Chapter 113: Let's Be Together

The doctor sighed and left, leaving Su Chen and Lin Xi standing silently at the hospital room door.

"You go in first," Su Chen said. The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Lin Xi heard his hoarse, strained voice. His expression was calm, yet the faint desperation in his eyes was so intense it felt like a storm was about to break.

Lin Xi found no words of comfort and simply nodded, turning to gently push open the door and step inside.

"Yun Yi," she whispered as she entered, calling her name softly twice. She saw her sitting on the hospital bed, back to the door, gazing out the window lost in thought.

Lin Xi moved a chair beside her and sat quietly by the window, saying nothing, just silently accompanying her. The two girls watched the clouds drifting by, the atmosphere calm and peaceful.

After a long while, Shu Yun Yi continued to stare unblinking at the clouds before speaking faintly, "Look, those clouds are so happy. They're smiling at me—so free."

Hearing this, Lin Xi’s brow furrowed slightly, about to respond, but Yun Yi went on: "Xiao Xi, thank you for still coming to see me. I haven’t been genuinely happy in a long time." She forced a smile, but it was cold and empty.

Then she lowered her head, the curve of her lips disappearing without a trace. "The doctor said I tend towards smiling depression, but right now, I really can’t smile."

Lin Xi was instantly choked up, unable to utter a word, her eyes reddening. She took a deep breath, then reached out to hold her hand tightly, her voice breaking: "Then don’t force yourself to smile."

"Why is it like this?" Yun Yi’s voice trembled with pain. "I really want to get better. Life with my brother has finally settled into a routine, so why do I have to endure this? I want to give up, but I’m reluctant. This world treats me sometimes well, sometimes badly—it feels like a cruel joke." She let out a bitter laugh, a hollow smile.

Lin Xi sighed heavily in her heart.

It turned out a girl could be so deeply sorrowful that she lost all emotion and anger, sitting quietly until suddenly her nose stung and her eyes reddened, feeling she could do nothing right and that the world was profoundly unfair.

"Yun Yi, don’t think like that," Lin Xi said with difficulty, heart aching. "Let the unhappy childhood be in the past. The present is our life. No matter what the outside world thinks, we can’t control their opinions, and we don’t live for them anyway. At least you still have your brother and me—we’re here to support you. We’re your strongest backing. No need to dwell on those things. Remember how carefree and happy we were before? Let’s find that joy again together!"

She refused to give up, gently coaxing her, trying to lead her out of the darkness.

But Yun Yi’s eyes dimmed again. Her hands fidgeted nervously as she bit her lip: "Xiao Xi, what you see isn’t really me. There’s no gentle sunshine or understanding kindness. It’s all just a mask I wear to please others. Wearing that thick mask so long, I’ve forgotten who I really am."

Even Lin Xi was stunned, speechless.

She never imagined the psychological burden Yun Yi bore daily—constantly suppressing herself to fit in, to be friendly, to be kind. Saying the past should be left behind—could it really be? Could time truly heal those deep wounds?

Lin Xi asked herself, trying to see from Yun Yi’s perspective. Maybe so, but for a kind-hearted girl, such pain is hard to erase.

The hospital room fell silent again.

The sound of a door opening shattered the quiet.

Yun Yi’s restless hands relaxed slightly, still sitting upright, staring out the window without moving. Lin Xi turned to see Su Chen entering.

She didn’t know what had happened between them these past days or what their relationship was now. She said nothing, quietly stepping aside.

Su Chen approached Yun Yi slowly; each step seemed weighted with immense burden, making Lin Xi’s heart ache for him.

He knelt before her, his bloodshot eyes fixed on her with desperate determination.

"Yun Yi," Su Chen’s hoarse voice carried intense passion and some restraint as he called her by her nickname.

Yun Yi’s lashes trembled sharply as she shifted her gaze from the clouds to Su Chen’s face.

They looked at each other and saw their own desolation and weariness reflected back. Yun Yi barely turned her face away.

Then Su Chen’s next words stunned them both.

"I love you. Let’s be together."

His voice was resolute and commanding, leaving no room for doubt.

For a moment, Yun Yi stared at him blankly, breath short and panicked, her pale face full of disbelief. She thought he must be mad to say such a thing now.

Lin Xi was also stunned. What was Su Chen doing? How could he confess at such a time?

"You… what did you say?" Yun Yi’s voice was dry and ethereal, her heart tightly constricted.

"I’m not crazy," Su Chen said earnestly. "I mean it, Yun Yi. Let’s be together."

His words burned her heart.

Yun Yi quickly stood and backed away, eyes filled with fear and anxiety. "Please stop talking!"

"No, Yun Yi, you know, you’ve always known how I feel. I love you and never stopped. You feel the same. You just don’t want to face it—or you’re afraid you’ll drag me down."

He spoke openly the secret Yun Yi hid deep inside, the real reason she couldn’t accept him.

She turned her back to him, clutching the window sill, trembling slightly.

Su Chen stepped forward steadily, then wrapped his smaller frame in his arms from behind. Yun Yi felt the heat of his body behind her; exhaling, all her senses seemed magnified.

Lin Xi watched nervously, holding her breath, afraid Su Chen might upset Yun Yi further.

"Yun Yi, please let yourself go. Give us a chance," he whispered in her ear, his tone as soft as a warm breeze.

Yun Yi stiffened and slightly turned her head. Their breaths mingled. He tried to soothe her, gently stroking her arm. His gaze plunged into hers, clearly seeing her shattered uncertainty.

Then he steadied her by the shoulders and turned her to face him, letting her bury her face in his chest.

He softly patted her back and spoke soothingly, "Yun Yi, I’m sorry if I scared you. But I want you to know you don’t have to worry so much. I love you—no illness is a reason for you to leave me."

Hearing his voice, Yun Yi’s nose tingled suddenly, and she couldn’t hold back her tears—they streamed down uncontrollably. Su Chen felt his shirt quickly dampen with her tears.

Sensing something was wrong, he tenderly cupped her face. Seeing her tear-streaked, anguished expression, his heart ached as if stabbed by a knife.

He finally couldn’t resist and kissed her tearful eyes, gently wiping away her tears.

Suddenly, Yun Yi let out a painful sob. Lin Xi was shocked and hurriedly pressed the call button.

"Yun Yi!" Su Chen panicked as well, swiftly lifting her into his arms and carrying her back to bed.

Yun Yi’s condition suddenly worsened. She furrowed her brows tightly, curled up, breathing rapidly, biting her hand to withstand the stabbing agony and torment.

She buried her face in the pillow, not wanting them to see her so vulnerable, tears pouring like an endless tide.