Whether the wind was whistling or rustling, it was hard to tell. Compared to the unpredictable and illusory nature of the wind, the leaves falling from the trees seemed much more real. They landed at Ye Zhi and my feet in the same way, while some landed in the puddles, seemingly drifting and swaying, but ultimately trapped in the water, unable to pursue freedom.

In this situation, I actually felt much more relaxed. Whether Ye Zhi was willing to speak or not, I had already done my best.

Yes, I've already called him "darling," so how much more force can I put in?

She should know how desperate I was.

...

Another leaf fell at our feet, and only then did she speak to me, saying, "Before answering your question, I also want to ask you a question."

"Go ahead and ask."

"In your eyes, am I a woman who can be capricious?"

"no."

"And your problem is that you're 'forcing' me to be willful... We're not children anymore. We can't just take a bite of an apple because it tastes good... Maybe there's a pest inside this pretty-looking apple... As adults, the rational thing to do is to remove the pest first, then cut off the necrotic part before we can eat the apple... Right?"

"So, you're still planning to say nothing and maintain the status quo?"

"If you have greater ambitions... then focus on your career... or choose the life you feel is right... I will always silently wish you well and be happy for you."

“I have never seen a more stubborn woman than you... Don’t you feel tired living like this?... Yes, most people think you have everything, but you don’t even have the right to haggle at the market. You have become detached from real life... You will eventually find no way out in the sea of ​​fame and fortune... I can already see your fate. You will suffer!”

"As long as I stick to my beliefs... I'm not afraid of anything."

I laughed: "Yes, you're not afraid of anything... but I'm afraid... afraid of your pain, afraid of your suffering."

"Stop talking..."

Ye Zhi's voice was already choked with sobs...

I made her cry... I was quite aggressive.

I don't necessarily need an answer from her; I genuinely feel sorry for her because her world, at first glance, is like a winter with all the leaves gone—desolate and full of frostbitten wounds...

All I want to do is be a ray of sunshine to warm her.

I finally softened my tone and said to her, "Never mind... if you don't want to talk about it, then don't."

As I spoke, I took off my windbreaker and draped it over her shoulders... I was assertive again, not letting her refuse.

I sat down next to her and lit another cigarette... I didn't say anything more, just kept looking up at the tiny patch of starry sky... Then, I remembered the days I had spent waiting for her, and I cried... without making a sound.

I tried to pull her hand...it was so cold!

...

Another half hour passed, and the other groups finally came over. They called my name and Ye Zhi's name... Even though I heard them, Ye Zhi chose to remain silent, and I didn't respond immediately either.

I didn't shout a reply until I felt they might miss us.

After that sound, our night came to an end.

...

The team leader Ye Zhi brought told me that Yang Sisi had caught a cold and had been sent to the hospital... I offered them payment, but they refused.

I feel like I owe Ye Zhi another huge favor.

I find it strange that I would have such a thought... If we're talking about favors, it's Yang Sisi who owes her.

...

In the darkness, Ye Zhi was changing her shoes. I came to her side and whispered, "I don't know what else to say... but thank you so much. Luckily you were in Dali, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

"There's no need to repeat the same thing over and over... People's safety is more important than anything else."

I nodded and said, "Go back and drink more hot water, don't catch a cold."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."

"Um."

I wanted to say something more, but looking at her strong and resilient appearance, I couldn't bring myself to say anything to express my concern. I just watched her like that... until she changed her shoes.

She noticed I was looking at her, and she was looking at me too.

This time, neither of us looked away.

She pulled out a wet wipe and wiped her hands, then whispered to me, "I'll tell you when you've truly established yourself in Dali... It's not the right time yet."

Are you trying to encourage me to focus on building my career first?

Just understand it that way...

"Okay, I'll take that as encouragement... I hope that day won't be too late."

Ye Zhi glanced at me again, then turned and got into the driver's seat of the car... I stood in the wind and watched her leave.

I think I'm gradually figuring something out.

...

Compared to the others, Chen Jin and I were the last to leave. He asked me, "Where are you going now?"

"Go to the hospital to see Sisi... How was her mental state when you found her?"

“It was really frustrating… but it didn’t take long before she was fine… isn’t that just the kind of person she is?”

I smiled and said, "Hopefully this will teach her a lesson... so she won't keep causing trouble."

Chen Jin laughed, "It seems you've suffered quite a bit at her hands."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!