It was purely by chance that Ji Haocheng met Xu Rui. He had originally gone to the hospital to visit a colleague and have dinner with his mother when he saw Xu Rui about to jump into the lake. Her actions startled him, and in the urgent situation, he didn't have time to think before jumping in and saving her.
Later, he learned about Xu Rui's situation from a nurse and felt a pang of sympathy for the young woman. It turned out that Xu Rui had answered the call for educated youths to go to the countryside. However, the village she was assigned to had a rough local culture. She was almost forcibly married, and to prevent that from happening, she had cut her own face with a knife. kuAiδugg
The educated youths were protected by policy, and this incident also frightened other educated youths assigned to the same area, prompting them to unite and protest. In the end, the man who tried to force the marriage was imprisoned for hooliganism, and Xu Rui, unable to stay there, was granted a medical discharge. She thought returning home would be her salvation, but little did she know that human hearts could be even more terrifying.
Xu Rui was already engaged. Her fierce resistance before was likely due to this reason. After learning she was injured, her fiancé not only failed to visit her but also broke off their engagement. To avoid being seen as heartless, they spread rumors that Xu Rui had been bullied! Unable to bear the neighbors' gossip, Xu Rui's parents resorted to yelling at her when she returned home. Over time, Xu Rui herself began to doubt if her decision to return was wrong, and if she shouldn't have placed all her hopes on it.
When Ji Haocheng met her, it wasn't Xu Rui's first suicide attempt. She had tried many times before, even coming close to succeeding once, but was always saved. After that incident, she became even more withdrawn. During one of her suicide attempts, a district official happened to be making a visit. The official strongly criticized Xu Rui's parents and warned them that if such a situation occurred again, he would speak to their employers.
After the official left, the Xu couple erupted in curses. Xu's mother even told her to die somewhere far away, to not ruin them, and most importantly, not to harm her younger brother's future. Fortunately, Xu Rui's maternal grandfather, who was working elsewhere, learned of this. Knowing how unreliable his daughter and son-in-law were, he took Xu Rui to live with him and care for her.
From that day on, Xu Rui lived with her grandfather. While this prevented her from being driven to suicide by her parents, the wounds on her face continued to worsen, making her even more reluctant to be seen. Xu grandfather couldn't bear to see her life ruined and insisted on sending her to the hospital. However, the outcome wasn't good, which led to the scene described at the beginning.
Ji Haocheng couldn't bear to see such a vibrant life extinguished and wanted his sister to help. However, because Ji Xingmi was away from home for extended periods, he couldn't reach her, and thus the matter was delayed until now.
In the meantime, Ji Haocheng visited Xu Rui whenever he had free time, and they gradually became friends. Perhaps because of Ji Haocheng's influence, Xu Rui's emotions stabilized considerably, and she no longer contemplated suicide at the slightest provocation. This time, she was hospitalized because her facial wound seemed to have worsened. When he received the news, he went to see her at the hospital, but Xu Rui refused to see him. Having no other recourse, he approached his mother. His mother said that due to the misuse of medication, her face had begun to fester, causing her extreme emotional distress and a refusal to see anyone.
Ji Haocheng had just returned from the hospital that day. Seeing his sister at home, he wanted to ask her to help.
Ji Xingmi had no idea her brother had been thinking so much. Seeing her elder brother lost in thought, she didn't disturb him and went upstairs. She had already agreed to go see Xu Rui, and she would find out tomorrow.
The next day at noon, Ji Haocheng came to pick up Ji Xingmi. When they arrived at the hospital room, she heard hysterical screams from inside, along with a familiar voice trying to placate the person. As Ji Xingmi approached, she saw the situation in the room and indeed, it was an acquaintance!
"Let me die, Grandfather! Please!"
"It will get better. There's a medicine that can heal burn wounds! I'll go find it. I know someone who can help. I'll beg them. Don't give up! You're only seventeen!"
"Grandfather, I don't want to be a burden to you anymore! They say I'll ruin you. Just let me go!"
"Nonsense! Don't listen to your parents. You are Grandpa's good granddaughter, and you have nothing to do with them! Don't overthink it. Give me some time, and I'll find you a skilled doctor, okay?"
"Xiao Rui!" Ji Haocheng, unable to hold back any longer, hurried into the room. Upon seeing Ji Haocheng, the girl named Xu Rui covered her head with the blanket, unwilling to come out.
"Xiao Rui, come out. I brought my sister to take a look. Don't worry, my sister is a very skilled doctor. Won't you come out?"