Jing Yu tenderly caressed his face and kissed his cheek, her voice soft, “I’ll send someone to find a doctor. You must take care of yourself.”
Xu Yi felt warmth spread across his face from her kiss, turning bright red. Embarrassed, he nestled closer to her, wondering if she still cared about him. He touched the spot where she had kissed, feeling it hot and warm. “Can we not find a doctor? If you come to see me, even in a dream, I’m satisfied.”
“Be good,” Jing Yu said gently, kissing his hand and transferring warmth from her lips to his cold skin.
The soft sensation on his hand made Xu Yi’s heart tremble, and the blush on his face grew hot again. “But….” he thought, “I’m so greedy for this warmth. If my eyes heal, you might never appear in my dreams again.”
Jing Yu adjusted her hand on his waist, changing her embrace and kissing his forehead. “If you can still accept me, I’ll marry you.”
Xu Yi was stunned, doubting he had heard correctly. His eyes grew wet, tears welling up. He touched Jing Yu’s face, “You said you’ll marry me. Is it true?” His choked voice was filled with excitement and joy, large tears rolling down, which he didn’t bother to wipe, wanting to confirm from Jing Yu that it was real. He realized happiness could also bring tears.
Those tears dropped into Jing Yu’s heart, creating ripples. She understood how a man’s tears could be so heartbreaking, evoking a desire to cherish and give happiness. Jing Yu gently wiped away his tears, “Stop crying. You haven’t told me if you’re still willing to marry me.”
“I am, I am…” Xu Yi nodded through tears, which continued to roll down. He rubbed happily in Jing Yu’s embrace, trembling with excitement, “I’m willing. I’ll do anything to marry you…” Remembering her request not to cry, he panicked, afraid of being disliked.
Disregarding masculine composure, he hurriedly wiped his tears, crying and laughing, “Sorry, I… I’m just too happy… I didn’t know happiness could bring tears… I can’t believe you really said you’ll marry me… I thought I misheard…”
Seeing Xu Yi like this, Jing Yu was deeply moved. She had seen more miserable men, but only he could touch her heart. She kissed his forehead, holding his cold hand, and noticed the jade hairpin – a finely crafted blue jade piece. She didn’t know if he had good taste or just picked it up randomly, but she was willing to give it to him.
Jing Yu took the hairpin from his hand to insert it into his hair. Xu Yi, still elated, suddenly realized the jade hairpin was gone. His face turned pale as he nervously reached out, looking panicked and aggrieved, “This… you already gave it to me…” It was the only gift she had given him, his most precious possession.
Jing Yu, understanding his thoughts, smiled helplessly, “I know. Since I’ve given it to you, I won’t take it back. I want to put it in your hair.” She gently extracted the hand holding the hairpin from Xu Yi’s grasp and inserted it into his hair. “If you like something, I’ll give you anything.”
After speaking, she kissed his lips, licking slightly, “Xu Yi, I might like you and will marry you, so I’ll send someone to find a doctor.”
“You must cooperate with the treatment.” This was the first time she had said “like” with both ease and difficulty. Jing Yu thought of Su Xi, wondering if he was pregnant, if his belly had grown, and whether he would still be willing to marry her.
Xu Yi touched the jade hairpin in his hair, feeling happy yet anxious at Jing Yu’s admission. “I can’t see. Will you dislike me?” He nervously clutched Jing Yu’s clothing. “Don’t dislike me. I’ll be good. I’ll listen to the doctor…”
“I’ll find a very good doctor. Your eyes will be healed,” Jing Yu comforted.
Xu Yi’s anxiety grew. “What if they can’t heal me? My mother found many doctors, and they all said it was hopeless, so she called off my marriage.” Silence from Jing Yu made him uneasy, fearing her disdain. He raised his head, wanting to see her, but everything was pitch black. Remembering he could no longer see, Xu Yi panicked and lowered his head, his voice trembling, “Don’t abandon me. I just want to stay by your side, no need to marry. I won’t annoy you…”
Jing Yu felt heartache and hugged him tighter. “I won’t despise you. Your eyes will definitely be cured. Believe me, I won’t make you sad again.”
“Even if I’m sad, it’s okay as long as you still want me,” Xu Yi said, loosening his grip on Jinyu’s clothing and slowly reaching for her warm hand. “Will you break off the engagement again… Even if you do, it’s fine, as long as you want me and let me stay by your side… or you can come see me in dreams…” His voice broke into tears. Without her, life felt cold and dark; being alone was frightening, and he didn’t want to live like this anymore.
Hearing Xu Yi’s choked words, Jinyu’s heart trembled. How could she not feel profound empathy for him? “I won’t abandon you,” she softly replied. “I’m going to marry you.”
Xu Yi’s face brightened. “I made my wedding dress; it’s still here… I’ll show it to you, it’s beautiful…” He attempted to walk but nearly tripped. Jinyu quickly supported him in her arms. “No rush now, you’ll see it when we marry. I’ll prepare the betrothal gifts and send them over so we can marry before the year’s end.” Although Jinyu had initially intended to marry Xu Yi before Jinmo’s return, some things still required choice.
Xu Yi felt sweetness in his heart, thinking she might truly marry him this time. He cried tears of joy, “I knew you would marry me… If only you had earlier, our child wouldn’t have had an accident… It’s not too late now; as long as you marry me, I’ll always wait… If not this life, then the next.”
Xu Yi’s eyes filled with tears, alternating between feeling aggrieved and joyful. Jinyu listened quietly, occasionally wiping his tears. When Xu Yi quieted and noticed Jinyu’s silence, he nervously tugged her clothing, “What are you thinking?”
Jinyu wore a subtle smile, her gentleness reaching her eyes, which usually appeared cold. Not getting a response, Xu Yi panicked, trying to cover her lips. “Don’t speak, I’m afraid…” he trembled, fearing she would change her mind.
Jinyu sighed internally, finding him heartbreaking. She tenderly stroked his back and pulled his hand to her lips, “What if I say I want you?”
Jin Yu tightened her arms around Xu Yi’s waist, kissing his rosy cheek and allowing his head to rest on her shoulder, feeling his warmth and inhaling his delicate fragrance.
Xu Yi gradually awakened, finding everything pitch black but sensing Jin Yu’s presence. Nervously tugging at her clothing, he asked, “You… don’t want me anymore?”
Jin Yu held his trembling hand, stroking his back, “I want you. We’ll be together when we get married.”
Xu Yi trembled, his eyes welling up. “Can we… do it now? If you don’t want me later, at least I might get pregnant and live with the child. I’ll be careful not to lose it, even if I’m called a lewd man. I want to carry your flesh and blood.”
Jin Yu understood his unease and comforted him, “I’ll marry you before the year’s end.”
Xu Yi felt aggrieved. “Even if you don’t marry me, as long as you still want me…”
“I will marry you,” Jin Yu reassured him, caressing his smooth hand. “Take good care of yourself, and when we marry, give me your body and heart. I’ll treat you well.”
Xu Yi responded softly and nestled closer to Jin Yu, nervously clutching her clothing. “Stay with me a while longer,” he said. “I like being held by you…” He was willing to wait, feeling a glimmer of hope that made him happy.
