169: Chapter 169 One more won't make a difference.

Han Qing no longer had her usual melancholy worries and became as lively as Han Yurou.

The word "lively" didn't quite suit her, after all, she was nearly thirty-eight.

But she had indeed been in such a state these past few days.

She even forgot that she was still a doctor.

Only Su Yuling had been acting a bit unusual lately.

She no longer stuck to Han Yurou all day like she used to.

It wasn't because she didn't want to, but because Han Yurou was now always with Qin Lin.

During meals, Han Yurou would sit next to Qin Lin and pick up food for him.

When watching movies, Han Yurou would lean against Qin Lin, her head resting on his shoulder.

While playing games, Han Yurou would hold Qin Lin's hand and chatter away incessantly.

Even on the viewing platform, Han Yurou often dragged Qin Lin along to swim.

The two of them frolicked and played in the water as if no one else were around.

Su Yuling sat by the pool watching them, her heart feeling sour.

Before, Han Yurou was her playmate; they picked strawberries, watched movies, played games, and chatted together.

Now that Han Yurou had Qin Lin, she ignored her.

What made her feel even worse was that her opportunities to get close to Qin Lin had also decreased.

Previously, she could use the excuse of delivering strawberries to go to the Drivers Cabin and spend some time alone with Qin Lin.

Now, every time she went, Han Yurou was there.

Sometimes when Han Yurou wasn't there, Han Qing was.

Sometimes even Han Qing wasn't there, but Qin Lin would say, "I'm going to find Yu Rou and the others in a bit."

In short, she could never get a turn.

Su Yuling felt miserable but didn't know what to do.

She began to grow silent, no longer as lively as before.

When Han Yurou came to chat with her, she would only give a few perfunctory replies.

She knew she shouldn't be like this, but she couldn't control it.

That night, everyone finished showering one after another and returned to their rooms to rest.

Su Yuling intentionally dawdled until the end; only after everyone had finished did she take her change of clothes to the public bathroom.

This wasn't for any other reason than wanting to use the opportunity to see if she could run into Qin Lin.

The bathroom was at the end of the hallway, passing by Qin Lin's Bedroom No. 000.

She deliberately slowed her pace and glanced over there.

The door was closed.

She continued forward, finished her shower, dried her hair, and changed into clean pajamas.

When she came out, she glanced over there again.

The door was still closed.

She was just preparing to return to Bedroom No. 001 when she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening.

She hurriedly hid around the corner of the hallway and peeked.

The door to 000 opened, and Qin Lin walked out wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts.

Then, he walked toward Bedroom No. 003.

He knocked on the door.

The door opened, and Han Yurou poked her head out, grinning as she pulled him inside.

The door closed.

Su Yuling stood at the corner, staring at that closed door, her heart feeling as if it were blocked by something.

She knew about their relationship.

She had known for a long time.

But knowing was one thing; seeing it with her own eyes was still very painful.

She bit her lip and turned back to 001.

Lying beside her sister, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Her mind was filled with the scene from just now.

Qin Lin walking into 003, what would happen inside...

She didn't dare to think about it, yet she couldn't help herself.

After an unknown amount of time, she finally drifted into a hazy sleep.

In her dream, she saw herself also entering 003.

When she woke up, a patch of her pillow was wet.

She wiped away her tears, stared at the ceiling, and secretly clenched her fists.

This won't do.

I can't go on like this.

She had to take the initiative.

Otherwise, there really wouldn't be any chance left.

The next day, Su Yuling went to pick strawberries as usual.

She picked a full basket, selecting the largest and reddest ones to bring to Qin Lin.

Walking to the door of the Drivers Cabin, she took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in."

She pushed the door open and saw Qin Lin sitting on the sofa looking at a map.

Han Yurou wasn't there.

Her heart gladdened.

"Brother Qin Lin, I've brought you some strawberries."

Qin Lin looked up, saw her, and smiled.

Before, it was always Han Yurou who brought the strawberries.

Now Han Yurou wasn't bringing them; it had become Su Yuling.

"Yuling, thank you."

He took the basket and placed it on the coffee table.

"Sit down, let's chat for a while."

Su Yuling nodded and sat down beside him.

The two chatted for a bit, mostly about daily trivialities.

Su Yuling had much she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come out when they reached her lips.

In the end, she could only ask dryly:

"Brother Qin Lin, when will we reach the Safe Zone?"

"Soon."

"Oh."

There was another silence.

Su Yuling stood up.

"Then I'll head back first."

Qin Lin looked at her, seeming as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately just nodded.

"Okay, thanks for the strawberries."

Su Yuling walked out of the Drivers Cabin, feeling incredibly annoyed with herself.

There was clearly an opportunity, so why couldn't she speak up?

She returned to 001, sat on the bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

After a while, the door was pushed open.

Han Yurou walked in.

"Yuling, why are you still in your room? I've been looking for you for ages."

Su Yuling looked at her, her feelings complicated.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to chat with you."

Han Yurou sat down next to her.

"What's been wrong with you these past few days? You've been ignoring me."

Su Yuling lowered her head.

"It's nothing."

Han Yurou looked at her and fell silent for a few seconds.

Then she suddenly said:

"Yuling, do you like Brother Qin Lin?"

Su Yuling was stunned, her face instantly turning red.

"I... I don't..."

"Stop pretending." Han Yurou laughed.

"I can tell."

Su Yuling didn't know what to say.

Han Yurou reached out and held her hand.

"Yuling, you don't have to hide it from me. It's normal to like Brother Qin Lin; I like him too."

Su Yuling looked at her.

"You... aren't Life Qi?"

"Life Qi? Why would I be Life Qi?"

"There are so many sisters on the bus; if I were Life Qi at every one of them, I'd have died of Qi long ago."

She paused and said seriously:

"Yuling, if you like Brother Qin Lin, then go after him. Don't worry about me."

Su Yuling was dazed.

She thought Han Yurou would harbor mopey Qi just like her, but it turned out differently from what she expected.

It turned out she was the Life Qi clown; no wonder Brother Qin Lin didn't like her.

In fact, she didn't know that Han Yurou coming to find her was also arranged by her sister.

"But... you and Aunt Qing..."

"That's our business, and you are yours."

"Brother Qin Lin isn't limited to liking only one person. Having one more of you isn't too many."

Listening to this, a warm current welled up in Su Yuling's heart.

"Sister Yu Rou..."

"Alright, alright, don't get all emotional."

Han Yurou stood up, patted Su Yuling's shoulder, and left.

Su Yuling sat on the bed, watching her retreating figure, and secretly made a resolution.

Tomorrow, I must find an opportunity.

I definitely must.

In the evening, everyone went to shower one by one.

Su Yuling once again waited until the end.

Holding her change of clothes, she walked out of 001 and headed toward the bathroom.

When passing by 000, she took a glance.

The door was slightly ajar, and voices could be heard from inside.

She slowed down and peeked inside.

Qin Lin was sitting on the sofa with Han Yurou leaning against him; the two were looking at something.

Her heart felt sour, and she quickened her pace toward the bathroom.

After showering, she passed by 000 again.

The door was already closed.

She stood at the door, hesitating for a few seconds, but ultimately didn't dare to knock.

Returning to 001, she lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, her mind a mess.

Tomorrow, I must find an opportunity.

I definitely must.

She clenched her fists and closed her eyes.