Chapter 176: I’ll Take Care of You

Perhaps it was Han Xi’s serious attitude that influenced Fang Zhou.

After responding, he no longer joked about his health.

If Fang Zhou could see right now, he would notice the usually emotionless and cold-faced Han Xi showing a complex expression.

In fact, she had just lied. The doctor had said there was a high chance of temporary blindness.

Which also meant that permanent blindness was still a possibility.

The thought of this possibility made Han Xi unable to think calmly.

She already had an example to follow and didn’t want Fang Zhou to end up like her mother, destroyed by insecurity.

If he was afraid, she didn’t mind providing him with enough security.

“Fang Zhou, don’t be afraid. Even if your vision doesn’t recover, I’ll take care of you.”

Han Xi suddenly said, catching Fang Zhou off guard.

Did she even know what she was saying?

Was the female CEO offering to support him?

This scene was straight out of those idol dramas where the male lead expresses deep feelings after the female lead is injured.

But unfortunately, life wasn’t an idol drama, and they weren’t the gender-reversed protagonists.

Fang Zhou turned his head to avoid Han Xi’s breath and calmly said, “It’s okay. Even if I can’t see, I can still do blind massages. I shouldn’t need someone else to support me.”

Not to mention that their relationship was only that of exes, why would she support him?

And his blindness had nothing to do with her. Even if his vision couldn’t be restored, Han Xi shouldn’t be responsible for his remaining life.

Maybe it was just Han Xi’s sudden sympathy as a businesswoman.

Han Xi knew her straightforward offer was hard for him to accept, but she couldn’t understand why Fang Zhou could call a top supporter in his livestream “sister” but couldn’t agree to her request.

Wasn’t it the same way to earn money? She was offering him the same.

In a flash of inspiration, she took out her phone, searching for something.

Suddenly, her fingers paused as she found it.

It was a post Fang Zhou had made two months ago.

At that time, they hadn’t joined the show and didn’t know when they would meet again.

The post read: “I don’t want to try anymore. Is there a rich woman who sees through my weakness and lets me avoid struggling for twenty years?”

It was accompanied by a meme of Tom the cat lying down.

Han Xi tapped her finger on the screen to get Fang Zhou’s attention and asked seriously, “Since you can post about finding a rich woman, why not reconsider me?”

Fang Zhou’s mind was filled with question marks, wondering when he had ever made such a post.

Then he remembered, that day, he was indeed short of money, and with the dwindling income from his livestream, he had posted it as a joke.

He still remembered being scolded by his then-girlfriend, Song Qinghuan, for it.

She accused him of being unfaithful and fishing for attention.

But honestly, he was just joking.

Soon, he coaxed Song Qinghuan, and the matter was resolved, never expecting Han Xi to bring it up now.

He laughed awkwardly and explained, “That was just a joke. No one took it seriously.”

“I did.”

Han Xi’s tone was serious. She released his collar and grabbed his arm. The moment their skin touched, they both felt each other’s warmth.

“I happen to have some money, and many people call me a rich woman.”

Fang Zhou’s inner thoughts: Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.

You just want my body!

He coughed lightly, covering his mouth, preparing to speak, but Han Xi continued.

“Of course, I’m not giving it for free. Your body happens to please me.”

“It’s a win-win situation. And if you’re afraid of societal judgment, we can resume our relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend, making it legitimate.”

The more Han Xi spoke, the more feasible it seemed. Her eyes sparkled with hope and expectation.

At this moment, she wasn’t the aloof, strategic CEO but an ordinary girl waiting for her beloved’s response.

If Han Xi had said this two months ago, Fang Zhou might have agreed.

Most people, when desperate, wouldn’t care if the helping hand would later push them into the abyss; they’d just want to escape their current plight.

Back then, Fang Zhou had thought about asking Han Xi for money.

After all, a man’s pride was nothing compared to his sister’s life.

He even went to her company, hoping to run into her.

But instead, he ran into her friend, Guo Zhu, who had once cornered and beaten him.

Guo Zhu recognized Fang Zhou immediately, sneering and mocking him.

“Oh, look who it is—Fang Zhou. What are you sneaking around here for?”

Fang Zhou knew his breakup excuse with Han Xi was terrible, angering her friends and even getting him beaten up, which he accepted.

But that day, he wanted to borrow money, so he didn’t retort and honestly said he was looking for Han Xi.

Guo Zhu’s smile faded, her eyes filled with disdain and hatred.

“You made Han Xi lose her appetite, work like crazy, and collapse in the office, hospitalized for three days, and now you dare to come to her?”

“You want to get back together? No way!”

Guo Zhu got angrier, almost hitting Fang Zhou but restrained herself.

Fang Zhou stood there, digesting her words, realizing how much the breakup had affected Han Xi.

She was a stubborn person, always striving to be the best.

Finally having a relationship, only to feel played with such a lousy excuse.

She must have hated him to the core, unable to swallow her anger.

He hadn’t expected Han Xi to numb herself with work, even landing in the hospital.

Fang Zhou felt guilty and couldn’t bring himself to ask her for money.

He apologized to Guo Zhu.

“Please tell her I’m sorry.”

Then he left, never thinking of asking his ex for money again.

Now, everything was different. He no longer needed to borrow money from others or rack his brain for money.

The outcome naturally changed too.

Han Xi looked at him intently, waiting for his response.

Fang Zhou, feeling the warmth of her hand on his arm, took a deep breath and said, “Han Xi, I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline.”

Han Xi tightened her grip slightly, her eyes showing a mix of disappointment and determination.

“Why? Why can’t you just let me help you?”

Fang Zhou sighed, “Because I can’t rely on you for my entire life. I need to stand on my own.”

Han Xi’s eyes softened, “You’re not alone, Fang Zhou. You have me.”

Fang Zhou smiled faintly, “Thank you, Han Xi. But I need to do this for myself.”

Han Xi’s expression hardened again, her grip firm, “Then let me help you until you can stand on your own.”

Fang Zhou chuckled, “You’re really stubborn, aren’t you?”

Han Xi smirked, “I learned from the best.”

Fang Zhou felt a warmth spread through him, realizing that despite everything, Han Xi genuinely cared for him.

“Alright, Han Xi. Let’s take it one step at a time,” he said softly.

Han Xi nodded, her eyes shining with determination, “One step at a time.”

They sat there in silence, a newfound understanding between them.