Peach-Orange! – Chapter 216 – She Keeps Calling Me Tao-Tao

Surprises are called surprises precisely because they happen suddenly, leaving people no time to prepare.

The elevator moved quickly from the 1st floor to the 8th floor, but to Su Tao, it felt agonizingly slow.

She paced restlessly, circling the center of the elevator, her boot-clad feet tapping loudly against the floor.

Her clenched palms were slightly damp with sweat from nervousness and anticipation.

She wasn’t prepared for Chi Xiaocheng to wake up at this moment.

Even though Professor Su had mentioned that Xiaocheng might regain consciousness within the next couple of days, Su Tao had instinctively assumed it was just comforting words. She understood how much hope could affect a person, so she was grateful to Professor Su.

Holding onto that sliver of possibility, she had been browsing online for gifts.

The gift wasn’t even chosen yet. She had simply come to the hospital as usual to visit Xiaocheng. But unexpectedly, the surprise was hidden within this ordinary routine.

Su Tao stopped pacing and watched as the elevator climbed floor by floor.

From the 5th to the 6th, then after what felt like an eternity, the number changed to 7.

Su Tao took rapid deep breaths, her heart pounding uncontrollably as she thought of a decision she had made.

“Confession, confession, confession….

“What exactly do I say during a confession? Just ‘I like her’?

“What about the sense of ceremony? But Xiaocheng just woke up, she must still be weak. Should I check on her first or confess first?

“What kind of expression will she make then? Will it be relief and happiness? But she’ll definitely be happy. After all, she’s always wanted me to like her.”

Rеаⅾ oո ΚatRеaԁіոɡСаfе

Su Tao muttered to herself at breakneck speed. With a “ding,” the elevator arrived, and as the doors slid open, she dashed out.

Room 806, the first room at the end of the hallway after turning the corner!

In that moment, she even forgot she was in a hospital, where such loud footsteps could disturb other patients.

A nurse stopped Su Tao, raising a finger to her lips. “Please keep your voice down, family member. The patients on this floor are all in critical condition and need rest.”

“Sorry, sorry!”

Su Tao quickly apologized and slowed her steps.

She just wanted so badly to see Chi Xiaocheng, to hear her call her “Tao-Tao” with that affectionate, joyful tone.

Before she even reached the corner, she saw Professor Su walking hurriedly toward her, her expression slightly troubled.

Spotting Su Tao, Professor Su paused. “Miss Su, you’re here so early today?”

“The café started its New Year’s holiday today, so I had nothing else to do. I came to keep Xiaocheng company. I heard she’s awake?”

Professor Su pressed her lips together and nodded lightly. “She is awake, but the nurses are currently changing her medication and adjusting the equipment. Please wait a little longer before going in.”

“I see… okay!”

Su Tao nodded vigorously, her excitement undiminished, failing to notice Professor Su’s hesitant expression.

The professor sighed softly. “Once the nurses come out, you can go in. But please brace yourself a little. Although she’s awake, her condition isn’t optimistic. Try not to agitate her.”

Rеаԁ oո КаtRеαdіnɡCаfе

“Understood.”

Watching Professor Su hurry off, Su Tao felt a flicker of confusion.

Wasn’t waking up the best news possible? Why would her condition still be “not optimistic”?

If it was just because lying in bed for a full month had weakened her body, Su Tao could understand.

But that wasn’t a problem. She would take care of Xiaocheng!

Suppressing her impatience, she waited quietly.

Before long, her phone rang, interrupting her anticipation.

Recognizing the number, she felt a mix of relief and urgency as she stepped onto the balcony to avoid disturbing other patients.

She answered the call.

A kind but slightly aged voice came through. “Is that Tao-Tao? Am I calling at a bad time?”

Su Tao smiled, her tone relaxed. “Don’t worry, Auntie. It’s fine. It’s the winter break, I don’t have much to do anyway.”

The caller was Chi Xiaocheng’s mother, the woman who had practically raised Su Tao. To her, this woman was like a second mother.

Though warm, Chi’s mother’s voice carried a hint of worry. “Tao-Tao, the reason I called is because I haven’t been able to reach Xiaocheng. And she hasn’t mentioned you lately… I was wondering if you two had a fight. She hasn’t been in touch for so long.”

The familiar question made Su Tao freeze for a second.

She remembered the last time Chi’s mother had called, when Xiaocheng was in the hospital, severely injured and in unknown condition.

Rеαԁ оn КαtReаdiոɡСαfе

Back then, she had lied weakly, too conflicted to face Chi’s mother directly.

But now was different. Thinking of Xiaocheng’s awakening, Su Tao smiled and said, “Auntie, don’t worry. How could we fight? Xiaocheng is always clinging to me, calling me ‘Tao-Tao’ so sweetly.

“She’s in the hospital for health reasons. The doctor said she can’t use her phone, so it’s just sitting at home.”

“That’s a relief.” Chi’s mother exhaled, her tone lighter. “Will you two be coming home for New Year’s?”

“Well…” Su Tao hesitated. “I’ll need to check with the doctor about Xiaocheng’s condition. If she’s fine, we’ll definitely come back.

“How about this? In a couple of days, Xiaocheng and I will video call you.”

“Wonderful! Your uncle and I miss you both so much!”

Their conversation was filled with mundane but warm chatter, all looking forward to the future. This time, Su Tao didn’t evade anything.

Xiaocheng was awake. If her health allowed, Su Tao would bring her home for New Year’s.

After confessing, she would also tell Xiaocheng’s parents properly—

That she wanted to take care of Xiaocheng for the rest of her life!

And she would prove to them that she was capable of doing so!

As they talked, a nurse emerged from Xiaocheng’s room, pushing a cart of medical equipment. Her expression was bright, clearly happy about Xiaocheng’s recovery.

Su Tao wrapped up the call and hurried to the door of the room.

Rеαⅾ on КαtRеаⅾіոɡCаfe

Inside, the girl she had been longing to see sat on the bed, her petite frame swallowed by the blue-and-white hospital gown.

Chi Xiaocheng’s hands were folded over her abdomen as she gazed out the window at the birds flitting by.

Bathed in the morning sun and caressed by the breeze, the white curtains fluttered gently, lifting her lustrous tea-colored hair.

With only her profile visible, she looked breathtakingly beautiful in that moment.

Su Tao’s earlier excitement and nervousness gradually settled into quiet happiness. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

All her emotions melted into the gentlest of gazes.

This wasn’t a dream.

Su Tao took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the doorframe, drawing Chi Xiaocheng’s attention.

“Xiaocheng….”

Su Tao was about to speak, but the girl on the bed beat her to it.

With a soft, dependent smile, Xiaocheng said, “Su Tao jiejie, you’re here.”

Her words made Su Tao freeze mid-step.

Su Tao… jiejie?

Shouldn’t it be “Tao-Tao”?