Chapter 363
Sitting on the hallway bench, she heard movement inside the ward and stood to enter.
Inside, she saw the doctor—back turned—glance over his shoulder and wave her closer.
Alaricka approached, listening to the instructions while her gaze drifted to Shi Yao’s face.
“Stay alert. If your boyfriend shows any abnormal symptoms, press the nurse call button immediately. If nothing happens tonight, he can leave tomorrow morning.”
Shi Yao’s face was truly striking. Though no longer flushed from the medication’s initial effect, his current pallor held a delicate charm—fragile and pitiable.
Within moments of standing there, Alaricka noticed two nurses stealing glances at him, their cheeks flushing.
Perhaps due to past ugly experiences, even facing such beauty stirred nothing in her heart.
At first, she listened intently to the doctor, but soon her focus wavered, catching only the need to nod.
“Remember—never accept drinks from strangers in public, or beverages left unattended. Who knows what’s mixed in? See what happens?”
Alaricka nodded absently, missing how the doctor addressed her and Shi Yao.
Her eyes had been fixed on his face, but now she drifted, staring blankly at the incomprehensible machines by the bed.
“This applies to you too, not just your boyfriend…”
“Enough said. I’ll take my leave now.”
Alaricka spun around instantly, back to the bed. “Understood. Thank you, doctor.”
After they left, she rubbed her stiff neck, stepped backward, and sank onto Shi Yao’s bedside, closing her gritty, exhausted eyes.
Lately, she woke early daily—grinding through National College Entrance Exam papers, studying entrepreneurship, then heading out after 7 p.m. to learn coding with Jaylene and Nie Guanyu.
Every day brimmed with purpose.
It was almost midnight, time for her to sleep. Her body clock kept urging her to find a cozy bed, yet she was still rushing around tonight—all because she’d taken pity on some rude guy and brought him to the hospital, even paying his medical bills upfront.
Exhausted both physically and mentally, her eyelids heavy as lead, she felt like kicking him off the hospital bed to take his place.
Suddenly, her phone rang in her pocket.
Alaricka glanced at the caller ID and smacked her forehead in frustration.
She’d forgotten to call Tamika to let her know she was safe.
Tamika’s anxious voice came through the moment the call connected: “Alaricka, where are you? Why aren’t you home? I’ve been texting you nonstop!”
Alaricka closed her eyes, weariness dripping from her voice. “Mom, my friend got sick. I brought him to the hospital. I’ll be home soon, don’t worry. I was busy and didn’t check my phone.”
Tamika sighed in relief. “Is your friend serious? Should I come see him tomorrow?”
“No need, Mom. He’s fine. Probably getting discharged tomorrow.”
“Alright, come home early.”
“Okay, you get some rest too.”
Alaricka hung up, rubbing the back of her neck as she rolled her head.
When she turned around, she froze—staring straight into a pair of furious eyes.
Her heart lurched. “When did you wake up?”
Victor glared, his handsome features twisted with rage. His lips pressed into a thin, trembling line, and his sickly pale face made him look like a poor victim.
Alaricka sighed. “Seriously? I brought you to the hospital. What more do you want?”
Victor kept glaring, a flush creeping across his cheeks.
Alaricka studied him, noticing his ears reddening too.
She frowned, “Is the medicine wearing off again? Feeling sick? Want me to call the doctor?”
Silence. Just that burning stare.
Alaricka shook her head and stood. “Great, he’s lost it. Is this drug really that strong?”
She reached for the nurse call button.
Victor suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Alaricka snapped, “What-”