Category: I Don’t Want to Be Reborn With You

Chapter 29: A Test?

After locking the door, An Baili let out a soft moan and pounced on Lu Li, pushing him onto the bed. Her small face rubbed against his chest repeatedly. “You’re finally back~” Lu Li pinched An Baili’s soft cheeks and recalled that since they got married in his past life, they had rarely been apart for more than a month.

“Let’s talk about business first.” Lu Li patted her head gently, but An Baili just pouted and said, “I want a kiss.” Lu Li chuckled. He realized that what he used to consider An Baili’s flaws were actually her strengths. Even after being together for almost twenty years in his past life, she could still greet each new day with enthusiasm and passion, always treating their love like a honeymoon. An Baili could act cute like this, asking for kisses, seven or eight times a day. It was him who had lost that youthful vigor and enthusiasm in the day-to-day grind of reality.

Lu Li kissed the girl’s sweet lips, their tongues intertwined in a long and passionate battle. An Baili’s eyes were already glazed over. When they finally parted, she even stuck out her tongue and licked his Adam’s apple. “Take me…” Lu Li’s breathing also quickened, but he was obviously more concerned about the “big secret.” He pecked the girl’s delicate nose, making her whine. “Did you forget your promise with the Class Monitor?”

An Baili snuggled against Lu Li unhappily. “Why does Jingyi tell you everything? How can she tell you about our girl talk?”

Lu Li had many questions in his mind. Moreover, his sister was next door and could barge in at any moment, so he wasn’t in the mood for that kind of activity now. “Baili, what’s gotten into you? You’re willing to compromise with Jingyi? I remember you used to make a fuss if I even talked to the Class Monitor for a bit.”

An Baili avoided his gaze. “Isn’t it all for your benefit? Hmph, Jingyi is so naive, willing to be strung along by you. To be honest, I was shocked when she came to me and talked about this.”

“What did she say?”

“She was so silly and clueless, asking me in front of everyone in the classroom if constantly thinking about someone meant liking them.”

Very Chu Jingyi style. “What did you say?”

“I’m not telling you.” An Baili licked Lu Li’s neck again. “Li, you haven’t showered, you stink…”

“So you’re not jealous of her?”

“I am.” An Baili’s eyes dimmed a little. “But what can I do? I’m just a helpless little girl. If you dislike me too, what am I supposed to do? I’ve been through despair twice already, I can’t handle it a third time…”

Her words were filled with helplessness and sorrow. Lu Li felt guilty and hugged An Baili tightly. Anything he said now would be hypocritical. What made a person human was that every decision they made, besides affecting themselves, also profoundly affected others. He could boldly decide to be a carefree playboy, but he couldn’t forget the girls who silently bore the heartache because of it.

As if sensing Lu Li’s guilt, An Baili continued, “Actually, the main reason isn’t that I’m afraid of you disliking me. I thought about it carefully, and I think there might be something wrong with my body. I can’t have children for you, but Chu Jingyi can. She’s from a good family and has always been healthy. She can definitely give you a healthy baby. And Jingyi is a truly kind girl, much better than… that kind… It’s easier for me to accept giving her to you.” She deliberately slurred her words, but Lu Li could tell she was probably talking about Chen Jianing.

Was that really the reason? His intuition told him that An Baili was hiding something.

Seeing Lu Li’s suspicious look, An Baili quickly changed the subject. “I didn’t actually say much to Jingyi. I just told her a story. I said I knew a girl who liked a boy but refused to admit it. She kept lying to herself, saying that she would never fall in love with anyone. Then, when the boy got married, she could only watch him walk down the aisle with another woman, crying her heart out. Even after he got married, she couldn’t let go of her feelings for him. So she pretended to be his business partner, using all sorts of seductive tricks to try and seduce someone else’s husband.”

Lu Li frowned as he listened. “Who is this girl? That’s too much. No matter what, she shouldn’t try to break up someone’s family.”

“Right? Jingyi also thought it was wrong.” An Baili said excitedly. “This kind of woman, since she’s not willing to be honest, deserves to live with regret for the rest of her life. Honey, don’t you think so?”

Lu Li tilted his head. He felt like An Baili was implying something. Was she talking about someone close to him? Was there anyone like that around him? It didn’t seem like it. He, Lu Li, was a man of integrity. If he encountered such a situation, he would definitely criticize it! Not only the girl, but the boy too! He would criticize them severely!

Seeing Lu Li nodding repeatedly, An Baili laughed, clutching her stomach. “Li, you’re so cute.”

There were two situations where a boy would be called “cute” by a girl. One was when he was being childlike, and the other was when he was being foolish. Lu Li felt like he was being foolish, so he wisely stopped nodding and deliberately put on a serious face. “Let’s not talk about that. You said Wen Hupo is reborn too. What’s that about?”

An Baili let out a sigh of relief, barely noticeable. “It’s like this. That day, when I was walking in the botanical garden with Wen Hupo, she suddenly asked me a very strange question. She asked if the botanical garden would still be the same botanical garden if all the plants were replaced.”

The classic Ship of Theseus* problem. It was normal for Wen Hupo to think about such questions.

“Li, don’t you think it’s strange?” An Baili leaned against Lu Li. “She didn’t ask me earlier, she didn’t ask me later, she asked me at that specific moment when we were together. And this question is similar to our situation with rebirth… And the way she asked, it was like she already knew the answer… Wen Hupo must, must be reborn too! She was testing me!”

Lu Li found it a bit far-fetched. Wen Hupo was the kind of person who could associate flowers and plants with gears and stars. Moreover, to put it bluntly, Wen Hupo didn’t need to test An Baili. In front of Wen Hupo, An Baili was like a mouse facing a cat, completely exposed. Ahem, An Baili herself might not even realize this.

Even Lu Li himself sometimes had the feeling that Wen Hupo could see right through him.

“I think you’re being too sensitive.” Lu Li said. “If she’s reborn too, she wouldn’t need to test you like this. This isn’t some third-rate harem novel serialized on Bobobook.”

“I still think she’s suspicious!” An Baili bit Lu Li’s shirt button. “Li, how about we test her?”

“How do we test her?”

“Like this… like this…”

“…Why does this sound a bit stupid?”

***

T/N: The Ship of Theseus, also known as Theseus’ paradox, is a classic thought experiment that poses a fundamental question about identity and change: if an object has all of its original components replaced, one by one, over time, does it remain essentially the same object, or does it become something entirely new?

Chapter 28: Let Me Tell You a Big Secret

Sister Yameng returned home twenty-two minutes earlier than expected. She flung open the door to Lu Li’s apartment and immediately saw the young man sitting at his desk. Startled by the sudden entrance, Lu Li quickly got up to greet her. Zou Yameng was still wearing her workout clothes, her toned and shapely legs exposed to the air. She must have rushed home without even changing.

Zou Yameng was drenched in sweat, her face flushed. She had been running all the way. Before Lu Li could speak, Zou Yameng embraced him tightly. Her warm and alluring scent, mingled with the smell of sweat, emanated from her damp skin, making Lu Li instinctively bend slightly. “Sis, I’m back…”

“Mmm… Good, you’re back. You’re back.” Sister Yameng held him tightly, so tightly that it hurt a little. The combination of her body fragrance and sweat created an indescribable scent that stirred Lu Li’s senses and ignited his imagination.

Hugging Sister Yameng felt completely different from hugging Chen Jianing. Chen Jianing was like a steel plate, a hard and unyielding one. Sister Yameng’s body was full and slightly fleshy, her embrace bringing a sense of fullness and satisfaction. Comparing further, hugging An Baili was like hugging a kitten, as she always liked to squirm around; hugging Silly Goose was the most comfortable, as the considerate girl would adjust her position to make it easier for Lu Li to hold her. As for Wen Hupo… he hadn’t really hugged her properly, at least not in his past life.

Sister Yameng’s breasts were particularly well-developed, so much so that when she hugged Lu Li, he could clearly feel their shape change. To avoid any impure thoughts, Lu Li pushed Sister Yameng away. “Sis, I can’t breathe.”

He then noticed that her eyes were moist and was slightly taken aback. Would his sister cry? He couldn’t remember her shedding a single tear since the fifth grade. The last time she cried was when Little Lu Li hid his exam results from her. He still remembered how she had held him and sobbed, “You have to study hard, otherwise what will we do in the future…” Back then, Lu Li was still naive and didn’t understand what she meant.

“Are you okay?” Sister Yameng’s voice trembled, as if she was trying to suppress some strong emotion. Lu Li hugged her again and said softly in a reassuring voice, “I’m fine.”

After a long silence, Lu Li felt Sister Yameng take several deep breaths in his arms. “Are you hungry? I’ll cook for you… Did you eat instant noodles again? That’s not good for you…” She put down her backpack and headed towards the kitchen. Lu Li quickly followed, wanting to help.

As he was chopping vegetables, Lu Li seemed to have remembered something and asked tentatively, “Sis, have you met my friends?”

Sister Yameng’s movements froze. Her expression didn’t change, but her actions seemed to have solidified. A moment later, she turned around, smiling gently. “They are two very beautiful girls. Little Li has grown up. You never used to bring friends home.”

Lu Li felt a bit flustered. “I, it’s not…”

“Don’t worry.” Sister Yameng’s eyes focused on the wok. “Your sister isn’t that old-fashioned. I’m happy that my brother is popular… Just… don’t neglect your studies.”

Her tone was as usual, as if she didn’t really care. Lu Li was still a little apprehensive, unsure if his sister was truly indifferent or just pretending. That was how women were. You could never directly understand their feelings from their words. If you made assumptions, they would accuse you of being self-centered. If you obeyed them blindly, they would say you were insensitive.

He observed his sister’s expression while chopping vegetables. Seeing her calm and composed, no different from usual, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, Lu Li’s phone rang. It was a message from Chen Jianing, asking if he had arrived home. Normally, Sister Yameng would have leaned over and demanded to see who sent the message, but today she continued cooking silently, as if she wasn’t interested in the sudden notification.

Something’s wrong.

During dinner, Sister Yameng was also much quieter. Although she still smiled and responded when Lu Li spoke, as long as he remained silent, she would just silently pick up food for him, refusing to say a word more. Lu Li felt a chill run down his spine. He awkwardly started a new topic. “Sis, why did you change everything in my room? And that desk… It must have cost a lot of money, right?”

“You have your college entrance exams next year, and your studies are important. I wanted to give you a comfortable learning environment, so I took some money from our savings.” Sister Yameng paused with her chopsticks. “Oh, right, after my training next year, I can start competing. I should be able to earn enough for your tuition before your exams…”

“Is… is that so…” Lu Li actually wanted to tell her that his game was doing well, the positive rating had climbed back to 80%, and some media outlets had contacted him. After all, with his experience from his past life, the game he made couldn’t be compared to those made by ordinary novice developers. As long as he solved the art issue, he could start selling it. If he converted a tenth of the free downloads into sales, he could not only pay for the first year’s tuition, but also contribute a lot to their small household budget. And he could even pay An Baili, Chu Jingyi, and even Chen Jianing a salary.

Starting anything was difficult. Many industries in human society had a flywheel effect, and this wouldn’t change just because he was reborn.

After cleaning up the dishes, Lu Li thought Sister Yameng would sleep in his bed as usual, but she took her backpack and went back to her own apartment, leaving only one sentence: “I won’t disturb your studies.” Lu Li wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This was definitely a sign of anger, right? As he was thinking about how to appease her, he suddenly noticed that the door to An Baili’s apartment next door wasn’t closed properly. Through the gap, he could see a pair of big eyes staring straight at him. An Baili definitely had a talent for horror movies. Lu Li was startled and, a bit annoyed, pulled open the door to An Baili’s apartment. The girl let out a yelp and tumbled out.

“What are you doing?” Lu Li helped An Baili up, patted the dust off her elbow, and checked if she had any scrapes. This girl had delicate skin, and even a minor bump could leave a scar. “You were peeking the whole time?”

An Baili pouted pitifully. “I didn’t dare to come directly to you. Zou Yameng is inside, and I really missed you, so I could only peek like a thief.”

Lu Li knocked on her head. “What do you mean ‘Zou Yameng’? That’s disrespectful. You should call her ‘sister’.”

“Hmph, you treat her like a sister, but she doesn’t treat you like a brother.” An Baili stuck out her tongue.

Spoken unintentionally, heard attentively. Lu Li’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing those words. It took him a while to recover. “Don’t talk nonsense, come to my place.” An Baili giggled and took Lu Li’s hand, whispering conspiratorially, “Honey, let me tell you a big secret.”

What big secret could An Baili possibly have? He knew how many different types of underwear she owned.

After entering the apartment, An Baili locked the door behind her and said, “Li, I think Wen Hupo is reborn too!” Lu Li stumbled, almost losing his balance. When he turned to look at An Baili, his eyes were filled with shock. Was this really a big secret?

Chapter 27: I’m Back

The Chu family’s private jet was manufactured by Shenzhou Aviation. The cabin was 25.45 meters long and 2.01 meters high, with luxurious interiors comparable to a high-end hotel. It even had its own bathroom and bedroom. This was Lu Li’s first time on a private jet. Watching Chu Jingyi expertly open the cabinets, he once again felt the vast class difference between them. Silly Goose excitedly showed him the retractable dining table, the TV remote control, and the smoking area at the end of the corridor, like a child showing off her toys.

In his past life, Chu Jingyi and her family died in a plane crash. Lu Li knew very little about the tragedy. He didn’t have much interaction with Chu Jingyi. One summer night, he saw a forwarded obituary in the class group chat and learned that the serious, even somewhat silly Class Monitor had passed away.

Looking at the beautiful girl in front of him, excitedly holding his hand, Lu Li’s heart ached. He couldn’t let this tragedy happen again.

Through the window, he could overlook the vast land of Shenzhou. The cityscape of Mulan City with its towering buildings became smaller and smaller in his vision, until it turned into a blurry patch of color. Humans had an inexplicable obsession with flying. Even though there was only endless silence and solitude above the stratosphere, people still yearned for romantic and tragic fantasies like Icarus. The clouds were white and fluffy, the sky bluer than what he saw from the ground. If it were upside down, it would be hard to tell whether this was the sky with swirling clouds or a vast ocean with rippling waves. Lu Li had always wanted to try opening the window and feeling the texture of the clouds with his skin. What did clouds feel like? Were they as intangible as water vapor or as soft as sponges?

He and Chu Jingyi were the only passengers on this private jet. Chu Xiaodong stayed in Mulan City to clean up the mess left by the previous administration.

“Yi Bao, do you often fly on this plane?” Lu Li asked worriedly, seeing the wings trembling in the airflow.

Chu Jingyi suddenly covered her mouth and giggled. “Lu Li is such a scaredy-cat. You’re actually afraid of flying…”

“I’m not afraid…”

“Liar Lu Li, your eyebrows are furrowed, how is that not afraid?” Silly Goose seemed proud to have found a weakness of his, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she laughed. “We don’t fly often, maybe once every year or two, for family vacations. Mom keeps saying that the annual maintenance costs are too high and wants to sell this big guy, but we haven’t found a buyer yet.”

Lu Li was indeed afraid, but not of heights. He was afraid that this plane would take Chu Jingyi’s life again.

“Yi Bao, promise me one thing, okay?” Lu Li’s expression was serious, so serious that Silly Goose was a little scared. “Try not to fly anymore, and even if you do, don’t fly on this plane, okay?”

It wasn’t really Lu Li’s place to say this, but Silly Goose still nodded obediently and said, “Okay…” She secretly observed Lu Li’s expression. This was the first time she had seen him look so gloomy. Usually, Lu Li might have a melancholic air, but it was a romantic kind of melancholy, detached from reality. This gloom was more like deep roots clinging to damp soil. Something must have happened that made Lu Li very sad…

Lu Li felt his pinky finger being poked by the girl. He looked down and saw her hooking her pinky finger around his. “If you’re worried, let’s make a pinky promise. I won’t fly anymore. Actually, I’m a little scared too…” She wasn’t afraid of flying at all. She was the most excited one when they boarded the plane. She only said that to reassure Lu Li. It wasn’t a big deal to not fly. After all, there was only one Lu Li.

When you love someone deeply, you can’t help but revolve around them. You think of them first when you encounter something good, and you’re afraid of passing on negative energy when you’re unhappy.

Lu Li’s heart warmed. He held the girl’s delicate hand, but Chu Jingyi suddenly pursed her lips and stared at him silently. Lu Li chuckled. “What’s with that expression?”

Chu Jingyi mumbled, “I’m afraid you’ll, you’ll do that again… I just like you… It doesn’t mean you can just… just kiss me…”

Lu Li felt a sense of embarrassment, as if his intentions had been exposed. He chuckled awkwardly. “Am I that kind of person?”

Chu Jingyi nodded vigorously. Lu Li looked away, a little disappointed. He realized that this girl wasn’t as easy to “fool” as before. The Yi Bao from before would be easily coaxed and become giddy with joy, so silly and adorable. Seeing Lu Li’s disappointment, Chu Jingyi felt a pang of guilt. She mumbled, “If… if you don’t skip class this semester, I’ll let you kiss me once… just once…” After saying that, she was too embarrassed to even lift her head.

Lu Li paused, recalling the sweetness of the girl’s lips, and felt a sense of satisfaction. Just one kiss for not skipping class? It seemed like a good deal.

“Just once?” He had to play along. Lu Li put on a sad face and sighed deeply.

“Sob… Two times at most, no more…” Chu Jingyi’s eyes welled up.

“How about three times?”

“Stop bullying me…” Silly Goose covered her face, unable to lift her head.

It was already four o’clock in the afternoon when they got off the plane. Lu Li said goodbye to Chu Jingyi for the time being and returned to the low-rent district alone, dragging his suitcase. Today was Thursday, so An Baili and Sister Yameng should be at school. An Baili was probably sleeping in class, while Sister Yameng was definitely training hard. After all, she was graduating early in a few months and would be joining the national second team for training. So he only had a few months left to spend with Sister Yameng?

Lu Li paused as he was about to open the door, realizing that the bitterness of growing up came faster than he had imagined. Growing up was a process of separation, separating from family, from oneself, from dreams.

He opened the door and was surprised to find that his room had been completely redecorated. The most eye-catching change was his bedsheet. It used to be light gray, but now it was sky blue. There was a new desk by the bed, with a newly bought desk lamp on it. All the old books and cardboard boxes had been cleared away, and the entire room was clean and tidy.

He opened the wardrobe and found that his spring and summer clothes had been neatly folded by Sister Yameng. There were a few mothballs in the corner of the wardrobe, and a photo was taped to the inside of the door. It was a photo of him and his sister from his second year of middle school. Sister Yameng in the photo was already a beautiful young woman, but the Lu Li in the photo was still a boyish teenager. Puberty was a magical time. In just a few years, a person could undergo earth-shattering changes.

Lu Li put away his suitcase and sent a message to his sister, who was about to finish school:

“I’m back.”

Chapter 26: Sour and Bitter

Lu Li rubbed his hands, which were red from the cold, and noticed the little tiger’s thought-provoking expression. He was someone who was more afraid of the cold than the heat. When he was a child, his family was poor, and he had a weak constitution. Especially in winter, the cold wind would make his small hands red and swollen, and sometimes his skin would even crack and bleed. During those times, Sister Yameng would warm his hands by placing them against her stomach. That was also the first time Lu Li learned that a girl’s stomach was one of the softest and most delicate parts of her body.

“Good morning, Chen Jianing.” Lu Li repeated, thinking that she was spacing out.

“Ugh.” Chen Jianing turned her head away, making a reluctant sound.

“I just saw the doctor. He said your fever has subsided, and you can be discharged after two more days of observation.” Lu Li sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Chen Jianing’s profile, his heart filled with joy. “It’s great that it’s not RSA. I was really worried that your illness couldn’t be cured.”

He’s so happy. Chen Jianing finally turned her head and said coldly, “You have the habit of wearing scarves?”

Did she take the wrong medicine? Lu Li was stunned. Why was this girl’s attitude even worse than yesterday? But he didn’t mind and picked up an apple from the table. “Someone gave me this scarf, I just put it on before I left.” It wasn’t exactly “just put it on.” He had run into Silly Goose, who had woken up early, and she specifically reminded him to wear a scarf to stay warm…

“That’s nice, a girl even gave you a scarf.” Chen Jianing immediately stopped talking after saying this, realizing that her words were too laced with jealousy.

“I’ll be going back to Chuanhai after you’re discharged.” Lu Li finished peeling the apple. “Want some?”

“No.”

He took a bite of the apple. It was the familiar sweet and sour taste. Apples were truly the worst fruit. “Contact me if you come to Chuanhai after the outbreak is over. Although I don’t have much money, I know some fun places in Chuanhai City… Chen Jianing, are you unhappy?”

“I’m very happy.” Chen Jianing gritted her teeth. “But I won’t go to Chuanhai to hang out with you. We’re not even close, why would I contact you?”

“You’re my partner.” Lu Li couldn’t help but ruffle the grumpy girl’s head. “Don’t forget what you promised me. You promised to join my development team, right?”

Chen Jianing thought of something and her expression softened. She hummed a couple of times. “I’m hungry, I want to eat an apple.”

“I’ll peel you a new one.”

“No, I want the one in your hand.”

“I already took a bite.”

“I’m starving, I don’t care.” Chen Jianing snatched the apple from Lu Li’s hand and took a big bite. Juice splattered everywhere. She felt that the apple was much more sour and bitter than usual. It must be unripe.

“Don’t always frown, you have such a pretty face. Wouldn’t it be better to smile more?” Lu Li said with a smile.

“Because I always encounter annoying things. If life wasn’t so frustrating, who wouldn’t want to be happy-go-lucky like you every day?” Chen Jianing retorted without holding back. “I’m not like Mr. Lu, who receives several phone calls and WeChat messages every day, with so many people caring about him and pretty girls giving him expensive-looking scarves…”

“Yeah, but this Mr. Lu still has to get up at six every morning to serve Miss Chen, working tirelessly and without complaint. Sigh, I wonder who doesn’t know how good they have it.”

“It’s not forever…”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Chen Jianing ate the apple quickly. She threw the core into the trash can and snuggled under the blanket, pouting at Lu Li. “Why are you still here? Go spend time with the person you like.”

“I’d better stay with a certain sick cat for now, or she’ll give me the cold shoulder again.”

“Who are you calling a sick cat?”

“Whoever reacts to it.”

“Lu Li, are you asking for a bite? I’ll bite you!”

Three short days passed in a blink of an eye. As Zhi Bei You wrote, “Life between heaven and earth is like a fleeting white colt, gone in an instant.” It seemed like just yesterday that Chen Jianing was on the verge of death, but by December 8th, the girl was full of life and vigor, as if reborn. The lockdown in Mulan City was gradually easing. Chu Xiaodong’s arrival seemed to have accelerated the pace of change. The efficiency of the hospitals and government departments skyrocketed. When Lu Li stood in front of the Mulan Fourth Hospital with his suitcase, he could see temporary medical tents being set up on the open space. A large number of patients were transferred to the tents, no longer having to lie on the cold, plastic floor.

Walking past a few sanitation workers clearing snow, Lu Li saw Chen Jianing, wearing a brown plaid coat. She also had a knitted sweater underneath, the sleeves so long that she could hide her small, white fists inside them. She was even blowing air into the sleeves, like a childish kid sneaking out of middle school.

“I’m here!” Lu Li’s shout interrupted the little tiger’s searching gaze.

“Why are you so slow?”

“They were checking temperatures on the bus, it took some time.” Lu Li pushed the silver suitcase towards Chen Jianing. “Check if you’re missing anything.”

Chen Jianing plopped down on the suitcase. “Forget it, I’m not checking. If anything is missing, you’ll pay for it.”

Lu Li held up the fried dough sticks in his hand. “Have some breakfast, I bought them on the way.”

“I’ll eat if you eat.”

“Then I won’t eat.”

“I won’t either.” Chen Jianing hummed.

“Are you a child?” Lu Li handed her the fried dough sticks and checked his phone for the time. It was 7:30 am, half an hour before his appointed time with Chu Jingyi.

Seeing Lu Li checking the time, Chen Jianing clenched her fists, her voice softening. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes, the plane leaves at 8:30.” It was a private plane, belonging to the Chu family. If it weren’t for Chu Xiaodong, it would be quite difficult for him to leave Mulan City.

“You’re going to miss me?” Lu Li teased, seeing the girl’s wistful expression.

“Tch, who would miss you? You’re a bad guy who doxes people.” Chen Jianing was a natural at changing her expression. One second she was acting pitiful, the next she was full of disdain.

“I told you, I didn’t dox you.” This matter was like mud stuck to his pants, impossible to wash off. Chen Jianing was particularly difficult today, always picking on him and never shutting up, as if she would lose money for every word she didn’t say. Lu Li couldn’t bring himself to say “goodbye” under Chen Jianing’s barrage of words.

They walked out of the hospital together. It was finally time to part ways. Turn left to go to the airport, turn right to take the bus back to Mulan University. A simple fork in the road made Chen Jianing feel a sense of finality. She looked at the wide, deserted road, then at Lu Li’s indifferent expression, and finally at the fried dough sticks he bought for her. She finally realized that the dream was over.

“Come visit me in Chuanhai when you have time.” Lu Li waved, smiling brightly, leaving without a trace. Before Chen Jianing could figure out how to respond, her mouth opened on its own. “I won’t visit you, not in this lifetime!”

“Then come find me in the next life!”

Next life… Chen Jianing’s heart ached. I won’t look for you in the next life! After Lu Li’s figure disappeared around the corner, Chen Jianing stood there blankly, frozen in place.

Just like that, they said goodbye, simply and plainly. Just like how he suddenly entered her life and then suddenly left. Chen Jianing took a big bite of the fried dough stick. Why did even the fried dough stick taste sour and bitter…

Chapter 25: The Age of Receiving Scarves

Nestled in Lu Li’s arms, Chu Jingyi’s racing heart gradually calmed down. She felt warm and soft, like lying by the warmest fireplace, listening to her mother read “Andersen’s Fairy Tales.” She thought Lu Li was magical. He must have some kind of magic that could soothe people’s hearts, otherwise why would she love being around him so much?

“Baili and I made a pact. Right now, our priority is our studies. We’re not allowed to date anyone before we go to college.”

Lu Li was stunned. “You told Baili?”

“Yes…” The Class Monitor shifted slightly in his arms, seemingly trying to find a more comfortable position. “If I came to see you without telling Baili, wouldn’t I be a thief? And… and I don’t have any other close friends. It wouldn’t be appropriate to talk to you about certain things, right? So I could only tell Baili…”

Lu Li didn’t expect that Chu Jingyi had already reached an agreement with An Baili. An Baili, that jealous girl, actually agreed to compromise with the Class Monitor? What kind of medicine did she take? In his past life, she would get anxious if he talked to Chen Jianing on the phone for more than two minutes. Not just this time, but last time it was An Baili who encouraged him to appease Silly Goose. Did An Baili suddenly have an epiphany after experiencing the ups and downs of life? Impossible… Lu Li couldn’t figure out An Baili’s motives and could only set this question aside.

“Also, also, Lu Li, don’t be angry about what I’m about to say…” The Silly Goose in his arms suddenly spoke in a coquettish tone, making Lu Li’s bones tingle. “I secretly went to see Baili, and I even went to your house and stayed for a while. And, and Baili and I met your sister. So you really went to Lingyue City to watch your sister’s competition that time, you didn’t lie to me.”

Lu Li’s tingling bones suddenly jolted. “You met Sister Yameng?” Alarm bells rang in his heart. He had a feeling this wasn’t good. Sister Yameng was actually a suspicious person. Would she overthink things after seeing Chu Jingyi – no, it wasn’t even overthinking!

“What, what did she say?” Lu Li felt a sense of dread, like when he was a child and Sister Yameng would grab him by the ear and spank him. As long as Sister Yameng didn’t call him by his nickname and addressed him by his full name, Little Lu Li knew he was in for a beating.

“Your sister is really beautiful, and she has a great figure.” Chu Jingyi said enviously. “She’s also very gentle. She treated Baili and me well and asked me a lot about your performance at school. Hehe, Lu Li, I only said good things about you.”

It’s over. Lu Li facepalmed. Didn’t his sister know what he was like at school? The more Silly Goose tried to embellish, the more suspicious Sister Yameng would become.

“Oh, right, your sister also asked if you have any close female classmates…”

“What did you say?”

“I, I don’t remember…” Her face flushed red. How could she not remember? This was clearly a confession!

He had promised Sister Yameng that he wouldn’t get involved in puppy love, and his sister was very strict about it. It was a family rule in their small household! It was an ancestral teaching passed down from this generation! The most terrifying thing was that even though Sister Yameng knew he was hiding his ambiguous relationship with his female classmate, she didn’t question him on WeChat. Their conversations were the same as usual. What did this mean? Had his always straightforward and decisive sister suddenly learned to hide a knife behind her smile? Lu Li estimated that when he returned home to Chuanhai, he would face a serious challenge.

It seemed that not only were there turbulent changes in Mulan City in the past month, but there were also unexpected changes in the distant Chuanhai City.

Lu Li sighed and decided to enjoy the girl’s warmth, putting his worries aside for now.

After a while, Silly Goose suddenly remembered something. She took off her scarf, and Lu Li saw a thin gray scarf folded underneath the red one.

“Lu Li, this scarf is my gift for you.” The girl happily handed the gray scarf, still warm from her body heat, to Lu Li. Even before he touched it, Lu Li could smell her sweet fragrance on the fabric. “It’s winter now, you need to keep warm and not catch a cold… There are often flu outbreaks during the change of seasons…”

The scarf felt very smooth. He couldn’t tell what material it was, but it was incredibly soft and comfortable. A hint of melancholy flashed through Lu Li’s eyes. Yes, he was still at the age where someone would give him a scarf. Seventeen-year-old boys were the most romantic. They would always receive a scarf in winter, perhaps a thick, hand-knitted scarf from their loving mothers, or a heartfelt scarf from a shy girl – of course, it wasn’t just scarves, it could be other things, like gloves or sunglasses. A few years later, it would be time for him to choose his own scarves. His mother’s eyesight would be failing, and the girls from his past would be long gone.

Enjoy life while you can, don’t let the golden goblet face the moon empty.

Lu Li pressed his cheek against the scarf, speechless, his heart overflowing with warmth like a surging river. It was truly wonderful to be alive, to be young.

“Jingyi, can I call you Yi Bao*?”

“…Only my parents call me that. But if you like it, it’s, it’s not impossible.” Silly Goose whispered. “But you can only call me that when no one else is around.”

“Yi Bao.”

“What…” Silly Goose asked shyly, her head still buried in Lu Li’s arms.

While some were happy, others were worried. While Lu Li was cuddling with a beautiful girl, a little tiger was counting sheep, unable to sleep. Chen Jianing finally made it through the night, and the last IV drip was finished. But she still couldn’t fall asleep. She had always heard that hospitals were the spookiest at night. The corridors were long and dark, and strange noises would occasionally break the silence. She couldn’t tell if it was someone screaming or something else. She didn’t dare to go to the bathroom alone.

If only Lu Li were here. She just needed to call out to him, and he would definitely help her to the bathroom, then wait patiently outside the door, chatting with her casually. Lu Li would definitely tell her stories about the stray dog he raised as a child, and she would listen with great interest. If only Lu Li were here.

“Lu Li… are you there?” She called out tentatively, but of course there was no reply. She felt a little disappointed and opened her phone, clicking on Lu Li’s profile picture. Their chat history stopped at Lu Li’s message, “I’m going to see a friend,” which was nine hours ago. Usually, Lu Li would have already sent her a message asking if she had taken her medicine and if she was hungry. But not today.

She opened the browser and saw some random articles: “How to tell if he loves you!” “Common characteristics of scumbags!” Feeling restless, Chen Jianing clicked on them and read. She could see Lu Li’s shadow in every word, and the more she read, the more frustrated she felt. She wanted to send a message to Lu Li, but she hesitated and couldn’t bring herself to press send.

She endured the long night, waiting for daybreak. As soon as the sky started to brighten, the little tiger rushed to the bathroom. When she returned, she happened to encounter the nurse taking her temperature. Hmm, the fever had subsided, 36.7 degrees Celsius. Chen Jianing’s happiness only lasted for ten minutes before she saw Lu Li walk into the ward, wearing that gray scarf.

“Good morning, Chen Jianing.” Lu Li took off the scarf and breathed out a puff of warm air.

Chen Jianing stared at him, her good mood vanishing instantly. He wasn’t wearing a scarf yesterday… Did another girl give it to him? It looked nice.

It looks nice. She repeated in her heart.

***

T/N:

Yi Bao:

• 怡 (Yi): This character means “happy,” “joyful,” “pleasant,” or “harmonious.” 

• 宝 (Bao): This character means “treasure,” “precious,” or “darling.”

“Yi Bao” can be interpreted as:

Happy Treasure

Precious Darling

Pleasant Treasure

I don’t remember if I made a note of this in previous chapters haha, so just in case, I’ll use the term Yi Bao since it can have many meanings(Similar, but various)

Chapter 24: I Like You

The osmanthus tree in the botanical garden had long shed its blossoms, leaving only bare branches. Wen Hupo stood under the tree, gazing up at its tall trunk. She wore a light blue knitted beanie and a thick wool coat, her expression cool and composed. Her platinum blonde hair added an ethereal air of detachment. An Baili noticed that Wen Hupo lingered by this tree for an unusually long time. Remembering Chu Jingyi’s tearful request to take good care of the transfer student, she forced herself to ask, “Hupo, this is an osmanthus tree.”

“Yes, I know. I’m just curious, all the other trees in the Chuanhai No. 1 High School botanical garden are small and thin, only this osmanthus tree is tall and sturdy. Why is that?”

An Baili wasn’t familiar with the affairs of Chuanhai No. 1 High School and couldn’t answer, so she just stood there awkwardly with her hands behind her back. If it weren’t for Chu Jingyi’s tearful plea to take good care of the transfer student, she wouldn’t have bothered talking to Wen Hupo.

Wen Hupo didn’t expect to get an answer from An Baili. She speculated to herself, “Is it because only this osmanthus tree is best suited to the local climate, while the other tree species are replaced every year?”

An Baili nodded slightly, as if it were true. Wen Hupo’s words reminded her. Chuanhai No. 1 High School sent away many dead plants from the botanical garden every year. It wasn’t because the school lacked the resources, but because some precious plants were too delicate. On the other hand, this cheap osmanthus tree, planted when the school was founded, had survived to this day.

This osmanthus tree had witnessed countless couples coming and going in this aristocratic school, witnessed the establishment and prosperity of Chuanhai No. 1 High School. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a living fossil of the school. Looking closely, An Baili could even see names of boys and girls carved into the bark. It must have been done by those bored couples, right?

Wen Hupo seemed to have thought of something. “An Baili, if one day even this osmanthus tree is removed, would this botanical garden still be the botanical garden of Chuanhai No. 1 High School?”

“What do you mean?” An Baili was confused.

“Every plant in this botanical garden has been replaced. The only thing connecting it to the past is this osmanthus tree. If one day, even this last connection disappears, would this botanical garden still be the same botanical garden?” Wen Hupo asked wistfully.

An Baili chuckled. “Of course it would still be the botanical garden of Chuanhai No. 1 High School. No matter how many times the plants inside are replaced, it still belongs to Chuanhai No. 1 High School.”

“Hmm.” Wen Hupo looked at her. “Is that so?”

Wen Hupo’s rhetorical question made An Baili’s heart skip a beat. She naturally felt apprehensive and hesitant in front of Wen Hupo, as if this calm blonde girl had an unquestionable authority. She suddenly remembered a question Lu Li had discussed with her before: What exactly was reborn when they were reborn? Was it their souls? Their memories?

Wen Hupo’s eyes were unfathomable. She often felt that Lu Li’s eyes held stars, while Wen Hupo’s eyes held an abyss.

She must know something… This thought arose uncontrollably in An Baili’s mind. But Wen Hupo didn’t show any unusual behavior. She just turned and walked away as usual. “An Baili, let’s go. I want to see what the dormitory conditions are like at Chuanhai No. 1 High School. Is that okay?”

Lu Li and Chu Jingyi sat side by side on a bench in the corridor, watching the nurses come and go. Neither of them spoke, savoring this indescribable silence. Silence seemed to be the main theme between him and Chu Jingyi. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but a peaceful one, as if the air itself was tinged with pink. Chu Xiaodong had gone to the outpatient department with a large group of people. As for what they were doing there, Lu Li didn’t care.

“Um, Lu Li…” Silly Goose’s small face was flushed from the cold wind. Lu Li lovingly adjusted her scarf. “Was I too impulsive just now? Hugging you in front of so many people… Sob…” The girl looked at him innocently, her expression truly pitiful.

“Jingyi, why are you here?”

“The school is sending people to Mulan City to pick up the students. I heard my dad say he was coming too, so I tag…ged along, tagged along…” Chu Jingyi stammered. Seeing Lu Li’s calm and gentle gaze, her body softened. “…Lu Li, I wanted to see you.”

No matter how flowery the language, no love confession could compare to Silly Goose’s simple “I wanted to see you.” What could be more touching than sincere and pure emotions?

Lu Li’s heart trembled, as if a slender hand was plucking at his heartstrings.

The Class Monitor lowered her head and whispered, “Lu Li, you know, I thought you were right back then. I didn’t actually like you, it was just a vague impulse. But, but for the past month, whenever I thought about you being trapped in Mulan City under the shadow of the epidemic, I couldn’t sleep well, and I kept having nightmares…”

“Lu Li, my parents always taught me to be brave, to take responsibility for my actions, to love and hate boldly, and not to wait until I lose something to cherish it and regret it. Even if I fail, it’s still a valuable experience in life.” The Class Monitor took a deep breath, forcing herself to overcome her shyness and look directly at Lu Li. “I like you! Lu Li!”

After saying those words, Chu Jingyi felt as if time had stopped. The nurses walking around seemed to have stopped and were looking at her. The clock on the wall stopped ticking. Although she was looking at Lu Li, her gaze was focused on the void behind him. She didn’t dare to look at his expression, didn’t dare to hear his answer.

Chu Jingyi, you’re truly an angel. Lu Li sighed inwardly. For a girl as pure and untainted as her to confess her feelings so openly, what good deeds had he done in his past lives?

“I…” Lu Li was about to respond to the girl’s feelings when her jade-like hand covered his mouth.

“Don’t tell me the answer, Lu Li.” Her eyes were red. “I don’t want to hear it now. You’re a big liar, you lied to Baili and you lied to me. I’m an idiot, I’ll happily count your money even after you’ve tricked me. I’m afraid you’ll lie to me again, so please don’t say anything now, okay?”

Lu Li’s heart softened. “Then can I hug you?”

“…Yes…”

Lu Li embraced Chu Jingyi, feeling the girl’s breath in his arms. His heart was filled with joy, guilt, satisfaction, and shame. Complex emotions entangled him like a tight net, trapping him in a vortex of emotions.

“Liar Lu Li…” she muttered softly. “Why did you lie to me and Baili… Did you set a trap for me, this idiot, to fall into…”

Because I’m shameless. Lu Li mocked himself inwardly. He wasn’t just shameless, he was a shameless, cunning, and despicable scumbag.

After a long while, Chu Jingyi said softly, “Lu Li…”

“Hmm?”

“Focus on your studies…” She raised her small head and looked up at Lu Li. “Baili and I made a pact. No matter who you like, you’re not allowed to be in a relationship until after the college entrance exams.”

“What if I like Baili?”

The Silly Goose in his arms shrugged, her voice filled with grievance. “Then I’ll leave on my own, I won’t bother you…”

Hearing this, Lu Li held her even tighter. The words “I like you both” were stuck in his throat. In front of Chu Jingyi, his worldly desires seemed so dirty and despicable.

Chapter 23: A Hasty Ending

Chen Jianing hated those TV series with dozens of seasons. All the essence was usually squeezed out in the first few seasons, leaving only family dramas and ethical conflicts that the writers racked their brains to come up with. She didn’t want to watch who cheated on whom and who slept with whom within a small group. She just wanted to see the main characters smashing monsters. These garbage series, kept alive by capital, would often be canceled due to declining ratings, leaving the writers with no choice but to give the once-glorious protagonists a hasty ending.

It was quite similar to her and Lu Li.

Chen Jianing changed into a hospital gown. The nurse said she needed to stay in the hospital for three more days of observation and could be discharged if there were no problems. She also reminded her to wear a mask, wash her hands frequently, avoid crowded places, and not catch RSA after just recovering from the flu. Chen Jianing waited for several hours, her stomach growling, but Lu Li still hadn’t returned. Usually at this time, Lu Li would knock on the door and cheerfully ask her if she was hungry, but today he was late.

She didn’t want to imagine what he was doing, but even the thought of it caused a slight stomachache. The image of the couple holding hands uncontrollably appeared in her mind. Eventually, the nurse brought her a nutritious meal. The food was exquisite, but Chen Jianing didn’t eat much. She didn’t have much of an appetite. The IV drips were changed one after another. It wasn’t until nightfall that Lu Li finally returned to the ward.

Where did you go? She wanted to ask, but Chen Jianing forced herself to clench her jaw, refusing to ask with the last bit of her pride.

Lu Li didn’t seem to care at all. He casually asked her what the doctor said, as if he had been too busy all day to pay attention to her. He could have easily asked the nurse and learned that she only had the flu, not RSA, but he didn’t. Chen Jianing told him coldly that it was the flu, not RSA. Lu Li’s face lit up with relief, which gave the girl a little comfort. At least Lu Li genuinely cared about her well-being.

Lu Li happily peeled three apples for her and told her to eat more apples, saying it was good for her health. Until the very end, Lu Li didn’t mention anything about being boyfriend and girlfriend, as if their relationship had never existed.

This was the most hasty ending, like a cancelled TV series. Chen Jianing thought to herself.

“Where are you going?” Chen Jianing finally couldn’t hold back and asked her first question of the night.

“Going back to rest, I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

Going back? The hotel was more than half an hour’s drive away, and he had to pass through two checkpoints along the way.

“Back to the hotel?” Her luggage was still at the hotel, and the clothes she had changed out of this morning were still on the bedsheet.

“The hotel is too far, I’m going to stay at my friend’s house for a few days.”

This answer made Chen Jianing’s heart clench as if someone was squeezing it tightly, not only squeezing it but also twisting it, as if trying to wring out every last drop of blood. It was so painful, so uncomfortable. The considerate Lu Li from before suddenly felt distant, as if he had never existed. Friend? Was it the girl from earlier today?

Her eyes reddened. “…Don’t go…” Her voice was too soft, and Lu Li didn’t hear her.

“I didn’t hear you, what did you say?”

Chen Jianing didn’t speak. She would never repeat those words again. A song popped into her head: Bye bye, the next one will be better.

Lu Li looked at the little tiger, who was pouting and glaring at him, not understanding what he had done to offend her. Wasn’t it a good thing that she didn’t have RSA? Why wasn’t she happy? He had noticed it from the moment he entered the room that evening. Chen Jianing’s attitude towards him was hostile. Did the doctor prescribe the wrong medicine? Did the IV drip mess up her hormones?

He ruffled the little tiger’s head. “Come on, don’t be angry. If I did something to upset you, can you tell me? I’m a bit slow, sometimes I might offend you without realizing it. Please forgive me, okay?”

“Who was that girl?” After asking this question, Chen Jianing felt half the weight lifted from her heart. She had been holding this question in all day, trying to convince herself that the girl was just Lu Li’s relative.

That girl? Lu Li didn’t understand for a moment.

“You saw Jing… you saw my friend?”

“Yes.”

She remembered the scumbag quotes she had seen online: “Oh, I just treat her like a little sister, don’t overthink it. Why are you so suspicious? Can’t you trust me a little?” Would Lu Li use the same words to deceive her? Chen Jianing decided that if Lu Li tried to fool her like that, she would rather stay single for the rest of her life than ask for even a shred of his affection.

“She’s the person I like.”

This answer was too straightforward. After being accustomed to all the push and pull in online love stories, Lu Li’s answer was like a sharp sword cutting through all the drama.

Chen Jianing froze.

Lu Li belatedly frowned. Could Chen Jianing be jealous? Did she invest too much in their makeshift relationship? It seemed like Chen Jianing had a similar reaction in his past life. It shouldn’t be jealousy, right? After all, Chen Jianing had said many times that he wasn’t her type, that she didn’t have any romantic feelings for him. She said it in his past life, and she said it in this life.

Chen Jianing’s lips twitched slightly, all words stuck in her throat.

“Are… are you jealous?” Lu Li was a very straightforward person when it came to relationships. If he could reduce misunderstandings, he would rather ask ten more redundant questions.

“I’m not jealous. Lu Li, you didn’t actually take our boyfriend-girlfriend thing seriously, did you?” Chen Jianing finally spoke. “I only asked you because I thought I was dying. Although I’m very grateful for your care, I don’t actually like you at all, completely, utterly, 100% don’t like you. I’m only angry because you didn’t come to see me this afternoon. I was poked four times by the nurse, and you weren’t even there!”

Lu Li breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried you were too invested.”

Chen Jianing’s eyes reddened. We even kissed, what are you talking about? Lu Li, do you really think my first kiss is worthless?

“Don’t worry, I’m always clear-headed.” She said stubbornly, trying to save face. “I was worried that you were younger than me and would be heartbroken because of me. Now that I see you… see you so calm, I’m… I’m… I’m relieved.” She choked up at the end. Lu Li quickly went over to check on her, but she pushed him away.

“I just ate too much at dinner and choked.” Her toes curled tightly as she spoke.

Was that sarcasm or not? Lu Li was confused again. He really couldn’t tell what Chen Jianing was truly thinking, only with her.

But seeing the little tiger puffing out her chest as if everyone owed her eight million yuan, Lu Li decided not to overthink it. Being self-conscious wasn’t a good habit. In elementary school, he had a crush on a girl simply because he had a bite of her spicy snack, thinking that she was giving him special treatment. He only learned in middle school that she was just being generous.

The first step for a boy to become a man was to learn not to be self-conscious.

Lu Li chose to believe Chen Jianing’s words and turned to leave. After he left, Chen Jianing sadly lay down on the hospital bed, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. The young nurse, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, tried to comfort her by playing the song “Bye bye, the next one will be better…”

“There won’t be a next one… There’s only one Lu Li…” she cried.

Chapter 22: What Season Is This?

“Your illness is just a seasonal flu…”

These words were like a bolt of lightning exploding in Chen Jianing’s mind, shattering all her chaotic thoughts. A projector started playing in her head, replaying scenes from the past: from her tearful discovery of being infected with “RSA,” to her sobbing alone at night, unable to breathe, to that awkward kiss with Lu Li.

“The recurring fever is just because the source of the virus hasn’t been completely eliminated, and the body aches are most likely psychosomatic…” She couldn’t hear what the experts were saying anymore. Chen Jianing was completely overwhelmed by a surge of joy. Overjoyed, she immediately thought of her parents. Then, she wanted to tell Lu Li the news, without a moment’s delay.

She wanted to tell him personally that she only had the flu!

After the experts left, Chen Jianing got out of bed, ignoring the nurse’s attempts to stop her, and rushed out into the fifth-floor corridor, excitedly searching for Lu Li. Look, Lu Li! Look at me! I’m going to live! Chen Jianing reached the large window at the end of the corridor. She could see the snow-covered Mulan Fourth Hospital. For the first time, she found the color of the snow so pure and beautiful. For the first time, she realized that it snowed in Mulan City too.

Where are you, Lu Li?

Chen Jianing searched the entire fifth floor, but she couldn’t find Lu Li’s elegant figure. She impatiently headed towards the fourth floor, not even bothering to wait for the elevator. Halfway down, her excitement cooled down a bit, and she started to think about what to say when she saw Lu Li. Should she tell him the truth directly or tease him? Since it was just a common flu, did their three wishes still count? Was Lu Li still her boyfriend?

She decided to tell him the truth. Lu Li had been worried about her for over a month, and Chen Jianing didn’t want to see his worried expression anymore. She felt that he looked particularly pitiful and heartbreaking when he frowned. But was Lu Li still her boyfriend?

Her steps gradually slowed down. Chen Jianing stopped between the fifth and fourth floors, her face filled with confusion.

It should… it shouldn’t count, right? After all, it was just a ridiculous act she did because she thought she was dying. A girl should have self-respect, how could she casually become someone’s girlfriend? Chen Jianing thought to herself. But thinking about Lu Li’s meticulous care for her these past few days, she felt reluctant and hesitant. What if… she meant what if, what if one day Lu Li was no longer so gentle with her, how would she feel?

Among all the people she knew, Lu Li was different. Only Lu Li knew all her habits, only Lu Li had seen her at her worst and most vulnerable, and only Lu Li… had kissed her, held her hand. At some point, Lu Li had become the most special person to her.

The memories of the past month were so profound that they would be etched in her mind forever, more profound than the first nineteen years of her mediocre life. There was always a period in life that held precious memories, perhaps this was it, perhaps it was back then.

If Lu Li was really not her boyfriend anymore… her heart would definitely ache, wouldn’t it? Chen Jianing squatted in the stairwell, suddenly understanding the meaning of the poem “The nearer home, the more timid the heart.” She had been so eager to see Lu Li just now, but now she was filled with trepidation.

Let’s, let’s give Lu Li another chance. Considering how much effort he put in, I’ll, I’ll be merciful and let him continue being my boyfriend. Chen Jianing continued to find excuses for herself. It was her giving Lu Li a chance, not her being reluctant to let him go. After all, she was Chen Jianing, how could she be reluctant to let go of a man?

Chen Jianing finally made up her mind. She even rehearsed what she would say and how she would say it, ready to go find Lu Li and have a good talk with him. The young nurse hurried over and stopped her. “Miss Chen, you still need to stay in the hospital for observation for a few more days. You can’t walk around freely yet, your fever hasn’t subsided…” Really? So she still had a fever. Chen Jianing touched her forehead. It was burning hot, but she didn’t feel dizzy or lightheaded at all. Instead, she felt full of energy.

“Have you seen the boy who came with me? Where did he go?” Chen Jianing asked.

“He seems to have gone downstairs.”

Chen Jianing went down to the third floor and saw Lu Li. He was standing on the outskirts of a crowd, silently listening to the conversation ahead. His back was straight, his hands clasped behind his back, leaning against the wall with a hint of laziness. Chen Jianing’s heart pounded. She didn’t rush to call out to him. Now that the moment had arrived, she had forgotten all her rehearsed lines.

As she hesitated, the crowd gradually dispersed, and Lu Li stood up straighter. Chen Jianing felt that it was time. She cleared her throat and walked towards Lu Li. At that moment, a beautiful and slender figure emerged from the dispersing crowd, like a bird flying into the forest, and embraced Lu Li lightly and gracefully. Chen Jianing’s pupils constricted slightly, and her footsteps involuntarily stopped.

Who… was that?

A tall, beautiful girl, radiating a gentle aura, hugged Lu Li. Although she was wearing a mask, Chen Jianing could tell that she must be a very pretty girl, perhaps similar to her, but taller, with a better figure… She was definitely not Lu Li’s sister, at least they didn’t share any physical resemblance. The girl’s eyes held a deep affection, like a clear pool. Perhaps men couldn’t discern such a gaze, but Chen Jianing, as a woman, could read the unmistakable longing in her eyes. She often heard her roommates say that it was easy to tell if a girl was in love. You just had to look at her eyes. The eyes of a girl in love were like water, rippling with the slightest breeze.

Chen Jianing’s throat suddenly went dry. What shocked her most was that Lu Li actually hugged the girl back. Without hesitation, without any awkwardness, he embraced her gently, a familiar embrace.

Chen Jianing retreated to the corner and stared blankly at the couple, a sudden sense of amusement washing over her. What was this? Was she the only one who was taking this seriously? Was she the only one… who had been foolishly thinking about her relationship with Lu Li? Perhaps in Lu Li’s eyes, their relationship was just a false promise, and he had his own true love. Yes, why not? Why would a boy like Lu Li choose her?

Chen Jianing turned and walked back to the fifth floor. As she passed by the window, she saw the snowflakes falling outside again. But this time, she no longer found the color of the snow beautiful. She only felt the coldness of the snow, the lifelessness of the pale earth.

“Miss Chen, are you alright?” The young nurse, like someone who had experienced heartbreak before, kindly supported her, her words filled with concern.

Chen Jianing nodded expressionlessly. She didn’t dare to speak, afraid that her emotions would betray her if she did. She waited for the elevator silently, a thought echoing in her mind: Did I just get dumped?

Chapter 21: A Beauty Arrives

Lu Li disliked the term “privileged class” because all privileges were built upon exploitation. But in the face of this unprecedented disaster, he had to admit that “privilege” was probably the only way to save Chen Jianing. As soon as they entered the hospital, they saw patients lying all over the PVC plastic floor, in the corridors, in the lobby… Colorful quilts spread on the ground were considered beds, and crumpled clothes piled together served as pillows. Family members of the patients squatted nearby, anxious and helpless, numbly watching the doctors and nurses coming and going.

If there was one word to describe this scene, it would be “misery.”

As Lu Li passed by a patient, he accidentally stepped on the corner of a bedsheet. He could clearly see that the bedsheet was a fiery red, printed with old-fashioned and gaudy floral patterns, the kind commonly seen in rural Shenzhou. Where was the nearest village? Why were they trapped in Mulan City? These questions flashed through Lu Li’s mind and then disappeared. Life was like this, constantly encountering questions but never getting answers, like a journey that ended abruptly.

The plump woman named Chen Lei greeted them with excessive enthusiasm, but her masked face betrayed her apprehension towards Chen Jianing. She was afraid that Chen Jianing would touch the doorknob too much, afraid that she would sneeze. Chen Jianing lowered her head guiltily and leaned closer to Lu Li. She whispered, “Am I causing them trouble…”

Lu Li squeezed the girl’s jade-like hand, offering a reassuring answer with his warm palm.

After a nurse took Chen Jianing for a blood test, she was arranged to stay in a special ward on the top floor of the inpatient department. While waiting for the test results, four elderly doctors with white hair approached the little tiger, gently inquiring about her physical condition. Chen Jianing nervously gripped Lu Li’s arm, her answers incoherent and disjointed. When the four professors left, she realized that she had left four bloody nail marks on Lu Li’s arm.

“So-sorry, I, I was too nervous…” Chen Jianing said with a sob.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” How could it be okay? It hurt like hell, but Lu Li endured it silently. If he wasn’t with Chen Jianing, the girl probably wouldn’t be able to say a word, making treatment much more difficult.

“…If even four experts can’t cure me, does that mean I’m doomed?” It was one thing to speculate about your own death, but another to be told you were definitely going to die. The former still allowed for some self-comfort and coping mechanisms, while the latter only brought reluctant rejection and fear. “Lu Li, I, I don’t want to die… Sob…”

“There, there, don’t cry, don’t cry…” Over the past few days, Lu Li had become accustomed to comforting her in this doting tone.

After crying for a while, a young nurse came in and gave Chen Jianing an IV drip. Lu Li guessed it was just ordinary glucose solution to replenish her nutrients.

“Mr. Lu, let the patient rest for a while.” The young nurse said politely. “We’ll contact you as soon as the expert team comes up with a plan.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s our duty.”

Lu Li sat outside the ward for a while and received a WeChat message from Chen Jianing.

[Annoying Girl: Lu Li, don’t go too far, okay?]

[Lu Li: I’m just outside the door.]

[Annoying Girl: Lu Li… if I die, will you still remember me? Will you forget me after a few years?]

[Lu Li: No, I will always remember you.]

[Annoying Girl: #Crying]

She sent four crying cat emojis in a row. Lu Li was both amused and exasperated. He used to think that Chu Jingyi was the most childish girl he knew. Now that he thought about it, Yi Bao wasn’t childish, she was just pure. She wasn’t stupid. This little Chen Jianing was probably the most childish one.

[Annoying Girl: I miss my parents, what should I do… They would be so worried if they knew I was hospitalized…]

[Lu Li: Don’t think too much, rest for a while. You can go back and see them after you recover.]

Chen Jianing didn’t reply for a while.

[Annoying Girl: Can I still see you after I recover?]

What did she mean?

[Lu Li: Of course you can.]

You have legs, don’t you? You can come to Chuanhai City when you recover and we can meet. Lu Li didn’t understand why Chen Jianing would ask such a question. Or was there another meaning hidden in her words? As he was pondering, he suddenly saw a text message:

“Xiao Lu, we’re at the Fourth Hospital, come to the third floor.”

It was from Chu Xiaodong. But what did “we” mean? Who else came with him?

Lu Li quickly tidied himself up and rushed to the third floor of the inpatient department. As expected, he saw a group of doctors and nurses gathered in the corridor, seemingly surrounding someone. He could vaguely hear voices: “…here for inspection, our Fourth Hospital will definitely work hand in hand with the people of Mulan City to overcome this difficulty, and live up to… expectations!” Then came Chu Xiaodong’s voice: “…Thank you for your hard work…”

Lu Li didn’t speak, quietly listening to their bureaucratic exchange. After they exchanged some meaningless pleasantries, the crowd gradually dispersed. Lu Li saw Chu Xiaodong, dressed in a formal suit, wearing a mask, his hair neatly combed. Lu Li noticed that his crow’s feet had deepened. Chu Xiaodong was also accompanied by a group of officials in suits, but Lu Li only glanced at them for a moment before his attention was completely drawn to a splash of color in the crowd. It felt like even the sound around him had been swallowed up.

Chu Jingyi was wearing a padded jacket, her bright red scarf still around her neck, her small hands covered in cute half-finger gloves. She was following behind her father, looking a bit dazed. Her mask seemed to be crooked, and she was fiddling with it clumsily.

As if sensing something, Chu Jingyi suddenly turned her head, her gaze sweeping across the crowd and landing on the young man. Even with the mask, Lu Li could tell she was smiling – her eyes were narrowed, like crescent moons on a midsummer night, or like ripples on a lake, filled with tenderness and affection. Silly Goose left everything behind and ran straight towards Lu Li. Under everyone’s surprised gazes, Chu Jingyi hugged Lu Li and whispered, “I’m so glad you’re okay…”

Amidst the joy, Lu Li didn’t forget to observe his future father-in-law’s expression. He saw a hint of helplessness and embarrassment on Chu Xiaodong’s face. He suddenly understood why Chu Xiaodong had agreed to his request, why this important figure had risked coming to Mulan City… As long as he felt the warmth of the girl in his arms, everything made sense.

I owe you… so much… Lu Li looked at Chu Jingyi in his arms and sighed inwardly.

***

Half an hour earlier. Special ward on the fifth floor.

Chen Jianing was scrolling through her chat history with Lu Li. Their conversations were actually quite mundane, mostly things like “Are you asleep?” “Did you take your medicine?” “Are you hungry?” But Chen Jianing read these boring conversations with great interest. She suddenly understood the joy of “squatting on the roadside and counting people.”

She scrolled to their recent conversation. Lu Li had said that a very important friend of his had arrived and he needed to meet them. He also said that he owed it to this friend for the opportunity to get treatment. Chen Jianing didn’t want Lu Li to go too far, so she could only say “Come back soon” with a hint of grievance. It wasn’t because she couldn’t bear to be apart from Lu Li, but because she was afraid he would get lost… Chen Jianing made excuses for herself in her mind.

Just then, the four elderly doctors from the expert team walked into the ward, led by a young nurse. They were holding a document, and their expressions were strange. Chen Jianing’s heart tightened. She knew the moment of truth had arrived.

“Miss Chen, please don’t get too excited about what we’re about to say… You must stay calm…” Professor Chen, the leader of the team, hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Your illness… it, it’s not RSA… It’s just a seasonal flu…”

Chapter 20: Good News?

December 4th, Sunday. It had been over a month since Mulan City was locked down. The chaos on the streets had subsided considerably. Humans were recovering from the disaster with remarkable resilience. The cordon lines between districts had been removed, patrolling police officers were gradually withdrawn, and the RSA virus was initially under control.

Soon, Chen Jianing would be able to return to Mulan University, and Lu Li could finally end this unpleasant trip to Mulan. It should have been that way. However, Chen Jianing seemed to be cursed. She would recover only to fall ill again, becoming increasingly frail. For the past two days, she hadn’t left her bed and had only eaten one meal. Lu Li had a vague realization: they had reached the limit, Chen Jianing’s limit.

The positive rating of Black Wolf’s Ring remained at 55%, with no hope of ever reaching 80%, just like Chen Jianing’s ill-fated life, which would never see the fireworks of the 2018 New Year.

Lu Li entered the room and found Chen Jianing awake, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“A final burst of energy before death,” she said.

“What?” Lu Li closed the door and tucked the blanket around her, preventing the cold air from getting in.

“This must be the final burst of energy before death. I feel much clearer now.” Chen Jianing turned her head to look at Lu Li. “Did you call my mother?”

“Yes. Your mother asked where you went to study abroad and when you’re coming back. She complained that you didn’t even say goodbye before leaving.” Lu Li was lying. He hadn’t called Chen Jianing’s parents. “Your mother is a very gentle person.”

“Yes, yes, she’s very gentle. I’ve never seen her scold anyone or get angry in my entire life.” Chen Jianing rambled on, as if afraid she wouldn’t have enough time to say everything. Lu Li listened quietly, occasionally responding with an “mm-hmm” or making an expression of surprise.

Chen Jianing suddenly stared at Lu Li for a long time, then smiled, revealing her little tiger teeth. “Thank you, Lu Li. It’s great to have a kind boyfriend during the last leg of my journey. If it weren’t for this outbreak, I might have actually considered making you my real boyfriend.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Lu Li ruffled the girl’s hair. “Who would want you?”

“Hmph, you don’t know what’s good for you. Let me tell you, the guys who chased me in college could line up all the way to Chenghua Street. I have high standards.”

As the two were bickering, Lu Li’s phone rang. He took it out, glanced at the caller ID, and hurriedly got up and left without even saying goodbye to Chen Jianing. Chen Jianing watched his hasty retreat, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. She wanted to call out to him, but her innate awkwardness made her shut her mouth.

“Uncle Chu.” Lu Li’s voice trembled slightly, his tone filled with suppressed joy and anticipation.

“Xiao Lu, good news.” Chu Xiaodong sounded more tired than usual. The outbreak in Mulan City must have been giving him a headache. “There’s a vacant bed at Mulan Fourth Hospital, and four specialists are conducting research there. Take your friend to the Fourth Hospital now and look for Chen Lei, the director of the hospital’s political office. I’ve already spoken to her. By the way, I’m also on my way to Mulan City. I’ll meet you at the Fourth Hospital.”

Chu Xiaodong hung up in a hurry. Lu Li vaguely heard a girl’s voice in the background. To be honest, when he asked Chu Xiaodong for help, he didn’t have much hope. After all, there was no benefit for Chu Xiaodong in helping him. A politician like him wouldn’t go out of his way for a “potential” boyfriend of his daughter. But to his surprise, Chu Xiaodong actually did it. Why? And not only did he help, but he was also personally flying to Mulan City?

The Chuanhai Prime Minister’s actions were full of mystery, and Lu Li couldn’t figure it out.

But the important thing was that Chen Jianing could be saved now.

Lu Li excitedly returned to the room and pulled Chen Jianing, who was lying in bed waiting to die, up. “Chen Jianing, quick, quick, quick, change your clothes, we’re going to Mulan Fourth Hospital!”

Chen Jianing had never seen Lu Li so flustered and found it rather amusing. “Didn’t they say there were no beds available at the hospital?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, do you want to live or not?”

Chen Jianing hadn’t reached the point of wanting to die. Her eyes gradually lit up with hope. “Yes! I’ll change right away, you, you go out for a bit…” Lu Li slapped his forehead. How many times had he changed Chen Jianing’s clothes these past few days? Sometimes, when she was sweating at night, he even had to change her underwear in the dark. Seeing Chen Jianing’s slow movements, Lu Li snatched the clothes from her. “I’ll change you!”

“It’s broad daylight… not nighttime…”

“What are you talking about? Raise your arm, higher, it’s not like I haven’t seen your armpit…”

***

Mulan Fourth Hospital.

Chen Lei, a woman in her forties, held a fax and went straight to Professor Yuan Shengguo’s office, where he was taking a nap. Yuan Shengguo was almost seventy years old, with a white beard. If the Mulan outbreak hadn’t been so serious, the government wouldn’t have asked this old expert to come out of retirement. “Professor Yuan, Professor Yuan, there’s an urgent case from above.” Before she even arrived, Chen Lei’s sharp voice pierced through the corridor and reached Yuan Shengguo’s ears.

Professor Yuan saw Chen Lei’s plump figure squeeze into his office and frowned slightly. “Director Chen, loud noises are prohibited in the hospital corridor. There are hundreds of patients lying outside. It’s fine if you disturb my sleep, but disturbing the patients’ rest is a grave sin!”

“Yes, yes, yes, you’re right, Professor.” Chen Lei didn’t dare to put on airs in front of Professor Yuan. “There’s an urgent case from above. They want us to gather the expert team and treat the patient as soon as possible.”

Which family’s young master is it this time? Professor Yuan sighed imperceptibly. There were still a large number of ordinary people in Mulan City waiting for help, but these urgent cases seemed to be getting more and more urgent. He regretted interrupting his retirement. Wasn’t it better to stay at home and take care of his grandson? He wondered if his little grandson was bullying Da Huang again today…

Although he disliked the bureaucratic atmosphere in Mulan, the patients were innocent. Professor Yuan took the fax, read it carefully, then got up to find the other three professors to prepare a treatment plan. If the information wasn’t false, then the patient should be among the most severe cases of RSA, with not only coughing and dizziness, but also recurring high fever. This was extremely rare in clinical cases of RSA, and even the possibility of viral mutation couldn’t be ruled out.

Thinking of this, the old man quickened his pace. They had just managed to bring RSA under control, they couldn’t afford a mutated virus at this time.

The four members of the expert team quickly gathered and had a heated discussion based on the faxed information. They finally reached a consensus: It was a mutated RSA virus and must be treated seriously! The four elderly men with white hair looked at each other, their faces etched with bitter smiles. If they couldn’t handle this situation properly, they would be the sinners of Mulan City.

As the expert team waited with bated breath, ready to sacrifice themselves if necessary, the “urgent case” finally arrived at Mulan Fourth Hospital. It was a girl who looked no older than twenty, delicate and pretty, but her steps were unsteady, and her face was as pale as paper. Supporting her was a young man in a school uniform, his brow furrowed with worry.