"Because he doesn't love me," Bai Qing's eyes cooled slightly.
Not in love?
But he believed Bai Qing did love Mo Xiao.
Last night, hearing her hysterically scream at him...
He knew. If she didn't care, she would've given up arguing long ago.
Only love can bring such sorrow and pain.
"He just hasn't realized your worth," Yu Jun's voice was hoarse.
"No matter how good I am, it doesn't matter. He doesn't love me." Bai Qing took a deep breath. "Let's not talk about him anymore. You said you wanted to be a policeman when you were young. I didn't expect you'd actually become one."
Yu Jun smiled faintly.
In truth, it wasn't because he wanted to be one, but because Bai Qing did.
Once, he overheard her and Yu Qi chatting.
Something about the allure of uniforms.
He remembered it ever since.
Bai Qing liked policemen, so he became one.
Though she was adopted by the Mo family, and he and Yu Qi were taken in by different families, losing touch...
He never forgot the things she said.
"Being a policeman is just a profession," Yu Jun replied.
"I'm envious of you and Yu Qi. You both get to do what you love," Bai Qing said with frustration. "But Mo Xiao won't let me work. Otherwise, I'd be famous by now."
Yu Jun chuckled. "You're only twenty-three. It's not too late to start."
"You're right." Bai Qing's eyes curved into a smile.
But the truth was, she couldn't debut anymore.
She was going to have a baby—there wouldn't be time to pursue fame.
It wasn't something she could dream of anymore.
If people found out she had a child out of wedlock, Mo Xiao would definitely know.
For her baby's sake, she couldn't show herself in public.
Absolutely not.
After dinner, Bai Qing went to pay the bill.
She swiped her card, only to find it declined.
What's going on?
Seeing this, Yu Jun used his own card.
"I'm sorry," Bai Qing said, helpless and embarrassed.
Yu Jun's gaze lingered on the black card in her hand. "Bai Qing, spending someone else's money only binds you to them."
Bai Qing pursed her lips.
She thought Yu Jun had a point.
That black card was from Mo Xiao.
He could cut her off whenever he pleased.
That man was becoming more and more unreasonable.
What exactly was he trying to do?
"Let's go," Yu Jun said. "I'll take you home."
"Yu Jun, go on with your work. I still have a few things to handle," Bai Qing replied softly.
"Are you sure you'll be okay alone?" Yu Jun frowned.
"I'll be fine." Bai Qing nodded.
"Alright then," Yu Jun didn't push further.
They left the restaurant together.
As they reached the roadside, Yu Jun gathered his courage. "Bai Qing, I don't have your contact information yet."
Bai Qing blinked.
"Actually, Yu Qi wants it," Yu Jun quickly brought up his sister.
"Alright." Bai Qing reached for her phone.
Just then, a black motorcycle sped towards them.
The man riding it suddenly pulled out a baseball bat.
"Watch out!" Yu Jun realized the man was targeting Bai Qing.
He shielded her in his arms.
Thud! The bat struck Yu Jun on the back of his head.
"Yu Jun!" Bai Qing gasped in shock.
Yu Jun clung to her tightly, fearing the man would strike again.
But the attacker didn't.
He had intended to kill Bai Qing with a single blow.
But he hadn't expected this man to risk his life to protect her.
If he struck again, he'd be caught.
So, the man sped off.
Bai Qing, clutching Yu Jun, teetered on the brink of collapse, both of them falling to the ground.
She quickly took out her phone and dialed emergency services.
Soon, the ambulance arrived, and they lifted Yu Jun into it.
Bai Qing followed, along with the police, to the nearest hospital.
It was Renai Hospital.
The police took Bai Qing's statement.
She sat in a daze the entire time.
She had never experienced anything like this before. Her mind was blank.
Seeing her distress, an officer asked, "Miss Bai, would you like to contact your family?"
"I don't have any family. My parents are gone." Bai Qing looked up, her eyes red. "Please, you have to catch the one who did this."
"Don't worry, we will. The victim is our colleague. We'll do everything in our power," the officer assured her.
"Thank you," Bai Qing's tears began to fall.
If Yu Jun died because of her...
How would she ever face Yu Qi?
"Bai Qing!" A voice called out.
Bai Qing looked up and saw Yu Qi running towards her in her nurse's uniform.
"You know each other?" The officer was surprised.
"The injured man is my brother, and this is my friend. I work here as a nurse," Yu Qi explained.
The officer understood. "We'll head back to investigate. We'll inform you if anything comes up."
"Thank you for your hard work," Yu Qi said calmly.
The officer nodded and left.
Looking at the blood on Bai Qing's clothes, Yu Qi knew how serious Yu Jun's condition was.
She, too, was trembling inside.
But after years of facing life and death, she forced herself to stay calm.
"Bai Qing," Yu Qi gently touched her friend's face.
Bai Qing's tightly held tears finally spilled.
"I'm sorry, Yu Qi," she sobbed, covering her face. "Yu Jun was hurt saving me. Otherwise, it would've been me lying there."
If she caused Yu Qi to lose her only family, no amount of apologies would ever be enough.
"Don't blame yourself," Yu Qi gripped her shoulders. "My brother wouldn't want to see you like this. Protecting you was the most important thing to him."
Bai Qing froze.
"He'll make it through," Yu Qi's voice cracked. "He wouldn't want to leave you, or this world."
Bai Qing cried harder.
She never wanted to drag anyone into her problems.
Yet she had caused Yu Jun's injury.
Yu Qi couldn't hold back her own tears any longer.
She knelt down, pressing her forehead against Bai Qing's. "We'll be alright, Bai Qing. Everything will pass."
At that moment, the light above the operating room turned off.
The doctor emerged.
Bai Qing and Yu Qi rushed over.
"Doctor, how's my brother?" Yu Qi knew the surgeon.
"The patient suffered severe head trauma. If he makes it through the next three days, he'll survive. If not..." the doctor gave her a meaningful look. "You're in the medical field—you understand."
Yu Qi's face turned ashen. "Thank you, Dr. Zhao."
"No need to thank me," Dr. Zhao said gently. "Rest assured, we'll do everything we can."
"Thank you," Yu Qi choked out.
Bai Qing's eyes burned red.
She turned abruptly.
"Bai Qing, where are you going?" Yu Qi asked, startled.
"I'll be back soon," Bai Qing gritted her teeth.
She entered the elevator.
People inside stared at her, thinking she was covered in blood.
"Are you alright, young lady?" An elderly woman asked with concern.
Bai Qing shook her head awkwardly. "I'm fine."
The elevator arrived at her floor.
Bai Qing stepped out and walked toward a hospital room, forcefully pushing the door open.