Di Ronghua burst into incredulous laughter almost instantly. “My brother went through hell to get that medicine for you, and you’re telling me you threw it away?”
Xiao Hanjin pressed his lips together. “I was wrong.”
Di Ronghua, “…”
She stared at his shameless, unflappable demeanor, swatting his hand away with a blank expression. “Do whatever you want,” she said coldly. “I’ve given you your chance. Whether you live or die is up to you—don’t expect my brother to dig up a second dose for you!”
With that, she turned to storm off in a huff.
Xiao Hanjin shot up and chased after her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his grip tight and slightly rigid.
After a long pause, he ventured cautiously, “Ronghua, are you… trying to reconcile with me?”
“No. Get lost.”
“…”
A faint smile tugged at the man’s lips as he nuzzled her neck affectionately, though it carried more heartache than amusement. “You’re so soft-hearted—it’s easy for people to take advantage of you.”
“Hah.” And who’d taken advantage of her the most if not him?
“Ronghua, I’m a little nervous…”
His low voice brushed against her ear. “I really want you to stay, but I was afraid you’d be unhappy, so I never dared to hold you back. I thought this time I could finally let you go, but… it still turned out like this.”
Maybe, from the moment he brought Jiangjiang back to Beixi, he’d harbored a sliver of dark hope. If she followed him here, it’d mean she couldn’t bear to leave Jiangjiang. He’d have countless ways to coax her into staying.
Even if she never accepted him again, he could see her every day, forever by her side.
But the moment he saw her, something felt off. Her eyes were too alive, too vibrant and bold—reminiscent of the Di Ronghua he’d first met.
And he couldn’t bear it.
She’d thrived so much after leaving him—how could he let her sink back into that joyless shell again?
Especially after hearing what she said to Fan Jiang…
He’d fully intended to let her go.
As for the medicine… he’d never meant to use it to trap her.
He hadn’t even thought she’d find out.
At first, refusing the medicine might’ve been a form of self-punishment—keeping the pain, the wounds, as a way to feel closer to the Di Ronghua who’d lain comatose for four years.
After losing her, he stopped caring what happened to him.
He wouldn’t die right away—at least he’d last through her time in Beixi.
After that, he’d let fate decide.
He never imagined she’d choose to stay.
She really… had a soft heart.
Like four years ago, when he’d been ambushed. Even when she seemed cold and distant, her heart remained tender.
She’d just locked it away.
Xiao Hanjin leaned closer, his voice low and husky. “Can you turn around and kiss me?”
Di Ronghua shot him a sidelong glance. “If I say no, you’re still this close, aren’t you?”
He frowned. “I want you to kiss me.”
Di Ronghua, “…”
How did this man have the gall to push his luck?
“No.”
“Rongrong…”
“Xiao Hanjin!” Di Ronghua cut him off sharply, staring at him in disbelief. “Why are you copying Xiao Jiu?”
“…”
His face darkened. “I came up with that nickname first. That damn fox stole it.”
Di Ronghua narrowed her eyes. “Weren’t you just pretending to like me back then?”
