Chapter 59: What Kind of Family Could Have Raised Someone Like You

Gu Shiyan handed the cup forward. “Here.”

A bitter medicinal scent wafted at the tip of Luo Xing’s nose, making her frown. She took the cup in both hands but didn’t drink.

Gu Shiyan pulled out a piece of candy from somewhere.

Luo Xing glanced at it—it was the strawberry soft candy he’d given her at the arcade.

She reached out to take it.

He closed his palm around it, forming a fist; her fingertips brushed against his curled fingers.

Perplexed, she looked up at him.

Gu Shiyan’s face was calm; he nodded toward the cup she was holding.

Gritting her teeth, Luo Xing thought, sooner or later she’d have to drink it—the bitterness wouldn’t change. Holding her breath, she gulped it down in one go.

The taste was overwhelming, bitter and acrid on her tongue.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her face contorted.

Her hands still gripped the glass tightly.

Suddenly, something was pushed between her lips.

If it hadn’t been for the rush of strawberry aroma, she would have spit it out the next second.

As she bit into the soft candy, the sweet and tangy strawberry filling burst out, finally washing away the bitterness.

Luo Xing opened her eyes. Gu Shiyan, now turned away, tossed the candy’s torn wrapper into the trash.

Her gaze drifted, settling on the glass, at the dregs of medicine clinging to its bottom. “Thanks...”

Gu Shiyan tucked both hands in his pockets, looking down at her from above. “You want to thank me? Then add another two months.”

His lazy tone carried a hint of laughter.

Luo Xing immediately tensed, staring at him. “You—those people were after you.”

She swallowed the last of the candy and met his eyes. “So I say thank you and you act all smug, is that it?”

Gu Shiyan tilted his head, a light laugh escaping him, his shoulders shaking.

“What are you laughing at?” Luo Xing still felt weak; otherwise, she would have jumped up to glare at him.

“Why did you get out of the car?” The laughter faded from his face, replaced by a slight curl of his lips and a dark glint in his eyes.

Luo Xing felt a bit foolish about her actions, but she didn’t regret them. “I saw that man; he had a knife…”

Gu Shiyan leaned in, his eyes fixed intently on her. “When you pulled out the IV, I already noticed him. Why did you move closer?”

He bent low, nearly at eye level with her.

Luo Xing accidentally caught his gaze, then quickly looked away.

She rarely had the chance to look Gu Shiyan in the eye.

He was always above her—aloof, distant. Only sometimes would he tease her, watching her blush while he remained as calm as still water.

Her voice was low, barely more than a whisper. “At the time, I didn’t think much. There wasn’t time. What if…”

Her words trailed off, unsure what else to say.

“Oh… you were afraid I’d get hurt?” Gu Shiyan’s drawn-out voice was even quieter than hers, casual yet tinged with mockery.

Luo Xing clenched her teeth. He was mocking her—blatantly!

“Even if it were just a dog, I’d worry it might get hurt!” she retorted. “It’s not about being afraid for you. I’m just a good person!”

His gaze cooled, the teasing gone from his eyes. He straightened up and looked out the window. “Stay here and recover before you go back.”

Luo Xing had to crane her neck to look up at him again. “Do Grandma and Grandpa Gu not know what happened today?”

“If they did, your ears wouldn’t be so peaceful right now.” Gu Shiyan rolled his neck; that position had been tiring.

“They care about me. What’s wrong with that?” Luo Xing had grown used to being surrounded by caring people when she was ill.

Even taking medicine, someone always coaxed her. Her brother would prepare sweets for her beforehand; if her parents were around, they’d be by her side, too.

She couldn’t understand why Gu Shiyan valued peace and quiet over company.

“Gu Shiyan.”

Her sudden seriousness made him glance at her.

“Can I ask you something?”

“No,” he refused.

Luo Xing stared at the gauze wrapped around her palm, feeling a pang of pain. “Sigh, I risked my life to grab that knife for you, handed it right to you, was so afraid you’d get hurt, didn’t even have time to care about myself… and now you’re this cold and heartless…”

She looked up at him.

Gu Shiyan smiled. “Ask.”

A smile broke across her face. “So you do consider me your benefactor, after all.”

“I do,” he nodded, neither confirming nor denying.

Luo Xing had meant it as a joke; her earlier words had been clearly playful.

But his serious reply threw her off balance.

“Ahem.” She cleared her throat. “Can you tell me why we can’t call the police?”

What she really wanted to know was why Miss Wen’s creditors had come after Gu Shiyan, but that didn’t seem appropriate to ask.

“Luo Xing, I’d really like to know what kind of family could raise someone like you.” Gu Shiyan took a breath, tempted to light a cigarette.

He glanced at the patient in bed and thought better of it.

“What’s wrong with me? I’m pretty and smart, considerate and attentive.”

“Attentive?” Gu Shiyan let out a quiet laugh. “You never remember to close doors behind you, yet you’re quick to praise yourself for being considerate.”

Before Luo Xing could retort, he leaned in close, eyes sweeping over her. “And you’ve been awake for quite some time—haven’t you wondered who changed your clothes?”

His voice was calm, but his words made her explode.

“You pervert! I’m calling the police!” Only now did Luo Xing realize she wasn’t wearing her own clothes.

The oversized T-shirt had a wide collar, exposing much of her skin.

She looked at the shirt Gu Shiyan wore—the embroidered letters on his chest matched hers exactly. “You…”

The thought that he’d undressed her, seen everything—she was furious.

She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.

He caught it with one hand, smiling. “Attentive? Truly attentive.”

He drawled it out, teasing her.

“You’ve invaded my privacy!”

She flung a cushion at him, but weak as she was, it barely reached the floor.

Just as she was about to curse him out, the doorbell rang.

Gu Shiyan went to answer it.

Luo Xing saw a woman in professional attire holding a tray stacked with neatly folded clothes.

“Mr. Gu, your laundry is washed and dried.”

Gu Shiyan took them, murmuring his thanks.

Luo Xing’s sharp eyes spotted her own clothes on top, even her undergarments neatly folded.

Gu Shiyan seemed unfazed, setting them aside.

“Give them to me!” Luo Xing was about to faint from anger.

He looked at her. “You want to change right now?”