49

Yu Mingjiao had to go to the office for a meeting today, and Cen Lingqiu accompanied her.

While waiting in the lobby, Cen Lingqiu started to feel unwell. She was reading a book when suddenly, her nose began to bleed. One hand pressed against her nose, and with the other, she reached for a tissue from the table. At that moment, a wave of dizziness hit her, blurring her vision to the point where she could barely see.

Just then, a large hand handed her some tissues. Without thinking much, she took them and wiped away the blood.

It took her a moment to recover from the dizzy spell.

"Thanks..." Cen Lingqiu muttered, still not fully aware of who had helped her.

"No problem," replied a man's voice.

Cen Lingqiu looked up and finally recognized the person in front of her.

He seemed familiar, but she couldn't immediately place him.

He smiled. "What? It's been five years, and you've already forgotten me?"

Cen Lingqiu finally remembered who he was.

"Oh, it's you," she said casually, taking a sip of water.

He sat across from her, his curiosity evident. "It's unbelievable. I thought you were dead. After what happened to you, I can't believe you're still alive. You've got some luck."

Cen Lingqiu forced a smile. "Luck?"

She never really felt lucky.

He shrugged. "Isn't it? Lin Dong is still rotting in prison, and as for Ning Jia…" He paused, his tone becoming sarcastic and bitter. "She was a complete fool. You all were quite the tangled mess."

Cen Lingqiu remained silent. There was nothing she could argue.

"I didn't expect to see you again," he continued with a sense of nostalgia.

Cen Lingqiu, devoid of emotion, gave him a faint smile before checking the time. Yu Mingjiao should be finishing her meeting soon, so she stood up to go find her.

He also stood. He had only come to the building to pick up a piece of custom jewelry for his mother, and seeing Cen Lingqiu was just a coincidence. He no longer had feelings for her, but seeing her again reminded him of all the destruction from five years ago.

"You're leaving already?" he asked.

"Yes," Cen Lingqiu replied, but when she suddenly stood, her head spun again. This body of hers was deteriorating so rapidly that even standing up made her stagger. He reached out to steady her.

Cen Lingqiu steadied herself and nodded. "Thanks."

Seeing she was alright, he withdrew his hand, casually sticking it in his pocket. "Well, since you've somehow survived, consider yourself lucky. Take care."

As Yu Mingjiao exited the meeting room, she spotted Cen Lingqiu and the man talking. She saw Cen Lingqiu smile at him, and she noticed that he had touched her arm. The two seemed oddly at ease with each other.

Instantly, a dark cloud of jealousy and anger swept over her.

She couldn't stand seeing Cen Lingqiu smiling at anyone else.

She despised the idea of anyone else touching Cen Lingqiu.

Cen Lingqiu was hers. Her gaze, her smile, her body—everything belonged to her.

Yu Mingjiao clenched her fists. She remembered the man's past feelings for Cen Lingqiu, and anxiety churned in her chest like a storm.

Her fragile, unstable mind couldn't bear even the slightest disturbance. Anything, no matter how small, could shake her to her core.

Cen Lingqiu was her only lifeline.

She had to hold on tightly, never letting go.

She couldn't allow anyone to take Cen Lingqiu from her.

No one could steal her attention.

No one.

Absolutely no one!

Cen Lingqiu was hers, and hers alone.

Her breathing, her smiles—all of it belonged to Yu Mingjiao.

Anyone else could leave her. Only Cen Lingqiu couldn't.

As these obsessive thoughts consumed her, Yu Mingjiao's beautiful face contorted slightly with possessiveness.

But as soon as Cen Lingqiu approached her, Yu Mingjiao quickly composed herself, returning to her usual calm and gentle demeanor.

"Lingqiu Jie," Yu Mingjiao called softly.

"Done?" Cen Lingqiu smiled and stroked her face.

"Mm-hmm," Yu Mingjiao nuzzled into her hand and, seeing that no one was nearby, kissed her fingers.

Cen Lingqiu was used to her kisses by now. "Wen Zhi invited us for dinner tonight. Shall we head to her place?"

Yu Mingjiao didn't want to go anywhere. She only wanted to be alone with Cen Lingqiu, but she kept her selfish thoughts to herself. She knew that being too possessive would upset Cen Lingqiu.

She couldn't risk making her angry.

"Okay," Yu Mingjiao replied with a slight smile.

She sighed inwardly.

Why couldn't Cen Lingqiu's world revolve around only her?

After all, Yu Mingjiao only had Cen Lingqiu.

Wen Zhi was used to seeing the two of them attached at the hip. When she saw Cen Lingqiu walk in, alive and well, she couldn't hide her astonishment.

"Lin Qiu, are you even human?"

Cen Lingqiu chuckled. "What, do you think I'm a ghost?"

Wen Zhi clicked her tongue. "Who knows? You always seemed like you'd die for real this time, but here you are again."

Yu Mingjiao bristled at the comment. Her tone turned sharp. "And what, you're disappointed she's still alive?"

Five years of mental turmoil had stripped Yu Mingjiao of most of her social graces. She had never been particularly tactful, but now, her words were often harsh and cutting.

Cen Lingqiu gently squeezed the back of Yu Mingjiao's neck. "Hey, what kind of way is that to talk?"

Immediately, Yu Mingjiao deflated like a popped balloon, her lips pressed into a thin line as she lowered her gaze. "Sorry."

Wen Zhi, unfazed, laughed it off. She was just happy that Cen Lingqiu was alive.

She chatted away with Cen Lingqiu, who responded while keeping an eye on Yu Mingjiao's mood. Yu Mingjiao was, after all, a temperamental and easily upset little cat.

At one point, Wen Zhi asked, "I'm moving to Iceland soon. You once said you wanted to visit. Want to come with me?"

Cen Lingqiu had mentioned her curiosity about Iceland's landscape in a previous conversation, but now, traveling was impossible for her.

Her body had grown too weak, and she was barely holding herself together. The journey would be too exhausting.

More importantly, she didn't have much time left.

All she wanted was to spend what little time she had left with the person who mattered most.

So she declined.

Wen Zhi wasn't surprised. She sighed. "I figured as much." Her gaze shifted to Yu Mingjiao, and she smirked. "I bet you want to stay close to your special someone, right?"

Cen Lingqiu just smiled, raising an eyebrow without confirming or denying it.

"Well, alright," Wen Zhi said with a laugh. "Lin Qiu, I probably won't return to the country. My family has moved overseas, and I won't be coming back. You better not get into trouble again."

Cen Lingqiu smirked. "You could at least wish me well."

Wen Zhi laughed heartily. "Just make sure to invite me to your wedding."

Before they parted, Wen Zhi hugged Cen Lingqiu. "Lin Qiu, you've survived death twice. You're a different person now. I hope you won't face any more misfortunes. Live a good life with your Jiao Jiao."

Cen Lingqiu returned the hug. "Thank you, Wen Zhi. Stay happy over there."

"And don't forget to send me some wedding candy."

Wen Zhi waved them off as they left, and as they walked away, Cen Lingqiu glanced back at Wen Zhi's retreating figure.

"What's wrong?" Yu Mingjiao asked.

Cen Lingqiu shook her head, murmuring, "I wonder if I'll ever see her again."

Yu Mingjiao's voice was soft as she said, "As long as you're alive, there's always a chance."

Cen Lingqiu didn't respond. Instead, she smiled faintly. "Come on, Jiao Jiao. Let's go home."

Yu Mingjiao had grown used to Cen Lingqiu's tendency to dodge questions. Whenever she brushed things off with a light-hearted response, it was always hiding something much darker.

Yu Mingjiao hated this evasiveness.

Every time Cen Lingqiu acted like this, it made her feel like she was slipping away again.

—

Cen Lingqiu soon realized that Yu Mingjiao had begun to control her social interactions. She didn't allow anyone to talk to Cen Lingqiu for too long, and even when a neighbor struck up a simple conversation, Yu Mingjiao would become visibly upset.

Even when Cen Lingqiu offered a polite smile to others, Yu Mingjiao would tug on her hand and neurotically question her.

"Lingqiu Jie, you said you love me, didn't you? Why are you smiling at other people? You should only smile for me."

"You're being too selfish, Jiao Jiao."

"Are you rejecting me?" Yu Mingjiao's expression would turn frantic.

Faced with her near-meltdown, Cen Lingqiu had no choice but to give in, coaxing her with soothing words. "No, I'm listening to you."

She wasn't particularly frightened by Yu Mingjiao's possessiveness. She had always been indifferent to most social relationships, so it didn't bother her much.

She had always believed that Yu Mingjiao was just a bit extreme, but she never realized how deeply unhinged Yu Mingjiao had become.

One day, when she returned home, Cen Lingqiu couldn't find Yu Mingjiao in any of the usual places—the kitchen, the bathroom, or the bedroom. She decided to check the study.

The study was a place she rarely went. It was always locked, and Cen Lingqiu didn't have the key. She never thought much of it, assuming the room contained valuable items like design drafts, and she respected Yu Mingjiao's privacy.

But today, the door was ajar, and thinking Yu Mingjiao might be inside, Cen Lingqiu opened it.

"Jiao Jiao, are you in—"

Her voice faltered as she stepped into the room and her eyes locked onto the walls.

Every inch of the walls was covered with photos of her—dozens, if not hundreds, of photos.

There were candid shots of her sleeping, cooking, reading, drinking water, and so many more. Each photo was like a silent, haunting montage of her everyday life, displayed on the cold, stark walls.

In addition to the photos, there were countless sketches and portraits of her.

Most disturbingly, there were erotic sketches of her—images depicting her in sensual, seductive poses.

Cen Lingqiu had never seen herself like this before. The figure in those drawings was unfamiliar to her, a stranger draped in lust and allure.

These drawings must have taken a long time to create.

The walls were filled, floor to ceiling, with nothing but images of her.

Standing amidst this overwhelming gallery, Cen Lingqiu felt as though she was about to be swallowed whole.

She had forgotten how to breathe.

From behind her, the faint sound of wheels rolling across the floor reached her ears.

"Lingqiu Jie."

Yu Mingjiao's voice was soft, almost ghostly.

Cen Lingqiu didn't turn around.

Yu Mingjiao wheeled herself closer, wrapping her arms around Cen Lingqiu's waist, pressing her forehead against her back. Her voice was laced with a tender, eerie calm.

"Are you scared of me?"

"I'm a freak. I'm not the Yu Mingjiao you think I am. Like they say, I'm a lunatic."

Yu Mingjiao closed her eyes, her voice smooth yet filled with a chilling madness.

"I hate it when you talk to anyone else. I despise seeing you smile at others. I want to lock you away, keep you with me for every minute of every day, never letting anyone else near you."

Yu Mingjiao was insane.

She had lost her mind long ago.

Each time Cen Lingqiu left her, Yu Mingjiao's sanity had eroded further, pushing her closer and closer to madness.

She had been suppressing her twisted mental state, but ever since seeing Cen Lingqiu with He Hanzhou, her fragile grip on reality had snapped completely.

She finally realized just how deep, dark, and possessive her feelings for Cen Lingqiu were. The wild beast inside her had been set free, and now she no longer wanted to hold back. She had given up on pretending, and now she wanted Cen Lingqiu to know exactly who she was.

Would Cen Lingqiu be scared? Would she leave her?

Yu Mingjiao wanted to know.

It was a form of self-torture. She ripped away her mask, exposing all the filth and rot inside her.

Will you hate me?

Will you think I'm disgusting?

Do you think I'm a freak?

Will you be disappointed in me?

Will you stop loving me?

Yu Mingjiao was terrified.

More scared than she had ever been in her life.

Her entire body trembled.

"Lingqiu Jie, you belong to me."

Yu Mingjiao's voice was icy cold, but her eyelids fluttered as if she were holding back tears.

"You can only be with me. If you ever get married, I'll kill your husband. If you're with anyone else, I'll kill them too."

"I can do anything. I don't live for the sake of living. For you, I'd even kill myself if I had to."

Yu Mingjiao clung to her as if trying to crush her bones, her voice gritted, her eyes bloodshot.

She spat out her words like a curse. "Cen Lingqiu, meeting me was your misfortune. Your life is over. Mark my words: I'll kill anyone who gets close to you, anyone you love, no matter who they are."

Her words were venomous, sharp, and deranged. It should have been a terrifying threat.

But all Cen Lingqiu could feel was Yu Mingjiao's trembling body.

She was afraid.

Cen Lingqiu, expressionless, turned around, cupped Yu Mingjiao's face, and gazed into her tear-filled, crimson eyes, eyes that looked like they were moments away from breaking.

"Don't be scared. I love you, Jiao Jiao," Cen Lingqiu whispered softly, trying to comfort her.

Yu Mingjiao's eyes were a blur of tears, her gaze clouded as if it were filled with mist. Silent tears streamed down her face, even as her expression remained cold and composed.

"Do you think I'm disgusting?"

"I'm a complete freak. Aren't you scared?"

Cen Lingqiu wasn't frightened at all. In fact, she smiled.

"Of course not, Jiao Jiao. I love you, no matter what."

I love your scars, your flaws, your darkness. I love every broken, twisted part of you. You are whole to me. You will always be my beautiful, sweet Jiao Jiao.

Truthfully, when Cen Lingqiu first saw the photos plastered all over the room, she had felt a flicker of fear.

But that emotion vanished the moment she saw Yu Mingjiao's tears.

Cen Lingqiu wasn't entirely normal herself.

None of this disturbed her. If anything, she felt a strange, exhilarating sense of satisfaction.

Those photos were a testament to Yu Mingjiao's love.

Cen Lingqiu and Yu Mingjiao were the same at their core. Both of them were broken, lost souls who had never known love.

Yu Mingjiao needed love to survive.

And so did Cen Lingqiu.

Her entire life, she had been deprived of love. She had always been discarded, unneeded, unwanted by anyone. No one had ever recognized her worth, no one had ever truly needed her.

Most of the time, she felt like she had no purpose.

She longed to be needed. Deep down, she craved the feeling of being relied upon, of being someone's everything.

In her relationship with Yu Mingjiao, Cen Lingqiu had her own selfish side, a side she rarely admitted to herself. She claimed not to want Yu Mingjiao's dependence, but the truth was, she loved being the center of Yu Mingjiao's world.

It was her dark, hidden desire—a part of herself she had never wanted to acknowledge.

She always said she didn't want Yu Mingjiao to rely on her, but secretly, she relished the way Yu Mingjiao's eyes were filled with nothing but her.

Yu Mingjiao belonged to her.

Her little dog, her doll, her everything.

Cen Lingqiu's heart was hollow and empty, but Yu Mingjiao's overwhelming, obsessive love was like rain, nourishing her dried-up soul.

She needed this intense emotion.

So, how could she be afraid?

All she knew was that Yu Mingjiao loved her deeply.

And she loved Yu Mingjiao just as much.

What could be more perfect than that?