"What...what are you saying?"

Did he remember? Or was it just delirium caused by a high fever?

Qianxu was flustered and tried to push Lu Rang away, but his hot hand grabbed her wrist.

Lu Rang stared intently at her, his gaze seemingly intent on devouring her. "Are you doing this for my own good? Or because you think I can't protect you? Or have you never truly believed in my determination to stay with you?"

His questioning relentlessly pressed on.

Shang Wu was filled with doubt and uncertainty, unsure whether Lu Rang was recalling the past or still regarded her as a woman who had wronged him.

All she could do was struggle instinctively: "Lu Rang! You're delirious with fever!"

Looking at her lips, the last shred of reason in Lu Rang's eyes burned away.

He lowered his head and pressed his lips hard against Shang Wu's.

Shang Wu's eyes widened, and she used all her strength to turn her head away, placing her hands on his burning chest and pushing him away forcefully.

Lu Rang was pushed away by her, and his back hit the back of the sofa, aggravating his burns.

He let out a muffled groan and stopped moving.

He closed his eyes, enduring the overwhelming pain.

Shang Wu was at a loss, then belatedly realized that he was still injured: "Lu Rang, are you alright..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Rang suddenly reached out and, with an almost brutal force, slashed his thumb across Shang Wu's lips, as if trying to erase something that didn't exist.

Shang Wu's lips stung from his action, and she stared at him in astonishment.

"Don't worry," Lu Rang's voice was cold, "I won't touch you."

He released her, staggered to his feet, and looked down at Shang Wu, his eyes regaining their previous rationality, even more so.

It was as if the image of Lu Rang, who had just been in pain and out of control, was just an illusion.

“You’re right.” Lu Rang forced a cold smile. “I should get along well with Lu You, after all…”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across Shang Wu's face like a knife, each word striking with crystal clarity:

"Not everyone is like you, Shang Wu, who gives up so easily."

After saying that, he didn't look at her again, and even ignoring the raging typhoon outside, he opened the door and left resolutely.

Shang Wu stood frozen in place, the stinging sensation of his thumb still lingering on her lips, his last words echoing repeatedly in her ears.

Not everyone is like you, giving up so easily.

Overwhelmed by immense grievance and heartache, Shang Wu finally couldn't hold back her tears and they streamed down her face.

He knows nothing.

He knows absolutely nothing, so what gives him the right to accuse her like that?

She barely slept all night. When she woke up the next morning, she felt dizzy and lightheaded, with a dry and sore throat. She had clearly caught a chill, and coupled with her emotional turmoil, she fell ill.

Shang Wu forced herself to pour herself a glass of hot water, then curled up on the sofa on the first floor of the studio. She was wrapped in a thick blanket, but she still felt chilly, weak, and pale.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, the doorbell rang.

Shang Wu reluctantly got up to open the door, but instead of A Ying, Lu You was standing outside carrying an exquisite fruit basket and tonics.

She was impeccably dressed and had exquisite makeup, seemingly radiant and full of energy at all times.

"Awu? I heard about the typhoon last night. I was worried you must be scared being all alone here, so I came to check on you. You look so pale. Are you sick?"

As soon as Lu You entered, she asked him a series of questions with concern, her tone gentle and warm.

Shang Wu invited her in, her voice hoarse: "It's nothing, I just caught a bit of a cold, thank you for your concern, Sister You."

Lu You put her things down without a second thought, and then very naturally reached out to touch Shang Wu's forehead, her gesture as intimate as if they were longtime friends.

"Oh dear, you have a slight fever. Have you taken any medicine? Do you want me to go to the hospital with you?"

"No need, Sister You, I just need to rest for a bit." Shang Wu turned her head slightly to avoid her touch.

I don't know if it's because of my illness, but my senses have become unusually sensitive.

As Shang Wu watched Lu You bustling around, showing concern for her, she felt a strange feeling stronger than ever before.

From their initial accidental encounter in the wrong meeting room, Lu You showed her extraordinary enthusiasm and friendliness, took the initiative to approach her, and quickly addressed her as a sister.

Is all of this really just a coincidence and Lu You's innate enthusiasm and kindness?

Shang Wu didn't want to assume malice from the person who had always shown her kindness, but as various signs piled up, her suspicions grew uncontrollably.

Lu You seemed oblivious to Shang Wu's silence. She sat down on the sofa opposite her, sighed softly, and looked tired.

“Awu, actually, I came here today not only to see you, but also because I was feeling really stifled and wanted to talk to someone.”

Lu You's voice lowered, tinged with confusion, "There might be something wrong between me and A-Rang."

Shang Wu's heart tightened slightly. She looked up at her but didn't reply.

Lu You gave a bitter smile, her eyes vacant, as if talking to herself: "To outsiders, we are about to get engaged and married, everything is perfect, he treats me very well, he is considerate and caring, there is not a single fault in him, but I always feel that something is wrong."

She paused, then looked at Shang Wu: "Sometimes he's like an empty shell. Everything he does and says fits the standards of a perfect boyfriend or fiancé, but I always feel like I can't feel his real emotions. It's like he's playing a role instead of actually liking me."

Shang Wu's fingers unconsciously clenched the edge of the blanket.

Hollow Man?

No.

When he was with her, Lu Rang always appeared cold, but in reality, he wanted to burn her with love.

Lu You didn't notice Shang Wu's subtle reaction, and her tone became more hesitant: "This relationship makes me feel very tired and unreal. I've even started to doubt whether we should really get married? Maybe breaking up would be better for both of us?"

She suddenly stared at Shang Wu: "A-Wu, what do you think? Do you think... he and I should break up?"

Shang Wu lowered her eyes, avoiding Lu You's probing gaze. Her voice was still hoarse, but it carried a clear sense of distance and boundaries.

“Sister You, this is a very private matter between you and Mr. Lu. As an outsider, I have no position and it is not appropriate for me to express my opinion.”

She paused, then said firmly, "Whether you two are together is your own decision; it has nothing to do with me."