The night was deep, and the world was silent.
"Su Wen!"Lu Shiyan woke up from a nightmare, gasping for breath, his hand clutching at his chest.I saw sweat covering his forehead, his chest rising and falling erratically.He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, dialed my number again, but it was still off. He opened our chat history, and the last message I had sent him was the one where he had threatened me. Only then did he realize that I might really be angry, as I had never disappeared for more than three days before.He muttered under his breath, "Women are such a hassle..."Then, he called his assistant. "Go to the jewelry store first thing tomorrow, buy the Heart of the Ocean diamond, and also get a bouquet of yellow roses."Yellow roses symbolized apology.
In his eyes, my disappearance was just like all the times before—a petty argument that could be solved with a gift and a few sweet words. I'd come back easily, just like before.
He turned in bed, unable to sleep. His face was filled with pain. Without thinking, he called out, "Su Wen, bring me my stomach medicine."The room was eerily empty, no response.
I looked at him, clutching his stomach, clearly in pain.His stomach issues had been a problem for a while. I had spent years helping him with it, always prepared with stomach medicine and painkillers, just in case. But ever since my miscarriage, I had stopped taking care of him as I once did, and with Su Ning'an deliberately trying to seduce him, he had spent most of his time with her in the past three months.Without me there to help, his stomach problems had worsened.
Lu Shiyan curled up in pain on the bed, clutching his stomach.I stood at the window, watching the snowflakes dance in the light of the streetlamps.I didn't feel sympathy for him anymore. After all, I was already dead. What more could I do?I couldn't even protect my own body. How could I protect anyone else?And even if Lu Shiyan died, it would be a death he deserved.
The next morning, the assistant arrived at the Lu family house and found Lu Shiyan lying on the floor."Mr. Lu, what happened?" he asked, trying to wake him."Su Wen!" Lu Shiyan suddenly opened his eyes, grabbing the assistant's hand, calling my name.
"Mr. Lu, are you okay? Why are you lying on the floor?"Lu Shiyan froze for a moment, his face pale. "Where is Su Wen?""Isn't she still in Cloud City? What's wrong with you?"Lu Shiyan muttered, confused, "It was just a dream.""Must be because you were thinking about her so much. You've prepared flowers and gifts for her, and everything's ready to go. But you don't look so good. Do you want to go to the hospital first?"Lu Shiyan's face seemed conflicted. Who knew what kind of dream he had had."No, just take me to the airport. Get my clothes ready."
He walked towards the bathroom, his assistant waiting with a beige suit by the door.After a quick wash, Lu Shiyan came out. When he saw the suit, his expression soured."Change it," he ordered.The assistant, still unsure of what was going on, suggested another set.But Lu Shiyan snapped, "Forget it, I'll choose it myself."He angrily opened the wardrobe, finding it full of light-colored suits.It was only then that he realized he hadn't worn dark colors in a long time. I hadn't bought him clothes in over a year.
The whole room, his wardrobe, was filled with items that had everything to do with Su Ning'an.As for me... we had drifted apart long ago.
Finally, he pulled out a black suit, carefully packed in a laundry bag, unscathed by dust.It was the suit he wore when we got engaged, the suit he wore when he still had eyes only for me.I remembered how nervous he was, unable to even tie his own tie, while I wore a white dress.I had helped him adjust the tie, our gazes locking with tenderness in our eyes.I smiled and teased, "Lu Shiyan, you look so handsome in a suit. It makes me want to break all the rules."I stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips, young love full of sweetness and hope.
It was the moment of pure bliss when everything felt like it could last forever.
But now, looking at his reflection in the mirror, that excitement was gone.The nervousness and youthful innocence were replaced with maturity, yet his face was filled with shadows, the weight of the years heavy on him.Love, like time, couldn't be returned.
"Let's go to the airport."The assistant, sensing Lu Shiyan's restlessness, asked, "Mr. Lu, it's still early. How about breakfast first? Your wife always said you need to take your meals on time because of your stomach."Lu Shiyan paused, his hand on the door. The assistant continued, nervously, "Of course, if you're not hungry, you don't have to eat. There's food on the plane.""No need, just prepare a light breakfast at home," he replied, his mind elsewhere.
After a quick meal, he stood up and headed for the car, "Prepare the car, we're going to the airport."
Just as he was about to leave, the maid's voice came from upstairs."Master, something's wrong! Miss has fainted!"Without a second thought, Lu Shiyan rushed upstairs, lifting Su Ning'an into his arms, and rushed out the door.The assistant, unsure, asked, "To the airport?""No, to the hospital."
This wasn't a surprise. For the past two years, every time I had been in trouble, Lu Shiyan had rushed to Su Ning'an without hesitation.And as usual, I felt nothing now. No sorrow, no regret.
I stood by the car, looking up at the second floor. On the balcony, two figures stood—one sitting in a wheelchair, the other standing.Gu Yanchen, with an indifferent gaze, looked on at the unfolding scene. A mocking smile tugged at his lips.
This scene was all too familiar. I wasn't the one he cared for, after all.