Suddenly, sorrow surged in his heart. He leaned on the windowsill, his shadow cast by the lamplight, feeling deep pain.
After the sorrow, an intense longing rushed to him. He wanted to see her, to hold her in his arms.
He turned back, sat at his desk, and held his phone, making no move.
After calming down, ensuring he wouldn’t reveal his emotions, he dialed her number.
“Jing Xin, are you asleep?” he asked, his voice light yet melancholic.
“No, it’s just past nine. I’m reading a book. What are you doing?”
“Jing Xin, let’s go see the sea!” His voice lowered, trembling with sadness.
“Now?” she asked, puzzled.
“Yes, I suddenly miss you and want to go see the sea together.”
There was a pause on the other end, then Jing Xin’s voice came, “Okay, wait a moment, I’ll change my clothes.”
“Jing Xin, wait at home. I’ll call you when I arrive. It’s windy, bring a jacket.” His tone became urgent.
The phone hung up abruptly. Jing Xin held the phone, stunned, feeling a strange sense of foreboding. High Ji Xuan was acting oddly tonight, leaving her puzzled.
Frustrated, she decided to stop overthinking and closed her book to change her clothes.
On the other end, High Ji Xuan gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white. He listened blankly to the dial tone, the pain leaving him in despair.
He murmured, “Jing Xin, before this despair destroys me, I want to arrange everything for you. After I leave, I want you to live well and happily.”
“Meeting you has made me so happy.” A tear rolled down his face.
He held the phone, aware she couldn’t hear him, wanting to express what he couldn’t say. Some truths would hurt her; he preferred to bear them alone.
Even if she would know someday, he wished that day would be the last.
Suppressing his emotions, he stood up, took his jacket, and grabbed his car keys.
The study door closed with a bang, creating a strong air current. A piece of paper flew down from the book, revealing the words “Malignant Leukocyte Proliferation” in the top right corner.
Chapter Fifty-Nine (Unrevised)
