From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Seeing her guilty expression, I smiled weakly: "Still blaming yourself? I already told you it has nothing to do with whether you angered them or not. Those people were just lustful. If we're really going to talk about it, it's my fault for taking you to a place like that in the middle of the night. I didn't think things through."

Su Qing looked up at me, her face full of confusion: "This is the second time. Last time at the bus stop, someone deliberately struck up a conversation or caused trouble. I've never encountered anything like this before."

"Because you used to frequent high-end business districts and villa areas, and you only met respectable people, you naturally wouldn't encounter these low-level thugs."

Su Qing nodded as if she understood, then muttered seriously, "Then I won't dress up so nicely in the future. I'll keep a low profile to avoid getting into this kind of trouble again."

After saying that, she couldn't help but raise her chin, looking both helpless and proud: "But there's nothing I can do. I'm naturally beautiful. Even without makeup, I'm still gorgeous. What am I going to do?"

I was instantly amused by her narcissistic yet adorable demeanor and wanted to laugh.

But as soon as I moved my lips, a sharp, pulling pain shot through the wound on my waist and abdomen, causing me to furrow my brow instantly and forcefully suppress my laughter.

I looked at her helplessly: "Can you please stop making me laugh? It hurts my wound when I laugh."

Su Qing rolled her eyes at me and said seriously, "Who's teasing you? I'm telling the truth!"

I eased the pain and slowly said, "Actually, you don't need to deliberately make yourself look ugly and wrong yourself. This kind of thing is just bad luck; you just happened to run into some rotten people and bad things. Those urban villages are chaotic to begin with, and it was late at night. Plus, you were wearing a short skirt, so it's easy for someone with ulterior motives to take notice."

As I spoke, I glanced at her deliberately.

She was still wearing the short-sleeved short-skirted outfit from last night, clearly indicating that she hadn't gone home to change clothes all night and had stayed by my side all night.

Su Qing looked down at her outfit and sighed softly, "But I just like wearing skirts and shorts; they're comfortable and I feel at ease."

I said casually, "Wear it if you like it. Just try to avoid secluded places at night in the future, and nothing will happen. Last time at the bus stop, it was also a deserted, secluded corner. Just be more careful next time."

Su Qing nodded emphatically, her eyes filled with resentment.

"I had no idea that anyone would dare to act like a hooligan in the street in the middle of the night, let alone injure someone with a knife. It's absolutely despicable! This kind of scum should be severely punished!"

Looking at her indignant yet serious and innocent expression, I couldn't help but want to laugh.

She has had a smooth life since childhood and has never seen the dark side of human nature, which is why she is so straightforward and serious.

I quickly changed the subject to avoid her continuing to dwell on the matter and causing her unnecessary trouble.

"By the way, I've been unconscious for so long, how's the situation at the courier station? Does my cousin know I was in trouble? And where's my phone?"

"Your phone was dead. I answered your cousin's call this morning and told him about your situation. They came this morning, but since you hadn't woken up and they had things to do at the shop, they went back first."

After saying that, she looked at him with a hint of surprise and suddenly said, "Seriously, you're amazing at fighting! Last night there were five thugs, and if they hadn't had knives, they really wouldn't have been able to beat you!"

I chuckled softly, a rare hint of pride in my expression, and casually boasted a couple of times:

"What's this? Just a bunch of brats with no fighting skills whatsoever. I used to take down four kids my age all by myself with my bare hands, without breaking a sweat."

Su Qing immediately became interested and asked curiously, "You even had special training in fighting?"

"We rural kids grow up playing in the mud, so our physical fitness is naturally not bad."

After a pause, I continued, "When I was a child, there was an uncle in the next village who had retired from the army. I would pester him to teach me boxing every day. In addition, I loved watching martial arts movies when I was a child and always fantasized about being a hero. I would practice on my own whenever I had free time, and over time I developed some basic skills."

Su Qing laughed, unable to suppress her laughter: "So, has your dream of becoming a chivalrous hero come true now?"

I gave a self-deprecating smile: "That dream was shattered long ago. I once dreamed of wandering the world as a chivalrous hero, but life has worn me down. I'm just struggling for a few coins every day. I'm lucky if I can even survive peacefully."

She laughed and said, "Looks like you're in good spirits and can still joke around."

"Who's joking with you? I'm telling the truth."

Su Qing's eyes darted around slightly, as if she had suddenly remembered something interesting, and she leaned closer.

"Speaking of which, I also fantasized about being a female knight-errant when I was a child, just like you."

I looked at him with disbelief: "You? You must be joking."

"Who's joking with you!"

Su Qing glared at me and said seriously, "When I was little, I loved watching martial arts dramas. My favorite was 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.' Can you guess which character I liked the most?"

I answered almost without hesitation: "Princess Jianning."

Su Qing rolled her eyes, utterly speechless, and said, "Why would you think I like her?"

I suppressed a laugh and said slowly, "Their personalities are alike. Spoiled and willful, quirky and clever, exactly the same."

Su Qing gave a haughty scoff, her playful expression vanishing, and said seriously:

"I don't like her at all! I like Zhao Min the most. She is smart and insightful, brave and resourceful, straightforward and generous, loves and hates fiercely, and does things decisively. She is a true heroine."

I looked her up and down and said, "But you don't look like her at all!"

"Where am I not like it?" Su Qing pouted indignantly.

I just smiled at her proud and serious expression and didn't say anything.

Seeing that I ignored her, Su Qing huffed angrily, "I can't be bothered to argue with you."

The atmosphere relaxed, and I looked at her again, saying, "Honestly, I didn't expect you to be so caring. It's quite a surprise."

Su Qing raised an eyebrow at me, her tone tinged with stubbornness: "What? In your eyes, I, Su Qing, am just a useless young lady who can't do anything and only causes trouble?"

"No, I didn't mean to look down on you, I'm just quite surprised."

After I finished speaking, Su Qing suddenly lowered her head slowly, her voice becoming much softer and more subdued, carrying a hint of melancholy.

"When I was little, my parents were always busy with work, so I was basically raised by a nanny. My grandma loved me the most, and later she became seriously ill. Although we had a caregiver at home, I spent all my free time at the hospital during that period, bringing her water, feeding her, bathing her, and taking care of her. I was already very good at these things."

No wonder, I was wondering how she could be so adept at taking care of patients, without any awkwardness at all.

Judging from her dejected tone, I could guess the ending without asking her any further questions; her grandmother was most likely no longer alive.

I didn't ask any more questions, not wanting to reopen her wounds.

I glanced at the apple on the bedside table and changed the subject: "Could you please peel an apple for me? My mouth feels dry and I'm a little hungry."