Lin Qinghe turned back. Under the dim lights of the bar, she couldn't see the expression on You Rong's face and explained nervously, "I'm usually not like this, I... I just couldn't stand him bullying people too much, I..."
As she spoke, Lin Qinghe's voice trailed off.
The original body had broken You Rong's leg, causing him lifelong disability. Compared to that, her words were hardly convincing.
Lin Qinghe racked her brain for an explanation, but before she could come up with anything, You Rong said, "Customer, do you need anything else?"
His indifference made Lin Qinghe pause. "No... nothing."
"Okay, I'll get back to work then. If you need anything, please call our other servers."
With that, You Rong turned and left, returning to his duties.
Lin Qinghe, full of frustration, returned to the bar counter and sat down, mournfully drinking the Bloody Mary she had ordered.
You Rong hated her, he disdained her, and these emotions were somewhat manageable, proving that there were ways to help him vent. His current cold indifference, his detachment from everything, his refusal to be swayed, was what truly gave Lin Qinghe a headache.
In the staff break room of the bar.
You Rong changed back into his own clothes, preparing to leave. The door was pushed open, and the bar manager entered.
You Rong greeted him, "Brother Wang."
Brother Wang nodded, his brow furrowed, and asked, "Was that the girl who helped you just now, Lin Qinghe?"
You Rong nodded. "Yes, it was her."
Brother Wang's worried expression intensified. "Why is she following you again? Wasn't it enough that she harmed you before! Does she still want to..."
Brother Wang's words trailed off, but recalling Lin Qinghe's actions towards You Rong, his anger remained.
You Rong's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Brother Wang, although I don't know what Lin Qinghe is here for, I won't cause trouble for the bar."
Brother Wang sighed softly. "That's not what I meant... It's just that we're indebted to you. Lin Yi gave the establishment a large sum of money and threatened to shut us down. The boss and we had no choice but to not tell the truth when giving our statements."
"Brother Wang, you and the boss don't owe me anything. I'm grateful that you allowed me to come back to work."
Brother Wang sighed again, patted You Rong on the shoulder, and said, "Let's not dwell on the past. In the future, if you see Lin Qinghe, try to avoid her, or go help inside."
You Rong replied, "Thank you, Brother Wang. I understand."
"Well, it's getting late. Hurry back. Don't you still have to study when you get home?"
"Okay, Brother Wang. See you tomorrow."
You Rong left the bar and saw a petite figure standing under the streetlamp at the entrance, head down, kicking at a small stone in front of her. When she saw him look up, she immediately and flusteredly averted her gaze, pretending to look around.
You Rong's brow creased almost imperceptibly. He looked away and started walking in the direction of his home.
Each step he took was deliberate, meant to make him appear steadier on his feet and less obviously lame.
A faint sound of footsteps followed behind him. Lin Qinghe was still trailing him.
He walked, she walked. He stopped, she stopped.
You Rong pursed his thin lips, a wave of irritation rising within him.
Upon reaching the dilapidated residential complex where he lived, he finally stopped, unable to hold back any longer, and turned around.
Seeing You Rong suddenly turn, Lin Qinghe yelped and instinctively tried to hide. With nowhere to conceal herself nearby, she could only pretend to be looking around, as if waiting for someone.
The next second, You Rong walked towards her.
Lin Qinghe's heart pounded with panic.
He must have realized she was following him and was angry, right?
Lin Qinghe berated herself inwardly with regret.
You wanted to stalk him, like a creep, no wonder he'd be angry!
You Rong stopped in front of Lin Qinghe's door. Contrary to her expectations of an outburst, his handsome face was calm. He asked, "You've been following me. Is there something you need?"
"Ah? I... yes, I have something I want to tell you!"
Lin Qinghe took a deep breath inwardly and said with a serious expression, "I want to apologize! I'm so sorry... for the injury to your left leg, I'm truly sorry! I know that no matter what I do or say now, I can't undo the harm I've caused you, but I truly know I was wrong. If there's anything you need me to do to appease your anger, just say it, I'll do anything..."
Lin Qinghe was interrupted halfway through her sentence by You Rong. "There's no need to apologize."
Lin Qinghe froze. "Huh?"
What did he mean by that?
You Rong's tone was light. "Your family compensated me with money, and I accepted it. There's no debt between us, you don't need to feel guilty."
Lin Qinghe stood there, her lips parting and closing several times. For a moment, she was completely speechless.
You Rong said no more to her. He simply gave her a faint glance, then turned and hobbled into the dilapidated residential complex where he lived.
Lin Qinghe stood at the entrance of the complex, watching the spot where You Rong's back disappeared. Her brow was tightly furrowed.
With You Rong acting this way... she truly didn't know how to proceed!
No matter what, she had to find more opportunities to get close to You Rong and treat him with all her heart. She refused to believe that a heart of flesh and blood couldn't be warmed!
How could she get more opportunities to interact with You Rong?
Lin Qinghe pondered, and suddenly recalled the recruitment notice she had seen at the bar entrance. Her eyes lit up, and an idea formed in her mind.
Lin Qinghe was decisive and acted on impulse. Without another word, she turned and walked back.
Inside the residential complex.
At You Rong's home.
You Rong stood by the window and watched the figure walk away before drawing the curtains. He then walked to a small table in the corner of the living room, opened the notes he had taken that day, and began to study.
The living room was small, housing You Rong's bed and study desk. He lived in the living room; his grandmother occupied the only actual bedroom.
Lin Qinghe's sudden persistent following, her intervention at the bar, and her seemingly remorseful apologies, none of it registered with him.
This young lady might have had a fleeting moment of conscience and genuinely wanted to apologize, but he had no time to indulge her. A year had been wasted, and he had to catch up on his coursework. He also needed to find time for another part-time job. Next month's rent and his grandmother's medical expenses were still unsettled.
Thinking of his grandmother, You Rong looked up towards the bedroom. A hint of warmth finally softened his usually indifferent expression.
After his mother passed away, he had lived with his grandmother. She was his only family in this world, and he would absolutely not let anything happen to her!
-------------------------------------
The Bar.
Lin Qinghe entered and, half an hour later, emerged from the bar with a satisfied expression. She stretched at the entrance and muttered to herself, "Fortunately, I have the original body's background. If I can't use it to intimidate people, I wouldn't have been able to get this part-time job at the bar..."