Chapter 82 The Price of Protection

Chapter 82 The Price of Protection

Qin Wanshu felt as though her blood had frozen in her veins. A piercing fear and terror surged through her entire body. Since childhood, she had rarely experienced such intense fear, but at this moment, it threatened to overwhelm her completely.

She ran toward Zuo Qinghuan, who lay in a pool of blood. The sight of Zuo Qinghuan's bloodied body filled her with dread. Her trembling fingers reached out to touch Zuo Qinghuan's blood-stained cheek. She was terrified that Zuo Qinghuan might die. Zuo Qinghuan couldn't die she absolutely couldn't. Panicked, Qin Wanshu fumbled for her phone to call for help, only to realize they hadn't brought their phones when they left the house. Apart from the car that had hit Zuo Qinghuan, there were no other vehicles around. Qin Wanshu, who had always been calm and composed in handling crises, now found herself unable to think clearly. Her heart raced with anxiety.

Han Shibin, too, was stunned as he stared at Zuo Qinghuan lying in the blood. He hadn't meant to kill anyone. He had only been angry, unable to bear the sight of Qin Wanshu and Zuo Qinghuan being so intimate. He had just wanted to separate them. He never intended to actually cause harm. Han Shibin tried to justify his actions in his mind, but no amount of explanation could change the fact that he had struck Zuo Qinghuan, who was now critically injured.

"We need to get her to the hospital right now..." Han Shibin wasn't heartless. He had been blinded by jealousy and anger, but now that things had spiraled out of control, he was scared and wanted to make amends. He quickly opened the car door and stepped out, speaking to Qin Wanshu.

Qin Wanshu had never hated anyone as much as she hated Han Shibin at that moment. But she knew this wasn't the time for emotions. The hospital was some distance away, and she feared Zuo Qinghuan might not survive the wait for an ambulance.

"Hurry!" Qin Wanshu's voice was filled with urgency. She wished she could teleport Zuo Qinghuan to the hospital immediately.

Han Shibin quickly picked up Zuo Qinghuan from the ground and carried her to his car. Han Shibin drove while Qin Wanshu held Zuo Qinghuan in her arms. The bright red blood stained Qin Wanshu's clothes.

"Zuo Qinghuan, you have to hold on. You can't die," Qin Wanshu said, her eyes red with tears. She would rather have been the one hit than see Zuo Qinghuan lifeless in her arms. The line between life and death felt so thin, so terrifyingly close.

Li Xin didn't expect to encounter Zuo Qinghuan at the hospital. Frowning, she noted that Zuo Qinghuan's condition was critical she was on the brink of death. Li Xin couldn't imagine what would have happened if Zuo Qinghuan had been brought in any later.

"How is she?" Qin Wanshu grabbed Li Xin's arm, her grip tight with anxiety, though she didn't notice she was hurting Li Xin.

Li Xin didn't mind. She understood Qin Wanshu's desperation. If it were Yan Ruozhe lying there, she would feel the same. When you care deeply, it's hard to stay calm.

"She needs immediate surgery. Her condition is not optimistic. I'll operate on her right now," Li Xin said quickly before rushing into the operating room. She was grateful to be a doctor, able to help Zuo Qinghuan in this critical moment.

The hardest part was always the waiting. Those outside the operating room could do nothing but wait, their hearts suspended in uncertainty, filled with dread.

The operating room light turned on, but Qin Wanshu's anxiety didn't ease it only grew worse. She crouched helplessly by the door, feeling utterly powerless. She had promised to take care of Zuo Qinghuan, yet now she was the one being protected.

Han Shibin watched Qin Wanshu's helpless state, feeling a pang of guilt. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he knew he no longer had the right. She wouldn't welcome his touch.

"I didn't mean to hit her. I don't know how it happened..." Han Shibin tried to explain, reaching out to comfort Qin Wanshu.

"Don't touch me. If she's okay, fine. But if anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you," Qin Wanshu said coldly. Han Shibin hadn't just aimed for Zuo Qinghuan he had aimed for her too. If Zuo Qinghuan hadn't pushed her away, she would be lying on that cold operating table as well. If she could be there with Zuo Qinghuan, at least she wouldn't be alone.

"I just loved you too much. I was blinded by jealousy and anger..." He regretted his actions.

"You hurt in the name of love, while she protected in the name of love. How much must one love to disregard their own life? You're just a murderer. Your so-called love disgusts me. Stay away from me. I don't want to see you, and I'm sure Zuo Qinghuan wouldn't either. Leave," Qin Wanshu said sharply.

Han Shibin had no retort. He knew there was no chance of reconciliation with Qin Wanshu. Compared to Zuo Qinghuan's selfless act, his actions were truly despicable. No amount of explanation could justify what he had done.

"I'm sorry," Han Shibin apologized sincerely.

Qin Wanshu ignored him. His apology was worthless compared to Zuo Qinghuan's life.

It felt like centuries had passed before the operating room light finally dimmed, and the door slowly opened.

"How is she?" Qin Wanshu rushed toward Li Xin, who had just removed her mask.

"Her condition is stable for now, but she suffered severe brain hemorrhage and lost a lot of blood. Whether she wakes up depends on her will to survive. How did she get so badly injured?" Li Xin asked, noticing the bloodstains on Qin Wanshu's clothes. Zuo Qinghuan had just lost her mother recently, and now this. This year had been disastrous for her. She should have stayed home and avoided going out. Li Xin was deeply worried.

"She was protecting me. She could have avoided it," Qin Wanshu said, her heart aching with guilt.

Li Xin glanced at Han Shibin, who was also covered in blood. She could guess what had happened. She gave him a disdainful look before turning back to Qin Wanshu.

"It seems she really loves you. She's always put herself first, but now she's willing to risk her life for you. That means you've become the most important person in her life. Take good care of her when she wakes up," Li Xin said, confident that Zuo Qinghuan would pull through. She was a strong person, and most importantly, she wouldn't want to leave Qin Wanshu.

"Yes, she will wake up," Qin Wanshu said firmly.

"You should get checked for any injuries and change your clothes. I'm sure Zuo Qinghuan wouldn't want to see you in such a state when she wakes up. To her, you're a goddess," Li Xin said, trying to distract Qin Wanshu. Zuo Qinghuan wouldn't want Qin Wanshu to suffer even a little. Li Xin felt it was her duty to take care of Qin Wanshu on Zuo Qinghuan's behalf.

"I'm fine," Qin Wanshu said. What goddess? She felt anything but divine. If she were truly a goddess, how could she have let this happen? She had underestimated Han Shibin's emotions and been too careless. If she had handled his feelings more carefully, perhaps this wouldn't have occurred.

"I need to see her," Qin Wanshu said, unable to rest without seeing Zuo Qinghuan.

In the intensive care unit, Qin Wanshu looked at Zuo Qinghuan's pale, lifeless face, her heart aching. "Zuo Qinghuan, you have to wake up. I'm waiting for you."

________________________________________

If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 30 advanced chapters available on Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/GirlsLove1