026. Love That Transcends Life and Death (2)

Ming Xichen evaded that kiss... Chu Rui's pain was palpable. At the previous anniversary celebration, she had indulged A Kang's willfulness and arrogance. After eight years of separation, she just couldn't bear to reject him. Yet, the hurt look on Chu Rui's face stabbed at her heart.

"You..." A Kang's movements halted abruptly. He stared blankly at Chenchen, who had turned her head away. His hand that was clutching hers involuntarily released, and a flash of searing pain shot through his eyes.

At this moment, Chu Rui had already pulled Chenchen behind him. He could no longer tolerate A Kang's repeated attempts to take liberties with Chenchen. In a fit of fury, he swung his fist straight at A Kang's face. A sharp gust of wind sliced through the air, but A Kang swiftly turned his head to dodge it.

Seeing Chenchen being protected behind Chu Rui, A Kang also flared up and swung his fist back.

"Stop it!" Chenchen broke free from Chu Rui's grasp and stepped between the two of them. A Kang was utterly shocked, but he couldn't retract the fist he had already thrown. He could only try to deflect it. The knuckles grazed her cheek, leaving a stark white mark.

Tian Rao watched in horror. After not seeing A Kang for eight years, his sudden, sharp, and domineering appearance made her heart pound wildly.

Leng Yan watched coldly. She knew Chenchen could easily dodge it, but Chenchen didn't, so she just stood still.

"If you like to fight, please do it somewhere else. I find it childish." Anger blazed in Chenchen's eyes. The mark on her cheek where it had been scratched by A Kang's knuckles gradually turned red, glaringly vivid.

"What's your relationship with him exactly? Lovers? Sweethearts?" A Kang looked at the red mark on Chenchen's face sorrowfully. "You... you care about him? What about me then? Will I always be the one to be discarded?" The bitter and agonizing emotions made A Kang's tone turn frigid, and the air was thick with pain.

Looking at A Kang's desolate gaze, Chenchen's heart ached so badly that she could hardly breathe. She just didn't want to be entangled with him anymore, not that she wanted him to suffer. She thought that forcing herself to be cold-hearted would help her forget the past years. However, every time she faced A Kang, her heart would waver. Although she was careful not to touch those feelings, they were still there, deeply rooted like an ancient tree. The slightest stir would bring excruciating pain. She had tried to uproot these feelings from her heart, but the pain had seeped deep into her bones and become an inseparable part of her life.

"What did I do wrong? Just because of that person's death?" A Kang's gaze shifted from desolation to resentment. "Even if it was my fault, eight years of our youth and our love have been sacrificed to his departure. Isn't that enough? Do you only feel happy when I'm dead?"

"No." Chenchen's head throbbed. The past wasn't about who was right or wrong. It was just the cruel play of fate. Her escape was actually her reluctance to part with A Kang. She hated herself and had tortured others in the same way she tortured herself.

"The past is over. You left and didn't come back for eight years. What right do you have to say these things now?" Chu Rui regained his usual gentle and elegant demeanor. He had been so enraged just now that he had lost his composure. A hunter's move was not just to shed blood but to dig a trap and wait patiently.

Eight years. This was truly a headache-inducing and resentful number. A Kang stared fiercely at Chu Rui. He had hit his weak point. For eight years, this man had been by her side. Her smiles, her beauty, and everything about her had been witnessed by him. He hated these damned eight years. A raging inferno burned in his eyes, and he wished he could tear this seemingly gentle and harmless man to shreds.

"What right do you have to talk to me like this?" The arrogance and challenge in Chu Rui's tone made A Kang raise his eyebrows. Then he suddenly burst into laughter, a beautiful, evil, and domineering laugh.

A Kang's laugh made Tian Rao dizzy, and Chenchen also squinted her phoenix-like eyes.

"Ming Xichen..." A Kang exhaled softly, suddenly becoming so gentle that it was uncharacteristic of him. "Should I tell him about all our firsts, so that he won't be so full of himself?"

Chenchen suddenly couldn't fathom A Kang. One moment he was like a ferocious wolf, and the next moment he was as docile as a little white rabbit. He had really changed over the years, being moody. She turned to look at Chu Rui beside her. His eyes were dim, and his emotions were inscrutable, but there was an aura of desolation around him.

"What? Do you want me to tell you all about those firsts?" A Kang's smile was gentle and innocent-looking, and his black eyes shone with a glazed luster.

Chenchen understood A Kang's intention. She looked at Chu Rui in a panic. He still looked calm on the surface, but his eyes were fixed firmly on A Kang. There were turbulent waves churning in his heart. He really underestimated A Kang. He knew what to use to strike at him, but he wouldn't let A Kang succeed. "Kang Hao, your past with Chenchen is not a bargaining chip for you to show off. I really overestimated you."

There was a momentary flicker of panic in the depths of A Kang's eyes, but it was quickly masked by his smile. "Your ability to misinterpret the truth really makes me re-evaluate you. I also overestimated you."

"Stop it!" Chenchen clenched her fingers tightly. Her heart ached sharply. Something was tugging at her. Suddenly, she felt dizzy, and her body slumped forward.

Four hands reached out simultaneously to support Chenchen. Her face was deathly pale, and the sweat on her head was sticking to the stray hairs on her forehead, making her look extremely vulnerable. The two men both reached out to pull her into their arms, and they were at a standstill.

Suddenly, their hands were empty. Leng Yan, who had rushed over like a bolt of lightning, hugged Chenchen in her arms. "Let's go to the hospital first." Leng Yan was expressionless but extremely composed.

Leng Yan didn't look at the two men anymore. She hugged Chenchen and got into the car. The car sped away. Chu Rui and A Kang forgot about their argument and quickly chased after it.