Shen Yue clenched her fingertips, trying to calm herself. The sky outside was just beginning to brighten, and the few rays of light piercing through the gap in the curtains were not very bright. Qi Rui was by her side.
Yet, she felt suffocated.
Shen Yue carefully got up, trying to be as quiet as possible. As soon as her feet touched the floor, before she could even stand steady, her legs gave way, and with a bang, she fell to the ground.
Qi Rui was startled awake.
He frowned, turned on the bedroom light, and knelt down to help her. But Shen Yue recoiled as if electrocuted. She bit her lip tightly, her lashes wet.
"Don't touch me."
Qi Rui's hands froze. He looked at the woman with confusion.
Shen Yue panted, taking a long moment to regain some composure. Seeing the handsome and familiar face of the man, she forced a smile, though she knew it must have looked insincere.
Qi Rui looked down at her, his calm, cold eyes filled with deep bewilderment.
He seemed not to understand Shen Yue's extreme reaction, especially since he hadn't done anything.
They both fell silent for a long time. Finally, Qi Rui helped her back to the bed.
Only the bedside lamp was on, its warm light illuminating their faces clearly.
The man's features were sharp and extremely handsome. He wore a black shirt, unbuttoned at the top, exuding a languid, noble air.
Shen Yue was stiff all over, her body ice-cold. Despite the room being well-heated, she felt as if she had plunged into an ice cellar, not sensing any warmth.
There was a glass of water on the table. Shen Yue’s mouth was very dry, and as she reached for it, Qi Rui stopped her.
"This water has gone cold."
His voice was cold and devoid of emotion. The man's jawline was sharp, and when he was expressionless, he appeared exceptionally cold and melancholic.
Shen Yue retracted her hand. Her throat hurt, and her head was dizzy. The man standing by the bed was very indifferent.
He stood there silently, as if there was nothing to say.
Shen Yue closed her eyes, her breaths so quiet they were almost inaudible.
The room was too quiet, so quiet it became unbearable. It was Qi Rui who left first, as if he, too, found it unbearable.
*Click*—
The sound of the bedroom door closing made the previously quiet room even more deathly still.
Shen Yue opened her eyes. Her face was ashen. Her body ached, and her throat felt like it was about to bleed from coughing.
After a moment, she got up to reach for the glass on the bedside table. The cold water soothed her throat, making her shiver.
Her throat felt less constricted now. Shen Yue clutched the quilt, feeling increasingly cold.
She looked at the empty glass on the table and stared blankly for a long time. Suddenly, an uncontrollable wave of grievance and sadness washed over her.
She tightened her grip on the quilt. Her still-damp lashes were once again moistened by tears.
In the silent room, her cries were soundless, only tears flowed.
Her long, thick lashes cast shadows beneath her eyes. Tears, like pearls, slid down one by one, impossible to wipe away.
She was pale and fragile.
She felt unbearable sadness, her heart hollow, as if it had a large hole, and a biting cold wind blew through.
Her fingers fumbled for the necklace around her neck.
This was the only proof that Qi Rui had loved her.
A small patch of the pillow was soaked with tears. Shen Yue wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. Her eyelids were swollen, but her tears still flowed.
Through a blur, she saw the man return.
A tall shadow loomed over her.
Shen Yue bit her lip, her lashes long and wet, beautiful.
As she felt the man return, she quickly rubbed her eyes vigorously with the back of her hand. Her thin eyelids were red and swollen.
So delicate.
The man pursed his thin lips, his expression stern.
The woman’s long lashes fluttered twice. Her eyes were filled with mist. She looked up at the man, then quickly lowered her head. Her eyes were clearly puffy from crying, yet she managed to offer a ridiculously poor lie.
"Something got into my eye."
This lie didn't even need to be exposed; it was too unbelievable. Anyone with eyes wouldn't believe it.
The woman lowered her head further, only to hear the man respond in a low voice, "Yes, I know."
She looked up abruptly, a look of bewildered helplessness on her face, disbelief in her eyes.
Qi Rui lowered his lashes. He held a cup of warm water, neither cold nor hot, just the right temperature.
He handed the cup to Shen Yue.
He hadn't actually left, but had gone to get her a cup of hot water.
Shen Yue glanced at it, then reached out to take it. She drank it in small sips. The water was the perfect temperature, and her stomach felt warm.
She quietly said, "Thank you."
She looked very gentle, much like a lotus flower in the misty rain of Jiangnan. Her lashes were especially long and dense, trembling like butterflies.
Qi Rui glanced at her face and, for some reason, seemed lost in thought.
Shen Yue felt his gaze, and she clutched the hem of her clothes, a sign of her nervousness. She dared not meet his eyes, so she lowered her head again.
The edge of the bed dipped as the man suddenly sat down beside her.
A faint smell of tobacco wafted from him.
Shen Yue’s heart pounded like a drum, her entire body tense, her fingers stiff.
"Was I very familiar with you before?" he paused, a rare flicker of confusion in his eyes. "I always feel..."
He felt a deep discomfort, especially when he saw Shen Yue crying. The vague prickling pain wasn't intense, but it was impossible to ignore.
Shen Yue felt a bitterness spread through her, as if her heart had been pierced by countless silver needles, making it painful to breathe.
She felt she should be smiling, after all, even with amnesia, Qi Rui still had some feelings for her.
However, she couldn't tell Qi Rui the memories that had been buried for years, nor did she know where to begin.
Qi Rui might not believe her, and even if he did, what would it matter?
He had found a better life, chosen a better person. If she selfishly revealed everything, how would Qi Rui face Tong Xue?
This was Shen Yue’s nature; even when she was scarred all over, her primary concern was always others.
She was too good, and therefore, she deserved to die.
The woman averted her gaze with difficulty, her voice hoarse, "We weren't that familiar. We just lived together for a while a few years ago."
Qi Rui looked at her, his emotions unreadable, but he ultimately remained silent.
He lowered his eyes, his expression hardening uncontrollably.
—
Qi Rui's birthday arrived. He didn't want a big celebration, finding it troublesome; a simple family dinner would suffice.
Tong Xue arrived early. She helped the aunt in the kitchen. The kitchen was lively, filled with laughter. The girl’s voice was sweet and impossible to ignore.