Roses in Flames

Xiao Lin's dark eyes fixed on Ye Yuntang, his Adam's apple bobbing. "What secret?"

Ye Yuntang's hands, hanging at her sides, clenched slightly into fists, and her long, butterfly-like eyelashes trembled gently, revealing the tension and panic in her heart.

She took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say to him, "Actually, that night we had a one-night stand... was my first time."

Xiao Lin's mind went blank, as if a thunderbolt had exploded.

His facial features suddenly tightened, and his gaze toward Ye Yuntang became increasingly deep and dark.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Ye Yuntang bit her lip hard with her pearly white teeth and glared at him irritably. "You don't believe me?"

Xiao Lin was still in shock and hadn't had time to say anything when he heard her continue, "Not every girl bleeds the first time."

She lowered her long eyelashes again, concealing a hint of embarrassment. "When I was little, I learned to ride a bicycle and fell several times. That might have caused some damage..."

Her words were interrupted by the man's deep, magnetic voice, "I believe you!"

Ye Yuntang raised his index finger, gesturing for him to stop speaking. "Let me finish speaking first. Physiologically speaking, the hymen is a ring-shaped mucous membrane with a natural opening in the middle to facilitate the discharge of menstrual blood. Not all hymens are completely closed."

She looked directly into his deep, dark eyes, and after calming her nerves, her voice carried the rationality and objectivity characteristic of a forensic doctor. "Some women's hymens are extremely elastic, and after their first sexual intercourse, there may only be a slight tear with very little bleeding, which may even be diluted by secretions, so you won't even notice the so-called 'bleeding'. Others may experience premature rupture due to strenuous exercise during puberty, the use of tampons, accidental collisions, or, like me, frequent falls while riding a bicycle as a child. Medical science has long proven that 'bleeding' cannot be used as a basis for determining whether it was the first time."

Xiao Lin listened quietly to Ye Yuntang's explanation. His jawline remained taut, but the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a low, hoarse voice, "From the moment you told me, I never doubted it. I felt guilty because I wasn't gentle that night."

Upon hearing his words, Ye Yuntang's heart skipped a beat.

His deep eyes were burning and focused, and his low, husky voice was filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt, "I hurt you, I'm sorry."

Ye Yuntang felt a little embarrassed by his earnest apology.

She brushed a strand of long hair behind her ear, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettish complaint, "So you're only now realizing you've hurt me?"

Even so, she didn't blame him. "But I can't entirely blame you. I said some things that provoked you that night, and I didn't act like a novice."

Xiao Lin stared at her, his deep black eyes like two whirlpools, trying to draw her in.

Ye Yuntang put one hand on her hip and glared at him. "What kind of look is that?"

Xiao Lin's thin lips curled into an barely suppressed smile. "I was just thinking, you and Fu Shili have been married for two years, and yet..."

Faced with Xiao Lin's doubts, Ye Yuntang did not shy away from the question. She frankly told him, "He was impotent at first, but he was cured later, and then he cheated on me with Bai Chuwei."

Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow. "If he's capable, will you still be together?"

Ye Yuntang nodded, "Of course, I used to like him too."

Xiao Lin responded with an "oh".

He turned around again and began putting on a pillowcase.

Looking at his tall, aloof back, which was a little stiff, Ye Yuntang couldn't help but smile.

She walked over to him and poked his arm with her fingertip. "What's wrong? Are you jealous?"

I thought he wouldn't admit it, but to my surprise, he gave a soft "hmm" and then said, "A little."

Seeing his somewhat jealous expression, Ye Yuntang's smile deepened.

"But that's all in the past. We weren't meant to be, otherwise I wouldn't have entrusted my most precious thing to you, would I?"

Xiao Lin put down the pillowcase he had just put on, his dark eyes fixed on her. "Indeed, it shows we are destined for each other."

He placed his large hand on her shoulder and said, word by word, with utmost seriousness, "I've never had any virginity complex. In my opinion, a person's sincerity isn't measured by their past physical experiences. I like you because you are Ye Yuntang—the one who is calm and professional on the autopsy table, composed in the face of danger at a crime scene, independent and resilient, and with a bright and captivating smile."

"But I must admit, I'm very happy that you told me the secret of that night."

This happiness does not stem from the satisfaction of possessiveness, but from the touching feeling of being cherished.

"Thank you."

Ye Yuntang felt a lump in her throat from his words. She slapped his large hand away and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I've already cried several times tonight. You continue making the bed. I'm going to keep Grandma A-Lin company."

Before Xiao Lin could say anything, Ye Yuntang turned and ran away.

Ye Yuntang arrived at Grandma Alin's room. The aunt was still tidying up in the yard. Ye Yuntang walked to the bedside and held Grandma Alin's hand.

"grandmother."

Grandma A-Lin sat leaning against the headboard, the dim light outlining the white hair at her temples. She grasped Ye Yuntang's hand in return, a kind smile on her face, "Xiao Tang."

Ye Yuntang leaned close to Grandma Lin's ear and asked, "Grandma, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Grandma is very happy that Ah Lin brought you here today. Xiao Tang must be a very good girl, otherwise Ah Lin wouldn't have brought you here."

Ye Yuntang was slightly taken aback.

In front of her, her grandmother called her Ah Lin, not Ah Lin.

Before Ye Yuntang could say anything, she heard Grandma A-Lin say, "Actually, Grandma has been carrying something in her heart for many years. Now that you're here, Grandma wants to ask you to pass on a message to A-Lin."

Ye Yuntang subconsciously tightened his grip on Grandma A-Lin's hand, "Please say something, Grandma."

"Please tell him for me to stop feeling guilty," Grandma A-Lin's voice was tinged with sadness, but every word was clear. "Tell A-Lin to live his life well from now on and not to be held back by the past. He's a good boy and deserves his own happiness."

Ye Yuntang's eyes widened slightly. She looked at Grandma A-Lin in disbelief and asked in a trembling voice, "You...you know?"

Grandma A-Lin gently patted Ye Yuntang's hand. "Although Grandma is blind and hard of hearing, I raised A-Lin myself. I know his scent, the bones in his hands, and his habits very well."

"All these years, Ah Lin hasn't come back, and Ah Lin has been taking care of me. How could I not feel anything?" Ah Lin's grandmother's voice was choked with sobs, but she quickly composed herself. "Ah Lin is a good boy. He must have been afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the shock, so he kept it from me. He has been taking care of Ah Lin for so many years, and he must be feeling very sad. He didn't say anything, and I didn't want to expose him, but I still hope that he can have his own life in the future and live happily."

Grandma A-Lin held Ye Yuntang's hand tightly. "Xiaotang, you must help Grandma tell him that Grandma doesn't blame him or fate. Grandma just wants him to be alright. I think A-Lin and A-Lin's father feel the same way as Grandma."

Ye Yuntang's nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face.