"Pain..." The pain awakened my consciousness, and as I opened my eyes, I saw a white ceiling. There seemed to be a faint smell of medicine in the air, and there was an IV drip hanging to my upper right. My hand was connected to an infusion tube. It looked like I was in a hospital ward. But how did I end up here? I remember collapsing due to blood loss and fainting on the ground. I faintly heard Su Yuqian calling my name, but I couldn't open my eyes.

When I turned my gaze to the right, I saw someone I hadn't seen for days. It was Fia. The stone that had been weighing on my heart finally dropped.

"Fia?" I called out, surprised.

Fia looked in a certain direction, as if she had done something wrong.

"Fia!?" I called out to her sternly.

"Fia... Fia just wanted to see how you were doing, brother Yuqian... I accidentally touched your wound..." Fia explained hesitantly.

I reached out my hand, and she closed her eyes in fear. I just touched her cheek gently.

"Huh?" She opened her eyes in surprise and was stunned by the scene in front of her.

"Fia, I'm so glad you're okay. I was really afraid something bad happened to you." Tears blurred my vision. I couldn't tell whether it was because of overwhelming joy or anxiety.

"Zhiye sister kept asking Fia about your whereabouts, but Fia refused to say or admit that she let you go. But Zhiye sister is really scary, so Fia ran away and stayed at a friend's house."

"It's all my fault for dragging you into this."

"No, it's not. Fia hates herself for just watching you suffer. Fia should've sought help earlier."

Fia said self-blamingly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Fia did great. If it weren't for Fia's wit and bravery, I might have died in my own bedroom. I wouldn't have made it this far."

I smiled and gently ruffled Fia's hair.

"Brother Yuqian..." Fia wiped away her tears.

"I'm fine, still alive and well." I reassured her.

Fia kept herself from crying and desperately wiped away her tears. It almost made me want to cry too.

Just then, my mother suddenly appeared at the door of the ward, followed by my father and a woman wearing a purple kimono.

"You brat..." my mother rushed over and grabbed my neck.

"Mother... let go..." I patted her hand.

"You were so reckless... Keeping this from me and dealing with it on your own."

My mother scolded with a reproachful tone, still reluctant to let go. I felt my breath being cut off and almost suffocated before she finally released me.

But as soon as she let go, I couldn't stop coughing.

"Do you want to kill your own son?!" I said angrily.

My mother, on the other hand, hugged me, leaving me at a loss.

"Really... What if you really died?" Although my mother's tone carried blame, she was still very worried about me, and it warmed my heart.

"Mother... who is this aunt?" Perhaps feeling the awkward atmosphere, and seeing the woman in the purple kimono staring at me, I asked my mother.

"Ahh... I forgot to introduce her. This is Aunt Yamazawa Mi, Zhiye's mother."

So the woman in the purple kimono was Yamazawa Mi, Zhiye's mother. She had a gentle face and exuded an elegant and noble temperament.

"Hello... Nice to meet you," I greeted her, somewhat surprised to meet Yamazawa Mi, who my mother often mentioned. On one hand, I felt respectful and fearful, but on the other hand, I was at a loss for words, as it was quite sudden.

"So, you're Yujie?" She smiled and asked.

"That's right..."

"You've changed a lot."

"Is that so?"

"When Meihong brought you to my house, you were only four years old and quite small. But you were very obedient and got along well with Zhiye."

Aunt Yamazawa recalled the past, and at her words, Zhiye's face darkened.

"Why did Zhiye end up like this..."

Aunt Yamazawa fell into silence, and after a long while, she answered, "Perhaps it's because of my upbringing. This child has been interested in those strange things since she was young, but I extinguished that interest."

"But isn't that a good thing...""It's true... but the negative effects turned out like this..."

Aunty Chuanmei couldn't help but sigh,

"I've truly failed as a teacher, I apologize to both you and Meihong," Aunty Chuanmei bowed to express her regret,

"It's not Aunty Chuanmei's fault, I also take responsibility,"

If I had spoken up earlier, maybe this outcome could have been avoided,

"So how is Zhiye now?" I asked anxiously,

"She's fine, she was discharged yesterday and is at home now,"

"Yesterday?"

"You were unconscious for three days, that's why you didn't know," Fiona explained, surprised that I had been unconscious for so long,

"In a few days, I plan to take Zhiye back to Japan, so... this can be considered as goodbye to you all here. Zhiye has caused you all a lot of trouble, I'm truly sorry."

"Chuanmei, don't be so formal. Zhiye has done a lot for our family too. If it wasn't for this incident, she might have really become my daughter-in-law. It's all because our Yuujie here doesn't appreciate his good fortune," my mother playfully tapped my forehead, not holding back at all.

"You can't blame Yuujie for this... now it's all about freedom in love. I hope this incident can awaken Zhiye and help her grow," Fiona added.

"I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave. Meihong, I hope we can meet in Japan with our families in the future,"

"Japan is quite far... I really wish Chuanmei could stay in China," Meihong said.

"I wish that too... but I also miss my family, so..."

Aunty Chuanmei also showed a troubled expression.

"Well then, see you in Japan in the future," my mother said cheerfully,

"Mhm..." Aunty Chuanmei responded before leaving the hospital room.

As we watched her leave, my mother's mood soured. After all, it's hard to accept the sudden separation when the bond between the two is so deep.

Is this all my fault... If it is, all I can do is deeply apologize in my heart.