She didn't go far, lingering at the gate, looking up at the lights in the apartment building. When she got tired of standing, she sat down by the flower bed with her knees drawn up to her chest.
She took out her phone to continue typing to Yin Jiayi, unaware that Wan Jing had already taken her phone away.
"Yin Jiayi, I'll be waiting for you here."
"I'll go back whenever you come out."
Shanghai is a damp and cold city all year round. The night wind made her shiver and she silently hugged her arms.
Kim Nam-ji waited and waited, until the moon gradually set in the west, the last light in the apartment went out, and the security guard in the gatehouse fell asleep.
From initial hope to current despair, the light in Kim Nam-ji's eyes has gradually dimmed.
She knew that Yin Jiayi wouldn't be coming.
Kim Nam-ji got up in a daze, dragging her stiff legs back. Reason told her that it was no big deal and she shouldn't cry, but tears still streamed down her face.
She sniffed and muttered to herself.
"Yin Jiayi, you... big liar, I don't want to... like you anymore."
***
Xie Shi'an slept restlessly all night, frowning and talking in his sleep, his face pale, covered in cold sweat, and his hair was wet.
Jian Changnian sat on the edge of the bed, not daring to close his eyes. He reached out and touched her forehead, which was burning hot.
She ran out again and called the doctor.
The doctor came in, took a look, and said.
"She has inflammation in her body, so a fever is normal. It's a sign that her immune system is working. Once the inflammation subsides, the fever will go down. You can use a towel to cool her down."
Upon hearing this, Jian Changnian immediately found a basin, asked the doctor for a clean towel, and then went to the bathroom to fetch a large basin of cold water and placed it by the bedside.
She soaked the towel, wrung it out until it was half-dry, and gently placed it on her forehead, changing it every five minutes.
Xie Shi'an was in a daze, feeling as if she were in a furnace, her internal organs burning painfully. She kept muttering, "Water... water..."
Jian Changnian leaned over to listen, quickly poured a glass of warm water from the kettle by the bedside, gently helped her sit up, leaned against her, and brought the glass to her lips.
"Shi'an, the water's here, drink slowly."
She drank about half a cup in one go, then choked and coughed repeatedly.
Jian Changnian tore off a tissue to wipe the water from her chin. Seeing how uncomfortable she was, he felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
After drinking the water, Xie Shi'an's brows gradually relaxed, and his dry, chapped lips became full and moist.
Jian Changnian put down the cup, gently placed the person on the pillow, and was about to get up to get another basin of water when, unexpectedly, her wrist was grabbed again.
Xie Shi'an closed his eyes, and two crystal tears slid down his cheeks.
"Yu Chu... no... no... don't leave me... I'm sorry... but it hurts so much... it hurts so much..."
Xie Shi'an is sometimes so mature and rational that she seems to be twenty-eight years old, not eighteen. Coupled with her superb ball skills, it's easy to forget her age.
But at this moment, Jian Changnian truly realized that although the person in front of her was invincible on the battlefield, she was actually only eighteen years old. If she hadn't become an athlete, she would have just been admitted to university and would be sitting in a classroom studying. She wouldn't have to control her weight or watch what she ate, and she could eat her favorite sweets and hot pot without restraint.
There's no need to endure the pain and still have to play the game.
Jian Changnian's eyes also reddened as she watched her cry.
Xie Shi'an had been wandering alone in this world for too long, and had forgotten that eighteen years old was actually an age when one could still cry out in pain, but in front of Qiao Yuchu, he was an exception.
She clung tightly to Jian Changnian's wrist, like a drowning person desperately grasping at a straw, and murmured to herself.
"Yu Chu...it hurts so much...hug me...please hug me."
Jian Changnian felt a mix of emotions. He gazed at her face for a long time before finally walking over, bending down beside her bed, embracing her, gently patting her back, and softly comforting her, without disturbing her sweet dream.
"It's okay...it's okay now...go to sleep...tomorrow...it'll be better tomorrow..."
When Xie Shi'an woke up, it was already past ten in the morning. She reached out to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight outside the window, and then felt something pressing on her legs. Looking down, she saw Jian Changnian lying on her knees, fast asleep, with dark circles under his eyes.
She had one arm wrapped around her waist and the other hand clutching a towel, a protective posture that kept her company all night.
Xie Shi'an was taken aback. Although his legs were a little numb, he withdrew his hand that had reached out to touch her shoulder, reluctant to wake her.
After a while of this stalemate, Wan Jing and the event organizing committee staff arrived.
Upon hearing the noise, Jian Changnian seemed to wake from a dream and began to play.
"Please rest in peace!"
Xie Shi'an sat up and waved his hand in front of her eyes.
Here it is.
Jian Changnian then focused his scattered gaze on her face. The young man had a slight smile on his lips. Although his face was still pale, he looked much better.
Jian Changnian reached out and touched her forehead. Xie Shi'an didn't flinch, letting her feel the temperature before burying her face in her arms.
"That's great, Shi'an, your fever has finally broken. You have no idea how scared I was last night..."
Xie Shi'an paused for a moment, then, sensing that she was trembling slightly, gently placed his hand on her back to comfort her.
"It's alright now."
Wan Jing said.
"The car has arrived, can you leave now?"
Xie Shi'an released her and nodded.
"Okay, let's go."
The ambulance took her all the way to the stadium entrance, which naturally attracted the attention of the media. As soon as she got out of the car, she was surrounded by a crowd.
Wan Jing led the way, and countless rifles and cannons were aimed at her.
"We heard you played the game today despite being sick. Could you tell us what exactly you were sick with?"
"Will being unwell affect my performance?"
"Xie Shi'an, predict today's score."
"Kim Nam-ji beat Yoon Ga-yi in yesterday's match. Are you feeling a lot of pressure facing her today?"
The boy paused slightly and casually reached for the reporter's microphone.
"I think the one under pressure is Kim Nam-ji. I will personally win back the gold medal that Captain Yoon missed."
Her words were so bold that the reporter was stunned for a moment. Before they could react, she had already entered the venue. They tried to rush over but were stopped by security guards outside.
Jian Changnian followed her to the changing room to change clothes.
Xie Shi'an changed and looked back. She saw that the woman was still standing there, holding her coat, with the closet door wide open, seemingly lost in thought.
She has been unusually silent since last night.
Xie Shi'an knew that she did not agree with her decision to insist on playing the game while sick, after all, it was not a cold.
But having come this far, giving up now would only bring regret later on.
Even if she loses, she will lose with her head held high.
Xie Shi'an went over and closed the cabinet door for her.
"What are you thinking about?"
Jian Changnian snapped out of her daze and quickly put on her coat.
"Oh, it's nothing."
Xie Shi'an turned to the side and looked at her.
"Are you... worried about me?"
When her secret was exposed, Jian Changnian's gaze became somewhat evasive. For some reason, she always felt at a loss whenever she was looked at like that.
"Don't be afraid, I will win."
The young man made a solemn vow.
“I promised Coach Yan that I would win a Grand Slam for him, and I will definitely do it. This is just the first trophy I have given him.”
“I just…” Jian Changnian pursed his lips, and when he raised his head again, his gaze became incredibly firm as he extended his fist toward her.
"Fine, even though I don't agree with what you did, I will always unconditionally support any decision you make. Good luck in the competition, and I look forward to you winning the championship."
Xie Shi'an slightly curved the corners of his lips.
I made a fist with my right hand and gently touched it to her.
"good."
The venue was packed with people today, even the aisles were crowded and completely blocked.
Xie Shi'an's fans raised their support items and waved Chinese flags, while the South Korean fans were equally enthusiastic, cheering and waving flags for Kim Nam-ji. The tense atmosphere spread from the stage to the audience.
In the first row of the stands, the media set up their cameras and microphones, aiming them at the playing field.
The live broadcast is also ready.
A major battle is imminent.
The commentator didn't waste any more words.
"We received news from the event organizing committee this morning that Xie Shi'an insisted on playing despite being ill, and the ambulance is still parked at the venue entrance."
"Everyone standing here wants to win. No one doesn't want to win. It would be best if we could win this game, but if we can't, I hope everyone won't blame her. Everyone who gives their all to pursue their dreams deserves our respect."
"Alright, everything is ready, let the competition begin!"
As Jian Changnian watched her stride confidently onto the field, he silently thought to himself:
"Shi'an, wait for me a little longer. Next time, next time, we'll fight side by side."
***
Qiao Yuchu had talked herself hoarse, finally managing to coax and persuade her mother to get the test done. When she saw the report, she was thunderstruck; her vision blurred, and it took her a long time to focus on the black and white text. The diagnosis section read:
depression.
Looking at those three words, she felt an intense, piercing pain in her heart.
"Doctor, is there a mistake? My mother... how could she have depression? Menopausal mood swings are common."