Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

Su Shi glanced at her phone, then looked at Ai Yin.

It's visiting time now, should we go see Chizuru? She wanted to ask Aine that, but then she stopped herself.

I still want to be alone with Chika, without anyone else around.

At the fork in the road, Su Shi waved to Aine.

"Goodbye for now, see you in the training room tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye, Ai Yin took a few steps until Su Shi's figure had faded into the crowd when she turned around and opened her phone's map.

The direction Su Shi headed towards was near the hospital.

It's possible that she passed through this area on her way home.

In short, it's better to leave things that are too detailed, too personal, or too troublesome to Su Shi.

The one she had truly known for a long time was Su Shi, while she herself was just pretending to have known Qian Nai for a long time, even though they had only known each other for a few days.

She had just put down her phone and taken a few steps when Aiyin turned back to look in the direction of the hospital, and began to hesitate.

...Really, aren't you going to go and visit him?

Chinatsu must have had mixed feelings about deciding not to join the band.

And it was she herself who suggested that she do it.

However, Su Shi has already gone to visit him.

No... it won't take long anyway, and it's not really something that crosses any boundaries.

It's just something I should do as a friend.

……

Hospital, inpatient department.

After deciding not to join the band, China felt a sense of emptiness and weighed the impact of joining or not joining the band on everyone and herself.

I was curious about the band experience I had never had before, and I looked forward to performing with my friends, but I was also afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the high pressure of practicing.

Just like when I was about to take the art exam in my previous life, fortunately, the exam did not include "ensemble performance", otherwise the conflict with my classmates would have been even more intense.

A moment later, I felt at ease with my current choice, no longer worried about the fatigue and boredom brought on by repeated practice, and no longer afraid that my illness would flare up under pressure and harm them.

In the midst of uncertainty, my thoughts became increasingly chaotic.

She shook her head, trying to scroll through her phone to distract herself.

"Good evening, meow meow~"

China came across a beauty video where the blogger with short purple hair greeted everyone with a meow-shaped fist and then began introducing the content of the video.

"Today, I'll also introduce Miaomeng's recommended makeup look. Everyone has their own ideal look, right? This time, I'll introduce a simple yet highly complete makeup look."

"With this trick, you won't be afraid of a rushed morning. Let's quickly and easily improve our makeup skills."

Quick and easy...

China paused the video and pondered the modifier.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the door.

It wasn't a nurse, but a girl wearing a Haneoka uniform.

Toyokawa Shoko walked through the doorway carrying a bag of fruit.

"Xiao Xiang?"

While surprised, China couldn't help but feel delighted.

"My sister came to see me! You didn't go to work this afternoon?"

Perhaps she was too happy, because China accidentally brought up work. But then she thought that people who are forced to work part-time after school to make ends meet probably don't like talking about work.

Fortunately, Xiangzi didn't seem displeased at all; she simply maintained her signature serious expression.

“My focus now is on you. As your agent, it is my responsibility to take care of your physical and mental well-being.”

Xiangzi explained meticulously, seemingly emphasizing that the visit was based on duty rather than personal feelings.

"What are you looking at?"

As Xiangzi moved the fruit to the bedside table, he also noticed a blogger named "Miaomeng" on Qianna's phone.

Recently, Xiangzi has also been paying attention to her.

"Just relax a bit."

China subconsciously switched her phone to the homepage, then lowered her eyes and hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I... I still haven't decided to join the band."

"..." Xiangzi's pupils widened slightly, as if in surprise.

This was a topic she didn't want to touch upon, and it was also within the scope of her "duty" that she had just mentioned—she needed to pay attention to China's physical and mental health and resolve China's inner troubles.

“Even if you’re not in the band, you’re still there for them… You can give them any suggestions on songwriting.”

Xiangzi's words echoed Qianna's thoughts, which were meant to comfort herself.

It was precisely because of this shared perspective that China felt more at ease. She was no longer so uncertain and was more accepting of her choices.

She smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Well, even if I don't join the band, being able to help them as much as possible will make me feel less regretful..."

As the conversation faded away, China looked up and noticed that Shoko seemed somewhat absent-minded, a hint of melancholy flashing across her face.

"Xiao Xiang..."

"It's nothing," Xiangzi replied briefly, his voice trembling slightly.

Don't blame yourself. I was already so busy that I couldn't even take care of myself, so how could I have had time to spend with them?

Xiangzi quickly convinced himself, then took out the tablet, ready to discuss business progress, but then stopped.

No, I should continue to monitor Chika's health first, and then talk about work.

She still panicked.

At that moment, another figure appeared from the doorway.

It was Nagasaki Suyo.

Chapter 109 What are you guys doing in the hospital room?

The three people in the ward were stunned for a few seconds by the unexpected turn of events.

"Um... Little Su Shi is here."

China raised her hand, her gaze shifting between Xiangzi and Su Shijian, constantly observing their every word and action.

"Hmm. I was still a little worried, so I came to check on her. Xiao Xiang came to see his sister too?"

Instead of taking advantage of this wonderful coincidence to immediately bring up the band, which would seem too abrupt and opportunistic, Su Shi smiled gently at Xiangzi.

"That coffee shop we went to last time was really good. Let's grab a drink together after China is discharged from the hospital?"

Her tone was so natural, as if she and Xiangzi had always had a good relationship, rather than as if for more than a year one side had been investigating the other's whereabouts while the other side had been avoiding the situation.

The only slightly odd thing was that she stood right in the middle of the ward doorway, without moving an inch.

This blocked Xiangzi's way.

However, considering China's hope for harmonious relationships among everyone, Shoko did not intend to force her way through the door.

Otherwise... if China sees that scene, and her illness flares up, I'll be forced to take care of China with Suze.

Besides, the responsibility of caring for Chika's physical and mental well-being is not yet fully fulfilled...

"Don't block the doorway and interfere with the nurses' rounds."

Xiangzi said to Su Shi in a serious tone.

"Oh, sorry."

Su Shimi smiled and calmly stepped into the room, walking along the center of the doorway. She lingered on the shoulder bag she was carrying, increasing the area she could block in the sideways.

Xiangzi slightly hunched over, crossed one arm, and took a few steps back towards Qiannai. Then he turned his head to look at how much IV fluid was left in Qiannai's IV drip and the drip rate.

I did a quick estimate, and there are ten minutes left.

There are half an hour left before the permitted visit time ends.

We shouldn't even be concerned about this time...

They should have fulfilled their responsibilities properly during the visit.

But...

Turning around, she saw that Su Shi had unknowingly walked to the bedside table beside her.

"Is this bag of fruit that Xiao Xiang brought? Let me peel an apple for you."

Su Shi rummaged through the bag, frowning as if she couldn't find anything, then quickly raised the corners of her mouth and reached out her hand to Xiangzi.

Did Xiangzi bring a fruit knife?

That's a good question.

Psychiatric patients are usually not allowed to bring sharp objects into their wards when hospitalized.

Some visitors to the patient will thoughtfully peel an apple for him as a wish for his well-being.

As a young lady from a wealthy family, Xiangzi would surely pay attention to details when visiting patients, bringing not only apples but also a fruit knife, right?

Even if China likes to eat it with the skin on, cutting it into small pieces for her is more considerate than letting her hold the whole thing and gnaw on it.

When Su Shi received the fruit knife, it was a rare opportunity for him to get close to Xiangzi.

Sure enough, after a moment of panic, Xiangzi helplessly started rummaging through his bag.

With her scheme about to succeed, Su Shi still tried hard to overcome her excitement and keep her smile natural.

Then, Xiangzi took out a folding ceramic knife.

Just as Su Shi was about to hand it over, Xiangzi walked past him, suppressing his reluctance, and began peeling the apple.

I never expected to compete with Su Shi for attention in front of Chi Nai...

Xiangzi had originally planned to peel an apple, but she didn't want to compete in "peeling an apple," making it seem like she was trying to steal China's...

To outsiders, it seems natural for an older sister to peel an apple for her younger sister, and it seems like they can avoid the aforementioned criticism, but Xiangzi still doesn't feel good about it.

Rather than handing the fruit knife to Su Shi, who made him feel threatened, Xiangzi had no choice but to peel the apple himself.

It wasn't that she had the absurd thought of Su Shi forcing her to join the band with a knife, but rather that the mere thought of handing something to Su Shi and the touch of her fingers would send shivers down her spine.

After all, he was someone who had persistently tracked down his whereabouts for a year...

Meanwhile, Su Shi not only failed to touch Xiang Zi this time, but also missed the opportunity to peel an apple for Qian Nai, so she was bound to feel down.

But she didn't let her face darken; instead, she quickly composed herself and waited for the next opportunity.

The experiences of spending two nights with China had greatly tempered Su Shi's mind, and the care she had given China made this fruit-peeling experience all the more worthwhile for her.

On the contrary, the heartwarming scene of the older sister helping her younger sister peel fruit made Su Shi feel that it was worthwhile to quietly savor the moment a little longer.

I really want to see sisters helping each other in a band.

After peeling the apple, Xiangzi cut it into even pieces, put them on a small plate, stuck a few toothpicks in it, and placed it by his bedside.

This was something he was supposed to do according to his "duty," but Xiangzi still couldn't believe that A-Tong had actually done it for his worrying younger sister.

Chika was initially worried that something might happen between the two of them, but after her sister peeled an apple for her, she started to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Ah~"

China opened her mouth, seemingly indicating to Shoko that she should feed her.

What's going on? Don't you have hands? Don't you know what the situation is?

Xiangzi gritted his teeth, his lips trembled slightly, and silently fed Qianna an apple with a toothpick.

During this time, her eyes turned towards Su Shi, but she immediately looked away.

What will Su Shi think? Will she think that I still have the same gentle and weak personality as before, and will she still have a chance to return to the band?