Shen Yue lowered her eyes, her eyelashes like the fleeting shadow of a butterfly's wing. "...Brother, I understand."
The man's expression was rarely seen, his dark eyes like an abyss devoid of light, his breathing rapid.
Contrary to his outward appearance, his heart was pounding, as if overwhelmed by emotion.
He remained silent, his nose high, his demeanor somber and indifferent.
At times, the deathly aura emanating from him was stronger than Shen Yue's, who was gravely ill.
Zhang Cong was like this. He wasn't good with words and knew nothing of sweet talk. He expressed himself through actions, proving his devotion through practice.
He had always silently given his all.
Just as he had said.
"Brother is here."
"He will always be here."
This feeling was truly heartbreaking. Shen Yue couldn't refuse him. Her heart felt as if it had been swept by waves, warm yet bittersweet. Her voice trembled slightly as she held back tears.
"Brother."
Zhang Cong remained quiet, his eyebrows slightly lowered, his tone exceptionally gentle, as if afraid of startling her. "I'm here."
"Can I kiss you?"
The man froze, his pupils widening slightly, his breathing ceasing.
Shen Yue was smiling, her face pale, her lips vibrant. Her tone was incredibly soft, as if she were being coquettish. "Brother, kiss me."
She turned her face, her full, beautiful lips seeming to beckon a kiss. After the fierce biting, they were already red and swollen to the point of being raw, yet fragrant and soft.
Her dark, moist eyes held a smile, flecked with tiny starlight, flowing like a galaxy.
Zhang Cong's knuckles were white from clenching his fists. He bit his teeth tightly, gasping for breath several times before suppressing the overwhelming bittersweetness that surged from the depths of his heart.
No one knew how long he had waited for these words. Countless scenes from his dreams played out before his eyes.
It was too beautiful.
Like a bubble, it would disappear even without being pricked.
He spoke slowly, his voice somewhat hoarse, "I love you."
Shen Yue knew. She looked up, her eyebrows curved, a faint blush appearing on her pale face like the sunset clouds in the sky. Tears dampened her eyelashes. Zhang Cong lowered his head, his rough fingertips wiping away those tears, gently stroking her lashes.
It was perhaps his first time confessing his feelings, and he was not very adept, but once he spoke, the rest came out exceptionally smoothly.
His voice suddenly dropped, rough as if scraped by gravel, "I love you very, very much."
As he spoke, his own eyes turned red.
This was the first time Shen Yue had seen someone's eyes well up when confessing their feelings, especially a man who was nearly two meters tall. He seemed like a child.
Though her face was pale and devoid of blood, her lips remained a vibrant red. Her eyes curved, and her voice was very soft, "Mmm, I know."
Her voice was consistently gentle, like white clouds in a azure sky, soft and ethereal.
The man managed a smile that was more sorrowful than a cry, then lowered his head and kissed her again.
This time, the kiss was gentle, soft, and lingering. Shen Yue's occasional responses made Zhang Cong lose his composure, and the kiss slowly turned fierce. The force of it was as if he wanted to devour her, chew her finely, and become one with her.
Carrying a desperate cry, a silent collapse.
She was slowly falling into an abyss, and Zhang Cong watched clearly from beside her, desperately wanting to stop it, but all his efforts were in vain.
Zhang Cong watched her die with his own eyes.
***
The sun had not yet risen, and the light was dim.
Shen Yue gasped for air, her face deathly pale.
Doctors and nurses rushed in and completed a preliminary examination.
Shen Yue lay on the hospital bed, wearing an oxygen mask, a faint mist obscuring it.
She was so thin, her chest rising and falling subtly, as if she could quiet at any moment.
The electrocardiogram beeped rhythmically, sounding like a summons from the Grim Reaper in the quiet ward.
The sun rose and then set.
Shen Yue woke up, her head feeling dizzy. She blinked her eyes and struggled to look to the side.
Zhang Cong had sat in the darkness for who knew how long, still wearing yesterday's clothes, disheveled and weary. His entire demeanor seemed unstable.
As if sensing Shen Yue's gaze, he looked over in the darkness.
The two remained silent.
The incessant beeping of the medical equipment was maddening.
Zhang Cong had not slept all night, his eyes bloodshot.
"You've slept for two days."
His voice was hoarse, as if filled with moisture.
The curtains were not fully drawn, allowing some light to stream in.
It fell on his chiseled face. He was half in shadow, half illuminated, his expression unreadable.
Shen Yue's mind was blank. "I slept that long?"
"From the night before last until now," Zhang Cong moved to Shen Yue's side and buried his face in her hand.
Shen Yue closed her eyes to compose herself, then reopened them and suddenly asked, "What's the date today?"
Zhang Cong took out his phone and checked the date. "What's wrong?"
Shen Yue gently stroked the man's somewhat rough short hair. "In two days, Qi Rui is getting married. Let's send him a red envelope then."
They say men's hair shouldn't be touched casually, but Zhang Cong pushed his head forward, rubbing against the woman's delicate, soft palm.
His voice was low, like ordinary small talk, "Okay. How much do you want to put in the red envelope?"
Shen Yue thought for a moment. "It doesn't need to be much; it's the thought that counts."
Zhang Cong said softly, "Okay."
Seemingly sensing the man's low spirits, Shen Yue pinched his earlobe and said with feigned lightness, "What's wrong? Aren't you happy I'm awake?"
Zhang Cong's breathing was a little unsteady. "Happy..."
His fists, resting on his knees, were so tightly clenched that his knuckles turned white. Emotions churned in his chest, and wetness welled up in his eyes. He quickly pretended to casually wipe his eyes on the hospital bed.
His deep, hoarse voice sounded as calm as usual in the darkness. "It's just that you slept for too long, and I waited a bit."
Shen Yue mused that this fool must have stayed in this hospital room for two days.
She didn't ask, because she already knew the answer in her heart.
Wearing the oxygen mask, Shen Yue spoke with difficulty. "Brother, turn on the light."
Zhang Cong didn't, not even daring to look up, fearing Shen Yue would see his tear-streaked, gritted-teeth, contorted face.
Shen Yue had no choice. She struggled to lift her hand to touch the man's face, but her wrist was quickly grasped. The man seemed unable to control his emotions, his chest heaving violently. Finally, he leaned down and hugged her tightly.
"Does it still hurt today?"
He asked.
Shen Yue rested her chin on his shoulder and lied, "No."
The man's arms slowly tightened. Shen Yue's bones ached from the embrace, but she remained silent.
"Shen Yue, he has fallen for someone else. Can you please stop liking him?"
Shen Yue was stunned. It took her a moment to realize who Zhang Cong was referring to. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she sighed, "Okay."
After a moment, Shen Yue gradually felt a dampness on her shoulder penetrating the thin fabric and reaching her skin.
Then, she heard the man's muffled voice.
"Will you like me?"
His voice was somewhat choked.
Shen Yue raised her hand and gently patted his back, only then realizing he was trembling slightly.
She said hoarsely, "Okay."
"Then, will you marry me?"
"Okay."
As if he could no longer suppress it, the man let out a series of deeply suppressed sobs, sounding incredibly pained.
Zhang Cong did not believe in gods or buddhas, but now he prayed in his heart, imploring the mercy of the divine.
"God above, grant Shen Yue good health. I am willing to give up everything, even my life."
"Please, do not take her away from me."
***
The bells of Christmas Eve rang out.