Chapter 91: Danger (1 / 2)

"Like?" To me, these two words were so sacred. When I was with Zhao Na, I admit I liked her beauty and vitality, but the betrayal and the differences in our lifestyles led us to part ways in the end.

My liking for Liu Ruoyi stemmed from a sense of indebtedness—a feeling of failure, of breaking promises. I felt that the cowardice I showed when we were younger led to regret, and I needed to bear that burden. This kind of liking felt more like a fantasy, a fantasy of her in a white dress, untarnished by the world, with an ethereal presence.

As for Jiang Shiyu, it was something more familiar, natural, down-to-earth beauty. Her repeated support made me feel warm, and her company through dangers like the haunted house showed me that she cared. But... I only had two years!

"Jiang... Jiang Shiyu...""Just call me Shiyu!" she said."Alright, Shiyu... Well, you must have heard what Yuan Beitang and Yicheng said. I really don't have much time left. I only have two years to live. I don't know what to say to you." I sighed.

Jiang Shiyu replied, "I didn't ask how long you'll live. I asked if you like me!"

Looking into her eyes, a mist seemed to rise in them. I felt like something was stuck in my throat, unable to speak. But I knew she was waiting for an answer, and inside, I was struggling. I took a deep breath and said, "If... if I'm still alive in two years... then I'll pursue you. Is that alright?"

She stared at my face for a while before suddenly laughing. Though her eyes were still teary, the sound of her laughter was like a spring breeze, making me feel at ease. She pouted and said, "Who's going to wait for you for two years? I'm so beautiful, I won't have trouble finding a boyfriend!"

I scratched my head and laughed foolishly. None of this mattered to me, as long as she was happy.

She continued, "I have a flight tomorrow to the U.S. to pursue a degree. Let's grab a bite together before I go."

Naturally, I eagerly accepted the invitation. But the truth was, I was out of money. Jiang Shiyu wasn't strapped for cash, though. As we drove toward Tiexi, we headed toward Youth Street. Fortunately, it wasn't rush hour, and the road was relatively clear. Looking out the window at the modern city, I felt somewhat like I was in a dream. Just a few days ago, I was still in the impoverished mountains, and now it felt like I was back in reality.

When the car stopped in front of the Junyue Hotel, my heart skipped a beat. Was this... for us? No way. Could it be happening so soon? I wasn't prepared. I swallowed nervously. I wasn't some saint, and desires still tugged at me. But... she was a good girl. I couldn't let myself act on impulse.

"Uh... Shiyu, don't you think this is happening too fast? I'm sorry..." I said sincerely.

To my surprise, she suddenly smacked me on the forehead with a stir-fried chestnut, making my head throb. Before I could ask why, she hurriedly said, "What's wrong with you? What's going on in that dirty mind of yours? There's an Italian restaurant upstairs. It's really nice, and the view's great. I'm here to invite you to dinner."

Her words made me feel embarrassed, and I immediately whispered a prayer, nearly slapping myself for overthinking things. I forced a smile. "Sorry, sorry. What I meant is... I'm not particularly hungry. Isn't it a bit too fast for dinner?"

"Cut it out! I know exactly what you were thinking," she said, highly skeptical.

I chuckled awkwardly. I had indeed acted out of line. I hurried to open the door for her. Just as I did, a man and a woman rushed out, looking as though they had caught someone in the act. The man dashed ahead, while the woman chased after him, shouting angrily. They collided into me, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest. It was a fleeting pain, so I didn't think much of it, but I was angry that the man didn't even apologize before running out of the hotel.

After the brief encounter, Jiang Shiyu helped me up, laughing, and we went straight to the 29th floor. I only realized when we arrived that this was a very luxurious Italian restaurant. The entire space was decorated in natural wood tones, with wooden tables and chairs lit by soft lighting, creating an atmosphere of romanticism. The faint sound of a piano played in the background, and for someone like me, who had spent so much time in the countryside, this felt unfamiliar and almost surreal. The best part, however, was the stunning view of the city's nightscape from the restaurant.

I felt out of place, my nerves on edge. I later researched a lot to catch up with such fine dining, but honestly, I was more at ease with bare-chested barbecues and beer with my buddies.