In a sense, sunrise symbolizes hope and new life.
Liu Zhi's room faces the sun and has a wide window.
Meng Yang and Liu Zhi sat side by side, with a baby girl nestled in Liu Zhi's lap and Gege nestled in Meng Yang's arms, with Pear Blossom sitting beside them.
It was a bit cold outside, so Meng Yang and Liu Zhi wrapped themselves in the blankets on the floor.
She was afraid that Liu Zhi would press on the wound, so she deliberately put her arm on the edge of the bed.
This way, Liu Zhi's uninjured areas could rest on her arm, while the injured areas would be separated by space and wouldn't be pressed or hurt, making it more comfortable for her to sit.
With sunrise still a while away, Meng Yang moved closer to Liu Zhi, and Liu Zhi did not back down.
"Liu Zhi, may I ask you the same question again, the one I asked last time?"
Why should I shield you from a blow?
"Um."
Liu Zhi fell silent again.
"Are you the Silent One?" Meng Yang murmured, "The kind of sullenness that's infuriating to both gods and men."
"Me?" Liu Zhi turned her head, looking at Meng Yang.
"Liu the Silent One." Meng Yang met her gaze.
“Sunrise is a very solemn and dignified moment,” Meng Yang said earnestly. “I have a few questions for you, and you must answer them truthfully in front of the rising sun.”
For some reason, Liu Zhi's heart started racing, and she became nervous.
"Did I ask?"
"Ask away." Despite her nervousness, Liu Zhi's voice remained as calm and steady as ever.
“Did you know I liked you in high school?” Meng Yang added. “Although I expressed it very subtly back then, I think you could guess it.”
"I know." Liu Zhi lowered her eyes.
Upon receiving this answer, Meng Yang became agitated.
When you found out your roommate was me, was your first reaction to stay or leave?
Liu Zhi curled her five fingers and placed them on her knees. After a long while, she said, "Reason tells me to leave, but I stayed anyway."
Meng Yang watched her reaction, his heart filled with indescribable emotions.
"Why did you come to me that day when there was a medical dispute?" Meng Yang took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm.
"I bought a cake from Sweet Food Diary and had it delivered on my way."
"Apologize to me?"
"Um."
As dawn breaks, the first rays of light are about to pierce the darkness and illuminate the earth that has been silent all night.
“Liu Zhi.” Meng Yang followed Liu Zhi’s eyes and said softly, “Why are you running away?”
"You clearly... like me a little."
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Author's Note:
This novel will be available for purchase on October 3rd, with Chapter 30 becoming a paid chapter. A long, 10,000-word chapter will be updated on that day! Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement!
Chapter 30 Like
"You clearly... like me a little."
Meng Yang's voice was like a cat's claws, scratching at Liu Zhi's heart.
Liu Zhi pursed her lips, her heart racing.
"Are you still going to run away?" Meng Yang waited for a long time, but Liu Zhi didn't speak. The stars in his eyes suddenly disappeared.
“I…” Liu Zhi paused.
Liu Zhi's mind went blank, and Meng Yang's words kept echoing in her ears.
"Liu Zhi," Meng Yang's voice was tinged with grievance, "are you prepared to grow old alone, or are you prepared to find someone to marry and follow the path planned by your elders?"
“If this is how it is, I will never bother you again.” Meng Yang choked up.
"I have never followed the path planned by my elders," Liu Zhi said, her mood somewhat somber.
Her parents hoped she would become a teacher in Yancheng, marry someone with a government job, and live a simple, ordinary life. Liu Zhi, however, chose to study medicine and stayed in the capital to work after graduation.
She never followed the path in life that her elders had hoped for.
Liu Zhi knew exactly what she wanted.
It seems that when faced with career choices, she can overcome any obstacle in her path.
When faced with emotional choices, even if the road ahead is wide and smooth, she will not hesitate to hide in the thicket of thorns.
"Meng Yang," Liu Zhi said slowly, "I don't know why, but I want to get closer to you, yet I also want to leave you."
Reason advised her to leave, but the affection hidden in her heart urged her to get closer.
It seemed she could only catch a glimpse of Meng Yang's figure from the entrance of the main road.
"Why do you like me?" Liu Zhi pressed her knuckles into her hair, rubbing her Xuanlu acupoint. "I'm not as good as you think."
"I often feel inferior, often feel envious, and often doubt myself," Liu Zhi said. "There are so many people who are more outstanding than me."
Meng Yang gazed at Liu Zhi quietly, his eyes stinging with tears.
"I'm not good enough for you." Liu Zhi closed her eyes.
The three furry friends seemed to sense their emotions and remained silent, staying close to them.
The sky was turning a pale white, brighter than before. The hue was somewhat somber, yet it also evoked a strange sense of anticipation.
Liu Zhi opened her eyes and gazed at the towering buildings in the distance.
After speaking her mind, Liu Zhi felt much lighter.
“The day you left, my mother sensed my feelings,” Meng Yang said. “She said she had known about my feelings for you for a long time.”
Liu Zhi was also affected by Meng Yang's emotions. She looked at Meng Yang and her eyes reddened without her realizing it.
"Mom says you're a very outstanding person, and I like you; she has no objections." Meng Yang smiled wryly. "She also guessed that I wanted to influence you with my companionship and warmth."
“You also think I’m stupid, don’t you?” Meng Yang said. “This behavior is childish and ridiculous.”
"But I really have no other choice."
"I really, really like you."
There was no humility in Meng Yang's tone; she spoke as if stating facts, revealing her innermost thoughts.
Liu Zhi admired this kind of honesty.
“Given the current situation, we need to communicate and exchange ideas.” Meng Yang’s gaze met Liu Zhi’s. “Now we’re communicating and exchanging ideas.”
"Liu Zhi, you don't need to ask whether we're a good match or not. Just ask yourself if you like me or not."
The answer is obvious.
Her affection for Meng Yang was all hidden in her actions.
Liu Zhi relaxed her curled-up hands, lowered her eyes slightly, and after a long while, she finally answered with two words.
--like
Her voice was very soft, but it struck Meng Yang's heart like a meteorite, leaving a deep, scathing mark.
Meng Yang rushed over and hugged her, his right hand bracing against the edge of the bed, separating Liu Zhi from the injury on her back.
Liu Zhi hugged her.
There are many kinds of love.
There is a kind of love that is when I understand all your fears and know all your painful past experiences.
Even knowing you're not perfect, I'd still love you unconditionally.
I love you, I love everything about you.
This is probably the kind of love Meng Yang had for Liu Zhi.
"Even confessing your feelings requires guidance, Liu Zhi, you're something else," Meng Yang said, tears streaming down his face.
"I..." Liu Zhi paused, "I'm sorry."
"What are you apologizing for? Are you going to stay away from me?" Meng Yang asked.
"No, no," Liu Zhi didn't know how to explain, "I..."
"Are you with me?" Meng Yang felt the vibration in Liu Zhi's neck as she spoke.
"Mm." Liu Zhi answered quickly this time.
"No hesitation this time?" Meng Yang suddenly smiled. "You answered so quickly."
"I won't hesitate any longer," Liu Zhi said.
Every question Meng Yang asked struck at the most vulnerable part of her heart.
Since it's a mutual affection, why should she hesitate any longer?
"Liu Zhi," Meng Yang called to her.
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement, her voice rising at the end.
"Can I kiss you?" Meng Yang hooked his arms around her neck and looked at her expectantly.
Liu Zhi responded very softly.
Having received permission, Meng Yang gave Liu Zhi a quick peck on the lips.
Liu Zhi's ears began to turn red.