The hospital hallway was quieter that evening.
Most visitors had already left, and the usual daytime noise had softened into distant footsteps and occasional murmurs from nurses at the station. The lights above cast a pale glow across the polished floor, reflecting faintly like still water.
Xiaoyu walked slowly down the corridor with two cups of warm tea in her hands.
Her mother had finally fallen asleep again after dinner. The doctors said recovery would take patience, but the signs were good. For the first time in weeks, Xiaoyu felt the tension in her chest loosen—just slightly.
Still, something kept her restless.
She pushed open the door to the small balcony at the end of the hallway and stepped outside.
The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier that afternoon. Below, the city stretched endlessly—thousands of lights blinking like distant stars.
Xiaoyu leaned against the railing and took a small sip of tea.
Quiet moments like this had always been rare in her life.
She should have felt peaceful.
Instead, her thoughts drifted back to Lu Shen again.
Not because of anything dramatic he had done.
But because of the strange consistency of his presence.
He came every day.
Sometimes he stayed for only a few minutes.
Sometimes longer.
He never announced it. Never explained it.
He simply appeared, checked on the situation, spoke briefly with the doctors, and left.
It felt almost… routine.
And routines were dangerous.
Because routines made people expect things.
A faint sound behind her broke her thoughts.
The balcony door opened.
Xiaoyu didn't turn around immediately.
"You're getting predictable," she said quietly.
Lu Shen stepped beside her.
"Is that a complaint?"
She handed him one of the cups.
He looked at it with mild surprise but accepted it.
"Tea?" he asked.
"You looked like you needed it."
Lu Shen took a sip.
Warm.
Simple.
Unexpected.
He rested his elbows lightly against the railing, looking out at the city below.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
"You came again," Xiaoyu said eventually.
"Yes."
"You never miss a day."
"That's observant."
"Why?"
Lu Shen didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he asked, "How is your mother?"
"Better. The doctor said recovery is going smoothly."
"That's good."
Another silence settled between them.
But this time it wasn't awkward.
It felt… thoughtful.
Xiaoyu studied him from the corner of her eye.
Even in the dim hospital lights, Lu Shen looked composed—calm, controlled, untouchable.
She wondered if he ever felt unsure about anything.
"Can I ask you something?" she said.
"You already are."
She ignored the remark.
"Why did you propose the contract marriage to me?"
Lu Shen didn't react immediately.
His gaze remained on the city lights.
"There were practical reasons," he said.
"That's not what I asked."
Xiaoyu turned to face him fully.
"There are many people in the world who could have signed a contract with you. But you chose me."
Her voice wasn't angry.
Just curious.
Lu Shen finally looked at her.
For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed his eyes.
"Because you were the only one who would agree," he said calmly.
Xiaoyu frowned. "That can't be the whole reason."
"No?"
"You're too careful for that."
Lu Shen took another sip of tea.
"You analyze people too much."
"And you avoid questions too well."
The wind shifted slightly, brushing strands of hair across Xiaoyu's face.
She tucked them behind her ear.
"You still haven't answered me."
Lu Shen set the empty cup on the railing.
"Some questions," he said slowly, "don't have simple answers."
"That sounds like an excuse."
"It's the truth."
Xiaoyu crossed her arms.
"Then give me the complicated answer."
Lu Shen watched her quietly.
Her stubbornness hadn't changed.
Even after everything that had happened.
Especially after everything that had happened.
"Seven years ago," he said finally, "your family was involved in a company collapse."
Her expression stiffened.
"Yes."
"You believe I caused it."
The words were simple.
Direct.
Xiaoyu didn't deny it.
"That's what everyone said," she replied quietly.
"And you?"
She looked down at the city lights.
"I didn't know what to believe."
Lu Shen studied her face.
"You still don't."
"No," she admitted. "I don't."
The wind carried a faint chill across the balcony.
Lu Shen straightened.
"One day," he said, "you might learn the truth."
"And will that change anything?"
"That depends on you."
Xiaoyu searched his expression.
"But you won't tell me now."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because," Lu Shen said calmly, "you wouldn't believe me yet."
She wanted to argue.
But something in his tone stopped her.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe she wasn't ready to hear the answer.
They stood in silence again.
The city continued moving below them, unaware of the quiet tension above.
After a moment, Lu Shen stepped away from the railing.
"I should leave," he said.
"You always leave."
"I always work."
Xiaoyu watched him walk toward the balcony door.
"Lu Shen."
He paused.
"For someone who treats everything like business," she said softly, "you spend a lot of time on something that doesn't benefit you."
He turned slightly.
For once, his expression held something almost thoughtful.
"Not everything needs to benefit me."
Then he opened the door and disappeared back into the quiet hospital hallway.
Xiaoyu remained on the balcony.
The empty tea cup rested on the railing beside her.
She stared at it for a long time.
Because tonight, for the first time, a small doubt had entered her mind.
What if the story she believed for seven years…
Wasn't the whole truth?