Xu Cheng’an’s mood was low: “Don’t comfort me anymore, it’s my fault. If I weren’t so stupid, we would have been together long ago.”
“Not necessarily…”
Xu Cheng’an remained silent, his heart heavy. He struggled to find the right words but each attempt seemed more futile than the last. The distance between them felt insurmountable, and his sense of desperation deepened with each passing second.
Chen Jing sighed, recognizing his turmoil but unsure of how to comfort him. “You need to stop overthinking everything. This isn’t just about us.”
She stepped back further, her gaze firm yet distant. “It’s complicated. I don’t want to hurt you, but we can’t keep circling around this either.”
Xu Cheng’an swallowed hard, wrestling with his emotions. “What do you want from me then? Just to pretend? To act like none of this happened?”
Chen Jing shook her head slowly. “Not pretending… just understanding that sometimes love isn’t enough.”
Xu Cheng’an’s heart dropped at her words. Claustrophobically heavy silence enveloped them. He wanted to reach out again, to bridge the growing chasm, but fear held him back.
“Chen Jing could barely bear to see his aggrieved look: ‘Crying won’t solve anything.’
‘I know.’ Xu Cheng’an nodded repeatedly, holding back his tears, timidly extending his hand towards her: ‘I’ll listen to you, just don’t be angry, okay?’
Chen Jing didn’t refuse this time; when Xu Cheng’an grabbed her hand, his expression suddenly collapsed.
He clutched her tightly, crouching down, tears flowing uncontrollably, accusing her: ‘We just got our marriage certificate, and you’re treating me like this.’
Chen Jing was stunned, words stuck in her throat, unable to say a word.
Xu Cheng’an crouched on the ground crying, almost passing out, his pale gray face looking like he was about to be killed by her.
Chen Jing, scared by him, quickly crouched down to hug him, apologizing and softly coaxing.
During this time, Xu Cheng’an kept making demands, and Chen Jing kept nodding, agreeing to everything, but her mind was full of his tears.
‘I won’t change it,’ she repeated.
‘Are you not angry anymore?’ Xu Cheng’an asked carefully.”
