Yu Xiaoying’s tears could no longer be stopped.
Through the glass window, watching Yu Xiaoying cry by Ji Ran’s bed, Song Chu let her hand fall weakly from the doorknob.
Qin Na, with reddened eyes, patted Song Chu’s shoulder and choked out, “Let her cry; she’s been holding it in for so long… how could this happen?”
“How serious is it?” Song Chu asked.
“According to Ji Ran’s father, he was supposed to have surgery this semester, but he insisted on returning as an exchange student.”
Silence hung in the air.
Handing the soup made by Aunt Li to Qin Na, Song Chu turned and strode out of the hospital.
Ji Ran, sinking into sweet unconsciousness, was awakened by suppressed sobs. He suddenly opened his eyes, seeing Yu Xiaoying’s tear-stained face. She was crying deeply, not noticing he had awakened.
Her tears burned his eyes and scorched his heart. He whispered softly and raised his hand to caress her hair.
Yu Xiaoying felt the gentle hand and raised her tearful eyes to see Ji Ran’s surprised and questioning gaze. She quickly put on a smile.
Teardrops still lingering, like a pear blossom in the rain; her face flushed from crying and excitement. Seeing joy and worry in Ji Ran’s eyes when he woke up, and the hastily put-on sweet smile, Yu Xiaoying’s changing expression left Ji Ran dazed.
“You’re awake, you’ve slept for so long,” Yu Xiaoying said, pouting.
“What do you know?” Ji Ran replied, puzzled by her tears.
“I know you haven’t said sorry to me yet!”
Ji Ran sat up, kissed her hairline, and whispered, “Sorry… my love!”
As Yu Xiaoying fell into his embrace, she secretly shed tears.
“Have you forgiven me?” he asked.
“Yes, I forgave you a long time ago!” she replied.
Tightening his arms, Ji Ran held onto his happiness tightly, leaving misunderstandings and unhappiness behind.
Outside the door, Qin Na had burst into tears.
Blue smoke permeates the air, and cigarette butts scatter on the ground.
Song Chu’s face blurs in the smoke as he looks up at Yu Xiaoyu’s photo, his eyes misting over. The photo’s cold gaze reflects her feelings.
On the rooftop, he notices her panic and avoidance of his gaze, and regret flashes in her eyes when she sees him with Bai Yun.
At the evening party discussion at X School, she smiles triumphantly at him. Holding her, he sees the daze in her eyes. In the end, she cried beside Ji Ran’s bed.
He had always been a substitute. He loved her so much that just to have her glance at him, he would recklessly issue a challenge; he waited for her, and even her smallest smile could make him happy for a long time. Seeing her hurt, he was heartbroken to the point of madness.
She cried for someone else; does that mean he was forever sentenced to death? Song Chu helplessly lowered his head. The enemy was strong yet fragile. Ji Ran, a patient, had flaws that made him seem even more perfect. Song Chu had no capital to compete with Ji Ran except for his love for Yu Xiaoyu.
A few days later, Ji Ran insists on being discharged, and Yu Xiaoyu silently helps him pack. She has been very silent, as if struggling internally. Ji Ran walks over, lifts her delicate chin, and looks deeply at her: “You have something on your mind?”
“Something on my mind? No!” Yu Xiaoyu gives him a big smile.
“You do!”
“……”
“Ji Ran, you should go back to England, right?”
“Are you worried about this?” He laughs softly.
“If you don’t want me to go back, I’ll stay by your side forever!”
“No!!” Yu Xiaoyu shakes her head. “You should go back. Uncle and Aunt will be worried about you.”
Ji Ran narrows his eyes. “Are you trying to drive me away?”
“Drive you away?” She smiles, tears welling in her eyes. “You know how much I want you by my side, forever…”
Ji Ran senses something, looking at her intently. In just a few days, she has become much paler, sometimes staring blankly, often with tears in her eyes. But when she notices him looking, she immediately puts on a smile.
His parents taught him to be indifferent, so his life was like calm water. Yu Xiaoyu silently accompanied his cold self until Jun Feng told him that she should have a brilliant smile like all girls. He regretted it when he saw her unbelievable gaze; how could young love withstand such a test?
Yu Xiaoyu disappeared, and his illness broke out for the first time. Only then did he understand his parents’ requirements.
Every day in England was torture; his illness flared up, but he refused surgery, fearing he would fall into a coma.
Looking at Yu Xiaoyu’s tearful expression, Ji Ran sighs softly and holds her tightly.
Going back to England might offer a glimmer of hope, but he is so afraid.
Leaning on Ji Ran’s chest and listening to his heartbeat, Yu Xiaoyu’s tears fall. She chokes, “Go back. Foreign medical technology is so good. I believe we will definitely be together again!”
Ji Ran’s eyes turn red as he kisses her hair. Having just returned to her side, he fears losing her again.
“Go back,” Yu Xiaoyu whispers.
Ji Ran tightens his arms around her, his voice trembling. “You will wait for me, right?”
“Why do you say that?” Yu Xiaoyu raises her tear-stained face, looking into Ji Ran’s uncertain eyes. “I, Yu Xiaoyu, will always wait for you, even if you…” Crystal tears slide from her eyes. “So, why do you still ask?”
Ji Ran, anxious and tearful, replies, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
Yu Xiaoyu smiles, gently touching his lips. “Don’t explain.”
Ji Ran sighs and pulls her close. “If you don’t wait for me anymore, as long as you remember me…”
Sunlight pours through the window, shining on the two intertwined figures. Outside, the sky is blue and the clouds drift by.
The class bell rings. Yu Xiaoyu peeks into Song Chu’s classroom. Classmates are walking out.
She heard from Nana that Song Chu hadn’t been to class for several days.
Yu Xiaoyu turns around to see Song Chu standing nearby, his eyes lowered. “Were you waiting for me?” his voice is hoarse.
Song Chu takes Yu Xiaoyu’s schoolbag, swings it behind him, and walks ahead silently. Yu Xiaoyu follows, glancing at their curious classmates.
In midsummer, sunlight filters through the leaves onto them, and a breeze ruffles Song Chu’s hair and lifts Yu Xiaoyu’s purple skirt.
He suddenly stops, and Yu Xiaoyu, caught off guard, bumps into his back. “Oh!” she exclaims softly and looks up, falling into his smile.
His soft laughter and sparkling gaze make her feel like she’s dreaming. Hurt by his radiance, Yu Xiaoyu looks down.
Song Chu bitterly smiles, wondering if he could still bear to look at her after Ji Ran.
“Ji Ran, is he doing okay?” Yu Xiaoyu asks, hoping for insight.
“Not too well… sorry,” Song Chu replies.
“Don’t apologize to me,” he adds softly. “As long as I can protect you and see you happy, that’s all that matters.”
“…”
“Song Chu, forget about me,” Yu Xiaoyu finally says, mustering her courage. Her gaze flickers.
This was cruel, but…
“Forget?!” Song Chu laughed loudly, his amber eyes wet. “Xiaoying, don’t go, okay?” he pleaded.
Yu Xiaoying turned away, unable to bear seeing Song Chu like this. “He should be sunshine; shadows and melancholy should never belong to him,” she thought, choosing to turn away. “Song Chu, I’m sorry, forgive me!” she shouted in her heart.
The sun made her dizzy, and Song Chu’s gaze broke her heart. Who was to blame for all this? Each step Yu Xiaoying took used all her strength.
“Okay!” Song Chu called after her. “I promise, as long as you’re happy, I’ll forget you!”
Yu Xiaoying’s body stiffened at his words; tears fell as she smiled through the pain. “I will forget you, but I will continue to love you,” Song Chu silently vowed, watching her retreat.
