Chapter 118

It was a sleepless night. After hanging up the phone, a restless Lu Yichen left his own place and headed to Xia Yuwei’s apartment. As he suspected, she was not there. Could she be wavering again? Was she deceiving him? Otherwise, why would she stay out all night, and why would her phone be in the hands of Ye Lifeng?

For the next day and night, the situation was agonizing for all three of them. Ye Lifeng had meticulously prepared everything for their departure abroad, leaving nothing to chance.

On the morning of their planned departure, before the sun had even risen, Ye Lifeng drove impatiently to the villa in the suburbs. For the past two days, he had steeled his heart, refusing to visit her or make any contact.

He opened the door to find the living room engulfed in darkness and silence. He flicked on the lights and scanned the room. A small, frail figure lay slumped on the sofa. Even with the sudden brightness, she did not stir, as if she had lost all vitality. A sharp pang of heartache pierced Ye Lifeng’s chest as he hurried toward her.

"Yuwei," he called out, but there was no response.

He knelt beside her. She was wearing the same sweater and skirt she had worn when she arrived, her feet bare, curled up on the sofa with her eyes closed. Under the harsh light, her lashes appeared thick and long, like tiny fans, yet her already fair complexion was devoid of any color.

"Yuwei?" He touched her face. It was ice-cold, a chilling sensation that seeped from her skin straight into his heart.

In such freezing weather, she had lain on the sofa without any covering. He dared not imagine how she had survived the past two days and nights. Was she punishing herself, or was she punishing him for his cruelty?

He gathered her into his arms, trying to warm her. She felt lifeless and cold. If he hadn't known she was still breathing, he would have panicked, fearing the worst.

"Yuwei..." The usually composed Ye Lifeng felt his mind unravel.

Seeing her so pale and fragile, he wavered—his resolve shattered. If being with him caused her such suffering and stole her spirit, what was the point of it all? His goal had always been for her to be happy. He had always been so confident, believing he was the one person in the world who could give her the best of everything and fulfill her every wish. But now, because of him, she was miserable. He had become the one destroying her happiness.

Holding her tightly, Ye Lifeng felt his eyes well up with tears for the first time. "I love you so much. Why can’t you love me back?"

An hour later, Lu Yichen received a call from Xia Yuwei’s phone.

"This is Ye Lifeng. I am leaving now. Yuwei is at Shengde Hospital. Please come and take care of her." With those quiet words, he hung up.

Looking at Xia Yuwei as she lay in the hospital bed, still deep in a coma, he saw her pale face and cracked lips. The doctor said she had suffered a shock, caught a cold, was exhausted, and was suffering from malnutrition. After three days of glucose and saline drips, she would be fine once she rested.

Ye Lifeng picked up a bottle of water, dipped a cotton swab into it, and carefully moistened her parched lips. Watching them regain a hint of hydration, he leaned down and gently embraced the sleeping woman. Then, without looking back, he turned and walked away.

Goodbye, my Yuwei. With love, Feng.

When Lu Yichen arrived at the hospital, Xia Yuwei had already regained consciousness.

The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up. Ignoring the IV line in her hand, she reached out for him. "Yichen!"

"Weiwei!" Lu Yichen rushed over in a panic and pulled her into his arms.

Clinging to him, Xia Yuwei felt as if she had found a long-lost loved one. She held him tightly, afraid that this might be a dream. She refused to recall the nightmare of those past two days.

"You didn't leave after all... you didn't leave..." Lu Yichen murmured while holding her. His own heart had been through torture these past two days.

"How could I leave... I wouldn't leave... I couldn't bear to be away from you..." Xia Yuwei whispered into his ear. Seeing him again felt like a lifetime had passed.

Her voice was as sweet and tender as ever, intoxicating him. Lu Yichen finally felt that she truly belonged to him. No matter how difficult the road ahead might be, they had already taken a giant step forward.

A week later, at Lu Yichen’s place.

"Weiwei, will you make breakfast for me every day?" Lu Yichen asked, wrapping his arms around her as she busied herself in the kitchen, his voice laced with playful coaxing.

"No way," she said, casting him a sidelong glance. She knew exactly what he was up to. He was only seventeen, after all.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to live together before we're married!" she stated bluntly.

"Then let's go register our marriage!" he said, impulsive and sincere. After the ordeal with his formidable rival, Ye Lifeng, he wasn't about to let her play any more uncertain games.

"Are you serious? But are you even old enough to marry? I just managed to restore my enrollment at school... does the school even allow this?" Xia Yuwei pondered seriously.

"As long as you’re willing, I can make it happen," he said with complete confidence.

Xia Yuwei suddenly realized something and swatted his restless hand away. "Lu Yichen, is this supposed to be a proposal?"