Chapter 44

When I opened my eyes again, I felt something furry briefly rest on my arm.

Then it quickly left.

“Zhuozhuo, stop messing around.”

Fu Ziyi reached out and scooped Zhuozhuo back.

He turned his head and met my gaze.

I felt a bit embarrassed, because I thought I must look terrible right now, connected to tubes.

“You’re awake.”

His tone was so normal, as if this were just an ordinary day.

I wasn’t sore all over from the fall; it was like I’d just taken a normal nap.

I blinked at him.

I wanted to ask how he ended up here.

Jiangcheng is so far from here.

But my throat felt raw and painfully sore.

Fu Ziyi said, “Don’t talk. The doctor said your vocal cords are damaged. It’ll hurt if you speak.”

I blinked again, but still whispered in a tiny voice, “I’m sorry.”

Fu Ziyi reached out and gently touched my eyes, saying, “You don’t need to apologize. Do what makes you feel at ease. You don’t have to say sorry.”

His hand moved to my forehead, and he asked softly, “You’re a bit warm – do you have a fever?”

“Get some sleep. When you wake up, you won’t feel so bad.”

In that instant, I understood exactly what he meant.

Of everyone, he understood me best and felt my pain most deeply.

So he wouldn’t – he wouldn’t just watch me suffer, waiting for death.

I wanted to shake my head, but I couldn’t.

My body felt stiff, and all I could do was whisper, “Don’t.”

Don’t do something so cruel to yourself.

Don’t become like me, trapped by yourself, unable to break free.

Don’t let thoughts of me weigh you down in the future.

Fu Ziyi heard me. He turned his face away, as if he were secretly crying again.