CH 54.3

While the video was swiftly making its way around the net, Ji Fanyin was with Song Shiyu at the observatory, looking at the stars. 

It was such an abrupt test that Ji Fanyin wasn’t able to do her homework beforehand. She could only try her best to rake up whatever knowledge she knew about astronomy from disaster films so that she wouldn’t appear ignorant. 

It was fortunate that Song Shiyu wasn’t particularly focused on the stars either. He looked at the winter sky via the telescope and sighed in wonderment, “Beautiful. It’s no wonder you’re fond of the stars.”

Ji Fanyin, who was looking through the telescope adjusted to the North Star, also thought that the night sky was beautiful, though it was really just a layman’s level of appreciation.

“Are you feeling cold?” Song Shiyu asked as he reached out to touch Ji Fanyin’s hand, hoping to feel her hand’s temperature.

Ji Fanyin was still focused on watching the stars a moment ago when she instinctively retracted her hand and looked at Song Shiyu. For just an instant there, she broke out of her working mode.

“What’s wrong?” Song Shiyu looked perplexed.

Ji Fanyin replied with a composed smile, “Nothing much.”

She wasn’t fond of being touched by others, which was why she didn’t like taking public transport. The feeling of repulsion was further exacerbated when it came to Song Shiyu.

I might just be allergic to scums.

There weren’t many people in the observatory due to it being a working day. Ji Fanyin was still feeling a little gleeful at having monopolized this popular telescope for so long, but the earlier event had ruined the mood. Thus, she said, “It really is a little cold here. Let’s go.”

However, Song Shiyu began staring at Ji Fanyin’s face intently instead of walking away, as if he was trying to find something from her.

Ji Fanyin gave it some thought before offering her hand to him. “Do you want to hold my hand?”

She had a sudden recollection. 

Ji Fanyin’ was very fond of Song Shiyu. She desired his warmth and intimacy. Even an unintentional brushing of hands while passing over a cup could make her heart go wild. 

She would have liked more than anything to hold hands with him, but Song Shiyu, despite seeing her as Ji Xinxin’s substitute, refused to come into physical contact with her. 

She was also too meek to voice her thoughts aloud. 

Of course, even if Song Shiyu had learned about her humble desire for warmth and intimacy back then, he would have just snorted at her. He wouldn’t cherish what came so easily. 

It was ironic how the tables had turned. Song Shiyu was now the one who was greedy for warmth and intimacy. He had become the humble one in this relationship. 

I wonder if Song Shiyu has noticed that this is karma yet. 

Ji Fanyin smiled at the man who was looking at her with a hesitant frown, her hand still waiting in mid-air. 

Let’s see if you’re thick-skinned enough to try it. 

She had already thought of a countermeasure if he attempted to grab her hand. She would pull it back and brush him off with a joking ‘But I don’t want to hold your hand now. Heehee.’.

Several seconds ticked by. Song Shiyu raised his hand, only to swiftly pull it back. There was an awful look on his face. He stiffly turned his head away before hurriedly walking past Ji Fanyin, as if he was trying to flee the scene. 

Ji Fanyin slipped her hand into her pocket and smiled at Song Shiyu from behind.

Not bad. It looks like you’ve finally managed to find your sense of shame. You finally know just how ugly you were. 

But what’s the point of realizing it now?

So many years have already passed. The person you have driven past the edge is no longer here. 

Ji Fanyin began following Song Shiyu with leisurely footsteps. 

Her boots produced a ‘tak tak tak’ rhythm against the tiles. It sounded like a bell being rung by a monk on the path to redemption.