But then, as if he was agitated by something, Lu Bancheng suddenly reached out his hand and swiped a finger across the screen to answer the call. He then grabbed Guoguo’s wrist and lifted the phone up next to her ear.

 “Lu Bancheng?” Xu Wennuan’s voice could be heard on the other end of the phone. Guoguo could clearly sense Lu Bancheng’s fingers tremble as he continued to hold onto her wrist. She subconsciously turned her head and met his eyes. He did not respond but he had a pleading look in his eyes when he returned her gaze.

 In all my memory, Lu Bancheng has always been a proud man who never begged anyone for help, but now that his legs are paralyzed he’s constantly making me help him with that girl…

 Guoguo shifted her gaze away and, as she heard Xu Wennuan’s voice through the phone again, she couldn’t seem to find it in herself to respond, making Lu Bancheng gently tighten his grip around her wrist. Guoguo turned and glanced at him. He moved his lips without vocalizing, and as he intended she understood what he was telling her: “Guoguo, please.”

 Guoguo clenched her teeth and swallowed. After Lu Bancheng mouthed, “Please, I really have no other choice,” her eyes hardened, and she gave in and replied on the phone, “Hello.”

 When Xu Wennuan heard Guoguo’s voice, she went completely silent.

 “Hello, is this Ms. Xu? I’m Guoguo.”

 “Hi… Hello. I… I’m looking for Lu… Lu Bancheng… Is he… Is he there?”

 Guoguo instinctively looked toward Lu Bancheng. He had heard Xu Wennuan stutter, but he had no intention to talk to her. He nodded at Guoguo without hesitation and indicated for her to follow his instructions.

 “Brother Bancheng? He’s taking a shower…” Guoguo gripped hard onto the table while replying calmly. Before she could finish her sentence, she heard a loud bam on the other end of the phone.

 “Hello? Ms. Xu? Hello?” Guoguo was worried that something had happened to Xu Wennuan and called out her name repeatedly but did not get any response. She looked at Lu Bancheng to seek his advice on how she should proceed. Lu Bancheng, who was seated in his wheelchair, suddenly snatched the phone away from her hand and by the time he got it to his ear the call had ended. He called her number again, after ringing twice she cut the incoming call.

 She rejected my call…

 Lu Bancheng held onto his phone and remained motionless for a long time before he gradually placed it down on the table. He lifted his head and flashed a weak smile at Guoguo. As if nothing had happened, he said gently, “Guoguo, it’s getting late. You should get some rest.”

 “Brother Bancheng…” Guoguo called out worriedly.

 Lu Bancheng smiled. “It’s not good for your health to sleep too late. Be a good girl and hurry off to bed.”

 Guoguo felt her eyes sting, keeping her from saying anything else. She turned and dashed out of the study. As she was closing the door, she glanced back inside and clearly glimpsed Lu Bancheng gripping tightly onto his legs.

 Guoguo lifted her hands up and mindlessly wiped away the tears that were trickling down her face before she hurriedly closed the door. She then leaned against it and held her breath for a moment. She heard the lighter being lit and, in a few moments, Lu Bancheng coughing.