Wang Yue slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping across the room. It was lavishly decorated, far more elegant than anything she was used to. As she took in her surroundings, her eyes landed on Wang Mei, fast asleep beside her, clutching her hand tightly. A wave of relief washed over her, and with a gentle touch, she stroked Wang Mei's head.
Click.
The door creaked open, and Chen Fan stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. His face lit up the moment he saw her awake.
"You're awake," he said, his expression softening with relief.
Wang Yue turned her gaze toward Chen Fan and gave a small nod. Truthfully, she wasn't sure how to face him. Her emotions churned into a chaotic storm. Was it gratitude? Of course, she was grateful—Chen Fan had saved her before, and this time was no different. Yet, a deep-seated resentment festered within her. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't dismiss the fact that because of him, she and Wang Mei had been placed in danger. He had ignored her, and the consequences had nearly cost them their lives.
As she glanced toward the window, she noticed the sun beginning to set. Had she really been asleep for so long? A pang of unease settled in her chest—her mother must be worried.
"I already informed Aunt Ye Lan that you're here," Chen Fan said, as if reading her thoughts. "Why don't you eat something first?" He stepped closer and settled beside the bed, offering her the food.
"I'm not hungry," Wang Yue murmured. She didn't know how to face him, and right now, all she wanted was to be alone.
Chen Fan hesitated, noticing the lack of warmth in her voice. A bitter smile tugged at his lips, but instead of retreating, he made a decision. Lowering his head, he bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice solemn. "Because of me, you had to suffer. If you hate me, if you curse me, I won't complain. But please… let me make it up to you."
Wang Yue's eyes widened slightly. This… this was the first time she had ever seen Chen Fan like this—humble, serious. He had always carried himself with an air of confidence, a hint of playfulness ever present in his demeanor. But now, he was different.
"It's fine," she replied, her voice quiet. "After all, you've already saved me twice."
Chen Fan shook his head, his expression darkening with guilt. "How can it be the same?" he murmured bitterly. "Because of me, you might become a target in the future. So please, at least let me do this much."
Wang Yue stared at him, stunned by the raw remorse in his eyes. She had never seen him look so vulnerable, so open about his emotions.
"As you already know, I possess an unusual power—I'm a cultivator," he admitted. "And the man who kidnapped you… he was one of my enemies. No matter what you say, I can't just leave you to face the consequences alone." He clenched his fists. "Because of my arrogance, someone who had no power was forcibly dragged from a peaceful life and thrown into a world of danger. And now… you have to live with that danger hanging over you."
"Then what do you intend to do?" Wang Yue's voice was eerily calm. "Are you planning to protect us for the rest of your life? Or perhaps you want to restrict our movements, keep a constant watch over us?" Her eyes locked onto his, cold and unreadable. "Tell me, are you trying to save us… or are you just trying to ease your own conscience so you won't feel guilty?"
"I—" Chen Fan faltered, caught off guard by her emotionless tone. For the first time, he found himself at a loss for words.
"I can give you a cultivation technique," he said after a brief silence. "I can ask my sect to ensure your family's safety—"
"Do you think that's what I want?" Wang Yue's voice rose slightly, cutting him off. "Do you think I want to be like you? To become some all-powerful being who can fly and wield supernatural abilities?"
Chen Fan opened his mouth but quickly closed it again, unable to respond.
"I only ever wanted a simple life," Wang Yue continued, her voice trembling. "I wanted to ease my mother's burdens, support my sister, find someone to marry, have children… But now, that life is gone. Now, I have to live with the knowledge that some lunatic is out there, watching, waiting to come after me and my family at any moment."
Her breath hitched as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm scared… It's painful…" Her voice cracked as she clutched Chen Fan's collar, her fingers trembling. "When he tried to kill Mei, when he treated it all like some twisted form of amusement… When he pierced my body while casually talking about his plans, toying with our emotions like it was nothing…" Her shoulders shook, and the horror of that moment came rushing back—his laughter, the agony, the suffocating dread.
"And now you're telling me I have to face that again in the future?" A sob escaped her lips. "What do you think I am? Some kind of heroine? Some kind of saint?"
Chen Fan's heart clenched painfully as he looked at her tear-streaked face, her fragile, trembling figure.
"And now, you want to teach me cultivation?" Wang Yue's voice was filled with disbelief. "Do you think I'd be happy to become some so-called 'superhuman'?" Her voice grew louder, her frustration boiling over. "Do you think I'm the kind of woman who would willingly throw away everything just for the sake of power?"
"No, I don't mean it like that… I—" Chen Fan's voice was unsteady, pained. He could only watch helplessly as Wang Yue vented her emotions, her grief, her anger.
"I just… I just want to keep you safe," he finally whispered.
"Keep me safe?" Wang Yue let out a bitter laugh. "After ignoring me for so long? While you were off with other women, enjoying their company, delighting in their messages?"
Chen Fan flinched, his eyes clouding over. "I truly couldn't contact you back then. I was in a place where outside communication wasn't possible."
"Then that's just how our relationship is, isn't it?" Wang Yue's tone was cold, her words sharp as a blade. "You never even thought to tell me, never considered letting me know that you'd be unreachable. You didn't expect me to call, did you?" She let out a hollow laugh. "To you, I was nothing more than someone you could talk to when it was convenient for you—someone you could meet at your leisure."
Chen Fan's throat tightened, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself completely and utterly speechless.
"No, it's not that. I—" Chen Fan took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "I really like spending time with you—making jokes, teasing you, playing with Mei. Those moments… I cherish them."
His gaze darkened slightly as he continued, his voice quieter, more introspective. "I'm not someone who likes to show my emotions. I don't trust people easily—aside from my master, I've never truly let anyone in. I've spent my life masking my feelings, always analyzing, studying, testing, predicting how others will act. I've constantly weighed their usefulness, their worth… But you—" He exhaled softly. "You're so open with yourself. You don't hide behind a mask. When you're angry, you show it. When you're sad, you don't suppress it. When you're happy, you embrace it fully. You trust so easily, open your heart without hesitation… and you chase your dreams with everything you have."
Chen Fan's fingers trembled slightly as he reached out and gently took Wang Yue's hand in his own. His touch was warm, careful.
"Compared to you, I don't even know what I'm trying to achieve. I've spent so long trying to become the person others expect me to be, going wherever the current takes me, never truly deciding my own path. But you… you're braver than me in ways I can't even describe."
He tightened his grip ever so slightly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. "I will become strong enough so that you'll never have to feel fear again. I will become smart enough to ensure that no danger ever reaches you. So please, don't say things like that. Even though it hasn't been long since we've known each other, I truly want to be closer to you. I treasure our relationship."
As Wang Yue sat there, staring at him in a daze, she could only listen as his words sank in, their weight pressing against her heart. She watched the slight tremor in his hands, the raw emotion in his voice, the pained sincerity in his expression.
He valued her. He had opened up to her—his true self.
Thump Thump Thump
Suddenly, her face felt unbearably hot.
"A-Alright, I get it. So let go of my hand." She quickly averted her gaze, her voice slightly flustered. "And… I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I—I know it wasn't your fault. I didn't mean it that way."
A brief silence stretched between them before she spoke again, still avoiding his eyes. "Can you… step out for a bit? I want to be alone for a moment."
Chen Fan studied her for a second before nodding. "Alright. Call me if you need anything."
With that, he slowly got up and exited the room, closing the door behind him.
The moment he was outside, he leaned against the wall, his heartbeat still unsteady. His mind replayed everything he had just said, his own words echoing back at him.
His face gradually turned red.
"...That was so cringe."