Han Lie lay quietly on the soft sleeper bed, "unconscious" for a full half hour.
The doctor came to check the injuries and pried open Han Lie's eyelids.
Han Lie immediately fixated on the system panel.
Regardless of how the doctor shone the small flashlight, his pupils didn't flinch at all.
"The situation is very grim!"
The doctor's expression was extremely serious as he turned to ask the train police, "What's the next big station? Hurry and get this kid to the hospital!"
The train police and the conductor were both stunned.
"Doctor, he's not... in danger of losing his life, is he?!"
"The pupils' reaction to light has completely disappeared. He is now in a deep coma."
The doctor did not answer directly, but he sighed heavily.
"This is characteristic of severe trauma to the brain... Anyway, hurry up!"
Pan Shaohang, clutching his face and sitting on another bed, shuddered upon hearing this.
Of course, the train police wouldn't sympathize with him. They were too overwhelmed with their own concerns.
The prospect of a fatality occurring on their train enraged them.
They hastily called over the passenger sitting next to Han Lie and began to take a statement.
"What exactly happened?"
"Those two youngsters were arguing. Then, the girl went to throw out the trash, and the boy suddenly yelled at this kid to stand up before kicking him hard... It scared me to death!
Sigh, tell me, why are kids these days so impulsive?"
The case was remarkably simple. It took less than two minutes to sort out, and everyone signed their statements.
It was only then that Chen Yanfei found out how the fight had started. Seeing the line "suddenly assaulted, beat the other party" on the statement, she almost broke down in tears.
It wasn't that she had any special feelings for Han Lie. It was because she had clearly triggered the calamity herself.
If something truly happened to the young man before her, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life.
Giving a resentful glare at Pan Shaohang, who was now completely cowed, she wiped her face, took out her phone, and walked into the aisle to call her father.
The train police officer reacted and immediately told Pan Shaohang to notify his family.
Trembling, Pan Shaohang asked, "Officer, what will happen to me?"
The conductor, thoroughly fed up with this troublemaker, snapped, "Why didn't you think about the consequences when you were bullying him?! If something happens to him, you'll pay with your life! Even if he's okay, you'll still go to jail!"
Pan Shaohang was just a spoiled brat.
Having always swaggered under his parents' protection, his ability to cope with stress was, predictably, minimal.
The moment he dialed his father's number, he burst into tears.
"Dad! WAH WAH WAH..."
"What's wrong, son?" Old Pan panicked. "Aren't you on the train with Yanfei? What happened?!"
The train police officer took the phone and formally notified him.
"...That's the situation. We will hand your son over to the Jinling station police. Whether to proceed with a criminal investigation will depend on Han Lie's diagnostic results... Please make your way to the Jinling station police as soon as possible to deal with the related matters."
"Okay, okay, okay! His mother and I will go to the provincial capital airport immediately and take the nearest flight to Jinling! Thank you so much. How should I address you..."
Old Pan wanted to try and build more rapport, but the train police officer decisively hung up.
Build rapport, my ass! Just look at the stupid son you've raised!
Then, the conductor asked, "Shouldn't we notify Han Lie's parents?"
"Of course!"
The train police officer put Han Lie's ID card and wallet back, then began to search his pockets for a phone.
Han Lie decided it was time to wake up.
The timing was just right. It was time to make a statement.
"HISS... It hurts... It really hurts..."
Han Lie opened his eyes, moaning and groaning, his face a perfect mask of agony.
Chen Yanfei was the first to rush to his bedside.
"AH! You're finally awake! How are you? Are you okay?"
She stood at the head of the lower bunk, leaning over him. As she bent closer, her blouse shifted, offering a brief glimpse of her well-developed chest.
"AH! You're bleeding again?! Doctor, Doctor!"
The doctor rushed over and, after a thorough check, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It should just be a concussion. There's a high probability that there's no intracranial hematoma, so the problem shouldn't be too serious."
Not serious, that is, compared to the previous diagnosis.
But if one only looked at his face, Han Lie looked to be in a terrible state.
However, when the doctor asked Han Lie himself how he felt, he acted quite tough.
"I'm fine, just a bit dizzy... No need to help! I can get up by myself!"
But he had only struggled halfway up when he pitched forward into Chen Yanfei's arms.
"Hey, take it easy, be careful!"
Besides worry, Chen Yanfei had no other thoughts.
But Pan Shaohang felt differently.
He immediately remembered Han Lie saying, "Thank you," and subconsciously began to suspect that Han Lie must be faking it.
"FUCK!"
He glared viciously at Han Lie and muttered a curse under his breath.
How big is a soft sleeper compartment, anyway?
Although he spoke softly, everyone nearby heard him.
Chen Yanfei couldn't even be bothered to look at this person again. She was already thoroughly disappointed and wanted no further involvement with him.
Taking advantage of the moment, the train police officer asked, "Han Lie, what are your thoughts?"
"Medical examination, file a report!"
These four resolute words instantly made Pan Shaohang shrink back.
The officer nodded and kindly advised, "Then you should hurry and inform your parents."
Han Lie didn't plan on worrying his parents.
His first windfall, if it reached his parents, would undoubtedly become, "I'm saving this for you to buy a house and get married"...
Wouldn't all this effort be for nothing then?
So he vaguely replied, "Wait until we get to the hospital..."
The train began to slow down. They had arrived at Jinling Station.
Han Lie struggled to sit up. "I need to go to the restroom..."
"I'll help you!"
Chen Yanfei immediately came over to support him, very eager to help.
The girl hadn't yet overcome her guilt and was more anxious about Han Lie's condition than both the conductor and the doctor.
Han Lie grimaced into a smile. It was a bit unsightly, but he appeared very magnanimous.
"Thank you. Beautiful and kind-hearted, you truly live up to your reputation as the goddess of Second Middle School."
"HUH?!"
Chen Yanfei was taken aback, then a look of delight burst forth on her face. "You really are from Second Middle? I thought you looked familiar..."
"Mhm."
Han Lie nodded and tried to create some distance between them, slowly inching forward on his good right leg.
Chen Yanfei's impression of Han Lie improved even more.
She took the initiative to support his arm, not caring about the blood and dirt at all.
"Don't be polite with me! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been beaten up so... er, so..."
"So badly?"
Han Lie interjected, smiling indifferently.
"You don't have to spare my feelings. I know I'm weak in a fight. It's perfectly normal for someone like me to get beaten to a pulp..."
"HEH HEH!"
Chen Yanfei stuck out her tongue, then suddenly said huffily, "Not being good at fighting is a good thing! What era are we in, still resorting to violence? I hate those unreasonable brutes the most. They act like maniacs!"
It was her choice to be angry. Han Lie didn't bring up Pan Shaohang at all, acting as if the boy didn't exist.
It wasn't easy to get a chance to be alone with a girl. Why waste energy on an irrelevant person instead of seizing the opportunity to get closer? Even a dog wouldn't be that stupid!
Han Lie promptly offered flattery, "You have such upright principles! Fighting really is pointless; it doesn't solve any problems."
Then, suddenly, his tone shifted.
"But I've just realized that, as a man, I should really work on building up my physique. Not to bully others, but to be fully prepared for accidents. If I ever encounter villains or mad dogs again, protecting myself is secondary. At the very least, I should have the ability to protect any girl by my side from harm, right?"
Chen Yanfei's heart suddenly fluttered.
It wasn't for any particular reason, just that she subconsciously inserted herself into the phrase "any girl by my side."
She didn't think Han Lie was hinting at her specifically.
But a young girl's mind is like that, always prone to wandering uncontrollably.
"WOW!"
To cover it up, she deliberately exclaimed in admiration.
"Are you really my classmate from the same year? Your thoughts are so mature!"
"Can't be helped. Once you step into the 'real world,' time just flies, and you're forced to grow up..."
"Hahaha! Has your 'real world' been particularly unkind to you?"
"That's why I matured so quickly!"
"PFFT! You're so witty..."
The two of them walked slowly, but their conversation was lively and enjoyable.
Pan Shaohang watched with his own eyes as the goddess of his dreams and the loser he hated most in life moved slowly forward, almost in an embrace, occasionally leaning in to whisper and laugh together...
His heart was breaking.
Han Lie, I'll fuck your ancestors!