudged her gently.

Xin Qing did not move a muscle.

”Please don't ignore me. I know I've hurt you.” The pleading was clear in Ying Qingcang's tone when he spoke, as if he was saying a prayer. ”You don't know how hard it's been for me these few days when you were out. I kept asking myself what I'd do if you never wake up again. I just can't imagine that kind of life.”

Xin Qing sniffed and bit down on the covers, trying to stifle the sounds of her sobs. ”What right do you have to decide what's important and what's not? You always do whatever you please. Every time, you take your emotions out on my body.” Xin Qing thought.

”I did it because I was scared.” Ying Qingcang low voice sounded. ”I was afraid that you would start doubting our relationship after you heard those words. At that time, I just wanted to possess you. I was afraid that you'd leave me.”

”Sounds more like you're doubting your own feelings.” Finally, Xin Qing had said something.

Seeing that Xin Qing had finally ended her silent treatment, Ying Qingcang felt a surge of emotion. Then, the meaning behind her words hit him. ”No. That's not it. I'm sure of my own feelings. Please, don't doubt me.” Ying Qingcang said hurriedly.

”Then what right do you have to doubt me?”