Arc 8: Chapter 23
The hospital halls were empty and quiet at night. Jin Ran held Lin Yuan’s smaller, thinner hand in his. His heart was still in turmoil, like an aftershock with repercussions that would take a long time to disappear.
Lin Yuan’s condition was now stable. The doctor said he could be discharged the next day.
Jin Ran’s fingers stroked the back of Lin Yuan’s, thumbing the delicate veins that carried the other’s heartbeat…
Even now, Jin Ran couldn’t tell if Lin Yuan was alive. What did being alive even mean?
In his life, his strongest feelings were for Lin Yuan. All of his love and hatred, all of his happiness and pain, were all for Lin Yuan.
The only future Jin Ran could see was one with Lin Yuan in it.
But after the car accident, Lin Yuan left him. Jin Ran was still alive, but his life didn’t have Lin Yuan anymore.
Lin Yuan woke up from his sleep and saw the other’s pale face and empty eyes. He couldn’t move his arm, and could only call out: “Jin Ran? What’s wrong? Were you scared because I was sleeping?”
Upon hearing Lin Yuan’s voice, Jin Ran’s eyes gained a bit of clarity. His grip on Lin Yuan’s hand tightened subconsciously and he said hoarsely: “Sui Sui, can you say it again?”
Lin Yuan tilted his head in confusion. He thought back to Jin Ran’s reactions and said uncertainly: “Do you want me to say that I fell in love with you at first sight?...”
Jin Ran’s dark eyes obviously brightened, like a small star growing amidst the vast night sky.
Lin Yuan kissed Jin Ran’s eyes and said more firmly: “Sui Sui fell in love with Jin Ran at first sight.”
He looked straight into Jin Ran’s eyes, speaking with utmost sincerity: “I fell in love with you at first sight. Maybe because I liked you a lot in the past, so even though I lost my memories, I liked you the moment I saw you.”
These words were like the last piece of driftwood saving Jin Ran. He cupped the back of Lin Yuan’s neck and pulled the other closer until their breaths mingled intimately: “You’re not lying to me right? You really like me?”
The man’s eyes were fixated on Lin Yuan, filled with desire, unease, and probing, desperate for the answer yet fearing to hear it.
Lin Yuan said again: “I like you. Jin Ran, I really like you. I love you.”
These three words were Jin Ran’s greatest desire. Jin Ran’s eyes tinged with red.
“Don’t lie to me… Please, don’t lie to me about this…”
This was the one deception he couldn’t bear.
Lin Yuan smiled through his tears, saying each word carefully and earnestly: “I’m not lying to you. Jin Ran, I love you. I’ll stay with you forever.”
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
Over the next month, Lin Yuan’s complexion gradually returned to normal. Jin Ran decided to take a year off from work, saying he wanted to travel and see the world in Lin Yuan’s memory.
Father Lin sighed, patted his shoulder, and told him to be careful and take care of himself outside.
So lately Jin Ran’s life revolved solely around Lin Yuan. He did a great job nursing Lin Yuan back to health, but he was still struggling to trust him.
Lin Yuan ate a piece of stir-fried pork and waved his hand in front of Jin Ran’s eyes, joking: “Where are you looking? I’m right here, I won’t run away.”
Jin Ran added two more pieces of pork to Lin Yuan’s plate and said downcasted: “Sorry, Sui Sui, I can’t help myself.”
Lin Yuan rubbed the man’s hand and said comfortingly: “It’s okay, take you time. I’ll take my time recovering, and you can take your time too.”
After dinner, Jin Ran washed the dishes and Lin Yuan sat in a spot that he could see when he turned around.
Just while washing the dishes, Jin Ran turned his head to look at Lin Yuan at least every 30 seconds. After he finished cleaning the kitchen, Jin Ran walked over to the sofa and pulled Lin Yuan onto his lap.
Lin Yuan settled into a comfortable position, looking like a lazy cat.
After he finished his game, Lin Yuan sat up and kissed the corner of the man’s lips: “Jin Ran, be good. Go upstairs and stay in the study for an hour, then you can come down and see me.”
Jin Ran subconsciously hugged Lin Yuan tightly: “Sui Sui…”
Lin Yuan’s heart almost softened seeing the man’s weak appearance, but he learned his lesson after indulging Jin Ran last time. He said calmly: “Jin Ran, don’t be afraid. You can still look at me through the security cameras. I’ll stay here, I promise.”
Having the security cameras brought a concrete sense of assurance. Jin Ran kissed Lin Yuan passionately for a while before reluctantly letting go and walking away.
Sitting behind his desk, Jin Ran turned on the surveillance monitor and watched Lin Yuan’s every action.
During the next hour, Jin Ran was both calm and tormented. He could see Lin Yuan, but he couldn’t touch or feel Lin Yuan’s warmth and vitality.
Just one sense wasn’t enough.
When the hour was over, Jin Ran rushed downstairs and hugged Lin Yuan with all of his strength, as if he wanted to imprison Lin Yuan with him: “Sui Sui…”
Jin Ran’s hoarse voice and warm breath hit Lin Yuan’s sensitive ears. Lin Yuan stroked the man’s hair and said softly: “I’m right here. Jin Ran, see, no matter where you go, I’ll be right here.”
Next time, the duration was extended to an hour and a half. Then after that, two hours.
When they reached six hours, Lin Yuan finally switched it up. He asked Jin Ran to leave his phone behind and go to the bedroom for ten minutes.
This meant that they would be completely cut off from each other for ten whole minutes. Jin Ran was extremely resistant. He refused to respond to Lin Yuan, just hugging him without a word.
Lin Yuan patted the man’s hunched back: “Jin Ran, trust me just this once. Ten minutes, okay?”