---
The next day, Ying Yue brought Rodey's lunch as usual. Her injuries were almost healed, and Rodey was also slowly recovering though the doctor said it would take a few more days.
As she was about to reach Rodey's ward, she was stopped by a voice.
"Um…"
She turned and was surprised to see the same man who had tried to flirt with her a few days ago. She kept quiet.
His face was still injured and bandaged because of Rodey's punch and looked weak.
"Yes?"
He lowered his head and bowed before her. "Hello. I am Bo Feng. I-I came here to apologize to you for my misbehavior a few days back! I am really sorry for doing that. I hope you forgive me."
Ying Yue said nothing.
He quickly said, "Trust me. I am really sorry. Actually... because of my behavior, I am already suspended from working here for three months."
"Oh…"
"Yes. Today is my last day, and I will only come back three months later. So, I just wanted to take this chance to apologize to you before I left."
Bo Feng was really remorseful for his actions. He had an elder sister, and when word got to her about his actions, she beat him even more than Rodey and was furious for harassing a woman.
He was angry at first over his suspension but then realized that it was for the best. It would also help cool down the incident.
Ying Yue softly nodded as she looked at him. He didn't seem to be lying to her, and if he truly regretted it, she had no other reason to stay angry.
"It's okay."
Bo Feng felt relieved. His sister had said not to show his face until Ying Yue forgave him, so he was glad that she did.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"It's alright. It's enough that you understand."
Bo Feng smiled. "Thank you." Then he asked as he was curious. "By the way…"
---
Rodey felt it strange that Ying Yue still hadn't arrived to visit him. Usually, she was here by this time to give him his lunch, and she was never late.
Then he stiffened as he realized.
"What the hell? I don't care if she comes or not!"
He was so used to her presence now that he had already memorized the times she would come bringing food for him.
He sneered. "Good riddance. At least she wouldn't annoy me with the freaking love conversations!"
Rodey felt satisfied to assume that there would be peace and quiet today.
But only a minute later, he got up again.
Is she sick? Is that why she couldn't make it today?
Now he was unable to get that thought out of his mind. Ying Yue never missed a day, so it could be that she might be sick.
That arose an uncomfortable and uneasy feeling in his chest, imagining her lying sick and weak on the bed. He didn't like it at all. No, he hated it.
It was better to face her pointless love arguments than to see her sick.
He gritted his teeth.
Damn it!
He could have called her, making an excuse, but he didn't have her number.
Rodey got out of the bed and opened the door but quickly closed it as he recognized Ying Yue standing outside.
Heh...she is already outside. And here I was thinking about her like a fool.
But then he saw her talking to another man. He opened the door a little bit and froze to see the same man who had flirted with her.
The difference being that they seemed to be having a normal conversation now. He was laughing while Ying Yue was also properly talking to him.
What the fuck! How dare he come near her again! I will freaking kill him!
And why the hell are you talking to him, Yue!? Did you already forget what he did?
The more he watched them conversing happily, the more he felt angry and unsettled. His fingers clenched into a fist, and he had an urge to kill that man.
This is so annoying! Why are you talking to him!
"What's wrong, bastard? Cannot see her with anybody else?"
Rodey shot a glare towards Bai Li, standing behind him and chuckling at him.
"What are you doing here? Get lost."
"Ouch. So harsh. Why are you so pissed off?" He smiled.
Rodey's jaw tightened.
"Ohhh! Is it about Ying Yue?" Bai Li touched his chin. "Hey, I noticed it just now but don't you think that they look good together? They look like they would make a good couple."
He froze.
Couple…?
The mere thought oozed the killing intent out of him.
Ying with another man…
That was enough to make his blood boil.
He grabbed Bai Li's collar. "You want me to kill you, you bastard?"
Bai Li calmly shook it off. "Hey, hey. I am just commenting. Why are you getting so angry? After all...you don't love her anyway."
Rodey stiffened.
"So what does it matter to you if she is with another man? After all, when you go to jail for a life sentence, she will marry someday and have her own family. You have told her not to wait for you anyway. So, will she waste her life waiting for a fruitless love?"
Bai Li chuckled. "So, I don't see why you are getting mad? Of course, you don't assume that she wouldn't wait for you as you want but would remain single nevertheless?"
Rodey opened his mouth but couldn't retort anything for the first time.
Yes. He didn't want her to wait for him. But did he want to see her with anybody else?
If he didn't take Xin Nianzu's help, he could be serving a life sentence in prison. But was he assuming that Ying Yue would never fall for another man and try to make a new life for her? Wouldn't she move on in her life?
So, even if he was refusing her feelings, was he ready to know that one day she could be married to another man and have her family?
Where he wasn't a part of life...
That realization hit him hard. It shook his heart, and he suddenly trembled in his place where he stood.