“You love her so much that you’d give up everything, your future, your responsibilities?”
“Feelings can’t be controlled!”
She understood perfectly. Falling in love with someone you shouldn’t—who wouldn’t want to control it? Yet, in one moment of impulse, everything falls apart.
Yu Yin collapsed weakly on the sofa. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Whenever he mentioned her, his eyes showed a touching tenderness, a luxury she could only dream of: ‘No matter what happens in the future, I just hope to minimize the harm to her…’
‘What about me? Did he ever consider the harm to me?’
‘Do what you need to do, and pretend you didn’t see anything else. After a while, I’ll apply to have you transferred back.’
Years of waiting and anticipation shattered in an instant.
She was unwilling to give up, unwilling to be sidelined by Ye Zhengchen, and even more unwilling to lose to another woman. Love requires fighting for, and she wouldn’t surrender until the last moment.
Jealousy often blinds reason. As clever as Yu Yin was, she failed to see that Ye Zhengchen had never done anything to harm her. On the contrary, he was trying to minimize the damage to her. He wanted her to leave because he didn’t want her to waste time and emotions on a man who could never love her.”
If you have any adverse reactions after reading, I won’t be responsible! 【Important Tip: The following extra chapter is purely a parody and absolutely unrelated to the main plot. Please automatically forget it after reading, thank you!】
Year, month, day 【Don’t ask me, I don’t know.】 Bao Bing returned from work, took off her coat, and exhaustedly threw herself on the sofa. Her hands and feet felt numb.
Turning on the floor lamp, she rested for a moment, gathering some strength, but the cold air lingered in her body.
In the bathroom, she turned on the hot water and sprinkled a few rose aromatherapy petals. After taking off her clothes, she dipped her toes in the water. The misty hot air attacked her chill, making her shiver.
Remembering Ye Zhengchen’s words when he left that afternoon, she shivered again. He had said: “Only I can get your fiancé out of prison.”
On the verge of collapse, she let go of all her persistence. “I beg you, save him.” He replied, “I can save him, but you must promise me…”
Daring not to think further, Bao Bing bit her teeth, endured the burning pain as she slowly lay down in the water. Moments later, her skin turned faintly pink. The cold and fatigue were gradually driven out, and the pain turned into a form of relief.
Just as she closed her eyes, the doorbell rang. Who could it be so late? Bao Bing quickly grabbed a bath towel to wrap herself and put on a bathrobe as she walked to the door.
Looking through the peephole, she saw a man in an olive green military uniform, which inspired a sense of trust, though his posture was slumped against the wall as if he were swaying. Without overthinking, Bao Bing opened the door.
“You…”
Ye Zhengchen pushed past her into the room, a strong smell of alcohol emanating from him.
“Have you been drinking?”
He ignored her question, stumbling to the sofa and lying down.
“Why did you come here?” Bao Bing asked, pushing him. Late at night, alone with a man, even if he wore a military uniform, worried her.
Ye Zhengchen opened his eyes, looking at her with a blurry gaze, mumbling, “I came just to tell you about your fiancé…”
Concerned about Yin Zhongtian, she leaned closer to hear him better.
“I just had dinner with the person handling this case… he said at most… charge him with… knowing about the crime…”
“Can he get a suspended sentence?” she asked urgently.
Ye Zhengchen nodded hazily. “Got water?”
“Yes, wait a moment.”
Bao Bing went to the kitchen for water, her gaze fixed on the person on the sofa with a furrowed brow. She felt an inexplicable mix of emotions—guilt, heartache, and warmth from a long-dead heart.
Water overflowed from her cup, spilling on the floor before she realized it and turned off the dispenser. “Water…” she brought the cup to him.
He lay motionless, eyes closed, breathing deepening. Seeing him asleep, she knelt on the carpet, holding the cup. The soft light from the floor lamp highlighted Ye Zhengchen’s brow, a face that had appeared countless times in her dreams.
Her hand reached for his brow, triggering a tremor at her fingertips. She withdrew, startled. Ye Zhengchen’s brow knitted deeper, and he moved with difficulty. The heavy military uniform, once fitting perfectly, now seemed stuffy and uncomfortable, especially the collar button that constricted his throat, making it hard for him to breathe. His face turned red, and sweat began to roll from his hairline.
Staring at his collar, Bao Bing put down the water cup and touched the button before withdrawing her fingers. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out again. The button felt cool, but his neck was scorching hot, stirring her heart.
Finally, with sweaty palms, she undid the button. The military uniform, now half-open, revealed an unexpected allure, especially on such a seductive man. Her hand instinctively reached for the second button, and one by one, the golden buttons came undone.
After the last button, she sighed in relief. Just then, she met his piercing gaze. “You?” she stammered, gathering her composure. “Would you like some water?”
A mischievous smile appeared on his lips. “You seem particularly interested in my buttons.”
“I…” Her face flushed. “I thought you were a bit hot…”
“I am a bit hot,” he whispered in her ear, “continue.”
“I’ve already finished,” she replied, embarrassed.
“There’s still the shirt…”
Flustered, she quickly brought the water cup to his lips. He took a big gulp, droplets clinging to his thin lips, tempting her to help him dry them.
His gaze slid down her open bathrobe neckline. “Do you remember what you promised me?”
She nodded, recalling her promise to accompany him for twenty-four hours, agreeing to anything he wanted without saying “no.”
“I’m hungry…” he said softly. “I want to eat a bowl of noodles you cook.”
Hearing this, she rushed to the kitchen, seemingly afraid he would change his mind. Ye Zhengchen laughed, comfortably leaning against the sofa, watching her busy herself in the kitchen.
He wasn’t sure what was going through her mind. An egg dropped, water spilled, and bowls were taken out and put back. He walked into the kitchen, asking, “Are you cooking noodles?”
“Sorry, I haven’t cooked in a long time…”
A rose fragrance mixed with lavender wafted over. She had half-wet hair, water droplets falling onto her slightly flushed skin, appearing like a classical oil painting, every detail a serene temptation.
His heart stirred, and he embraced her. Although the dan dan noodles made him nostalgic, he suggested, “Let’s not cook, let’s do something else.”
“Ah?” She wanted to shake her head but held back; her coy resistance was more alluring than mere compliance.
His hand reached for her waist, gently caressing through the thick bathrobe, and as expected, there was nothing underneath. “How about… we discuss how many makeup classes you owe me?”
“…” She shrank back, avoiding his burning gaze.
“When are you planning to pay them back?” he asked again.
She lowered her face and softly asked, “Can I not pay?”
“What do you think?”
She fell into serious contemplation. In his eyes, her serious expression was the most beautiful.
For three years, every time he stood outside the bacterial culture room, he would recall the girl focused on cultivating bacteria, as if he could still hear her pleading, “Please, be strong, you must survive…”
