While it was night in Huaxia, it was daytime in the United States.

After hanging up Ye Qiu's call, Aik looked at Lin Xirou's phone, a contemptuous gloom appearing on his handsome face.

After Lin Xirou's suicide attempt that day, Aik rushed over as soon as he learned of the incident, arriving even faster than the ambulance.

When sending Lin Xirou to the hospital, he also grabbed her phone because he saw Ye Qiu's call coming in at that moment.

In the days following Lin Xirou's emergency treatment at the hospital, Aik stayed outside her ward, genuinely worried, even pushing all his activities and commercial endorsements aside to be there for her.

After several days, Aik had visibly lost weight, diligently staying by Lin Xirou's side every day.

During this time, Ye Qiu's calls kept coming in, but when Aik saw it was him, he didn't answer.

For Ye Qiu, his childhood friend, Aik felt conflicted.

When they were young, as Ye Qiu's talent began to shine, Aik resented him because Ye Qiu stole his limelight, with everyone in the team praising Ye Qiu while ignoring him.

Though he didn't say anything then, he was unhappy, though too young to understand his feelings.

As kids, Ye Qiu, Aik, and Lin Xirou trained together, Aik quietly trying to compete with Ye Qiu, developing inexplicable feelings for Lin Xirou.

Aik was of mixed heritage; his father, Ai Jieming, was from Huaxia, and his mother was American.

So, seeing Lin Xirou, a Huaxia girl, made him feel close to her, building a subtle fondness.

As they grew, this fondness gradually turned to liking, and finally, love.

Despite being brothers with Ye Qiu, their silent competition since childhood turned into comparison as they matured.

With more and more external comparisons, Aik's pride couldn't handle it, slowly turning to jealousy, and finally a hint of resentment.

Many times he wanted to drive Ye Qiu away, but because of Ye Qiu's talent and importance to their team, he had to suppress these thoughts.

Until Ye Qiu left it all, Aik could no longer bear it, revealing the thoughts he'd held back for over a decade.

And for Lin Xirou, it was something he had to fight for, as he genuinely loved her.

Sitting beside Lin Xirou's hospital bed, having just hung up on Ye Qiu, Aik frowned at Lin Xirou's pale face.

Lin Xirou was on the brink of death when brought to the hospital, but luckily, Aik's desperate driving saved her life.

After intensive treatment, Lin Xirou was now out of danger and just needed to rest for a month to recover.

"Hmm!"

As Aik stared at Lin Xirou in thought, she suddenly made a sound after days of no movement. Aik was shocked but quickly delighted, and hurried over to call for help.

"Water!"

At that moment, Lin Xirou's soft voice came, startling Aik, who immediately turned to find a cup, hurriedly pouring water, his face clearly filled with excitement.

After helping Lin Xirou sit up and gently feeding her water, her complexion visibly improved, after which she lay quietly.

Putting down the cup, Aik looked at Lin Xirou and asked, "Xirou, how are you feeling now?"

Lin Xirou glanced at Aik, her beautiful eyes shimmering, pondering for a moment before her slightly pale lips moved, thanking gently, "Thank you."

Despite her suicide attempt, Lin Xirou hadn't lost consciousness, still thinking of Ye Qiu, so she knew Aik saved her.

Although she hadn't opened her eyes these days, she knew Aik was taking care of her, and seeing his tired, gaunt face, she felt moved.

Seeing Aik's genuine happiness at her awakening, Lin Xirou realized she'd misunderstood him before. Aik wasn't just trying to possess her; he truly loved her...

"Hey, Xirou, what are you saying, thanking me?" Aik scratched his head, laughed, then sat beside Lin Xirou, asking, "Are you hungry? Want something to eat?"

"Hmm."

Lin Xirou was indeed a little hungry and nodded gently.

"Okay, what do you want to eat?" Aik asked.

Before Lin Xirou could respond, he clapped his hands and said, "Wait, I know what you want!"

With that, he got up and left under Lin Xirou's surprised gaze, pausing at the door to say, "Wait for me... I'll be right back!"

Then he hurriedly left.

Lin Xirou opened her mouth, finally shaking her head helplessly, a gentle smile on her pale face.

Leaning on the bed, in less than three minutes, Aik came rushing back.

Standing beside Lin Xirou's bed, opening the food container, he said, "Hehe, I know your favorite, our Huaxia's crossing-the-bridge noodles. I went to that place in Chinatown where we used to go with Ye Qiu when we were kids..."

Saying this, Aik paused, silently cursing himself for bringing up Ye Qiu.

Lin Xirou smiled sweetly, responding, "Hurry up, I'm starving!"

Aik was delighted Lin Xirou wasn't upset, quickly preparing the food for her, setting up the tray table, and asking, "Do you want to eat by yourself?"

Lin Xirou nodded and slowly began eating.

Watching Lin Xirou eat the noodles, Aik smiled.

Feeling Aik's gaze, Lin Xirou hesitated for a moment and said, "Thank you!"

Aik replied, "Xirou, didn't I tell you, we don't have to say thank you?"

Lin Xirou shook her head, taking a bite of noodles before saying to Aik, "I still have to thank you. You saved my life and took care of me. As good friends, I should thank you."

"Uh!"

Aik was momentarily stunned, muttering, "Good friends, huh?"

Lin Xirou smiled warmly, saying, "Yeah, aren't we good friends?"

Aik chuckled wryly, his face showing a hint of resignation, frowning and nodding, "Indeed, good friends."

Lin Xirou smiled gently, gave Aik a deep look, then put down the noodles on the table, saying, "Thank you for the meal..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.