Chapter 117: I Don't Like You

“What kind of answer does King Shen want to hear?” Mo Qi feigned ignorance, not answering but countering with a question.

“The truth.”

“Alright.” Mo Qi nodded obediently, meeting Shen Yijue’s gaze. “No.”

Shen Yijue’s expression remained unchanged. Mo Qi continued, “I never had feelings for you, nor did I ever like you.”

“You’re lying.”

“Heh, so King Shen doesn’t really want to hear the truth. Fine.” Mo Qi shrugged as if conceding. “Then I’ll say what you want to hear. I—”

“Shut up!” Shen Yijue slammed his palm down on Mo Qi’s falsely smiling lips, finally silencing her.

“Leave.” Shen Yijue released her and swung his legs off the bed.

“The medicine—”

“Get lost!”

It was the first time Mo Qi had seen Shen Yijue so openly emotional, even fierce in tone and color. He must have been angry to the extreme.

Mo Qi got off the bed, smoothed the wrinkles on her clothes, and picked up her bag from the bedside cabinet. “Then I’ll leave first. Take good care of yourself, King Shen.”

Shen Yijue had already turned away from her, back facing her.

Mo Qi tugged the corner of her mouth and opened the door to leave.

Shen Yijue stood facing the window, his exposed emotions fully reined in. The glass reflected his current state. He had never imagined that one day he would stubbornly throw himself into work, neglecting his own health, all because of a quarrel with a woman.

And the reason for this? Simply to keep himself so busy that he wouldn’t have time to look for her! Yet, unexpectedly, his previously healthy body collapsed from a high fever caused by a cold. This was unprecedented.

His eyes darkened — the first time, and the last!

Mo Qi left the ward but didn’t really go far. She found a chair in the corridor, sat down, and wearily rubbed her brow.

The quiet ward occasionally echoed with the footsteps of patients getting up at night, cared for by their family members. Seeing Mo Qi sitting on the bench, they merely passed by indifferently.

Mo Qi sat there, staring blankly ahead. She didn’t know how long had passed before she unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

---

Early in the morning, before dawn, Xiao Zhang brought breakfast and was startled when he passed by Mo Qi sleeping on the bench. He hesitated, then came back. “Mo Qi?”

Mo Qi groggily opened her eyes and took a moment to gather herself. “Brother Xiao Zhang, why are you here? Have you taken care of things at home?”

“My mother’s condition isn’t serious. My sister is taking care of her now, so it’s fine.” Xiao Zhang looked surprised. “Brother Shen said you’d gone back, so why didn’t you leave? You even slept here overnight?”

Mo Qi stretched her neck and smiled casually, changing the subject. “Since you’re here, I’ll head back first.”

After a pause, she added, “Don’t tell King Shen you saw me here.”

“You two?” Xiao Zhang hesitated, probing gently, “Have you two not resolved your conflict yet?”

“Not anytime soon,” Mo Qi said, gathering her bag and standing up. “I’ll go now. Remember, don’t say you saw me in the corridor.”

“Hey, Mo Qi.” Xiao Zhang wanted to say more, but Mo Qi had already turned her back, waved her hand, and left without hesitation.

Xiao Zhang sighed. Brother Shen’s recent odd work behavior was probably due to the quarrel with Mo Qi. Having worked alongside him for so many years, this was the first time Xiao Zhang saw Brother Shen’s work affected by someone.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know the cause of their dispute or how to advise them.

He wondered how long their relationship would remain strained.

He dared not ask Brother Shen, and Mo Qi probably wouldn’t answer either if asked. Xiao Zhang shook his head and headed to ward 304 with the breakfast.

He quietly turned the ward door handle and opened it, only to be startled by Shen Yijue sitting expressionless on the sofa.

“Brother Shen, why aren’t you resting more? Why are you up so early?” Xiao Zhang smiled and closed the door behind him, stepping forward. As he approached, he noticed the redness in Shen’s eyes and immediately realized he probably hadn’t slept all night.

These two… why quarrel like this, causing everyone unhappiness? What’s the point?

Xiao Zhang sighed almost imperceptibly.

Shen Yijue looked up at him. Feeling guilty under such a strong presence, Xiao Zhang quickly handed over the breakfast. “Brother Shen, I brought you century egg and lean pork congee. Eat it while it’s hot.”

“Go tell Doctor Dai I’m checking out today.”

“Brother Shen, you can’t. You had a high fever and collapsed yesterday. The doctor said you need to stay under observation for at least one day. You can’t leave today.”

“I know my own body best. Go tell Doctor Dai to give me a discharge certificate.” Shen Yijue stood, walked to the coat rack, took the clean clothes Xiao Zhang had brought yesterday, and went to the bathroom to change.

---

“Ah, Brother Shen, you can’t joke with your health!” Xiao Zhang followed to the bathroom door but was promptly shut out with a ‘bang.’

Xiao Zhang was stunned, then said, “Brother Shen, you really can’t leave today, or Guan will skin me alive!” Although Brother Shen seemed harsh, he was considerate of his employees. So Xiao Zhang decided to play the sympathy card, hoping to delay the discharge for one more day.

The bathroom door opened.

Xiao Zhang eagerly stepped forward. “Brother Shen!”

Shen Yijue didn’t even glance at him as he walked out, buttoning his shirt cuffs. “If Guan wants to skin you, you can come to me.”

“Brother Shen, your body hasn’t recovered. Going back to work now will only make you collapse again. You should rest one more day.” Xiao Zhang pleaded.

Shen Yijue buttoned his cuffs, took the tie hanging on the rack, and expertly tied it around his neck.

“Brother Shen!” Xiao Zhang was almost ready to kneel.

Finally, Shen Yijue showed some mercy, “My body is very healthy, don’t worry.”

This wasn’t just about concern; it directly affected his livelihood.

Xiao Zhang had no choice but to play his last card. “Brother Shen, if Mo Qi were here, she definitely wouldn’t agree to you leaving now!”

Shen Yijue paused briefly while adjusting his shirt, then continued calmly, “Do you think she has that authority?”

“No, Brother Shen,” Xiao Zhang gritted his teeth. “What exactly is your conflict? Why torment yourself like this? Mo Qi slept in the corridor last night, and your body isn’t healed, yet you insist on leaving. What’s the point of causing yourself so much trouble?”

After Xiao Zhang’s loud words, the room fell silent. What had he just said? He immediately regretted his meddling words, wishing he could bite off his tongue.

This was bad, very bad. His job was truly on the line now.

“What did you just say?” Shen Yijue’s face darkened as he turned to look at Xiao Zhang.

Xiao Zhang’s back stiffened, and under the overwhelming pressure, he stammered, “N-nothing.”

But Shen Yijue refused to listen to his excuses and said, “You said Mo Qi slept in the corridor all night?”