Chapter 17 Numb.17 Dismantling Bones and Entering the Stomach

It was her scent.

Jie Ying let his clothes be pulled, feeling as if he were rooted to the spot, not daring to move. His hands, hanging by his sides, twitched slightly, his stiffness and tension causing him to sweat. He unconsciously softened his breathing, afraid of disturbing the person in front of him.

My heart was about to stop beating, and I was on edge, not daring to relax for even a moment.

Jie Ying thought, there couldn't be a more wonderful trap in this world.

He wanted to be entwined with her forever and ever, not just as twin lotuses, but as two flowers blooming side by side. The flowers growing on the ground intertwined, while the roots buried in the soil entwined and fell into the abyss.

"Why are you avoiding me?" After a moment, Xu Wu asked this question without any emotion.

"I..." Looking into her dark eyes, Jie Ying stammered for once. He didn't dare to look into her eyes, and just as he was about to subconsciously lower his head, Xu Wu tugged at his clothes again.

“Look up at me,” she said coldly.

Jie Ying did as she was told, and then Xu Wu narrowed his eyes and asked forcefully, "Tell me, why have you been avoiding me these past few days?"

This is a question.

His tone was clearly flat, but it was anything but calm.

Jie Ying looked at the hand that Xu Wu was holding onto her clothes. The fingers were slender, and the knuckles protruded slightly when she restrained her strength. The blue blood vessels under the skin could be easily seen, and the nails were neatly trimmed.

Like a work of art preserved in formalin.

Jieying blinked.

Miraculously, he no longer felt anxious, and his breathing gradually became steady.

"Is Wu angry?" The fear he felt before his arrival was now completely disregarded. He was as calm as a detached bystander, but the tremor in his voice was impossible to conceal. He held his breath and carefully said, "It's because of me... I posted it..."

Lacking the courage to speak, Jie Ying paused and fell silent.

He dared not look at Xu Wu's expression, afraid of seeing the same disgust as in his dream. It was like sitting blankly on the mountain at sunset, watching the afterglow fade from him until he was shrouded in darkness, cold and lonely, close to death.

He didn't know how Xu Wu found out, but when he glanced at the message on the WeChat interface that time, he couldn't help but panic and feel helpless, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. The torment and burning sensation of the illness were replaced by a heavy stone pressing down on him.

Xu Wu discovered it. When did he discover it? His hand holding the phone was trembling, and fear spread from his eyes to his face.

She knew, she really knew.

Jie Ying was truly desperate at that moment, but it has to be admitted that—

He was afraid she would find out, yet he was also afraid she would know nothing at all.

At that moment, he dared not think of anything. When he chased after her, he could only see Xu Wu closing the door heavily, completely isolating them the instant it closed.

When Jie Ying came out, she didn't even have time to put on shoes, and stepped barefoot onto the floor, which was icy cold. In the huge room, Xu Wu's departure took away her unique freesia scent, leaving not a trace, and the air was eerily quiet.

He dared not see her, yet he still longed to see her.

Then, despite his fever turning into a cold, he came over, only to hear Xu Wu telling the girl in front of him that he didn't care as soon as he got to the club. His expression was very indifferent, as if he were talking about something unimportant.

She doesn't seem to care; you should be relieved.

Jie Ying clung tightly to the door frame, staring unblinkingly at Xu Wu, his hands gripping so tightly that the veins bulged. Xu Wu didn't seem angry, but he suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

"And then?" Xu Wu said calmly and composedly.

Just three words were enough to pull Jie Ying back to reality. He looked up at Xu Wu as if grasping at a straw, only to find that her expression hadn't changed much, or rather—

Nothing has changed at all; just like she said, she really doesn't care.

Jie Ying felt as if her heart had been struck hard, and her nose felt a little sore.

“Then…” He lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse: “When Wu came, I… I was really happy.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wu suddenly smiled: "Jie Ying."

She whispered, "You like me?"

A very small smile, so small it can be ignored.

But it was truly captured by Jie Ying.

The alluring thorns compelled him to keep moving forward, even as he withered away.

He wanted to hug, he wanted to touch, and he was obsessed with it.

After a moment of silence, Jie Ying opened his mouth—

“No…” he said.

He still didn't look at her, as if deliberately avoiding her gaze.

Xu Wu withdrew her hand and stared at him quietly, trying to find something on his face. She didn't know what she was looking for, but there was really nothing.

Jie Ying wasn't lying.

Then she suddenly smiled slowly, but only for two seconds before her face darkened abruptly: "What did you say?"

"No." Jie Ying pursed his lips, clutching the hem of his clothes with both hands, but still explained earnestly, "I... I won't like it. If I do like it, no, don't worry."

He wasn't lying; that's really what he thought.

Xu Wu felt she should be happy, so why did she feel so angry?

"Don't worry?" Xu Wu repeated, emphasizing each word.

Now I can tell her not to worry. Why didn't I tell her not to worry when I sent her those kinds of messages and used her photos to masturbate before?

"I'll just be... just someone who looks up at the fog, that's enough for me." Jie Ying was a little clumsy with words, but she still tried her best to explain. As if she had thought of something happy, her eyes curved slightly: "The fog, no, you don't need to look at me, and I won't... won't have any other influence on the fog."

The person who looked up at her?

Where exactly do I place myself?

Xu Wu felt a nameless anger simmering inside her. She took a deep breath, suppressing a laugh that seemed to turn into rage, her face displaying a cold indifference that kept everyone at arm's length: "Someone like you..."

She paused, a mocking look on her face: "No matter where you throw it, it won't make me look back."

After saying that, he ignored Jie Ying, who was still stunned, and walked past him with a cold face towards the club. He walked quickly, but did not notice that his flowing hair seemed to brush against Jie Ying's cheek and even chin.

The itch was fleeting, but Jieying endured it.

Xu Wu's words almost killed him; her voice seemed to be raining down on his heart, violent and capable of tearing him apart completely.

He didn't dare let her turn back.

He didn't even want to imagine the scene where Xu Wu wouldn't even spare him a glance anymore; the ashes would burn him, and a wail would come from the cracks in his bones.

He will die in this sacrifice.

Xu Wu stopped in front of the tightly closed clubhouse door. Her hand, which was hanging by her side, twitched, but she didn't push the door open immediately.

Jieying hadn't returned yet, and the surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of rehearsals coming from the clubhouse, which was barely audible through the door.

She realized she couldn't understand Jieying.

It is dull, rigid, and gloomy. Unlike mushrooms, which are edible, this is purely ornamental. Although it is non-toxic, it does not inspire any desire.

...Inaccurate.

Xu Wu dismissed her earlier thought. It wasn't that she was without desire; at least, the excitement and trembling she felt in her body when he gazed at her so intensely was undeniable.

She belatedly realized that, just as Jie Ying longed for her, she also longed for Jie Ying's gaze.

Or perhaps we should regard her as a star in the sky, or as mist in the dust.

But none of that matters anymore.

Xu Wu opened the door with a stern face. The group of people inside, who were huddled together discussing the script, turned to look at her, but quickly turned back to continue chattering and reciting their lines.

Fu Xi walked over, glanced behind her as if to make a gesture, and asked curiously, "Jie Ying didn't come back with you?"

“He doesn’t need it.” Xu Wu closed the door.

"Did you have a fight?" Fu Xi chuckled.

"...It wasn't an argument."

"Okay, okay, you're not arguing with that face."

Xu Wu didn't think there was anything wrong with his expression; at most, he was just a little annoyed.

It's more psychological; many times, including now, she hopes that Jieying's madness will be more clearly defined.

Madness is despicable—until it becomes a habit.

"Arguing at this point is no good," Chu Lian muttered to himself as he sat on a red plastic chair, scrolling through his phone.

He arrived relatively late, having only been there a short time, so he was completely unaware of what had happened earlier. However, he could easily piece together the story from Xu Wu and Fu Xi's brief conversation.

He had a vague impression of Jie Ying; he was the junior who lied to him, saying that Xu Wu wasn't in the classroom. He was quite cunning.

The second time I saw this name was on the list of performers for New Year's Day that Fu Xi gave me, and the third time is now.

Xu Wu glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.

She's not in the mood to talk right now.

"Alright, alright," Fu Xi quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "It's good that it wasn't an argument, but where is he?"

"Outside," Xu Wu said without much reaction, "they might have left too."

"..." Fu Xi's eyes widened: "No? You just let him go?"

"How can I keep him?" Xu Wu pursed her lips.

Wouldn't it be better if he left? How could she possibly keep him? Her intense yet fragile pride compelled her to leave, and no one would make her beg to stay.

Just as Fu Xi was about to speak, Xu Wu immediately guessed what she wanted to say and said in front of her, "You said you can just find something to replace him, it doesn't matter."

"...This isn't a matter of whether it matters or not." Fu Xi sighed in exasperation. "They came to rehearse while they were sick, and then I told them they didn't need me and could go home. Do you think that's appropriate?"

But what can be done if it's not a good fit? Xu Wu suddenly wanted to ask that question.

He was the one watching her, and he was also the one who wanted to leave without a word, so what was the point of having her? She should be happy that the annoying guy was away.

"He just has a bit of a cold, it's nothing serious." Xu Wu took the script from Fu Xi's hand, draped it over his arm, and flipped through a couple of pages, only to find that he couldn't concentrate on a single word and found it utterly unappealing.

"A cold can easily turn into a fever if it gets too severe," Chu Lian kindly reminded him.

"A cold that came down from a fever," Xu Wu replied casually.

Upon hearing this, Fu Xi and Chu Lian exchanged a knowing glance.

The latter coughed lightly and asked tentatively, "How did you know?"

How did she know? Xu Wu paused in turning the page, unconsciously picking up the corner of the page.

Jie Ying definitely didn't take any medicine. She suddenly realized that it was just a minor fever, not enough to warrant taking three days off.

Aside from deliberately avoiding her, the only other possibility left is that he is sick.

"It's not important." With that thought, Xu Wu handed the script back to Fu Xi and hurriedly turned around: "I have something to do, I'll go first."

Without waiting for the two people standing there, he opened and closed the door.

Chu Lian looked puzzled: "The two of them?"

Fu Xi patted his shoulder, feigning seriousness.

There was no one outside the corridor, and a cool breeze was blowing.

Xu Wu walked back to the place where he and Jie Ying had been, but Jie Ying wasn't there.

Even his scent was gone from the air, swept away and crushed by the wind without mercy, leaving not even the slightest trace, as if it were all an illusion.

Xu Wu couldn't help but doubt herself: had she really met Jie Ying?

It was 9:40.

The bell ringing to signal the end of the last evening self-study session brought Xu Wu back to reality.

Xu Wu finally took out his phone and glanced at the screen. Apart from the message from Fang Rumei, there was nothing else.

She stopped thinking about random things, composed herself, clicked on the audio file, and held it to her ear—

"I've already spoken to your brother. Come back this week; he'll sleep in the living room."

This was the biggest concession Fang Rumei could make, without considering that letting a stranger into the girl's room was wrong in itself.

Regardless of whether the person in question consented, this is not the first or second time that someone has made decisions for her without her consent.

Parents who feel neglected often try to control their children, making them submit and obey, even to the point of being completely subservient, in order to gain maximum attention and satisfaction from them.

Five: Stop sending me these.

Xu Wu returned.

The message "The other party is typing" was displayed for about a minute and then stopped changing, and no new messages popped up.

Xu Wu had just put her phone back in her pocket when she heard the club door being pulled open from the inside. She turned around—

Aside from Fu Xi, the rest of the group walked out hand in hand in twos and threes to say goodbye. In contrast, Chu Lian followed Fu Xi nonchalantly. After the others had walked away, she nudged her shoulder and said, "What about me? What about me?"

Fu Xi got goosebumps all over his body from the provocation. He shrugged his shoulders, rubbed his arms, and said disdainfully, "You're still here? You'll be lucky if you're not late next week."

"Who am I late for?" Chu Lian chuckled. "If someone hadn't specifically requested a certain brand of water, would I have bothered running around looking for a vending machine?"

They weren't speaking loudly, but it was still easy to hear them in the corridor.

Xu Wu didn't interrupt, and just as Fu Xi was about to kick someone, Chu Lian quickly ran away, leaving Xu Wu stomping her feet in anger.

"I hope everything's alright." Xu Wu then walked over at the opportune moment, saying casually, "If nothing's wrong, I'll be going now."

"Of course." Fu Xi turned to stare at her.

Xu Wu felt a chill run down her spine at that look. She frowned and asked, "What?"

The next second, Fu Xi grabbed her wrist without saying a word. The skin began to warm up as their hands touched, and her skin became smooth and delicate.

Xu Wu's face stiffened, and she almost subconsciously shook off Fu Xi, but she managed to hold back, her breathing trembling slightly.

This position was maintained for almost forty seconds.

Fu Xi observed Xu Wu's facial expressions and body reactions, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was not under high stress. Then he took a step back and let go of her hand.

To be fair, Fu Xi's grip wasn't very strong. It's just that Xu Wu's skin is too fair, and even a light touch on her wrist would leave a faint red mark, let alone the large area now, which wouldn't disappear anytime soon.

"Not bad," Fu Xi said with satisfaction. "Did you do desensitization training?"

"It's alright." Xu Wu rubbed her wrist, which had been pinched.

Strictly speaking, her contact with Jie Ying didn't qualify as desensitization training; it was merely intentional, or you could say it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Rather than letting others touch you, it's better to choose someone who won't fight back even if you swing them around. Clearly, Jieying is such a person.

"Who did you ask for help?" Fu Xi asked, leaning closer.

Xu Wu was startled by the sudden magnification of her face in front of him. He steadied himself and mumbled, "Nobody."

"Is it the person you don't care about?" Fu Xi teased her deliberately.

As expected, Xu Wu glared at her, but it had no effect whatsoever.

"I'm not mocking you." Fu Xi shrugged, walking across the street to close the window, a task usually done by the last person left in the club. "I'm saying that since you don't reject him, why not give it a try?"

“After all, we’ve known each other for so long, and this is the first time I’ve met you completely in person.” Fu Xi smiled. “It feels pretty good.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wu paused for a moment, then looked down at the red mark on her wrist that was almost gone.

Fu Xi knew she didn't like being touched, so they had always consciously or unconsciously avoided physical contact when they were together. But it turned out... they had never even shared a hug?

"Did you hear that?" Fu Xi couldn't help but ask when he saw her in a daze.

"Hmm," Xu Wu said softly, "I heard you."

In conclusion, goodbye to the film.

She could certainly provide the contact he desired.

"Xu Wu," Fu Xi called out to her from the window.

"Hmm?" Xu Wu asked.

The other person pointed out the window, raised an eyebrow, and said, "There's someone downstairs."

Xu Wumei's heart skipped a beat, and she had a premonition that was neither good nor bad.

"Wait for you, why don't you come down and meet her?" Fu Xi made room for her.

Outside the window was the path through the small grove where Jie Ying had knelt down to apply medicine to her knees. The wind blew their hair together, and Xu Wu raised her hand to smooth her hair before turning her gaze to where Fu Xi was pointing.

She was stunned by that one glance.

Jie Ying didn't leave. He sat on the bench, the dim light pouring down from above, making him appear blurry and difficult for Xu Wu to see clearly.

He didn't leave, and sat there for a long time.

Despite the distance, Xu Wu couldn't see his face hidden behind the mask.

Immediately afterwards, as if sensing something, Jie Ying suddenly raised her head and stared straight at them.

It was hard to describe what his eyes looked like, but Xu Wu inexplicably felt that the rugged moonlight should be reflected in his eyes, filled with the most intense warm wine, the aroma wafting towards them in wisps, carrying an unknown allure.

A long exchange of gazes took place between them, with no sound other than the collision of their eyes.

Xu Wu unconsciously gripped the windowsill, and she suddenly felt a little hesitant to look at Jie Ying.

That gaze felt like it wanted to tear her apart and devour her whole. What was truly terrifying was that she found she couldn't give any reason to refuse.

Author's Note: Hehehe, it's late again [droopy-eared rabbit head]. Private Marseille, as usual, red envelopes will be sent every 24 hours. Hug me a little...

I originally wanted to combine all three parts into one post, but I didn't have time. The remaining 5,000 words will be added to tomorrow's update.

After thinking about it, I have a few reminders to mention.

Xu Wu and Jie Ying aren't perfect people; their flaws are quite obvious. There's no need to arbitrarily define their "normality." If you feel uncomfortable watching, just leave. [droopy-eared rabbit head] It's convenient for everyone, and it doesn't make you feel upset, right? [droopy-eared rabbit head]