Lingyan offered her opinion and secretly considered how to persuade Gu Zhong.
"good."
Gu Zhong didn't press the matter, as if he had somehow regained the trust he had lost and listened to her without hesitation.
"Miss Gu switches between stubbornness and nonchalance quite quickly."
Feeling somewhat out of place, with nowhere to express the draft she had prepared in her mind, Lingyan could only make an awkward joke.
"Because Miss Ling's vision has always been trustworthy."
In response to Ling Yan, Gu Zhong offered a half-truthful compliment.
"You're still a patient. The doctor said you need to rest. Let's think about these things after you're discharged."
Shaking her head, Ling Yan stood up and walked to Gu Zhong's bedside, preparing to turn off the bedside lamp for her, but was stopped again.
But I'm not really sleepy yet—
Gu Zhong said in a coquettish tone, and Ling Yan turned her head to look at her, feeling that there seemed to be something different about Gu Zhong.
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Author's Note:
Everything about business is pure nonsense! I've been feeling down lately, sorry, I'm such a noob... I'll try my best to get back to updating!
Chapter 109 The Newly Rich CEO and the Fallen Heiress (Fifteen)
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"Ayan."
Gu Zhong suddenly called out, using a name unique to someone, which made Ling Yan's heart skip a beat. She quickly looked up but didn't dare to respond, fearing it would all be in vain.
"Don't be surprised, it really is me. She... has fallen into a deep sleep."
Seemingly sensing her doubts, Gu Zhong explained in a low voice, then moved a little closer to Ling Yan, a seductive smile in his eyes.
What's going on?
Her sudden approach altered the atmosphere, flushing Lingyan's cheeks. Seemingly unable to bear the gradually intensifying heat, Lingyan hurriedly straightened up, creating distance between them, and asked.
"Ever since my shattered divine soul from the previous world successfully fused together, I have descended into this world with my own consciousness, but I have been in a daze and have never been awake."
This car accident was a blessing in disguise, as it woke me up. However, perhaps my soul is incomplete, so I can only exist at night—like now, the person you're talking to can suddenly become a completely different person.
Gu Zhong described his current situation with a sense of helplessness.
"This remnant soul of yours seems unaware of your existence."
The very essence of Gu Zhong was vividly present before her, not an illusion, not a mirage. A joyful emotion clearly leaped from her soul, yet Ling Yan still suppressed this delight and focused on the condition of her remnant soul.
After all, just like in the previous life, the remnant soul has no memories of the past, but also has its own personality and life. Even if Gu Zhong is the origin, he is depriving others of their lives, and he is likely to encounter fierce resistance.
"Ah Yan wants to ask about the fact that she has no memory of what happened last night?"
Seeing through Lingyan's doubts at a glance, Gu Zhong's expression also became somewhat solemn.
"Although in reality, she is me, and I am her."
From beginning to end, we are an inseparable whole, but... the feeling of freedom is particularly tempting, and no one wants to have their existence denied.
It's better for her to remain unaware of this matter; perhaps the best option is for the fusion to occur gradually and without her realizing it.
Despite his reluctance, Gu Zhong still revealed a cruel and heartless truth.
After hearing Gu Zhong's words, Ling Yan fell into a long silence.
They are now like thieves, stealing other people's lives without their knowledge.
“Gu Zhong, no matter what, she should have the right to know about this.”
Perhaps out of reluctance or guilt, and with inexplicable feelings during this brief time together, Lingyan spoke hesitantly.
"What if she chooses to rebel again, just like in her previous life?"
Gu Zhong's brow twitched slightly. He gave her a deep look and asked her a question in return.
"Gu Zhong, from beginning to end, you are the most important person."
A hint of apology flashed in Ling Yan's eyes, but her answer was surprisingly firm.
“Ayan, you’ve grown up—and become more decisive.”
After gazing at Ling Yan for a moment, Gu Zhong tilted his head, his eyes full of smiles, and a soft laugh escaped from his lips.
Lovers who have been separated for a long time have so much to say, but they don't know where to begin.
Ling Yan sat down on the edge of the bed, seemingly not daring to get too close. Her pair of watery autumn eyes were fixed on Gu Zhong, filled with joy, but also concealing a hint of trepidation and unease.
"Ayan, why do you stay so far away from me?"
As always, Gu Zhong was irreverent. He reached out and grabbed Ling Yan's sleeve, looking aggrieved as if he had been bullied.
"I···"
Lingyan didn't know how to describe her conflicted feelings. She didn't know whether to say that she could never truly face the tragedy from ten thousand years ago, or that she was at a loss between repeated joy and sorrow.
In the end, she could only do as Gu Zhong wished, sitting even closer, so close that Gu Zhong could reach out and pull her into his arms, letting her delicate body lean against his heavily injured body.
After struggling slightly, Lingyan obediently leaned against Gu Zhong.
This was the embrace she had longed for for so many years, and it finally came true at this moment, yet it still carried a hint of unrealism.
"Concern..."
Lingyan called out softly, tilting her head back to look at her lover's chin, which had become noticeably thinner due to his period of unconsciousness.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
He lowered his head and gently gave a response to his question.
"Nothing, I just wanted to call you."
After repeatedly weighing the words on the tip of her tongue, Ling Yan swallowed them back down and ultimately said nothing.
"You...you're still so clingy."
A sigh of indulgence escaped his throat, and Gu Zhong smiled as he hugged the person in his arms even tighter.
"From now on, I will always be here."
——
Ling Yan maintained a relationship with Gu Zhong in this life that was both strange and familiar. The so-called contractual relationship no longer held any weight, and something had quietly changed between the two of them.
This change was something Gu Zhong could clearly perceive; the former intimacy and subtle ambiguity had vanished.
For some reason, she never mentioned it to Lingyan, and they continued to get along as before.
It wasn't until the day Gu Zhong recovered and was discharged from the hospital that Ling Yan formally extended an invitation to her to talk.
"Miss Ling, it's rare to see you with such a serious expression."
Sitting opposite Lingyan, Gu Zhong, whose hair had been shaved off due to brain surgery and had only grown to his ears, looked very haggard after being discharged from the hospital, but he still put on a smiling face, trying hard to hide the worry and fear beneath.
“Ms. Gu, there is something I believe you have the right to know.”
Seeing the forced smile on the person in front of her, Ling Yan's already not-so-cold heart softened even more.
"Miss Ling, do you want to leave me?"
Before Lingyan could speak, Gu Zhong spoke first, but her speculation was based on the common sense and human nature of this world, and was far from the truth.
“Lately, I’ve noticed a subtle change in your attitude. While liking something is extremely fickle and can’t be forced, I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. Did my previous actions displease Miss Ling?”
Before Lingyan could explain, Gu Zhong rattled off a long string of words, his guesses leaving Lingyan somewhat amused and bewildered.
"That's not the case, Miss Gu. What I'm about to say may be beyond your comprehension—please don't take it as a joke."
Taking a deep breath, Ling Yan knew how absurd what she was about to say was in this urban world devoid of spiritual energy, where ghosts and gods were merely legends.
Anyone who has received some education and does not believe in gods will simply consider this nonsense.
After Lingyan briefly explained the so-called reincarnation of the soul to Gu Zhong, to Lingyan's surprise, Gu Zhong did not laugh or doubt at all. He was only stunned for a moment before accepting her explanation, as if it was nothing compared to not being liked.
"During the time I was in a coma, I kept having the same dream. That dream was very similar to what you described."
That friendship is something I envy. Lately, I've been wondering if it was a past life, and whether we were able to reunite now because of that endless regret.
Having just heard your story, I had a sudden realization that it was all too clear. But I never imagined that I am not entirely myself.
A bitter smile played on his lips as Gu Zhong stirred his coffee with a small, gilded spoon. The iron and ceramic pieces occasionally clattered together, as if something were shattering.
"Ms. Gu, thank you for believing this absurd claim."
With a soft sigh, Ling Yan felt a pang of reluctance, but she easily suppressed it in an instant, as this was a choice she had no choice but to make.
"However, now that I have this life, I will not give it up easily. Miss Ling should be aware of this outcome."
Changing the subject, Gu Zhong lowered his eyes, picked up the cup and saucer, and took a sip of the black liquid that exuded a rich aroma.
The swirling white mist spread before her eyes, and her eyes involuntarily became moist from the fumes.
"Yes, no one would be willing."
Having received the expected answer, Lingyan softly echoed it.
"However, Miss Gu, neither of us knows how much time you have left."
"Miss Ling, are you saying this now to prepare me mentally?"
He gently placed the cup back on the table, then tilted his head back, staring directly at the bright and dazzling lights in the hall.
"You can think of it that way too."
Knowing how cruel the facts and truth were, Lingyan still ruthlessly peeled them back, leaving them raw and bloody.
"I never understood why Miss Ling was always so good to me before—every gift from fate comes with a price tag in secret, and now I truly understand that saying."
So, it was all premeditated, wasn't it?
As if wanting to confirm something further, Gu Zhong asked his final question, slowly and deliberately, with a serious and heavy tone.