Chapter 14

When we arrived at Lu He’s place, Shen Xianzhi didn’t go inside. “You two should have a good talk.”

I looked at him for a moment and promised, “I’ll be out soon.”

He smiled. “Alright.”

I walked into the bedroom, just in time to meet Lu He’s gaze as he looked up.

He looked utterly exhausted, his lips pale, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, making his face appear even more wan and frail.

I pressed my lips together. “Why won’t you take your medicine?”

Lu He was silent for a while before he spoke, his voice hoarse. “I’m sorry.”

I looked at him without speaking.

“What I said last night was really awful. I’m sorry.”

“Alright, I accept your apology,” I said softly. “Please take your medicine. Zhao Yue is really worried about you.”

“And what about you?” Lu He looked straight at me. “Are you worried about me?”

I sighed and turned away. “I’m leaving now.”

“Jiajia.” Lu He called out to me, his voice slow and deliberate. “I used to think I loved Zhao Yue, but now I realize it was just the stubbornness of youth.”

“All along, the one by my side was you.”

His voice was so hoarse it was almost indescribable, each word forced out with effort.

“Jiajia, I love you.”

“But I don’t love you anymore.”

I looked into his eyes, my voice calm and even. “Lu He, no one will wait for you forever.”

…

I hadn’t expected Zhao Yue to be standing at the bedroom door.

Her face was deathly pale, her expression haggard, and her eyes were swollen.

She must have heard everything Lu He and I said.

“Jiajia.” Her voice was raspy, thick with exhaustion. “In the end, you still won.”

I looked at her in silence.

Zhao Yue lowered her eyes.

“After Lu He came back last night, he just kept drinking in silence, glass after glass. Nothing I said made any difference.”

“Later, when I tried to help him to bed, he shoved me away. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes then-full of disgust, not a trace of affection. Do you know what he said to me?”

She paused, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “His eyes were bloodshot as he said, ‘It was just like that night. I can’t make the same mistake again, or you’ll leave me.'”