Bao Jingyan had arranged everything, and the night was deep.
He stood on the balcony, smoking.
The pain in his body paled in comparison to the pain of missing her.
Ruanruan thought he had died; she must be in torment physically and emotionally, yet he believed she would carry on well.
Because she couldn’t let go of the beloved young maid.
Bao Jingyan’s dark eyes gazed toward the south, filled with agony.
*
Yangcheng.
A quaint courtyard, a bedroom both rustic and luxurious.
Su Ruanruan was still in a coma, lying on the big bed, dressed by servants.
He Jitang had been injured on his shoulder and had the doctor bandage it.
He, in a white shirt, looked noble and refined, without a trace of viciousness.
He kept watch beside the bed, responding indifferently whenever someone came to speak with him.
Su Ruanruan regained consciousness a day later.
She dreamed countless times of the explosion and called out Bao Jingyan’s name even in her stupor.
Upon waking, she met He Jitang’s handsome face.
The bedroom was filled with a faint scent of pine.
Su Ruanruan lay quietly, asking softly, "Where is Bao Jingyan?"
He Jitang knew Bao Jingyan was not dead, but he was too proud to tell her.
He said, "He’s dead!"
Su Ruanruan’s eyes were like deep midnight, staring straight up at the canopy... no one knew what she was thinking!
After a long while, she even smiled faintly, "Jitang, I’m hungry!"
He Jitang furrowed his brows.
He called for food to be brought in.
The clever servant girl brought not only a meal but also a plate of fruit cuts, saying smartly, "This is our Yangcheng’s seasonal fruit, juicy and sweet, Miss Su should give it a try."
Su Ruanruan felt weak and struggled to sit up.
He Jitang went to help her, but she pushed him away: "I don’t need you!"
Despite her weakness, she managed to walk step by step to the small dining table and sat down gently.
He Jitang wanted to be alone with her and sent the servant girl out.
The girl could tell that Master Ji cared a lot for Miss Su, so she behaved very respectfully.
She left and closed the door behind her.
The light dimmed in the spacious bedroom, filling the space with a sense of unfamiliar emotion.
He Jitang smiled faintly, "This chef is quite good! Try it, Ruanruan."
Su Ruanruan also smiled.
She looked at He Jitang and spoke in a low voice, "Of course, something that belongs to Jitang must be good."
The words were clearly sarcastic; He Jitang could tell, but he was willing to indulge her bad mood.
He thought: If Bao Jingyan could do it for her, so could he.
Coming from a distinguished family, never having served anyone, he now picked up the bowl and spoon, personally taking care of Su Ruanruan’s meal.
Su Ruanruan did not refuse.
He Jitang’s Adam’s apple moved as he couldn’t help but whisper, "It wasn’t me who did it!"
"I know," Su Ruanruan replied with a light smile.
She picked up the chopsticks to eat.
Yet, her hands trembled, and her eyes were filled with hot tears.
After a while, she put down the chopsticks, slowly picked up the fruit knife from the fruit platter.
He Jitang did not move, locking eyes with her.
Su Ruanruan showed no mercy as she thrust the knife toward his chest with force!
The sound of the knife piercing the fabric was ear-piercing...
His white shirt stained red, the blood spreading, yet He Jitang seemed unfazed by the pain.
His face turned pale, but he grabbed Su Ruanruan’s hand and pushed the knife in deeper, "Does that make you feel better, Ruanruan? If not, keep going!"
Su Ruanruan’s lips trembled.
Her waist-length hair damp with sweat, but she did not soften.
Her delicate hands stained with blood, she pushed the knife forward fiercely again.
He Jitang’s face was as white as paper.
Still smiling, he said, "Is that enough? You decide when to stop, Ruanruan."
The knife inched into the flesh, right where the heart should be, yet He Jitang seemed utterly unconcerned.
Ruanruan did not know that He Jitang’s heart was situated differently from other people’s.
With one motion, He Jitang pulled out the knife and threw it to the ground.