Chapter 24 A Hero To The Rescue
Spencer immediately returned to the base and went back to work as soon as Wayne's birthday party was over. He could only return to the Four Seasons Scenery for an overnight stay on Saturday evenings. By mid-August, Fiona started preparing for school.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
It was a text message from Ryan, telling her when the D University freshmen would start registering. He was able to disseminate the information faster than the university did.
Fiona held the phone in her hand and thought of what to reply. "Ryan, I was busy last time and wasn't able to join you for ice cream," she typed. "Would you want to join me today? My treat."
Ryan's reply came in merely two seconds later. "I'm free. I'll wait for you at the entrance of D University. Don't miss it this time!"
"Okay. I'll be there in an hour."
Ryan was resting under a tent inside a tennis court near the Wen family residence. The moment he received Fiona's message, he took off his hat and ran excitedly to his home. He ran like a child, his short hair flying against the wind.
"Andrew, give me the car keys. I'm going to the university," Ryan said with a big smile on his face. "I'm going to take a shower."
"Mr. Wen," Andrew started. Ryan quickly ignored him and ran to the second floor. Andrew shook his head with a smile.
Ryan went into the bedroom, took a cold shower, put on clean clothes, and ran downstairs.
"Mr. Wen, here you go," Andrew said, placing the keys in Ryan's hand. "Have a safe drive."
But when Ryan was about to take the keys, he suddenly realized something. "Andrew, can you drive me there?" he asked.
"Okay." Andrew nodded without questions.
Ryan pursed his lips. He didn't want to frighten Fiona by driving the car himself. He didn't know much about her family, but he didn't want her to think that he was using his family background to attract her. A black car stopped in front of the west gate of D University. Ryan opened the door and stepped out of the car. "Andrew, you don't have to wait for me. Just go home," he instructed. "Okay, Mr. Wen. Be careful."
"I will." Ryan nodded and walked towards the main gate. Andrew was parked at a corner 500 meters away from the main gate. It was the same spot where he would park to wait for Ryan after his classes. He drove Ryan to and from school for three years during his college years.
Meanwhile, Fiona took the bus. Only a few people were walking around. She suddenly realized that students were out for summer vacation during August. There shouldn't have been any students in school. She wondered what Ryan was doing there.
"Hi, Fiona."
Her deep thought was disturbed by someone calling out her name across the road. When she turned to look, she saw Ryan's smiling fac
Ryan had always been such a positive person to be around with. His smile was infectious and could easily melt away all the sadness in the world.
"Ryan!" Fiona shouted loudly from the other side of the road. "Let me come to you!"
"No, stay there. Wait for me," Ryan said firmly. "It's too dangerous to cross the road. There are too many cars. Just stay put. I'll be there!"
As he spoke, he looked warily at the cars passing by and walked towards Fiona.
Fiona did as instructed. She stood still in the same place waiting for Ryan. Suddenly, a girl ran past her. Fiona wasn't able to see her face clearly, but she heard her sobbing under her breath. The girl was abou to cross the road.
Beep!
A white car approached, and yet the girl didn't notice. She stood in the middle of the road, ignoring the driver's warning. Fiona turned pale. "Be careful!" she shouted. "Watch out!"
Ryan, who was crossing the road, screamed in panic. He rushed forward a few steps and held the girl in his arms, narrowly avoiding the car.
A loud squeak filled the air.
The car lurched forward and its tires noisily rubbed against the ground.
"Fuck! Are you blind? You are crazy!" The car owner craned his head out of the window. He cursed at them and quickly drove away.
Across the road, Ryan tumbled across the ground with the girl in his arms.
Fiona stared at the car driving away and then turned to look at Ryan.
"Are you all right?" Ryan was lying flat on the ground, his shirt stained with dust. He had a deep frown on his face as he stared at the girl in his arms. "Are you hurt?"
The girl was shocked. She shook her head and erupted into tears.
"What about you, Ryan? Are you hurt?" Fiona asked and offered a hand to the girl. "Are you okay?"
The girl stood up timidly. Fiona grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him up.
"I'm fine!" Ryan shook his head and smiled to comfort Fiona.
"You're bleeding!" The girl gasped at the sight of Ryan's hand. She looked down and found that his white shirt was torn. A large bruise covered his arm. Tears streamed down her face. She began to look for something in her purse.
Fiona closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She then quickly took out a handkerchief from her bag and covered Ryan's arms with it.
The girl had also found her tissue papers. But when she saw Fiona hand Ryan the handkerchief, she hesitated. She could see gratitude in Ryan's beautiful eyes as Fiona helped him out.
When Fiona put her hand on Ryan's arm, he felt a warm current course through him. Ryan's arm was painful, but his heart fluttered with warmth. 'Is Fiona worried about me?' he wondered. "We are going to the hospital," Fiona said.
"There's no need. I'm fine." Ryan shook his head and smiled.
There was fear lingering in Fiona's heart as her mother was died in a car accident.
She took a deep breath and gulped. "Ryan, I'll take you to the hospital," she insisted.
Ryan was stunned at her persistence. "Alright." Ryan nodded and looked at the girl next to her. "How are you? Did you get hurt? Do you want to go to the hospital with us?"
"I'm fine!" The girl quickly waved her hand and politely turned them down. "Thank you, but I'm not hurt. I'm really sorry for this. Please do let me know how much your medical expenses would be. I can pay for them."
"I'm fine. It's just a bruise." Ryan shook his head and chuckled. "Be careful next time."
"I will." The girl bit her lips and looked guilty.
"Well, Ryan, let's go get your wound dressed," Fiona chimed in.
"Yes, let's go."
Fiona helped Ryan walk. A few steps in, they realized that the girl was following behind them.
Ryan turned around and asked, "Do you need anything else?"
That girl shook her head, then she perked up. "You saved me. I think I should go to the hospital with you."
Ryan gave her a polite smile. "You really don't have to. What matters most is that you're fine. You must be freaked out. Go and take some rest." After that, he hailed a cab that was nearby. He and Fiona got in the car and left.
The girl stood still. With her eyes still swollen from crying, she stared at the white man inside the taxi.
Fiona and Ryan left the Affiliated hospital of D University around sunset.
"I'm so sorry for what happened today, Fiona," Ryan said with an apologetic smile. "I didn't expect this to happen. Are you scared?"
"No, I'm not. Thank God you're fine."
"The ice cream..."
"I'll treat you next time."
Ryan nodded enthusiastically.
Suddenly, Fiona's phone rang.
She froze, realizing who it was. On Saturdays, no one else called her except for Spencer.
"Why aren't you answering it?" inquired Ryan.
Fiona shook her head. "I don't have to answer it. I'll be home soon anyway."
A hint of disappointment flashed through Ryan's eyes. He was hoping he could buy her dinner this evening. Fiona continued, "The doctor said that your injured arm can't get wet. You better go home and get some rest. Maybe it's time for us to say goodbye."
Ryan looked at Fiona and didn't say anything.
"What's wrong?" Fiona looked into Ryan's eyes.
"Are you always this cold to everyone, Fiona?" Ryan asked slowly. "You are never bothered whenever we say our goodbyes. Or did I do something wrong?"
Fiona looked shocked. She waved her hands and said, "No, no. It's not like that! This is just who I am. I can be pretty cold. It's not your fault. I'm sorry for hurting you. I really am. You're such a nice guy." "Is that true?" asked Ryan.
"Of course it's true." Fiona stared at Ryan's arm. "You're so warm and friendly to everyone. You're also very brave. I really admire you."
Ryan flashed a smile. "You must have been terrified today. You better go home early."
"Hmm. Rest well, Ryan."
"I will." Ryan stared at her as she hailed a cab and left. After she was gone, he stood quietly, deep in his thoughts.
'Fiona, I will only be your hero from now on. Since you are cold and I am warm, I will melt your heart with my warmth. Fate brought us together, don't you agree?' he thought to himself.0000