Su Li dragged herself home, her cold having worsened into a miserable trifecta of a stuffy nose, a pounding headache, and a raw throat. She swallowed some cold medicine and burrowed under the covers, curling into a tight ball. The bed, empty but for her, refused to warm. As dawn approached, Su Li couldn’t bear it any longer. She threw on a down jacket and called a taxi to the hospital. An IV line fed into her arm, leaving her in a groggy haze. As she watched others with companions by their sides, a pang of envy was unavoidable. They say there are levels to loneliness, and she figured she must be past level ten. Time crawled by, but she didn't dare fall asleep. She forced herself to stay awake, her eyes darting around every so often. Mo Xingyuan was there for a follow-up appointment when he happened to spot Su Li sitting off to the side. Her head was bowed, her hair a mess, and a needle was taped to the back of her hand. Among the crowd, she looked exceptionally alone. Suddenly, Su Li looked up, her gaze colliding with Mo Xingyuan’s. She called out his name instinctively, “Mo Xingyuan…” Mo Xingyuan acted as if he hadn’t seen her and walked straight past. Chi Mu followed behind Mo Xingyuan, saying nothing. Su Li hadn’t expected to see him here. That single glance felt like a hallucination. She pursed her lips. What was she even hoping for? She couldn't possibly expect *that* man to show her any concern. The very thought was laughable. . Emerging from the Director's office, Chi Mu was ecstatic. He struggled to contain his excitement, his voice trembling slightly. “There’s still a chance. You should go start the preparations soon.” Mo Xingyuan felt nothing. From diagnosis to death sentence, he had long since accepted his fate. Every chance was just another form of struggle. As for this glimmer of hope, he viewed it with detachment. No expectations, no disappointments. Passing the infusion area again, Mo Xingyuan glanced inside. Su Li was still there. The IV bag was nearly empty, and she seemed to have fallen asleep. “You stay here,” Mo Xingyuan said, shrugging off his coat and handing it to Chi Mu. “Take her home.” Chi Mu took the coat, hesitating for a moment before replying, “Yes, sir.” After Mo Xingyuan left, Chi Mu went to stand by Su Li’s side, waiting for the drip to finish before calling a nurse. Su Li jolted awake, surprised to see Chi Mu. Her eyes immediately scanned the room for Mo Xingyuan. “Mr. Mo has already left.” Su Li wiped her forehead and sank back into the chair. She felt a little better, but her body was still drained of energy. After sitting for a while, she finally got up to collect her prescription. Chi Mu followed her. The moment she stepped out of the hospital, the cold air hit her, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Chi Mu offered her Mo Xingyuan’s coat. Su Li stared at the overcoat, a wry smile on her face. Her voice was raspy as she asked, “What’s this supposed to mean?” Chi Mu didn’t know either. “He’s concerned about you,” he offered. Whatever the reason, leaving the coat meant he was worried she’d get cold. Su Li took the coat and draped it over her shoulders. She was cold. His clothes carried a faint scent, much like the man himself—cool and detached. In the car, the heater was on full blast, and a wave of drowsiness washed over her. She didn’t know how long had passed before she woke up. The car was parked, and Chi Mu was no longer inside. She glanced out the window and saw him on the phone a short distance away. From his posture, she guessed he was talking to Mo Xingyuan. She waited until he finished the call before getting out. Chi Mu turned around. Su Li handed the coat back to him. “Thank him for me.” “It’s still a bit of a walk,” Chi Mu said, not taking the coat. “If you need anything, you can call me.” Su Li bit her lip, draping the coat over her shoulders again. “Can’t I call him?” Chi Mu paused for a second. “You can.” After all, Mr. Mo had never said she couldn't. “Thanks. I’m heading in.” Su Li offered a small smile and turned to walk into the residential community. Back home, Lu Jing called. When she heard Su Li had gone to the hospital alone, she gave her an earful. Listening to her friend’s nagging and scolding, Su Li felt a warmth spread through her chest. Only after the lecture was over did Su Li mention that Mo Xingyuan had Chi Mu take her home and even left his coat for her. “I thought he wanted to keep his distance. What's with this covert display of concern?” Su Li lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, her eyes drifting to the man’s coat draped nearby. “Maybe he feels responsible for my cold,” she said. “So he’s not as cold as you thought.” Lu Jing’s voice turned worried. “Don’t you go falling for him over a small kindness. I’m not being heartless, but he doesn’t have much time left.” Lu Jing was afraid that if she developed feelings for him, she wouldn’t be able to handle it when he died. “You’re overthinking it,” Su Li said, sniffling. “I won’t.” She wouldn’t, and neither would Mo Xingyuan. . Su Li slept at home for three days. Lu Jing, who had to leave for a business trip, cooked a day’s worth of meals for her before she left. On the afternoon of the fourth day, the sun was warm, and Su Li finally went out. She took Mo Xingyuan’s coat to a dry cleaner. As she was leaving with the freshly cleaned coat, a figure stormed up and blocked her path. Su Li frowned, looking at He Shuming. She hadn't seen him in a while and had hoped she never would again. He Shuming’s eyes fell on the bag in her hand. He’d seen them put a man’s overcoat inside. “Su Li, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” Su Li narrowed her eyes. “If you’re sick, go to a hospital.” “I heard you got married,” he demanded. “You broke up with me and got married right away. Tell me, who’s the bastard?” Su Li had never known He Shuming could be so volatile, so unreasonable. It proved you couldn’t just imagine what a person was like in a relationship; you never knew their true character until something went wrong. “Is there a point to this?” Su Li had no desire to even see him. He Shuming wouldn’t let it go. “When did you hook up with him? Call him out here! He dared to steal my girl? I’ll kill him!” Su Li was disgusted by his brainless accusations. She glared at the furious man. “Don’t you dare play the victim. You were the one who cheated first.” “If you had come back sooner, I wouldn’t have! I went to see you, I even booked a hotel room, but you wouldn’t stay with me… You call that a relationship? I’m a man! If you won’t give it to me, you expect me not to find someone else? You pushed me to it!” He Shuming accused her as if he were the one who had been deeply wronged. “I don’t want to argue about this. It’s meaningless. Let’s just have a clean break.” Su Li tried to leave. But he wouldn't let her. “You posted that video! You weren’t looking for a clean break then!” “Then what do you want?” “Get back together with me, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.” Sometimes, a person laughs when they’re truly speechless. Su Li looked at him like he was an idiot and tried to walk around him. “Su Li!” He Shuming grabbed her arm. “I’m giving you a chance. Don’t be stupid.” Su Li stared down at his hand. “Let go!” “You’re coming with me!” He Shuming began to drag her forcibly. Su Li struggled, but his grip only tightened. He hauled her toward his car, reaching for the door handle with his other hand. The more she fought, the more force he used. The door swung open, and He Shuming shoved her inside. Su Li swung the bag of clothes and slammed it against his head. The negligible weight of the coat did nothing to deter him; it only fueled his rage. He shoved her hard, sending her tumbling onto the car seat. Su Li kicked out with her feet as He Shuming pushed his way into the car after her. “He Shuming, you son of a bitch!” Panicked and furious, she fought back with everything she had, punching, kicking, and using her phone and keychain to viciously strike his head and face. She lashed out like a madwoman, not caring where her blows landed. He Shuming hadn’t expected such ferocity. If she’d had a knife, he had no doubt she would have used it. A passerby must have called the police. When they arrived, He Shuming was clutching his face and howling, scrambling out of the car. Su Li stumbled out after him, her hair disheveled, her face flushed, gasping for breath. She saw blood on his forehead and his face was a mess of red and blue bruises. He was a pathetic sight. They were both taken to the police station.