Lusi blinked, then her face began to slowly turn red, “I like him.”

“Don’t worry, if you don’t like him, I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to,” Lusi’s mother said, “My dear Lusi, men will line up just to chase you!”

“I know, mom, don’t worry” Lusi held her mother’s hand and smiled, “He’s a very good man; I’m marrying him out of my own will. Besides… right now, no one is a match for me, other than him.”

“Is he that good?” Lusi’s mother asked with doubt, “I know his family is powerful, but this young master…”

“Mom, you will like him, you’ll see.” Lusi said.

“OK, OK, mom won’t ask you anymore. As long as our Lusi likes him, everything will be fine.”

Lusi’s mother smiled and clapped her hands, “OK, let’s continue, our Lusi is going to be the most beautiful bride ever.”

---

Seungyoun held lunch in one hand and was about to push open the door of the hospital ward with the other, until he heard a muffled sound from inside the room.

Seungyoun became alarmed and quickly pushed open the door, only to see Yibo curled up in bed in pain.

In a hurry, he took a few quick strides, placed the lunch somewhere, rang the service button with one hand, and touched Yibo’s forehead with his other hand.

Yibo’s forehead wasn’t hot, but it was cold and dripping with sweat.

Seungyoun was anxious, “Yibo, are you? Are you in pain? Hold on a bit, help is coming!”

Seungyoun comforted Yibo as he held onto him; Yibo didn’t even have enough strength to speak and could only mutter and grunt in pain.

Seeing that no doctor or nurse had arrived yet, Seungyoun went out into the hallway and shouted, “Someone help! The patient in room 325 needs help!”

In a second, a handful of doctors and nurses rushed over; a doctor quickly checked Yibo’s status, looked distressed, then immediately ordered the nurse beside him, “Get ready for surgery.”

This came out of nowhere.

Before Seungyoun could even react, the nurses were already pushing Yibo to the operation room.

Seungyoun knew that, even if he asked, he wouldn’t get any clear answers now; he mustn’t delay any time they need to treat Yibo, so he could only follow them up the stairs.

No matter what, he had to stay by Yibo’s side.

Yibo quickly arrived in the operation room; the red light at the entrance of the room lit up.

It was glaring red.

Yibo was in a daze, and began to see illusions before him.

He seemed to see… Zhan is getting married with a woman.

It was that pretty, elegant lady that he saw last time.

Yibo forced out a smile, but in the next second, a sharp, intense pain made him unable to continue smiling.

What can he do, Zhan?

Even in such pain, he could only think about him!

He’s completely hopeless, right?

Hopelessly in love with him.

He couldn’t even tell where he felt pain; it seemed to come from his heart, and then it seemed to come from his entire body.

What was Zhan doing now?

Maybe he was at a concert with that elegant lady? Or maybe they were at an art exhibition? Or maybe they were travelling leisurely somewhere?

Oh, how jealous he felt towards that woman.

He was the one to dedicate everything to him, yet it was that woman who did nothing and easily won over his love.

He felt unwilling….

But…Zhan gave him all these pain on his body, and he was willing to accept it.

He couldn’t blame anyone.

Nor did he want to blame anyone.

Besides, he knew he was not worthy to be with him.

And that lady, just from looking at her, she seemed rich and classy.

And as for himself? His family was from an average background, and his father was even a gambling addict.

It was not a difficult choice to make between him and that girl.

If he were Zhan, he would definitely choose that lady as well.

Yibo laughed at himself, his face turned pale from the pain.

“Mr, hold on a bit, we’re giving you anesthesia now.” The anesthesia physicist said.

“Do I have to take anesthesia?” Yibo asked in a trembling tone.

“No… but we’re afraid you can’t take it…” The physicist replied.

“Don’t worry, I can take it,” His face was pale, “Don’t apply anesthesia, go ahead with the operation.”

He wanted to clearly remember this pain.

The more painful the better, because… it was the only way to make him forget Zhan faster.

In the future, if he should ever think of him again, he would remember this pain.

This pain would serve as a deterrent to tell him to stop daydreaming.

The physician was shocked, “Mr, you…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Yibo’s lips were white, “ask the doctor to go ahead with the operation.”

The physician asked multiple times, but got the same answer. She had no choice but to tell the head doctor to head in and begin the operation.

“Are you sure you don’t want anesthetics? Your body won’t be able to withstand the pain,” the head doctor asked.

“I’m not afraid.” Yibo replied, “Please, go ahead.”

The doctor sighed, but she couldn’t make light of the patient’s situation either. She only asked the anesthesia physician to wait outside, as she and her assistant began the operation.

The icy cold disinfectant rubbing alcohol applied onto Yibo’s skin and stung like a needle.

Yibo was unable to stop trembling, as he slowly shut his eyes.

---

On the other side…

Although it was only an engagement party, the engagement was between the two most prestigious families, Xiao and Zhou family.

Jianmin had sent out numerous invitations, so the number of guests who came to the party was uncountable.

Jianmin was joyfully weaving his way through the crowd, his face was visibly red. Not sure whether it was from too much wine or too much happy.

His subordinate came over and whispered something in his ear.

Jianmin then smiled and said to the guest, “I’m not the main character today, my son and Miss Zhou are ready for tonight’s grand event. And let the engagement party begin now while I excuse myself for a moment!”

The guest responded in laughter while Jianmin went upstairs and ordered the maid to check on Lusi’s. He then went to Zhan’s room.

He pushed open the door and saw Zhan wearing his straight suit in his room.

Jianmin looked at his son in satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder, “Zhan, the engagement party is about to start, let’s go.”

Zhan nodded without any expressions.

Jianmin was delighted for how obedient his son was and took him by the shoulder and went out with him.

“Everyone!” Jianmin said with a smile on the stage.

Sensing the guest had brought their attention towards him, after a short pause, he continued, “I am grateful to all of you for coming to my son and Miss Zhou’s engagement party!”

The crowd focused on the person next to him, Xiao Zhan.

All the young female guests were shy and dumbfounded.

They dreamed that they were the one who was engaged to him instead.

Zhan stood there in formal clothes. His hair was short and thick, looked handsome and full of manliness.

Jianmin saw the infatuated expressions of the young female guests off stage and became even smugger.

“Thank you all for your blessings, my son will definitely live happily with Miss Zhou! I would also like to wish you all prosperous business, good health and all the best!”

A few polite words made the guests applauded with smiles.

“Well then, let us all welcome Miss Zhou.” Jianmin announced with a clear and loud voice.

He raised his hand, the door swung open, Lusi walked in like a proud white swan fluttering its wings.

This time, the male guests showed smitten glances, Zhou Lusi was a dream of all men in town.

Never thought she’d be married to that brat.……

Zhan looked at Lusi but felt nothing inside of him.

After all, she was gorgeous, no doubt. But she just didn’t make Zhan’s heart skipped a beat.

Lusi looked at Zhan standing there pensively, made her blush even more while she slowly made her way towards him.

Jianmin stood in between them, and held their hands together with a smile.

Zhan’s whole body stiffened again, but soon got a hold of himself.

Jianmin performed the engagement ceremony personally for them and shone a big smile as he watched both exchange engagement rings on their middle fingers.

People were cheering with wine and dancing happily.

Zhan invited Lusi for the first dance of the night, driven by Jianmin.

As soon as he touched Lusi’s body, the strange and uncomfortable feeling rushed up to his body again.

Zhan endured this strong feeling and managed to finish the dance with her.

The guests applauded, Lusi bowed like a graceful little swan while Zhan, still enduring the uncomfortable feeling, bowed down and ready to leave.

Jianmin said, “I would still need to stay here, head back if you feel tired, Zhan, please escort her back.”

“Hmm,” Zhan nodded and turned his head towards Lusi, “Are you leaving?”

“Well… how about a walk?” Lusi replied with some embarrassment.

“Father, we will excuse ourselves then.” Zhan nodded towards Jianmin, Lusi also said goodbye, and both left the banquet hall.

The light evening breeze was refreshingly cool.

Zhan felt better after escaping from that suffocating banquet hall.

He loosened his tie, and said to Lusi, “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”

Lusi nodded shyly.

Two of them walked side by side, neither spoke anything.

Naturally, Zhan felt it was good to be silent and he also had no desire to talk to her.

Lusi, on the other hand, didn’t know how to initiate a conversation. It’s because… today, they were engaged…..

But seeing that he didn’t look like he was going to talk, she gathered her courage and said, “Zhan, why won’t you say something?”

Zhan turned his head and looked at her, “What’s wrong?”

The moonlight is mellow and the night breeze was cool.

She stared at his eyes with a clear glow that seemed brighter than the moonlight.

How did she fell in love with him?

When did she fell in love with him.

Lusi stopped and looked at him quietly.

Zhan saw that she stopped walking, he stopped and looked at her, “Is there something wrong?”

Lusi looked at his lips as he spoke, his lips were shaped beautifully, not too thick and thin.

In the heat of the moment, she pulled him by the collar of his shirt. She tiptoed and was about to kiss him on the lips.

Zhan reacted instinctively and rapidly, subconsciously tilting his head away and raising his hand to block his face.

Lusi’s lips then kissed his palm.

Both were stunned.

Lusi was shocked because she hadn’t kissed his lips while Zhan was because of the uncomfortable feeling.

Lusi rebounded from him and pursed her lips.

When Zhan saw her leaving, he put down his hand, with clear traces of lipstick on the palm of his hand. He frowned with conceal while pulling out a handkerchief to wipe it off.

Lusi looked at him slowly and carefully, wiping off the lipstick she had left on his palm. Her heart had mixed feelings.

“Don’t do that next time, I don’t like it,” said Zhan indifferently.

“Why not? I am your fiancée!” Lusi replied with red eyes.

“…” Zhan became silent for a moment, “Just not so sudden.”

It’s true, she was his fiancée, Lusi, whom he had loved so much for so many years.

How could he have denied her kiss?

The thought of this made him pursed his lips and said, “Come on, how about I treat you for a delicious meal tomorrow?”

When Lusi saw his attitude had softened and thought that it was indeed her sudden manoeuvre that led to this.

She said condescendingly. “In that case, I want you to pick me up at my house tomorrow.”

“Sure.” Zhan nodded.

Only then Lusi smiled as if nothing had just happened.

Both continued to walk forward, and Lusi became well-behaved.

---

Yibo was biting a white towel in his mouth. His whole body was sweating, even his hair was drenched with sweat.

“Mr, can you still hold on? How about we prescribe you with anaesthetic?” the nurse wiped his sweat while feeling sorry for him.

Yibo just nodded and gripped his fist, signalling he could still hold on.

The nurse sighed and didn’t say anything. This mister was indeed one of the bravest she had ever met.

It was apparent that the toxin was so strong, unheard and unseen of. It had already invaded Yibo’s internal organs.

He was trembling in pain, yet he still refused to use anaesthetic, he still held on while they performed the operation.

“Mister, just hold on a bit more, it’s almost over,” the doctor said.

And finally, after the last stitch was sewed up, she sighed in relief, “Mister, it’s done.”

Yibo relaxed his body while he was still trembling a little.

The nurse came up again and wiped his sweat.

“The damage caused by the toxin is unexpected,” the doctor said. “What kind of toxin is this? I can’t even take a sample of it…”

Yibo just fainted right after he relieved himself.

---

Yibo woke up again in the middle of the night.

His wound still hurt, but he didn’t feel much pain from it. Probably it’s because of what torment he had experienced before, this one felt more like a mosquito bite.

The more it hurts, the better he can forget about him.

Yet, Zhan’s face features became clearer to him.

Was it to remember him more fondly or to forget him?

He couldn’t figure it out himself.

“Yibo?” Seungyoun spoke softly, and only then Yibo realized there was someone else in the room.

Yibo turned his head in a hurry and looked, “Seungyoun…”

“You’re awake? Does it still hurt? How are you feeling?” Seungyoun switched on the dim yellow light at the side of the bed.

Yibo quickly adapted the lighting and smiled at him.

“I’m fine,” Yibo replied.

Seungyoun was relieved to see that Yibo was fine, but soon anger flared up as he remembered Yibo hadn’t been anaesthetized during the operation, “You are so crazy!”

“I… What’s wrong…” Yibo was startled.

“How could you haven’t taken anaesthetic? What are you being capricious about? Do you think the operation was a joke? You…” Seungyoun said sharply.

But when he saw Yibo’s smiling eyes and he couldn’t bear to blame him, “What are you smiling at…”

“I am thinking that it’s nice to have someone really care for me.” Yibo smiled.

“Don’t worry Seungyoun, I will take my life seriously.”

“Don’t do that ever again.” Seungyoun had lost his temper, “You don’t know how shocked I was when I heard the news, I really want to shake you until you wake up.”

Yibo spat out his tongue.

He had realized something after experiencing such excruciating pain.

He didn’t know how long he had left. But before kicking the bucket, he wanted to live his life to the fullest.

At least he did not want to disappoint Seungyoun and make him worry again.

“Yibo, how about we get married?”

Seungyoun held his hand, Yibo was shocked, looking at how he held his hands and looked him in the eye.

Yibo saw how serious Seungyoun was, he asked in a trembling voice, “Are you crazy?”

“No, I’m not crazy. I want to marry you. I want to give you a home.” That was the most determined thing Seungyoun had ever done.

He wanted to protect him rightfully.

“Seungyoun, with this body, I can’t give you anything.” Yibo sighed, “I already am…”

“You’re not.” Seungyoun’s eyes were determined, “You will always be my Yibo.”

~~~~~❌~~~~~~~

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