Chapter Twenty-Three: It Has Become Real
After a tumultuous ordeal, Xiao Xiao lay exhausted on the bed, her energy spent. Lin Shuo gently stroked her flushed cheek, the corners of his lips unconsciously curling into a satisfied smile. In the end, she still belonged only to him.
In the darkness, she fumbled for Lin Shuo’s arm, closing her eyes and, half-conscious, pleaded in a soft, coquettish voice, “Don’t leave…” He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, saying nothing.
In truth, as long as she never learned what happiness truly was, she would never seek it out. The day they parted, her happiness abruptly ceased. Ever since, she had been searching for someone new to bring her joy again. Yet, four years proved only one thing—once you have basked in the light of the sun, how could you ever fall in love with the moon?
She slept deeply and dreamt a long dream.
Lin Shuo’s rejection left her profoundly defeated, robbing her of the courage to face him again, and her days became dull and aimless. One day, while changing the water for her goldfish in the dormitory, her hand slipped. She reached out to catch the glass tank, but it was too late; she could only watch as it crashed to the floor. The goldfish flailed and leapt on the ground, shards of glass scattered, and a sharp pain shot through her wrist. Blood dripped down onto the floor, splattering in delicate patterns. She didn’t cry, only stood there, pale and stunned.
Fortunately, Xiao Bao rushed her to the campus hospital in time. The doctor stitched up her wrist and, shaking his head ruefully, said, “No matter how serious things get, you mustn’t risk your life. If it had been any deeper, it would’ve been dangerous.” Xiao Xiao shook her head, earnest: “It really wasn’t suicide.” Xiao Bao patted her back, gently coaxing, “It’s alright, it’s alright, it’ll pass.”
Yet breaking the fish tank was eventually rumored to be a suicide attempt for love. Xiao Xiao’s name quickly spread throughout the school, drawing many who wished to see her for themselves. Each time they caught sight of the scar on her wrist, she couldn’t help but feel both amused and helpless.
She thought she would never cross paths with Lin Shuo again, but a sudden rainstorm trapped them together once more. Kunming, being an inland city with poor drainage, turned into a landscape of lakes whenever it rained heavily. That day, she stood troubled before the flood beneath the Venus Overpass when the sound of a car horn echoed behind her. She turned around and saw Lin Shuo sitting in a luxury car. He leaned out and called her to get in, but she pretended not to hear. Lin Shuo had no choice but to park and walk over to stand beside her.
“I heard something happened to you.”
Xiao Xiao felt embarrassed, hiding her hand in her coat pocket and once again reciting the well-rehearsed truth. Lin Shuo breathed a sigh of relief, “As long as it wasn’t true. Otherwise, I’d feel guilty.”
The water pump hummed, and there was no telling how long it would take. Xiao Xiao made up her mind to wade through the water, but as soon as she stepped forward, Lin Shuo pulled her back forcefully, even tugging her hand out of her pocket. He stared fixedly at her scar, brows furrowed. “Does it hurt?”
“No.” That familiar question—‘does it hurt’—but the scab had long since fallen away; how could it possibly still hurt?
“It looks like we won’t be able to leave anytime soon. Stay and wait with me.”
“You have a car. Why not just turn back?”
“It’s not mine.” Lin Shuo smiled bitterly. “I’m driving for someone else, working.”
After a long silence, Lin Shuo suddenly asked, “Was what you said last time true?”
“What?”
“That you liked me.” He turned his head to look at her blushing cheeks, as if searching for an answer there.
“Forget it.”
“But I’ve already taken it seriously.” Lin Shuo stepped closer, standing face to face with her. His expression was so gentle, it made her catch her breath. He said, “That day, I was too extreme. Maybe it has to do with things in the past. I never believed in feelings, always afraid of being deceived. But in these days we haven’t seen each other, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Especially after I heard about your supposed suicide, I became even more certain of how I feel. Why deny it before even trying?”
Lonely Hours, Do Not Speak of Love 23_Chapter Twenty-Three: Already Taken Seriously. The update is complete!