Chapter 14: Feng Zihao's Feelings
Yun Xinyu informed Feng Zihao and Ye Xue about her father waking up, hoping they wouldn't worry anymore.
They both expressed their intention to visit her father.
So early the next morning, Feng Zihao arrived at the hospital with a basket of fruits.
He wore a well-tailored suit, his tall and slender frame complemented by handsome features that made him look like he'd stepped straight out of a manga.
Yet the basket of fruits in his hand added a touch of earthy warmth to his otherwise flawless image.
When Yun Xinyu's father saw him, he was genuinely startled, thinking to himself: How does such a strikingly handsome young man even exist?
Since there were no extra beds in the hospital room, Yun Xinyu still returned to her temporary apartment at night.
When Feng Zihao called to ask for her father's room and bed number, Yun Xinyu had been half-asleep. Consequently, when he arrived, she hadn't yet made it to the hospital.
Feng Zihao checked the bed number before smiling politely.
"Are you Yun Xinyu's father?"
"Oh, yes... and you are?"
"I'm Xinyu's friend. I heard you'd woken up, so I came to visit. My name is Feng Zihao."
"Ah, Xinyu's friend! Come, sit, sit!"
Yun Xinyu's father enthusiastically gestured Feng Zihao to the bedside chair, scrutinizing him while firing off questions.
"What do you do for work?"
"Xinyu and I majored in the same field. I'm currently a screenwriter."
"I see... How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight."
"About the same age as my Xinyu..."
The more Yun's father examined this elegant young man, the more pleased he became, continuing to interrogate him at length.
When Yun Xinyu finally arrived, she found her father gazing at Feng Zihao with grandfatherly fondness, the look one might give a prospective son-in-law.
She entered the room with resigned exasperation. After a brief wave at Feng Zihao, she asked her father, "Feeling better today?"
Her father ignored the greeting, chiding instead: "At least greet him properly! He came all this way to see you."
Feng Zihao's weariness vanished the moment Yun Xinyu appeared.
He straightened, his slightly open collar revealing elegant collarbones as his gentle gaze tracked her hurried entrance.
Long, pale fingers interlaced as a warm smile curved his lips—sunlight framing him like a living painting.
Yun Xinyu pouted at her father's reproach. "I came a long way too! We're old friends—why stand on ceremony?"
At the words "old friends," Feng Zihao's eyes dimmed imperceptibly before regaining their usual warmth.
"Indeed," he said, smiling. "Uncle, I've known Xinyu over a decade now."
"Right! No need for formalities between you two. And just call me Uncle (伯父)—'叔叔' sounds too distant."
"Of course... Uncle (伯父)."
Watching her father's blatant matchmaking efforts and Feng Zihao's pleased expression, Yun Xinyu shook her head in defeat.
After more conversation, Feng Zihao excused himself to the restroom.
The moment he left, Yun Hengqing turned to his daughter with severity:
"This young man is excellent. Don't let him get away.
"I've already asked—no girlfriend, stable job, reliable.
"Anyone with eyes can see he's interested in you. You've struck gold meeting someone like him. Cherish this."
Yun Xinyu groaned at her father's sales-pitch tone.
"Stop meddling! We're just friends. Where did you even get that idea?
"You're imagining things! Even if feelings existed, it wouldn't be me. Our friendship is completely pure!"
"Pure friendship between men and women? Don't be naive.
"You're too close to see clearly. If you're not interested, reject him properly.
"Honestly, you two would be perfect—"
"Enough!" Yun Xinyu hissed. "What if he hears? This is embarrassing.
"We're friends. I won't entertain nonsense."
Feng Zihao paused at the doorway, having caught every word.
Won't entertain nonsense?
Perhaps it was time to declare his feelings outright.
How much longer must he wait for this clueless girl to notice?
The thought of waiting years more without her ever knowing his heart chilled him.
After returning briefly, Feng Zihao prepared to leave—until Yun Xinyu received Ye Xue's call announcing her visit.
Knowing her best friend's longstanding crush on Feng Zihao, Yun Xinyu persuaded him to stay. He agreed readily.
When Ye Xue arrived in an elegant dress, makeup impeccable and hair swept up with casual grace, even Yun Xinyu did a double take.
Feng Zihao remained unfazed.
Ye Xue's breath caught at the sight of him. After all these years, she never expected to meet him again—let alone like this.
Feng Zihao initially found her familiar, gradually recalling his high school classmate.
Yun Xinyu reintroduced them: "Feng Zihao, remember? My best friend Ye Xue."
"Yes. Hello, Feng Zihao."
His smile mirrored their first meeting—sunlit, warm, devastatingly unchanged.
Ten years vanished.
Her heartbeat roared as if no time had passed.
But Feng Zihao still guarded Yun Xinyu.
Ye Xue understood: she'd left no mark on his heart or history.
(End of Chapter)
