Hearing that Ye Tiancheng had finally relented, Liu Lanying was overjoyed. She finally managed to stop crying and her previously worried face, which had been like a little bitter gourd, broke into a smile.
"That's great, Brother Ye. I knew you didn't treat me as an outsider. No matter how weak I am, you'll always stand by my side."
"Don't say that. It's not that I think you're incapable, I'm just afraid of dragging you down. Besides, I've been quite unlucky lately, and I'm worried my troubles might affect you."
"How could they?" Liu Lanying didn't understand how terrible the curse was. Instead, she felt that everything should be viewed optimistically, especially since she and Ye Tiancheng were quite compatible. "When we're together, we're always lucky. I believe we can solve all problems and overcome difficulties."
"Reality is always crueler than you imagine. You can stay here, but Liu Lanying, there's one thing you must listen to me. Never take it lightly: you are absolutely forbidden to get too close to me. If you do, you will encounter misfortune."
"I'm not afraid. Although I'm quite timid, I've never flinched when it comes to Brother Ye's matters."
No matter how brave Liu Lanying was, Ye Tiancheng was still worried. When Fatty got close to him before, the numerous ailments he developed were no joke. These things could be fatal if one wasn't careful.
"I know you're not afraid, but I am. If you get hurt because of me, I'll bear an immense psychological burden. So, I hope you'll listen to me. We both need to stay healthy and alive for me to feel at ease."
"I understand, Brother Ye. Don't worry, I know you. I won't be presumptuous. We both need to be well."
To maintain a distance, they stayed in separate rooms with their doors tightly shut. If they wanted to talk, they had to rely on their phones.
"Brother Ye, I've made you dinner. I brought all the ingredients myself, and they're very fresh. I made wontons for you today, and also a fried egg that you love. You can come and eat now."
Ye Tiancheng had just gone through another bout of pain. His skin was shedding in flakes, not like simple skin disease flakes, but red, alarming ones. In short, it was very abnormal.
"You eat first. I'll come to eat in a moment."
When Ye Tiancheng sent this voice message, it took him a tremendous effort. He had just endured an inhumanly painful ordeal, and his body was completely drained. Being able to speak was already an achievement; he had no strength left.
"Okay, I'll eat first. I'll message you after I'm done."
Ye Tiancheng lay spread-eagled on the bed, his eyes devoid of any light. He finally began to understand what Xiao Shi had said before leaving. This torment was truly inhuman, and no one could endure it for long. At the most agonizing moments, Ye Tiancheng had genuinely entertained the thought of dying.
Fortunately, thanks to his strong willpower, Ye Tiancheng persevered. Otherwise, he might have already passed on. It was too unbearable. Thinking about the next time the illness struck, Ye Tiancheng felt a sense of despair flowing through him. He truly didn't want to live.
Liu Lanying had finished eating a long time ago. When she didn't receive a reply after messaging Ye Tiancheng, she worried that something had happened to him. She then opened the door to Ye Tiancheng's room and found him in a semi-conscious state.
"Brother Ye, are you alright? What can I do to help you?"
"I'm fine, don't worry. I'm doing alright." Ye Tiancheng suddenly mustered some strength, as if worried that if Liu Lanying got any closer, she would be the one to suffer. "It's okay, don't come too close to me. I'm afraid I'll drag you down. I'm cursed now, and anyone who gets close to me has a bad end."
Liu Lanying shed tears while shaking her head. "I know you're going through a difficult time and facing many challenges, but it's okay. I can face them with you. I believe I can do it."
"Don't come near me. You'll truly become unfortunate. I don't want to see you sad and upset. I've already made too many mistakes, and I can't afford to make any more."
Ye Tiancheng's voice grew weaker as he spoke, due to his limited strength. If he continued, he might not be able to catch his breath and would suffocate himself.
"It's alright, Brother Ye. No matter what, I'm here by your side. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. All bad things will pass."
It was clear that this so-called curse had dealt Ye Tiancheng a great blow. The more he was like this, the more Liu Lanying had to maintain her emotional stability and provide him with a sense of peace.
"I hope everything goes smoothly."
However, Ye Tiancheng was being too naive. This curse wouldn't stop; it would only become more terrifying.
That night, Liu Lanying began to show symptoms. Every part of her body ached, even the gaps between her bones. She couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, feeling unbearable discomfort that she couldn't alleviate. In short, the feeling was terrifying.
Liu Lanying wanted to tell Ye Tiancheng, but at the same time, she was afraid to. She knew what Ye Tiancheng feared most. Liu Lanying worried that if she told him, it might infuriate Ye Tiancheng and even cause him to drive her away.
Since that was the case, Liu Lanying told herself to persevere, to just hold on. As long as she could endure this pain, she could stand by Ye Tiancheng's side openly.
But Liu Lanying truly couldn't hold on any longer. No one could remain untouched and silent when they were burning in a fire. To remain completely unaffected and silent was certainly not human.
Ye Tiancheng sensed Liu Lanying's distress and knew that the girl couldn't hold on any longer. She was now enduring someone else's pain. Thinking about it made his heart ache. Ye Tiancheng finally made a decision.
After giving all the good things to Liu Lanying, he chose to leave the small cabin and went into the depths of Black Wind Mountain. Only by staying far away from Liu Lanying could he avoid infecting her with the curse. This was the only thing Ye Tiancheng, who was no longer in control of himself, could do for Liu Lanying at this stage.
Liu Lanying didn't know how long she tossed and turned before falling asleep the previous night. When she woke up, she felt she had been incredibly brave and had finally endured it, thus being worthy of being by Ye Tiancheng's side. However, when she tried to get up to cook for Ye Tiancheng, she discovered that she had many sores on her hands.
The sores were slowly healing, but they still looked disgusting. Liu Lanying even felt unworthy of cooking for Ye Tiancheng.
How could she face Ye Tiancheng with such a disfigured appearance? She felt incredibly humble.
When she found the note Ye Tiancheng had left, Liu Lanying's heart sank. It seemed they were truly not suited to live together. She had originally come to make Ye Tiancheng's life easier, but instead, she had scared him away. Wasn't this the legendary counterproductive outcome?
Since Ye Tiancheng had chosen to leave, Liu Lanying decided not to stay there any longer. She sent Ye Tiancheng a message, informing him that she would be leaving.
Liu Lanying's body was covered in unhealed sores. She couldn't possibly appear before Ye Tiancheng in such a state. Even if Ye Tiancheng hadn't intended to leave, Liu Lanying would have fled first.
"Brother Ye, when I first came to accompany you, I had good intentions. I just didn't expect to cause you so much trouble, and I feel very guilty. I'm leaving now, leaving everything for you. I also hope that everything will be well for you."
Liu Lanying didn't mention anything about the sores all over her body.
If she were to mention such a thing, it would very likely make Ye Tiancheng feel even worse, so it was better not to say anything.
Liu Lanying left the small cabin dejectedly. At first, Ye Tiancheng didn't dare to return, fearing that Liu Lanying was just bluffing. But after seeing Liu Lanying's photo confirming she was home, Ye Tiancheng returned to the cabin under the cover of darkness.
He had endured a lot of suffering that day. He had collapsed in the forest due to pain, rolling around in agony that was beyond words, yet there was no one to accompany him. He had to bear all this pain alone, which was the most agonizing part.
He had finally endured it, but Ye Tiancheng truly didn't want to go through it again. Cold sweat covered his body, and he felt like he was dying.
Upon returning to the cabin, Ye Tiancheng lay on the bed, feeling that everything was meaningless. He wanted to use his true qi to strike his own Tianling Gai (crown chakra). Only then would death be the least painful for a cultivator; consciousness would be lost in an instant.
The desire to end his own life grew stronger and stronger. Ye Tiancheng could barely control himself. A voice in his heart kept telling him that living now meant only pain, and only by abandoning everything and giving up his life could he escape all suffering.
"Heaven, why must you make me suffer so much? Since you control everything, you should let me go. I bore this responsibility for the sake of all beings. Why must a good person like me endure such heart-wrenching pain?"
Ye Tiancheng shouted for a while. After a brief release, he felt much better, no longer as agitated. Perhaps he just needed an outlet for his emotions. Human emotions are like that; when a lot of frustration builds up, letting it out with a shout can bring a lot of clarity.
After venting, he broke out in a sweat and felt a bit tired. Ye Tiancheng naturally fell asleep, a very deep sleep.
However, Ye Tiancheng had a terrifying dream. In his dream, his beloved daughter suddenly spat blood, and then the blood ignited.
He saw his daughter's small body being burned beyond recognition in the flames, quickly consumed by the fire, leaving only a small skeleton. He felt that even this small skeleton would soon turn to ash.
This was incredibly terrifying. Ye Tiancheng cherished his daughter the most. Seeing the person he loved most die before his eyes was a mental torment far greater than the superficial physical torment.
Ye Tiancheng woke up from the dream with a pained cry. Even though he realized it was just a dream and nothing so terrible had actually happened, the fear in his heart did not diminish at all; instead, it intensified.
Ye Tiancheng's heart pounded uncontrollably. The thought of his daughter made him feel as if his heart would shatter. He felt increasingly distressed, and all of this was almost crushing him. He felt that life had lost all meaning.
"I know your curse is terrifying. Please, do not visit your wrath upon my daughter. If you do not wish for me to live, perhaps I can die before you right now."