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

"Xiao Xiang has probably accepted the role of the older sister in her heart, so whether I stay in a closed ward or not is up to Xiao Xiang, who is the older sister, to decide."

Xiangzi glanced at the phone in Qiannai's pocket, puzzled, and said:

"Didn't you say you couldn't stand not having a cell phone there?"

Xiangzi looked at the IV drip and shook her head. Perhaps she should suggest to the attending physician that the dosage be increased, instead of arguing with Qiannai over the wording.

Left with no other choice, Xiangzi revealed what the nurse had just whispered to her.

"The nurse was saying that we should try to minimize unnecessary external stimuli, such as too many people visiting you at once like just now. If they start talking and it gets too noisy, it will affect your recovery, especially... when people are arguing."

"So as an agent, I want to avoid this situation."

No, if I were to avoid this situation, I would contact the people who frequently visit China and ask them not to come all at once, but to arrange for one person to come at a time.

Among the people to be contacted is Su Shi...

Xiangzi felt increasingly unable to control his mouth, always using "I" as the subject.

Perhaps she was unintentionally guided by China.

China shifted her body slightly to the side, lying on her side at the head of the bed, supporting herself with her forearm, and continued to watch Shoko with great interest.

"Actually, upon closer reflection, I'm not so resistant to closed wards anymore. Away from electronic devices and other people, I could bring a few books and enjoy some peaceful time in a private room. I'd actually like to experience that."

"If I really can't take it anymore, it's fine to transfer back to a semi-open ward. Anyway, I'm not the kind of person who would be forcibly sent to a mental hospital. I still have a lot of options."

"But it seems Xiao Xiang wants to control some of my rights~"

A wave of frustration washed over Xiangzi, but his aristocratic upbringing kept his expression from becoming too ferocious.

We should quickly send someone from a mental hospital to forcibly admit her.

Though he didn't voice his anger, the button above the hospital bed to call for a nurse was certainly the nearest option.

"I see you're having some symptoms now. Should I call a nurse to come and take a look?" Xiangzi said, pressing the call button.

China remained composed and said, "I guess the nurse will be wearing loafers next time she comes."

Then, China pressed the call button herself.

"What's wrong?" came the voice of the receptionist nurse from the speaker above the button.

"I think I'm having a relapse."

"Okay, I'll be right over."

Qiannai's actions left Xiangzi completely bewildered.

She thought China would insist that she was fine and just wanted to have a serious chat, but she pressed the button on her own.

Suddenly, Shoko's hand was also grabbed by China and pressed against the latter's left chest.

In his shock, Xiangzi felt a violent and irregular heartbeat through his hand.

"This is what happens when the symptoms flare up...thanks to my sister for reminding me."

China suppressed her trembling jaw and uttered words that were not in line with her current state of calm.

……

Xiangzi was still somewhat bewildered by what was happening before his eyes.

After seeing China wait for the nurse with great difficulty, she finally couldn't help but jump up and down. The nurse then took her arm and jumped up and down with her, singing a cheerful melody.

After China calmed down a bit, the nurse returned to her proper posture and began to explain to Shoko earnestly that Shoko could also do this, following China's lead and doing some exercises to relieve her agitated emotions.

The nurse also mentioned that excitement is usually expressed in the form of joy or anger, and as family members, we should try our best to guide the patient to express it in the former form.

Xiangzi kept responding with "uh-huhs". She tried to stay focused, but the somewhat absurd scene from before still made her mind wander.

After the nurse left, China, having calmed down, prepared to talk about virtual YouTubers, but was interrupted by Shoko raising her hand.

However, Xiangzi didn't mention or ask anything.

I'm just thinking, wanting to think quietly for a while.

Some of the things she was thinking about had already become clear through the communication between the nurse and Chizuru.

For example, after China's manic phase ended, she did not fall into immense anxiety and regret about her actions because her psychological defense mechanisms were restored.

Being able to recognize that you are in the flare-up phase, suppress your thoughts during the flare-up, and press the call button is also a good sign.

Otherwise, like other patients, if they feel they are not having an episode during the manic phase and think that this is how they should be, they might not even ring the call button, and might even sneak out of the hospital.

All signs indicate that China's condition is improving, but China's rationality is becoming increasingly apparent, especially when her condition flares up, forcing her to temporarily let reason prevail...

The more Xiangzi felt that there was a living, breathing person in front of him, fighting against the disease.

"China...I..."

Xiangzi opened his mouth slightly, his words pausing as if nothing had happened. He then tried to bring up business matters, but before he could finish, he abruptly changed the subject, mentioning that the visit was almost over.

"never mind……"

Finally, Xiangzi couldn't stand his own rambling and fell into a brief silence.

And after that...?

She leaned down and hugged China tightly as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Perhaps, like the absurd scene she had just witnessed, she couldn't sum it up in words.

She didn't know what to say to China as they parted.

They simply held each other like that until the very last second of their visit.

As her body was about to leave China, China whispered a request in her ear.

"Can you call me 'little sister'?"

Xiangzi gradually stood up, but his hands only moved from his back to his shoulders.

She looked up at China, but her eyes were not focused on China's face; rather, they seemed to be focused on the depths of China's soul.

It poses a question in a philosophical manner:

"Should we just be sisters?"

Chapter 112 The One You Love

Xiangzi's feelings for Qiannai are quite complex.

I felt she was too nosy, liked to play pranks, and always acted on her own.

However, despite being a mental patient, she did not lose hope in life due to the torment of her illness, nor did she isolate herself from the world. She was willing to put effort into managing other people's interpersonal relationships and to teach others what she had learned.

Xiangzi recalled that on the first day they met, Qianna couldn't bear what she did when she had an attack, so she revealed her illness and said that she didn't plan to go to school anymore and instead planned to lock herself at home.

At that time, Xiangzi did not directly say, "I hope you will not become detached from society, but live like a normal person." However, he indirectly expressed his thoughts by talking to Qianna about their shared hobby of "music arrangement."

For a period of time afterward, Xiangzi had doubts about his actions, feeling that he was driven by intuition and that he did not fully understand the nature of bipolar disorder.

Xiangzi had considered that perhaps in the doctor's view, Qiannai's condition should be treated by staying at home and reducing external stimuli, or by being hospitalized indefinitely for strict care.

Her actions influenced the path China was taking and may have delayed China's treatment.

But in the end, after China chose to continue her studies, she made friends, helped others, and her condition improved.

Seeing China's brilliance gradually emerge on this path, Shoko's worries and doubts gradually dissipated.

Otherwise, the action that led China to the path of "not isolating herself" that day would have been another regret for Shoko.

……

"If they're not just sisters, what kind of relationship should they be?"

As China asked the question, her face gradually turned red.

Xiangzi, who always looked at herself with seriousness or dissatisfaction, suddenly said something like "It shouldn't just be sisters," which was both sudden and somewhat stimulating.

Two pairs of amber eyes met. Just as China was about to look away, she felt her gaze being drawn to a warm sensation.

That warmth came from Xiangzi's deep gaze.

Then, a knowing smile flashed across her lips, adding to the warmth and making China's ears burn.

It wasn't the image of an "intellectual older sister" answering questions, but rather the state of a scholar enthusiastically observing and studying what's in front of them.

"My sister's identity is a barrier, restricting my thoughts and feelings towards you."

"You are a living, breathing person who makes me think deeply..."

Xiangzi stopped talking and searched his mind for a suitable word to form.

"Specimen?" China tilted her head and said casually.

"No, that's too cold a description. It only shows one-way research and fails to reflect your achievements in music composition."

"Anyway, I think our relationship can't be simply categorized as sisters, friends, or lovers."

Xiangzi paced back and forth with his head down, pondering as he described his thoughts in a calm tone.

She seemed to steer the conversation into the realm of philosophy, leaving China momentarily speechless.

Xiangzi, however, was still lost in thought.

A world-class rising star composer, a person who overcomes illness and lives a positive life, a person whom I admire, yet she sometimes calls me "sister" in a spoiled way, and at other times maturely tells me that "money cannot represent a person's dignity."

What is predictable is that summarizing China's present and future achievements—"a musical genius struggling with mental illness"—will have an inspiring spiritual power.

However, as someone close to China, I often experience her ordinary side.

Suddenly, China interrupted Shoko's thoughts.

"Our relationship is probably like our surnames."

Xiangzi shook his head and denied it seriously.

“If we go by surname, then there is a river because of a bridge, and the bridge exists because of the river. But you, Toyohashi China, do not exist because of me.”

"I mean……"

China hesitated for a moment. Her explanation was somewhat superficial and didn't fit the atmosphere the noble lady opposite her wanted.

"The bridge is above, the river is below, so..."

Toyokawa Shoko's face immediately turned red. In her understanding, the other party seemed to be emphasizing the superior-subordinate relationship.

This not only shattered the philosophical atmosphere but also made Xiangzi, who had already reluctantly become an agent, feel humiliated.

That's too deliberate and doesn't respect boundaries!

The image of China, who was like a sculpture, that had been in my mind just now vanished completely.

Xiangzi then glanced at his phone and said calmly, "It's time for my visit, I'll be going now."

Just as Xiangzi turned to leave, he looked back to make sure that Qiannai's face didn't show any reluctance or other sadness before taking a step.

"You have to love a specific person," China reminded her from behind as they approached the door.

Xiangzi stopped in his tracks, his shoulders trembling.

Then, as if starting a manual transmission car, the engine stalled several times in succession. Lost in thought, Xiangzi slowly moved his feet, one step at a time.

Finally, Chika walked up behind Shoko, gently pushed him on the shoulder, and said cheerfully, "I'll take good care of myself in the hospital, don't worry." Only then did Shoko let go of his worries.

"I understand your idea."

These were Xiangzi's last words before he left.

I just... need a beautified version of you as my emotional support.

I also want to become famous overnight, just like you...

……

A restaurant next to the hospital.

Su Shi and Aine passed by here.

Along the way, Su Shi didn't mention the specific reason why she asked Ai Yin to leave with her, she just apologized.

She herself was reluctant to admit that she had to rely on her relationship with China to keep Shoko by her side.

Aine, who witnessed the crucial scene where China used an apple to draw Sose's face to Shoko's face, didn't dare to ask anything.

"I'll eat something here first."