Earlier, when he saw Jiang Shuyin on the playground, Lu Yan briefly thought his vision was playing tricks on him.
Recently, as the toxic flare-ups from the Five-Colored Flower poison became more frequent, his sight, hearing, sense of smell, and all other bodily functions had been deteriorating.
He couldn't believe that Jiang Shuyin had actually found this place.
But right now, watching her laughing and chatting with Lin Feng, his heart felt as though it were being gnawed on by ants.
After Jiang Shuyin got her food, she and Lin Feng sat down in the seats directly in front of Lu Yan.
From beginning to end, she never even cast a single glance his way, treating him entirely like a stranger.
Seeing her behavior, Lu Yan truly couldn't understand what was going through her mind.
What exactly was she trying to do?
Even though Jiang Shuyin didn't turn around, she could feel Lu Yan watching her.
She pretended nothing was out of the ordinary, eating her meal and talking with Lin Feng.
For three consecutive days, Jiang Shuyin ignored Lu Yan completely. Even when they crossed paths on campus, she would deliberately avoid him.
That weekend, heavy rain poured from the sky.
Lin Feng invited Jiang Shuyin to his home as a guest.
Jiang Shuyin did not refuse.
When Lu Yan stepped out of his dormitory, he happened to see Lin Feng and Jiang Shuyin sharing a single umbrella as they left the campus.
Their shoulders were almost touching. Whatever Lin Feng said, it made Jiang Shuyin laugh out loud.
Lin Feng was young, handsome, vibrant, and full of life.
Rumor had it that he was the most handsome young man in the small fishing village.
Lu Yan could easily tell that Lin Feng had feelings for Jiang Shuyin.
He refused to believe that Jiang Shuyin couldn't see it too. She had always been someone with strong personal boundaries. For her not to reject Lin Feng's approaches—could it be that she had developed feelings for him as well?
Returning to his room, Lu Yan picked up a cigarette box from his desk, needing a smoke.
Finding it completely empty, he had no choice but to head to the local convenience store.
When the female store owner saw Lu Yan, she looked at him with a complicated expression and asked, Mr. Lu, did you and Miss Jiang really break up?
Back when Jiang Shuyin stayed in the fishing village to care for an injured Lu Yan, the owner had seen firsthand just how attentive and deeply caring she was.
Lu Yan pressed his thin lips together. She and I were never together.
The owner's gaze immediately took on a hint of disdain.
This man was simply too cold and heartless.
Miss Jiang is getting exactly what she deserves. Lin Feng is the most handsome guy in our village. I heard from his parents that it was love at first sight for him, and he is currently pursuing her!
Lu Yan didn't want to say another word to the woman. He coughed a few times, turned around, and walked away.
The owner curled her lip. No wonder Miss Jiang has been getting so close to Lin Feng lately. This Mr. Lu looks like nothing but a sickly weakling.
Lu Yan had forgotten to take the cigarettes he purchased. When he returned to grab them, he happened to overhear the owner's remarks.
His gaunt jawline tightened into a hard line.
He grabbed his cigarettes and, without a single word, strode away swiftly.
He returned to the dilapidated house. A few days prior, he had repaired the roof and fixed up all the doorframes.
He had bought a bed, and on the table sat a bouquet of wildflowers that Jiang Shuyin had once picked for him.
Only, the flowers had long since withered.
Yet he could never bring himself to throw them away.
In the final days of his life, he chose to stay here because this place held sweet memories of him and Jiang Shuyin.
Here, she had taken the initiative to kiss him.
Here, she had let go of the knots in her heart.
Here, she had willingly taken care of him when he was wounded.
He was slowly turning into a ghost of his former self, and he didn't want the person closest to his heart to see him like this.
He thought no one would ever find him here, but to his surprise, she had tracked him down.
And yet, since she arrived, she hadn't spoken a single word to him. He wanted to tell her to leave, but he couldn't even find a valid excuse to do so.
Lu Yan sat on the edge of the bed, chain-smoking two cigarettes.
Thinking of the store owner's words, a bitter taste filled his heart.
He clearly wanted to forget her, but the heart beating in his chest was completely beyond his control.
...
Around nine o'clock that evening, the rain stopped, and Lin Feng walked Jiang Shuyin back to her dormitory.
Just as Jiang Shuyin was about to go inside, Lin Feng called out, Miss Jiang, wait a moment.
Jiang Shuyin stopped in her tracks.
Lin Feng stepped forward, reaching out a long, slender hand to gently brush the top of her head.
A few seconds later, he plucked a fallen leaf from her hair.
A leaf fell on your head, Lin Feng said, a handsome and gentle smile appearing on his face.
Jiang Shuyin returned the smile. Thank you.
Looking at her, a hint of shyness crossed Lin Feng's handsome features. Miss Jiang, next weekend, I'd like to ask you out to the city for some fun. I wonder if you have the time?
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Shuyin caught a glimpse of Lu Yan standing in the shadows. She told Lin Feng, Let me think about it.
Lin Feng nodded. Miss Jiang, to be completely honest, I fell for you the very first moment I saw you.
The smile on Jiang Shuyin's lips deepened. Is that so? But we aren't very familiar with each other yet. We still need to get to know each other better.
No problem, as long as you don't reject me.
From the corner of her eye, Jiang Shuyin kept her focus entirely on the man hiding in the shadows.
Seeing his hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides, yet still refusing to rush out, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes.
Lu Yan desperately suppressed the turbulent emotions surging in his chest.
Based on his understanding of Jiang Shuyin, if she had no interest in a man, she would absolutely reject him outright.
Going to his house for dinner and agreeing to consider a trip to the city together—did she really have feelings for Lin Feng?
When she had taken the initiative to confess her love, he had cruelly rejected her, swearing that she should go find her own happiness.
But now, actually seeing her with another man, he found it incredibly hard to accept.
He didn't dare to look at her and Lin Feng for a second longer, terrified that one more glance would make him rush out in a fit of pure jealousy.
His days were numbered; what right did he have to stop her from being with someone else?
As long as she was happy and joyful, that was enough!
Lu Yan lowered his head and walked away with heavy steps.
Seeing Lu Yan leave, Lin Feng grew a bit anxious. Miss Jiang, did I not act well enough? If Mr. Lu really cared about you, shouldn't he have rushed out to compete with me?
When Lin Feng had first shown interest in her, Jiang Shuyin had immediately told him everything about her and Lu Yan.
Lin Feng had decided to help her out; all those words spoken earlier were deliberately meant for Lu Yan to hear.
Jiang Shuyin lowered her long eyelashes, lost in thought.
She could somewhat understand Lu Yan's current mental state.
He definitely felt that he was dying and didn't want her to see him in such a miserable, tragic condition.
But her mindset was entirely different. Until the very last moment, she refused to give up!
Even if he couldn't be saved in the end, she wanted the person closest to him to be right by his side.
She refused to let him leave this world all alone, in complete isolation.
Jiang Shuyin didn't even dare to picture such a scene. Just the thought of it made her heart ache uncontrollably.
Mr. Lin, I still need you to push things a little further. I don't believe he'll remain indifferent when push comes to shove!
Jiang Shuyin whispered her plan to Lin Feng.
Hearing this, Lin Feng nodded without hesitation. I will follow your arrangements, Miss Jiang!
