After the incident with Li Chongming,

Chu Fang, who had argued with him, was taken in for questioning.

Once they determined she had nothing to do with it, she was released from the police station…

And then she seemingly vanished from the face of the earth.

After hearing she was out, Liu Changqing tried calling her,

but the call never went through. He figured that was the end of it between them.

He never expected—

that today, she would reach out to him first.

“Can we meet?”

Chu Fang’s voice came through the phone, and Liu Changqing, sitting in his car, froze slightly.

His mind was racing—why would she want to see him?

He couldn't figure it out.

Sensing his hesitation, Chu Fang added:

“There’s something very important I need to tell you in person.”

“……”

Even though he didn’t know what it could be,

Liu Changqing eventually agreed.

“Alright. Where should we meet?”

“At the hospital where my sister is staying.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

“Mm.”

After ending the call, Liu Changqing stuffed the phone back into the pocket of his down jacket.

Then he started the car and headed toward the hospital where Chu Fang’s sister was admitted.

It wasn’t far.

Though he said fifteen minutes, it actually took him less than ten.

After finding a parking spot and locking the car, he headed into the hospital.

When the elevator brought him to the private room where Chu Fang’s sister was staying,

he knocked on the door.

Not long after, he heard hurried footsteps inside.

The door swung open—

and there stood Chu Fang.

She looked different than he remembered.

Her makeup style today was totally unlike before.

If she used to have that sweet girl-next-door look,

then now, she gave off strong independent-woman vibes.

Honestly…

Liu Changqing thought she looked older this way.

Seeing him, Chu Fang paused, then smiled.

“That was fast. I thought you'd take longer.”

“No traffic. Of course I got here quick.”

His response was short.

Liu Changqing clearly wasn’t here to make small talk—

he came because he was curious about that “important matter” she mentioned.

So without wasting time, he asked directly, still standing at the door,

“Alright, about that important—”

“Hold on a second,”

Chu Fang interrupted before he could finish.

Then she stepped aside, motioning for him to come in.

Understanding her intention, Liu Changqing stood there for a moment, then finally walked into the room.

After he entered, Chu Fang closed the door behind him.

She led him over to her sister’s bed.

Leaning against the headboard, her sister Chu Lan was holding a bright red strawberry.

Just as she was about to pop it into her mouth,

she saw Liu Changqing walk in—and clearly froze.

Then her face lit up with a huge smile.

She remembered this uncle who once played with her.

Even though he’d promised to come visit sometimes…

he never actually showed up again.

So now, seeing Liu Changqing, Chu Lan was genuinely surprised and happy.

She quickly set the strawberry down, planted her hands on the bed, and tried her best to scoot herself up,

dragging her immobile legs as she did.

“Did you come to tell me a story?!”

Hearing that, Liu Changqing instinctively replied with a hum of acknowledgment—

but his eyes were on the strawberry she’d just put down.

Where did that come from?

Realizing something, he immediately turned to Chu Fang and asked anxiously,

“You bought the strawberries?”

“Ah… yeah, I did.”

She seemed a little startled, but nodded.

Then he asked again,

“Where did you get them?”

“From the fruit stand just outside the hospital…”

His eyes lit up.

So that’s where they are!

After running all over town looking for strawberries and coming up empty-handed,

to stumble across them now felt like striking gold.

“Dang, I came here empty-handed… I’ll go get some fruit!”

Before Chu Fang could stop him—

“Wait, you don’t have to—”

Liu Changqing had already turned and rushed out.

It all happened so fast that both sisters were left confused.

Watching him disappear down the hallway,

the two exchanged glances.

A moment later, Chu Lan looked excitedly at her sister and said,

“That uncle is really funny!”

About ten minutes later,

Liu Changqing returned carrying a big bag full of fruit.

There were two smaller bags inside—one for Chu Fang’s sister, the other for his pregnant wife.

He was clearly thrilled to have finally found strawberries.

The smile on his face never left the moment he stepped into the room.

Seeing him return, Chu Lan eagerly asked him to tell a story.

She was absolutely hooked.

Even though Liu Changqing had only casually promised to visit again,

Chu Lan had taken his words to heart.

She often asked her sister when that uncle would come again.

At first, Chu Fang would tell her that he was busy and would visit later.

But when she got asked too many times and couldn’t keep making excuses,

she had no choice but to come up with this plan.

She knew that if she hadn’t said she had something important to tell him,

he probably wouldn’t have come.

Watching Liu Changqing sit in the chair, telling her sister a story,

Chu Fang felt a wave of gratitude.

She understood—

if not for his silent support,

Li Chongming wouldn’t have faced consequences so quickly.

Chu Lan was delighted. After one story, she begged for another.

Liu Changqing happily obliged, digging into his memory for another fun tale.

Chu Fang silently watched.

Watching one speak and the other listen so intently,

for some reason, she suddenly saw her late father—

the one who died in a car accident—reflected in Liu Changqing.

He made her feel… safe.

He felt… dependable.

She sniffled softly and collected herself,

then turned to her sister and said,

“Lanlan… eat some fruit for now, I have something to talk about with him.”

“Okay…”

Chu Lan was a very sensible child.

Seeing her sister’s serious expression, she didn’t fuss—just nodded.

Once Chu Fang got her sister’s agreement,

she motioned for Liu Changqing to step outside with her.

He got up from the chair and followed her out.

Once again, they stood at the stairwell of the fire escape.

It brought back memories…

This was where they’d talked before.

Their footsteps stopped.

Chu Fang turned around to face him,

and said something completely unexpected:

“Can I hug you?”

“……”

Liu Changqing didn’t understand her intent.

But as a married man, his boundaries wouldn’t allow it.

He shook his head and gave a firm no.

Seeing his refusal, Chu Fang looked a bit awkward for a moment,

but that quickly faded, replaced by a serious expression.

She looked at him and said,

“I heard from Li Chongming…

that he has some information that could really damage the Li family.

You might want to start looking there.”