Peach-Orange! – Chapter 157 – The Belated Pain

It felt like she had dreamed for a very, very long time. What did she dream about?

She couldn’t quite remember.

“But wow, that was some good sleep!”

Su Tao stretched her arms high above her head, interlacing her fingers as she let out a long, satisfied yawn. The exhaustion in her body had eased significantly, leaving her with a rare sense of lightness.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a halo of light on the frost-covered glass. The refracted rays were almost blinding, making Su Tao instinctively squint.

The nurse assigned by Professor Su had been monitoring Su Tao’s room the entire time.

The moment she saw Su Tao wake up, she hurried to the door and asked cautiously, “Miss Su, you’re awake… How are you feeling?”

Su Tao blinked at the nurse in mild confusion before offering a relaxed smile. “I just overworked myself and passed out. A good nap fixed me right up.”

“Really?” The nurse still looked worried. “But your complexion is still a little off.”

“Is it?” Su Tao turned slightly, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror on the nearby table.

Her eyes carried traces of fatigue from the long sleep, her lips were slightly pale, and without makeup, her face couldn’t hide its weariness.

Her gray-black hair had clearly been tended to, but the messy sleeping posture had left some strands curled and disheveled. A few loose bangs hung in front of her eyes, making her look almost ghostly.

Su Tao touched her cheek lightly and chuckled. “It’s fine. I think I had a nightmare. I didn’t sleep too well, so I look a little rough.”

She glanced at the nurse. “By the way, can I just check out now? Xiaocheng’s waiting at home for me to cook.”

The nurse’s mouth fell open slightly.

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A flash of stunned disbelief crossed her face.

“I…I’ll go get Professor Su!”

With that, she bolted out of the room.

Su Tao watched her go, puzzled. “No need to rush like that… Though I guess I did sleep for way too long. I’m still kind of tired.”

She shook her head lightly, then noticed two small potted plants and a watering can by the windowsill. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

She walked over, picked up the watering can, and began gently watering the plants.

The soft pattering of water filled her ears as droplets gathered into tiny streams, trickling onto the petals and making the flowers sway ever so slightly.

The sight was oddly soothing.

“Xiaocheng used to like keeping potted plants at home, didn’t she? Maybe I should buy a couple on the way back.”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think she liked white lilies of the valley. The house could use some more life besides King….”

Su Tao tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, already imagining the hug Chi Xiaocheng would give her the moment she walked through the door.

A smile crept onto her lips, unstoppable.

The morning sunlight spilled over her, framing her in a soft glow. In her hospital gown, she looked almost ethereal. Like a modern-day tragic beauty: frail yet mesmerizing.

Professor Su hurried to the door but slowed her steps before entering. Seeing Su Tao watering the plants, she observed her expression first before letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

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“It’s good to see you back to normal, Miss Su. You haven’t had breakfast yet, right? I’ll have someone bring you something.”

“Oh, no need.” Su Tao smiled at her. “I’m heading home soon. Xiaocheng can’t cook, so I have to go back and make breakfast for her.”

“Home?”

Professor Su froze.

The girl watering the plants nodded lightly. “Yeah. Xiaocheng’s hopeless in the kitchen, so I’ve always been the one cooking for her. Right now, she’s probably still asleep. I’ll have to wake her up when I get back.”

She paused, then added with a small, fond laugh, “Though honestly, Professor Su, as much of a hassle as it is to take care of her, I really love watching her eat. It’s… healing, in a way.”

Su Tao glanced over, then scratched her cheek sheepishly when she noticed Professor Su’s expression. “Professor Su? Are you okay? You look… off.”

Professor Su was silent for a long moment. “Miss Su… do you remember why you were hospitalized?”

“Why?”

Su Tao tried to recall, but a sharp pain lanced through her head. She sucked in a sharp breath, clutching her temples.

Then she shook her head violently. “I think I just collapsed from exhaustion, right?

“I don’t really remember.”

Professor Su fell silent again, understanding dawning on her.

This was a protective response, the mind’s way of shielding itself from unbearable trauma.

When faced with overwhelming grief, the brain sometimes shuts down entirely, refusing to process the reality. Memories blur, emotions numb, or in cases like this, selective amnesia takes hold.

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She hadn’t forgotten Chi Xiaocheng.

Her mind had simply walled off the memories too painful to bear, all to keep her from breaking entirely.

Standing at the doorway, Professor Su wrestled with herself.

Should she tell her the truth?

If she forced Su Tao to remember now, the sudden flood of emotions could very well destroy her.

But if she didn’t… what would happen when Su Tao went home and found no one there?

When she realized Chi Xiaocheng was gone and began searching frantically?

This wasn’t something that could be hidden forever.

Professor Su exhaled heavily. She’d lost count of how many times she’d sighed today. “Su Tao… I need you to stay calm, okay? There’s something I have to tell you.”

Su Tao nodded. “Go ahead, Professor.”

“Your Xiaocheng… is dead.”

Su Tao tilted her head slightly, her smile stiffening. “Professor Su, what kind of joke is that? Xiaocheng’s at home, how could she be dea—

“—d?”

The last word slipped out in a whisper as the color drained from her eyes.

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The watering can in her hand remained tilted, water spilling over the rim of the pot.

But Su Tao stood frozen, her lips trembling as she turned to stare at Professor Su. “Professor… what did you just say about Xiaocheng?”

“Dead.”

Professor Su looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

Hiding the truth would only hurt her more.

Memories came crashing back like a tidal wave, flooding Su Tao’s mind.

Her body and brain had tried to protect her, but some things could never be forgotten.

Her pupils constricted.

Her lips quivered.

Her entire body began to shake.

Images flashed through her mind… until finally, they settled on one.

Chi Xiaocheng’s peaceful face in her final moments.

THUD.

The watering can slipped from her fingers and hit the floor.