When their lovely childhood friend returned, they were all in a panic!

"Speaking of which..."

Only then did Bai Yu begin to take seriously the environment in which Mu Anqi lived.

"Are you living alone now?"

This is a three-bedroom, one-living room apartment, probably around 100 square meters.

It's much more spacious than the old, dilapidated place where I and my sister live.

It's not surprising that she rented a room like that; Mu Anqi's family is quite well-off.

"Uh-huh."

Mu Anqi held the cup of hot water in both hands and took a small sip.

"Which room are you staying in?"

"that......"

Mu Anqi pointed to the door of the room closest to the living room.

"I'll go get you a blanket..."

Bai Yu stood up, just as she was about to leave.

But he stopped walking, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"May I come into your room?"

After all, the relationship now is not as carefree as it used to be.

There still needs to be some sense of boundaries; we can't just act recklessly.

Everyone has grown up and is no longer a child.

But Mu Anqi doesn't think so.

"Of course you can."

A faint smile appeared on her weak face, her eyes lowered.

She was still holding that cup of hot water in her hands.

"You used to come to my room to play all the time..."

"Why are you asking now?"

Bai Yu remained silent after hearing this.

After receiving permission, he turned around, opened the door, and went into the room Mu Anqi pointed to.

The room lights were on, and it looked rather cluttered.

The wardrobe was open, and the clothes hanging there were in a mess.

It looks like it was thoroughly searched; someone who didn't know better would think it had been broken into.

The clothes and belongings on the bed were also in disarray.

Upon seeing this, Bai Yu sighed softly.

He's still as carefree as ever.

However, there is no nanny here to clean her room.

A moment later, a thin down blanket was taken out from inside.

"Give......"

I originally intended to hand it directly to Mu Anqi.

He saw her holding the cup in both hands, looking at him, and even blinking her eyes.

Okay, he was so delirious from the fever that he didn't even put down the cup.

Bai Yu could only sigh and unfold the down blanket to cover Mu Anqi's lower body.

He then sat down next to her and quietly picked up his water glass to drink.

Mu Anqi kept looking at Bai Yu.

To pretend that he was very busy, he kept sipping hot water.

Sensing the gaze, Bai Yu turned her head to look at her.

"They kept staring at me...it was really creepy."

He spoke weakly.

I feel burdened whenever someone stares at me.

Especially those who are always looking at themselves.

"I want to take a good look at you... otherwise I won't be able to see you anymore."

Mu Anqi said softly.

"I've been watching you the whole time."

"Could you... keep looking at me too?"

"Just like when we were kids...how about we stay together happily for the rest of our lives?"

Bai Yu became very distressed whenever the past was mentioned.

After her parents divorced, she raised her younger sister alone.

My mindset has changed so much.

That youthful spirit, so unique to my childhood, has been worn away without me even realizing it.

Things have changed, even if she is still the same as before.

I can't go back anymore.

"Sigh, why can't you understand?"

Bai Yu reluctantly put down his cup.

He leaned wearily against the sofa; the fire had burned out by the time he left the house.

Hajime is just too difficult to handle.

Since Mu Anqi wants to talk, let's talk.

"You are the Mu Anqi of the past, and I am not the Bai Yu of the past anymore."

"My life isn't as romantic now; I have to consider a lot of things."

"The carefree happiness of the past... is long gone."

He spoke earnestly, and she listened quietly, holding her cup.

The cup of hot water was emptied without anyone noticing.

Mu Anqi slowly placed the empty cup on the table and exhaled a breath of hot air.

The physical discomfort lessened somewhat, but I still felt weak and powerless.

Even when I'm feeling unwell, I force myself to stay awake.

This is one of the few opportunities I can spend alone with Bai Yu...

"sorry."

"Don't say that, it's not your fault."

"My family didn't tell me, otherwise I would have helped you..."

Let bygones be bygones.

Bai Yu smiled with relief.

"I'm doing pretty well now. Luo Qingyan has helped me a lot, and I'm not as tired as before."

"I gradually stopped needing to rely on physical labor to earn money, and the novel I wrote was enough to cover my basic expenses."

"It's fine now...".

These words made Mu Anqi feel bad.

It seems like I'm telling myself this, intentionally or unintentionally.

Whether you come back or not is no longer important to me.

I have a new life now, let bygones be bygones.

"don't want......"

Mu Anqi bit her lower lip tightly, her weak voice choked with sobs.

My emotions, which had just calmed down, surged up again.

The pain in his eyes was even more obvious.

She grasped Bai Yu's hand with her weak and powerless hand.

Although it's called a grab, the force required is enough to easily shake it off.

"You've moved on from the past, but I haven't..."

"I'll die in there..."

"Don't you not want me to die? Could you...?"

"Please don't abandon me..."

She spoke in a tearful voice, her words weak and broken.

He couldn't even utter a complete sentence.

Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, and the dizziness returned to her head.

Upon seeing this, Bai Yu was deeply moved.

The force with which it gripped its own arm was negligible.

He didn't know why, but his hand just reached out on its own.

He quietly pulled Mu Anqi into his arms, feeling her warm body temperature.

Feeling the rise and fall of her sobs, feeling her trembling with fear...

Bai Yu's heart was filled with complex emotions, and she gently pulled Mu Anqi into her arms.

He gently patted Mu Anqi's back, as if soothing a crying child.

Yes, she's like a child who never grows up.

She'll cry and fuss even when no one's around!

Bai Yu no longer knew whether it was right or wrong to avoid her so much.

It's like sulking and making a child guess what's going on.

That innocent child didn't know that he was going to great lengths to please others.

She has given everything, all she wants is companionship.

"Don't cry, don't cry..."

Bai Yu coaxed her gently, patting her back softly.

"I will not abandon you..."

With his soothing words, Mu Anqi gradually calmed down.

Her body remained limp in Bai Yu's arms, her tears soaking his clothes.

"I'm still the same child I used to be..."

"With you... I'll never grow up..."

"Please comfort me..."