Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

A trip that never took place.

An unnamed cat.

My grandfather's teachings.

A fatal betrayal.

Whispers in the ICU.

The verdict at age ten.

The power of a fifteen-year-old.

The loneliness of seventeen.

Xie Jing finished speaking.

He turned his face slightly to avoid any possible gaze from Shang Song at that moment.

He concluded his story with a blank expression.

"This is my world."

"Unexpected events could happen at any time, there are scheming plots in the shadows, there are personal relationships that must be weighed, and there are hierarchical rules that must be maintained..."

"Actually, it's very dark."

"It's not right for you, Shang Song."

Shang Song finished listening.

He looked at Xie Jing's turned face, his taut jaw, and his unconsciously trembling eyelashes.

He couldn't say anything.

He instinctively reached out, wanting to hug Xie Jing.

Hugs are the most effective way to express love and cherish between people.

Besides, they are lovers.

However, the moment his fingertips touched Xie Jing's shoulder, Xie Jing's body recoiled backward without warning.

He avoided Shang Song's embrace.

Realizing what had happened.

Shang Song was stunned.

Xie Jing himself was stunned.

He looked at his hands, which had inexplicably begun to tremble, and then looked up to see Shang Song's stunned expression.

He messed up again.

He messed up again.

"...I'm going to take a shower." Xie Jing stood up abruptly, said this, and quickly walked around the partition and into the bathroom.

The bathroom door was closed, followed by the clear sound of the lock clicking shut.

Shang Song maintained the posture of half-extending his hand.

He looked at the closed bathroom door through the screen and slowly lowered his hand.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

Xie Jing said that his world was dark.

Yes, how can Xie Jing stop feeling the darkness?

but.

Why should the evildoer die, while Xie Jing, who suffered all the harm, have to live forever in the shadow built by the sins of others?

For twenty years, he was even afraid of the most ordinary hug.

in the bathroom.

Xie Jing tilted his head back against the wall.

He was trembling.

I couldn't stop shaking.

He regretted it.

He shouldn't, and couldn't, avoid it.

Shang Song just wanted to hug him, just like the countless hugs they had shared in the past six months.

Shang Song is always like this; he is extremely perceptive of those well-hidden signs of fatigue and low spirits.

Then, generously give him a warm hug.

But he still dodged it.

He should leave immediately.

He went outside, hugged Shang Song, and apologized.

Tell Shang Song that he didn't do it on purpose.

Tell Shang Song that he wants that hug, he wants it desperately.

But he didn't dare.

What should he do if he sees Shang Song's disappointment after he goes out?

Will Shang Song get tired again? Bored? Perhaps he'll realize he's not worth it?

Will Shang Song leave him again?

And half a year has passed.

He forced himself to get these past six months.

It was something he maintained with all his might and with utmost care.

But now, he's messed up again.

Why did he say that?

Why tell Shang Song all this?

He could have kept it a secret forever.

He can always play the role of a normal lover.

He also had the ability to keep Shang Song forever in the greenhouse he had created.

He can do it!

So, why say all this?

Is it because he longs for Shang Song to see his true, complete self?

But now, he may lose Shang Song completely because of his greed.

He needs to take a shower.

He needs to calm down.

Then go outside, hug Shang Song, and apologize sincerely.

He took a shower at an extremely fast pace.

A cold water rinse cools the blood.

Finally, his chaotic thoughts calmed down, and he stopped trembling.

He hadn't dried his hair; water droplets soaked his pajamas.

He placed his hand on the bathroom door handle, took a deep breath to calm himself, and then turned the doorknob.

His gaze immediately went through the plain screen to the bed.

Shang Song was not in bed.

He stood frozen at the doorway, maintaining the open-door posture, completely motionless.

Shang Song... is gone?

So... he just left?

The world became empty, cold, and lifeless again.

Shang Song is gone.

It seems that the companionship, warmth, and vibrancy of the past six months were just an illusion for him.

Now, the dream is over.

He was still left alone in this wasteland built of loneliness and responsibility.

The wind and snow were biting cold.

He did it again.

They were abandoned.

Water droplets kept rolling down his wet hair, trickling past the corners of his eyes.

He said to himself.

It's okay.

got used to.

Xie Jing, you've always been used to it well, haven't you?

He slowly closed his eyes, raised his hand, and wiped away the tears that had streamed down his face.

His movements froze the instant his cold fingertips touched the burning corner of his eye.

His ears twitched slightly, catching a very faint sound.

The sound coming from the direction of the dressing room was the rustling of clothes.

Shang Song...didn't leave?

What is he doing?

Pack your luggage.

Xie Jing walked towards the dressing room as if in self-torture.

He thought that even if Shang Song wanted to leave, he should make arrangements for Shang Song's future life.

In the walk-in closet.

No suitcase.

Only Shang Song, barefoot with his shirt rolled up to his forearm, was rummaging through a drawer.

Shang Song picked up a tie from Xie Jing's drawer, examined it carefully for a while, and then put it back.

Then, he picked up a new tie.

Their expressions were focused, even critical.

Shang Song seemed to notice him, but ignored him, picked up another silver-gray tie, looked at it in the light, and rubbed the material between his fingers.

Finally, seemingly still not satisfied, he put it back.

Xie Jing finally spoke: "What...are you doing?"

"Looking for a tie." Shang Song didn't even look up, continuing to examine the next tie. "Tsk, don't you have any older, or cheaper ties?"

Xie Jing: "?"

Shang Song finally glanced at him. "Why didn't you dry your hair? You'll catch a cold."

Xie Jing didn't answer. He asked, "...What do you need the tie for?"

Shang Song replied matter-of-factly, "Of course it's useful."

He seemed troubled. "It's a pity that these are all too expensive. I can't bear to waste them."

"I remember the black one I wore for my graduation defense, it was only 9.9 yuan with free shipping, it was perfect. Too bad I can't find it anymore, so many of my things have disappeared since I moved here."

Xie Jing didn't speak, but silently walked to one of the wardrobes, raised his hand, and opened a tall storage cabinet.

Xie Jing easily took out a small box from the tall cabinet.

He handed the box to Shang Song.

The sandalwood box was exquisitely crafted, and inside it was the strip, carefully folded.

Black tie for 9.9 yuan with free shipping.

Since Shang Song moved in, her life has been meticulously arranged.

All the old clothes, hats, socks, and shoes were processed and replaced by the staff.

Xie Jing did not explain why he kept the tie.