Chapter 40: Caught...but not really
Lin Wei leaned against the taxi seat, her pulse finally slowing as the city blurred past the windows.
The adrenaline from the academy encounter still tingled under her skin, and she couldn’t help but glance behind her every few seconds, half expecting to see Lu Chen chasing the taxi down the street.
When they reached the hospital, Lin Wei handed the driver the fare with shaking hands. She took a deep breath before heading inside. Visiting her mother always made her feel like a kid again—barely holding it together, juggling dreams and reality.
The familiar antiseptic smell calmed her nerves a bit. She greeted the nurse at the reception and made her way to the room, trying to push away thoughts of Lu Chen. Her mother looked up from her hospital bed, her face lighting up with a smile as Lin Wei entered.
"You’re here," her mother greeted warmly, trying to sit up straighter. Lin Wei quickly moved to adjust the pillows.
"How are you feeling today?" Lin Wei asked, forcing a smile.
Her mother gave her a tired but reassuring look. "Better. The nurses here are lovely."
Lin Wei’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen—another message from Bai Yue.
Bai Yue: "Mission accomplished. Didn’t let the ice prince or his minions catch a whiff of you. You owe me bubble tea."
Lin Wei smiled despite herself, typing back: "I’ll buy you a whole bakery."
Her mother watched her curiously. "Who’s