“…So you didn’t know about this,” Li Xun stared at her for a while, then couldn’t help but laugh, “That means from the welcome party until today, no one has brought him food or water? Hehe, he deserves it…”
Before he could finish, Tao Yu turned and walked away. Passing the cafeteria, she paused, grabbed some food, and hurried towards the solitary confinement room. Though her limbs were still weak, she walked quickly and soon arrived.
Yue Linze was lying on the bed, staring blankly. Hearing movement at the door, he sat up.
“You’re quite obedient, coming here voluntarily before I brought you,” Tao Yu said, relieved to see him okay, her voice tinged with coldness.
Yue Linze stared at her for a long moment, then slowly said: “Thirsty.”
Tao Yu rolled her eyes and silently handed him the soy milk. Yue Linze immediately grabbed it and drank it in two or three gulps.
Tao Yu watched him finish drinking and handed him a steamed bun. Yue Linze moved over, making space for her to sit.
Tao Yu sat silently, watching him eat. Neither spoke.
“You…”
“You should apologize to me,” Tao Yu interrupted him, speaking seriously. “I think you owe me an apology.”
Yue Linze stared at her for a long time, then slowly said: “Okay, I can apologize, but first, answer my question.”
“What?” Tao Yu asked calmly.
Yue Linze’s fingers curled slightly, speaking normally: “Who is ‘Sir’?”
Tao Yu was first stunned, then her eyes widened.
Yue Linze looked at her gradually pale face, and his heart immediately ached. He slowly exhaled, coldly grabbing her hand.
The force on her hand instantly brought Tao Yu back to her senses. She was stunned for a moment before difficultly saying, “Sir, is…”
“No need to say more.” Yue Linze immediately interrupted, unable to explain his own state of mind. When she refused to speak, he always wanted to force out the truth, but when she was about to explain, he dared not listen.
Yes, he was afraid.
Tao Yu pursed her lips and whispered, “Anyway, you should know that I didn’t like anyone else. That day… was my first time, you know.” At least in this world’s first time.
Yue Linze curved his lips, ultimately saying nothing more. Tao Yu stared at him for a long time, her eyelids growing heavy again.
“Sorry.”
Tao Yu, about to yawn, was stunned, then was embraced by him, hearing him muffled voice say, “Sorry, did I hurt you.”
Tao Yu blinked, suddenly feeling a surge of emotion. After a while, she sighed, “It was my fault. I should be the one saying sorry. Although I can’t explain everything, I hope you understand that I haven’t betrayed you, and I’m not thinking about any other man.”
Yue Linze nodded, though he didn’t believe Tao Yu’s words and didn’t pursue the matter further. After all, she was his, and could only be his.
Tao Yu, held by him, couldn’t help but yawn.
Yue Linze raised an eyebrow, “Sleepy?”
“Yes, Lao Chang suddenly came to my dorm and scolded me today, so I didn’t dare to sleep. Otherwise, I could have slept a few more hours.” Tao Yu’s eyes were dark and blue. Although she had slept for a long time, the sleep was of poor quality, interrupted by Lao Chang. Now, being held by Yue Linze, drowsiness overcame her again.
Yue Linze stroked her short hair, softly saying, “Go back and rest, sleep some more.”
Tao Yu thought to herself, how could she dare to leave in this situation? She carefully glanced at Yue Linze and lay down on the small bed, closing her eyes, “I’ll sleep right here.”
“The bed is too hard,” Yue Linze disagreed.
Tao Yu snorted, pulling him onto the bed, then laying on top of him, “Now it’s soft.”
Yue Linze stiffened for a moment, finally resignedly placing his hand on her shoulder. Tao Yu curved her lips, hugging his arm more tightly.
Tao Yu quickly fell asleep in his arms, and after Yue Linze stared blankly for a long time, he slowly closed his eyes.
The two slept peacefully together. Tao Yu no longer had nightmares, her lips curved upward in her dreams.
They slept for a long time. Only when Yue Linze nudged her did she drowsily wake up, opening her eyes to see that it was already dark outside.
“Time for dinner? I’ll go get your meal,” Tao Yu rubbed her eyes.
Yue Linze found her confused look adorable and smiled, “I’m not hungry. After you eat, don’t come back. Go back and rest properly.”
“That won’t do,” Tao Yu was unwilling.
Yue Linze pinched her cheek, “You’ve worked hard these past few days. Be good, okay?”
Tao Yu looked at him reluctantly but, seeing his insistence, could only nod and slowly left the solitary confinement room under his watch.
Yue Linze listened to her footsteps fade away, the smile at the corner of his mouth gradually disappearing. He stared blankly at the cracks on the floor for a long time before sighing.
He used to think that their current situation was enough for him. But since she called another man’s name, he suddenly realized he didn’t completely possess her heart. At least in her life outside the island, he was nameless.
Just thinking about another important man in her world beyond this island made his heart twist, almost wanting to use means to keep her here forever.
A sound from outside brought back some of Yue Linze’s rationality. He calmly looked towards the door to see Tao Yu sneaking back, opening the door and smiling, “The prison guards are off duty now. No one will come to the solitary confinement room. Let’s secretly go to my dorm. No one will discover us.”
She tilted her head, looking at him expectantly.
Yue Linze’s heart stirred, suddenly feeling guilty about his previous thoughts. As he was about to speak, Tao Yu pulled him out, and he paused before laughing.I’ll stay as long as you stay!” Tao Yu stood behind him for a long time, looking at his lonely back and saying without hesitation.
Yue Linze suddenly stopped, his fists unconsciously clenching: “What did you say?”
Tao Yu looked at him for a while longer, rushed over and held his hand: “I’ll stay as long as you stay, I’ll always be here for you.”
Yue Linze looked into her determined eyes and suddenly found himself speechless. He opened his mouth and said hoarsely, “What if I can never get out?”
“Then I’ll stay here for the rest of my life,” Tao Yu laughed, “When I retire, I’ll become a contract worker, work in the cafeteria, or come here to collect trash. In any case, I’ll be with you for life…”
Halfway through her words, Yue Linze suddenly grabbed her face and kissed her. Because of the intensity, when their lips met, Tao Yu let out a soft groan. But when she felt his fingers trembling, a great tenderness suddenly arose in her heart, and she reached out to hug his waist and accept the kiss.
Tomorrow looked like it was going to rain. There were no stars in the sky, and the entire world seemed to have nothing except the streetlight’s glow.
In this dark night, Tao Yu felt extremely secure. She tried to respond to Yue Linze, using a long kiss to tell him how much she cared.
The two kissed recklessly and finally slowly pulled apart. Tao Yu stared into Yue Linze’s eyes, breathing heavily, and suddenly burst out laughing. Yue Linze also started laughing.
“The hard bed in the solitary confinement room is difficult to sleep on,” Yue Linze said in a hoarse voice.
Tao Yu seriously nodded and proactively held his hand to walk forward: “Then don’t sleep there.”
“Mm.”
“Your dorm bed isn’t comfortable either,” Yue Linze continued.
Tao Yu gave him a sideways glance: “Don’t try to find trouble with me. Can it be less comfortable than the bed in your prison cell?”
“They’re all uncomfortable. Wherever I sleep, I feel like I’m wronging you,” Yue Linze laughed.
Tao Yu laughed: “The bed outside prison is comfortable, but unfortunately you can’t take me there, right?”
