About a week had passed since their Qixi Festival date.

After that fateful outing, Lin Youxi hadn’t experienced a single moment of lucidity this entire week.

Not one.

Mei Fang, now unable to predict Lin Youxi’s behavior, had to keep her by his side constantly—otherwise she might do something irreversible. Even at night, he dared not sleep soundly.

The immense physical and mental toll of caring for Lin Youxi had left Mei Fang as disoriented as she was, barely distinguishing day from night, surviving solely on his determination to protect her.

When Zhang Ming came to visit, he was shocked by Mei Fang’s haggard appearance.

Zhang Ming administered acupuncture, prepared herbal medicine, and watched Mei Fang drink it.

“This is truly the last time I can help you… I’ve said all there is to say. What you need now is to control your emotions. If you get too agitated and no one’s around to perform emergency treatment, there’ll be no saving you.”

Mei Fang responded softly between sips, now seemingly incapable of raising his voice. Yet even in this state, he kept glancing toward the bedroom where Lin Youxi slept, afraid she might wake and find him absent.

Zhang Ming studied Mei Fang’s gaunt face, sighed, and patted his shoulder. “Take care, brother.”

“Thanks… brother.”

After seeing Zhang Ming out, Mei Fang received a package containing a jade bracelet. He messaged his mother that it had arrived, and Xiang Xiaoxia immediately video-called—which Mei Fang declined.

The call switched to voice only.

“Ah Fang… h-how are you? We’ve been so worried, not hearing from you…”

Mei Fang mustered his strength to sound energetic. “I’m fine.”

“Really don’t need us to come help? You said Youxi was very ill…”

“I can handle it. I’m not job-hunting right now anyway. She’ll improve after this depressive episode passes.”

Can’t let Mom see Youxi and me like this.

She’d make me leave her.

After a pause, Mei Fang added quietly:

“Mom, once Youxi and I wrap up some work here, when she’s a bit better, we’ll return before New Year’s to hold the wedding. We’re getting registered tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival! Why pick such an inauspicious date?”

“We originally wanted Qixi Festival, but the lines were too long, and appointments are required in big cities… Had to choose when no one else would—”

“Then pick another day! Registering on Ghost Festival—the civil affairs staff will think you’re insane! Reschedule immediately.”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s scolding continued until Mei Fang cut in:

“Alright alright, I’ll reschedule… Gotta go now.”

“Wait, let me talk to Youxi—”

Mei Fang hung up abruptly, then erupted into violent coughing.

That was all the strength he had left.

Whew…

Clutching the vintage green jade bracelet, Mei Fang rested briefly before carefully placing it on Lin Youxi’s wrist as she slept.

Her arm was terribly thin, but fortunately the bracelet was small enough not to slip off.

The movement roused Lin Youxi. She trembled slightly, then clutched Mei Fang’s hand tightly.

Her eyes opened—still empty, unfocused, uncertain if she even registered Mei Fang’s presence.

Yet the warmth of his palm seemed to comfort her.

“Good… morning? Afternoon? Or evening.”

Mei Fang smiled as Lin Youxi slowly lifted her bracelet-adorned arm.

“Mom promised this to you long ago. It was Grandma’s, then Mom’s, now yours.”

Lin Youxi didn’t respond.

“Youxi… can we discuss something?”

She looked up at him.

“We haven’t gone out in a week. Let’s go out tomorrow, okay?”

His eyes brimmed with hope.

Lin Youxi nodded slightly.

“To register?”

This glimmer of clarity thrilled Mei Fang. “Yes, yes! And maybe stroll around town—”

“Okay.”

Overjoyed by these few words, Mei Fang hugged her tightly—unlike during their passionate early days, Lin Youxi’s arms now hung limply at her sides.

Her eyes remained dull.

After taking Zhang Ming’s herbal medicine, Mei Fang fell into an unusually deep sleep.

When he awoke the next morning, Lin Youxi wasn’t beside him.

The empty space jolted him upright, scrambling out of bed in panic—only to find her at the vanity, applying makeup.

“You’re awake.”

Lin Youxi fastened an earring while smiling at his reflection. “I made breakfast… though I’m out of practice…”

Mei Fang stood behind her, hands trembling on her shoulders.

“So you’re…”

Lin Youxi covered his hand with hers. “The depressive episode seems over. You’ve worked so hard this whole time—”

Mei Fang embraced her from behind.

“Why so tight…”

“Afraid this is a dream… Does it hurt?”

“Not… not compared to your pain…”

“Pinch me then.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Please, just a little—” Mei Fang coaxed, turning her to face him, caressing her smooth cheeks.

“Really… want me to pinch you?”

“Mhm! I love being tormented by you!”

“Does it hurt?”

Mei Fang shook his head. “Harder.”

“Now?”

“…Still nothing.”

“But I’m using all my strength…”

Lin Youxi tilted her head. “Are we… actually dreaming?”

“Feels too real to be a—”

As Mei Fang reached for her again, she dissipated like smoke.

He jerked awake.

His lover was in his arms—but not the bright-eyed version from his dream.

The real Lin Youxi stared blankly at the wall.

Noticing his tears, she slowly wiped them away.

Mei Fang sat up, drying his face. “Sleep a bit longer. I’ll make breakfast.”

“Okay.”

After preparing breakfast, helping her wash up, and doing her makeup, Mei Fang hit another roadblock—Lin Youxi refused to leave, stubbornly planted on the sofa.

“We agreed yesterday… to register and go out?”

“No.”

“I don’t want to marry you anymore.”

No amount of persuasion worked.

“Alright… if you don’t want to go, we won’t.”

While watching TV, Lin Youxi suddenly requested to play a game.

“Which one? That one again?”

She nodded. “White Plum Time.”

“Another playthrough?”

This game had become Lin Youxi’s sole distraction—the only time her eyes showed any light. But once she stopped or Mei Fang spoke, the emptiness returned.

Holding her, watching her restart the game again and again, seeing her animated expressions mirroring the in-game Xia Yuan’s smiles, Mei Fang’s nose stung with tears.

I was too arrogant.

Maybe… I was never the one who could save Youxi.

If Yuan Yuan were here, Youxi wouldn’t have ended up like this—

I can only watch helplessly as she falls into the abyss.

Even giving everything, I can’t stop her destruction.

His body trembled slightly.

Lin Youxi seemed oblivious.

As always, she chose the happy ending with Xia Yuan.

“Why always this route? Try romancing yourself sometime.”

“Because I hate myself.”

“More than anyone,” she whispered. “Everyone wishes I didn’t exist.”

“That’s not true—I love you.”

“Which is why you’re like this now.”

Lin Youxi set down the controller. “I’d rather you hated me.”

She seemed unaware of her cruel words, continuing casually:

“Ah Fang, while playing I suddenly craved those fried potato chips from back home…”

“Let’s go buy some?”

“Don’t want to go out. You get them, or order delivery.”

“After leaving you alone last time?”

Mei Fang forced a smile. “Besides, those street vendor chips aren’t on delivery apps.”

“Then… we’ll go out, but no registering.”

Lin Youxi murmured, “Don’t marry me. Wait until I die, then remarry—better for you that way.”

“Don’t say such things! We promised to be destroyed together…”

His smile turned bitter. “Now you’re abandoning me?”

“Because I’m a capricious villain…” Her grin held no warmth. “You chose this.”

“Let’s not discuss this.”

Mei Fang spoke gently. “Let’s just go find those potato chips, okay?”

“Okay…”

Perhaps due to the Ghost Festival, the weekend streets were unusually empty.

Walking along the riverbank, they discovered an unfamiliar alley.

“A snack street? When was this built?” Lin Youxi wondered.

“Not sure… We haven’t been out in ages.”

Mei Fang held her hand. “Let’s see what they have?”

“Only want potato chips.”

“Fine… I’ll look.”

Lin Youxi seemed slightly more lucid now.

Though her words still cut deep, at least she wasn’t giving him the silent treatment.

That’s progress…

At the alley’s entrance stood a volunteer medical booth—currently unattended, littered with empty snack boxes, suggesting the doctor was quite the foodie.

Further in, the crowd thickened, vendors’ cries filling the air.

“Feels like home, remember? Bai Mei County’s main street?”

“Mhm…”

“Yuan Yuan always took me out as kids. I had no money—she treated me, especially to those potato chips near First Elementary.”

“Only remember outings with Yuan Yuan?”

Mei Fang feigned hurt. “We went last year too.”

“Did we?”

Lin Youxi rubbed her temples. “Only recall childhood times… Oh! That stall sells fried potato chips!”

They bought a portion.

“Meh… not as good as back home.”

Lin Youxi frowned.

“Then we’ll go home soon to eat them.”

“No.” She refused. “Even there, they won’t taste the same.”

“We could try making—”

“Mei Fang.”

They’d reached an open area by the riverbank.

Lin Youxi gazed up at him, smiling.

“Do you hate me?”

Mei Fang shook his head.

“I hate you.”

Whether surprised by her words or unsure how to respond, Mei Fang froze momentarily before managing a faint smile.

“Okay…”

“I loathe you.”

“Sorry.”

“I regret ever meeting you.”

“…”

“Life would’ve been better without you.”

She watched the blood-orange sunset stretch their shadows endlessly.

“Without you, I wouldn’t be this half-dead wreck—just living freely, happy each day, hospitalized when episodes hit—”

Lin Youxi walked ahead, hands behind her back. “Then one day, I’d be found dead in some rental… or hospital bed. No need for a tombstone—no visitors anyway. Cremate me, scatter my ashes at sea… perfect, right?”

When she turned back, Mei Fang stood weeping silently, tears streaming down his face.

He cried heartbreakingly—yet stifled any sound, clinging to masculinity even now, remembering Zhang Ming’s warning about controlling his emotions.

“So… do you regret it now?”

“I’m saying this lucidly.”

“Our relationship’s beyond hiding thoughts…”

Lin Youxi seemed to relish his pain, making no move to comfort him as he wiped his tears and insisted hoarsely:

“No… regret what?”

He sniffled. “My choice…”

“I don’t turn back easily.”

“Meeting you was beautiful to me.”

“Before you, I was alone in Pengcheng.”

“Thought I’d never find love.”

“Until that convenience store.”

“Though it hurts now… I’ll cherish our happiness.”

“Forever… no, eternally…”

His voice broke. Whether she heard or cared didn’t matter—this Lin Youxi couldn’t be moved by his words anymore.

As he wept, she approached and took his hand, placing it over her heart.

“Don’t be sad. Let’s rest awhile.”

Hand in hand, they sat on a riverside bench as families strolled past. Children stared at Mei Fang’s tear-streaked face before being hurried along.

Lin Youxi leaned against him, watching the sunset paint them gold.

Neither spoke.

She played with her jade bracelet, twisting it in the light before growing bored and climbing onto his lap to study his face.

“…”

His eyes held loneliness, exhaustion, sorrow, agony—but never hatred or disgust toward her.

Cupping his cheeks, she kissed him softly.

“Ah Fang.”

Her whisper carried remorse.

“Sorry.”

“Mm…”

Foreheads touching, noses brushing, gazes locked—Mei Fang finally saw a glimmer in her eyes.

Trembling, he embraced her gently.

She hugged him back tightly.

“Feels like… I’ve apologized countless times.”

“As many as needed.”

“But this is the last, truly.”

Lin Youxi murmured, “I think… my depression has lifted.”

“This episode lasted so long.”

Something wet fell on Mei Fang’s head—her tears.

“So… am I dreaming again?”

“‘Again’?”

Lin Youxi choked up. “You dreamed I got better last night?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then your wish came true.”

She clung to him. “Or maybe… your prayers worked—”

Then she whispered in his ear:

“Let’s go… register now.”

“Too late… they’re closed.”

“Then tomorrow… first thing when we wake.”

“Doesn’t matter if we register…”

“Of course it does! You’ve always cared so much—”

Lin Youxi scolded, tapping his head. Mei Fang smiled wearily—the first genuine smile in ages, as if he’d forgotten how.

She took tissues from his pocket, wiping his nose and tears.

He did the same for her.

[Part 2 after midnight]