The blistering sun overhead blinded me, making Gu Zhizhou’s back dissolve into a blur. As I collapsed, a wave of resignation washed over me. This body, I thought, was completely shot. I’d expected to collapse and be left on the street, but I woke to find myself in a hospital, Gu Zhizhou sitting by my side. He was as aloof as ever, yet I saw a flicker of softness in his sharp, handsome features. “What happened?” he asked, standing by the bed as he watched me stir. He was silhouetted against the light, his figure haloed, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself believe he cared. Why else would he be here? “What’s wrong with me?” I asked, ignoring his question. “Sleep deprivation and severe exhaustion.” A voice from the doorway cut in. A young doctor walked to my bedside, glanced at Gu Zhizhou, and then raised a suggestive eyebrow at me. “Miss, if you keep abusing your body like this, you’re going to permanently damage it.” I sighed inwardly and lowered my head. As if I didn’t already know. After finishing his check-up, the doctor looked at me, an eyebrow arched. “I’m Shen Yan. I might be handling your case from now on.” As he spoke, he shot a look at Gu Zhizhou’s scowling face, a faint smile playing on his lips. So they knew each other? I managed a weak smile. “Dr. Shen, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Tang Li.” He shrugged, offering two words. “I know.” Seeing him linger, Gu Zhizhou’s face darkened. “You’re done. Get out.” Shen Yan let out a “tsk.” “That’s cold, Zhizhou. Use me and then toss me aside?” Gu Zhizhou shot him an icy glare. Shen Yan knew when to quit. He shrugged again. “Alright, I’m leaving. She hasn’t recovered properly from the miscarriage. That, combined with her emotional distress, means she could easily end up infertile. So stop scowling all the time. It’s not good for the patient.” He seemed ready to ramble on, but a single, glacial look from Gu Zhizhou sent him scurrying away. Watching them, I figured they must be close friends. I was about to ask Gu Zhizhou about it when my phone suddenly rang. It was my mother. When I answered, her voice was hoarse. “Tang Li, your father’s body can only be kept at the hospital for three days. The doctor just notified me that we need to have his remains cremated as soon as possible.” A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I nodded, though she couldn’t see me. “Okay, Mom. Don’t worry, I’ll find someone to handle it right away.” My mother was silent for a moment before saying, “The funeral…” I knew what she meant. “Don’t worry, Mom,” I said. “I’ll take care of everything.” She didn’t say anything else. After a faint sigh, she hung up. Putting the phone down, I took a deep, shuddering breath, my chest still tight with grief. Gu Zhizhou’s low, controlled voice came from above. “Didn’t the Lus take care of your father’s affairs?” I pulled myself from my thoughts and looked up at his handsome face, my eyes turning red against my will. I shook my head slightly. “Mr. Lu handled things very well, it’s just…” Before I could finish, the door was thrown open, making both of us jump. Fang Hui and Lu Ke’er stood in the doorway, expressions grim. They both froze when they saw Gu Zhizhou. Fang Hui quickly masked her anger, turning to him. “Zhizhou, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Ke’er for her wedding dress fitting today? It’s getting late, you should go!” Lu Ke’er looked at him expectantly. Gu Zhizhou’s brow furrowed. He shot me one last, cold glance before walking over to Lu Ke’er, taking her arm, and leading her from the room. Fang Hui didn’t follow. She strode into the room and, without giving me a moment to brace myself, slapped me hard across the face. “Tang Li,” she snarled, “I warned you to stop clinging to my son. Are you planning to bury your mother right after your father?” I stared at her, suppressing the storm of emotions in my chest. My face went cold. “Why don’t you ask your son,” I said in a low voice, “why he was in my hospital room?” “You!” She raised her hand to strike me again, but this time I caught her wrist. My patience was gone. “I had the abortion. And I’m finished with Gu Zhizhou. If that’s still not enough for you, then I have no problem telling him that his own mother killed his first child.” The blood drained from her face. She stumbled back a step, pointing a trembling finger at me. It took her a long moment to choke out the words. “Tang Li, are you threatening me?” I looked her straight in the eye, my lips pressed into a thin line. “I wouldn’t dare. But even a cornered animal will bite.”