Min Er leaned back against the passenger seat and smiled.
"Actually, doing this feels quite awkward, very much like a 'green tea' move, and I feel bad for Sister Nan Fang."
"But I still want to go."
Zhan Bei Jue looked at her, signaling her to continue.
"In my entire life, besides you, I've never held another man's hand. Nor have I ever gone on a date with another man."
"I'm afraid I might never have the chance again. Can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a few hours and accompany me to do some things that couples do?"
She uttered the most cruel thing in the world with a nonchalant tone.
Zhan Bei Jue felt a pang of pain again, gazing at her intently.
"How could that be? You are so young, with decades ahead of you. How could you not meet someone who loves you?"
"I can accompany you to do anything. But I won't allow you to speak of yourself like this."
"I hope Sister Nan Fang doesn't resent me when she sees this."
Min Er changed the subject.
"This is my first formal date with a man. I don't know what to do, so I'll listen to your arrangements, okay?"
In reality, Zhan Bei Jue hadn't been on many dates either.
Thinking about this made him feel quite sorry for Jiang Nan Fang.
Besides working and taking care of the child, the most they did was spend time together at home.
He didn't like going out, nor did he think of taking her to do anything warm and romantic.
"How about we go for afternoon tea first? Then watch a movie, and I'll treat you to dinner. After the date, I'll send you home, alright?"
"That sounds pretty good."
Min Er smiled.
"Then let's go."
Zhan Bei Jue searched for a highly-rated coffee shop on his phone.
On the way there, Min Er spotted a large shopping mall.
"My face probably looks quite ugly, and I don't look good with you. Can you take me to buy some cosmetics?"
As long as she had the desire to try and improve herself, Zhan Bei Jue was happy.
The two went to the beauty section.
Sales assistants from various brand counters eagerly greeted them.
Min Er chose a nearby counter and asked the sales assistant if she could help her with makeup.
The sales assistant sized up her face, likely surprised by her injury, but she chose only to say pleasant things.
"Your skin is really nice, fair, smooth, and flawless. You're truly beautiful, miss."
"Our foundation, setting powder, and lipstick are all excellent. You can try them out, and if you like them, you can consider buying a set later."
The sales assistant skillfully worked on her face, and soon, a beautiful, lively, and ethereal Min Er emerged.
Zhan Bei Jue, without hesitation, paid for everything she used.
Although her gait was still awkward, she felt much more confident walking beside him like this.
"Can we just wander around here? Okay?"
"I've been in Nan Cheng for so long, and this is my first time visiting a mall."
"Okay."
As he had said before, as long as she was happy and willing to rekindle her hope for life, Zhan Bei Jue was willing to do anything.
The two browsed from the first floor to the third.
Min Er wanted to buy him some clothes.
"Back in Switzerland, I could only give you the worn-out clothes that your husband, Da Mei, didn't wear. I really, really wanted to buy you a new outfit..."
"Now that I have the chance, you don't need it anymore."
"Who says I don't need it? My wardrobe is missing a set of clothes. You pick one."
"I never saw you in your prime when you were studying. I really want to see what you look like dressed as a college student. Shall I pick casual wear for you?"
"Okay."
She chose a white hoodie, beige casual pants, and white sneakers for Zhan Bei Jue.
Shedding his serious and somber suit, he instantly looked like he had returned to his school days.
Standing together, they looked exactly like a childhood sweethearts couple.
"This is wonderful," Min Er said, immensely satisfied. "Today has been a perfect day."
"This is just the beginning. We haven't even watched a movie yet."
Zhan Bei Jue carefully supported her as they went to the seventh-floor cinema.
At this hour, only melodramatic romance films were being shown.
Min Er watched with great interest, crying and laughing, as if it were the best movie in the world.
After the movie, they went to the rooftop for dinner.
Min Er said that hot pot had a sense of life and brought more happiness, making it more interesting than cold, impersonal steak.
"Eat more."
She didn't eat much, spending the entire time cooking and serving dishes for Zhan Bei Jue.
In fact, Zhan Bei Jue had little appetite, but seeing her so enthusiastically cooking, he accepted it all.
They spent over five hours out and about, returning at eight in the evening.
As the city lights began to glow, the car drove along the beautiful streets of Nan Cheng. Min Er rested her head on the car window, letting the breeze blow through her hair, her mood reaching its peak.
"I love Nan Cheng. This must be the most beautiful city in the world."
"The night view is so stunning. I don't think I'll ever forget the scenery of this night street."
Even Zhan Bei Jue, who didn't understand women's feelings very well, sensed something from her words.
Many of the things she said and did today were deeply meaningful.
They seemed full of hope, yet also hinted at a farewell.
He wasn't sure if he was overthinking it, but he looked at Min Er with concern.
"If you like to look, I'll accompany you out to see it every day. Wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you there every day."
Min Er smiled.
"Don't speak to me in that pitying tone. I don't need it."
"I'm not pitying you. I'm being serious."
"Never mind, let's not talk about this. In short, I had a great time today. Thank you for being my boyfriend for a few hours."
Min Er changed the subject again.
"I'm very sorry for the trouble I caused you recently. I was feeling very lost back then. You don't resent me for it, do you?"
Zhan Bei Jue's heart skipped a beat, and he reached out to grasp her hand.
"Min Er, don't overthink things. You haven't done anything wrong. Those scumbags are the ones at fault. Don't put psychological pressure on yourself."
Min Er feigned lightness. "What's wrong? Your eyes looked so scared just now. Did I frighten you?"
"I forbid you from overthinking, and even more so from demeaning yourself in your heart. Whether a person is pure or not, good or bad, is not defined by these things."
Zhan Bei Jue continued to hold her hand.
"You are wonderful. And you deserve to meet someone better. You must believe this."
Min Er fell silent, closed her eyes, and leaned back against the seat, returning his grip.
She didn't speak again until Zhan Bei Jue carried her back to the hospital bed.
Zhan Bei Jue felt an extreme sense of unease. A strong voice was warning him.
Min Er was not right.
Everything she had done today seemed like a farewell to this world.
From this second on, he didn't even dare to close his eyes.
He was terrified that in the blink of an eye, if he wasn't watching, Min Er would disappear before his eyes.
Min Er lay on the bed, her makeup exquisitely done.
He sat motionless in front of her, staring at her intently.
He thought that if he did this, Min Er would be safe.
However, the silence was soon broken.
A group of uniformed staff, holding an arrest warrant, suddenly pushed open the ward door and barged in.
"Zhan Bei Jue, you are suspected of intentional personal injury and are hereby arrested according to law. Please cooperate and come with us."