You Rong’s gaze turned cold. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Qinghe stepped in front of him, sneering, "You Ziming, do you think I care? Even if You Rong wanted to use me, I would willingly!"
You Ziming stared in disbelief, "Qinghe, you..."
Lin Qinghe looked up at You Rong, her eyes full of trust, "Besides... I believe him. He wouldn't!"
You Rong lowered his gaze, remaining silent, but his tight grip on Lin Qinghe's hand conveyed his stance.
You Ziming glared at them, consumed by jealousy and hatred, "I don't believe it! You weren't like this before. Why have you changed so much... Did You Rong use his honeyed words to bewitch you? Is that it! You can't listen to him, he's..."
Lin Qinghe's face darkened, and she impatiently interrupted him, "You Ziming, can't you understand human speech? I told you, everything is my willingness. I like him, and I believe him! You'd better stay away from him. If you dare to hurt him again, don't blame me for not being polite!"
"You..." You Ziming’s eyes turned red. He gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "Fine! You two just wait! I won't let this go!"
With that, You Ziming turned and stormed away angrily.
Brother Wang approached, asking with concern, "Are you guys alright?"
You Rong shook his head, "Don't worry, we're fine. Qinghe and I have something to discuss. Brother Wang... I'll trouble the others here for now."
Brother Wang replied, "Okay, you two go back. It's almost closing time anyway. I'll have Xiao Li clean up here."
"Thank you, Brother Wang."
You Rong and Lin Qinghe changed out of their waiter uniforms. You Rong took Lin Qinghe's hand and led her out of the bar.
As they walked down the street, most of the passersby occasionally glanced at them, likely finding it strange that You Rong, with his injured left leg, was walking with such a beautiful woman as Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe subtly observed You Rong. Seeing his silence, she felt a bit uneasy.
"You Rong... are you angry?"
The original owner of her body had caused You Rong's disability; that was an undeniable fact. He couldn't possibly be completely unaffected.
You Rong stopped and turned to look at her, sighing with what seemed like helplessness, "...I'm not angry."
"Then why aren't you speaking?"
You Rong's slender, fair hand caressed Lin Qinghe's cheek. "I was thinking about how to tell you that I like you too, and I've never had any intention of using you."
Lin Qinghe's eyes were clear and bright. She nodded firmly, "Of course, I know that. I believe you! Saying that in front of You Ziming earlier was just to anger him and leave him speechless!"
You Rong raised an eyebrow slightly, "Mmm, next time, no matter the situation, you are absolutely not allowed to think that or say that."
Looking at You Rong's earnest face, Lin Qinghe felt a jolt in her heart.
She reached out and hugged You Rong's slender waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, and whispered, "...I'm sorry."
She knew it was the original owner of her body who had done it, but seeing You Rong walking with a limp, seeing how outstanding he was and how he should have been the center of attention, yet having to face looks of pity, regret, and ridicule, she felt an uncontrollable sense of guilt.
You Rong didn't hear the "I'm sorry." He patted Lin Qinghe's back and asked, "What's wrong?"
Lin Qinghe composed herself, let go of You Rong, and smiled slightly, "It's nothing. I just remembered that I asked my brother to find some experts in neurology and orthopedics. Tomorrow is Saturday, why don't we go see your leg again? Okay?"
You Rong's expression was complex. He said softly, "Actually, it's not necessary. The doctors said my leg is irreversible."
Lin Qinghe held his arm and said in a soft, coaxing voice, "Nothing is absolute in this world. Maybe there are other possibilities. I want you to go see, just for my happiness. Please go again, okay?"
Faced with Lin Qinghe's pleading eyes, You Rong's heart softened. He stroked her cheek and replied, "Okay... I'll listen to you."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. Her body reacted before her mind did. She stood on tiptoe and kissed You Rong on the cheek.
After the kiss, Lin Qinghe realized what she had done. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes darted around, and she avoided You Rong's gaze, stammering, "Um... it's getting late, let's go quickly, hurry up..."
You Rong managed to keep up with Lin Qinghe's pace, a smile lingering on his lips.
-------------------------------------
The next day, at the private hospital affiliated with Lin's Group.
Director Zhang personally came out to greet Lin Qinghe and You Rong.
"Miss Lin, allow me to introduce you. These are experts in neurological rehabilitation, Professor Wang. And these are experts in orthopedics. They have all been specially summoned from all over the country, and even from abroad."
Lin Qinghe nodded to the doctors and professors, "Thank you for your hard work. Let's begin. Please examine You Rong."
"Certainly, Miss Lin."
You Rong lay on the hospital bed as a group of doctors surrounded him, examining his left leg. After asking You Rong some basic questions, he was taken for X-rays and various other examinations.
The examinations concluded in the afternoon. When the results were ready, Lin Qinghe and You Rong returned to the director's office.
The doctors were conferring with each other, discussing their findings. Seeing their solemn expressions, Lin Qinghe's heart began to race.
You Rong remained calm. Sensing Lin Qinghe's nervousness, he took her hand to comfort her.
Half an hour later.
Director Zhang said with a look of apology, "Miss Lin, we have examined Mr. You. Due to incomplete treatment of his comminuted fracture of the left leg over a year ago, the fracture site has healed abnormally. Furthermore, Mr. You's condition is rather special, and osteotomy and correction are no longer feasible... Therefore, we are very sorry. We currently have no way to completely cure Mr. You's mobility impairment in his left leg."
Lin Qinghe's heart clenched painfully.
This was, in fact, something she had expected. She had learned from the system's provided information that You Rong's disability was permanent.
Why did she still feel so disappointed and sad now?
Director Zhang looked at You Rong hesitantly, "By the way, Mr. You, you could have undergone surgery for this initially. If you had chosen surgery at that time, you wouldn't be limping now. Why didn't you choose surgery back then?"
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat. "What did you say? What's going on?"
"It's because..."
As Dr. Zhang was about to explain, You Rong interrupted him, "Dr. Zhang, thank you for today. I'll handle the rest of the explanation to her."
With that, You Rong nodded to the experts in the room and led the shocked Lin Qinghe away.
They left the hospital and walked to a quiet sidewalk.
Lin Qinghe stopped, her expression complicated. "You Rong, what did Director Zhang mean by his last words?"