Zhou Mianmian didn't know why she suddenly felt guilty upon hearing his sigh.
When she answered Xie Xiao's question, she did so instinctively.
In fact, she hadn't thought about it at all.
How could he suddenly become paralyzed?
Could it be that Xie Xiao was ill?
She hesitated, wondering if Xie Xiao was truly distancing himself because he was sick?
To avoid being a burden to her in the future?
But if he really were paralyzed, could she really continue to be with Xie Xiao?
That kind of life... just thinking about it was painful, she couldn't handle it...
She desperately wanted to keep Xie Xiao because she didn't want to relive the poverty-stricken life she had had before...
But if Xie Xiao was really sick, would she have to take care of him?
Could she really do it?
Zhou Mianmian watched helplessly as Xie Xiao walked down the stairs and disappeared from her sight.
She wanted to tell Xie Xiao that she could do it, that she could stay by his side no matter what.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it, only she knew that.
She couldn't do it.
Xie Xiao...
Xie Xiao was still a bit upset as he walked to the bus stop.
He also felt that asking Zhou Mianmian that question was a bit impulsive.
He already knew the answer, didn't he?
Why did he still ask her?
Was it because her expression was too pitiful and helpless?
Xie Xiao couldn't say for sure, but when he heard her say "yes" without hesitating, he still found it ridiculous.
Even if she had said she didn't know, it wouldn't have made Xie Xiao feel so sad for her.
Since being reborn, he had never planned to waste too much time on Zhou Mianmian.
After all, he had too many things he wanted to do.
To him, Zhou Mianmian was merely a symbol of his own past foolishness.
But Zhou Mianmian kept clinging on, which made him impulsive tonight...
His phone vibrated, a message from Luo Yanran, "Just showered, I'm fine."
Looking at her profile pic featuring a cat, Xie Xiao suddenly asked, "Can I see your cat tonight, Miss Luo? My mood seems a bit off."
The bus arrived, and Xie Xiao boarded with his phone in hand.
Since it was this time of day, there weren't many people on the bus, and he even found a seat at the back.
After sitting down, he received a question mark from Luo Yanran.
He chuckled softly, about to say it was nothing.
Then a video came from the other side.
He opened it to see a very fat cat being teased by a cat wand, jumping up and down energetically despite its size.
Xie Xiao's gaze, however, remained fixed on the delicate small hand holding the cat wand.
So pretty.
Luo Yanran sent another message, "The avatar is from when it was a kitten, it's now as fat as a pig!!!"
Those three exclamation points made Xie Xiao laugh.
His previously not-so-great mood suddenly seemed a lot better.
He replied, "Thank you, Miss Luo, I feel much better now~"
He didn't receive a reply from her by the time the bus reached his stop.
When he got home, Xie Qingxiao was sitting on the couch in his pajamas.
It was rare for Doctor Yang to not be on the night shift.
After a love-filled midnight snack, Xie Xiao headed back to his room only after his mother instructed him to do so.
Xie Xiao had taken a shower and by the time he came out, it was already past eleven o'clock.
His phone vibrated once, it was a picture sent by Luo Yanran.
Upon opening it, he saw a ceramic chibi doll, a cute little girl dressed in a school uniform.
[I saw that vendor again after school, bought it for five yuan, do you want it?]
Xie Xiao smiled silently, "Of course, is this little teacher Luo?"
On the other end, Luo Yanran blushed when she saw his reply, what's wrong with this guy...
After listening to it once, her face turned even redder. seaʀᴄh thё nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
She replied, [No, it was just a random purchase.]
Xie Xiao's mood was really good right now.
The insincere little teacher Luo made him want to tease her even more.
Another message came from her, [Why are you not in a good mood?]
Xie Xiao was silent for a moment, then made a phone call to her.
He thought she would reject it, after all, it had been a long time without any response.
Just as Xie Xiao was about to hang up, she picked up, "Hello..."
"I thought you wouldn't answer," Xie Xiao laughed.
"Actually, I didn't want to answer, I was going to sleep," Luo Yanran's tone sounded discontented, "Accidentally pressed the wrong button."
Xie Xiao followed her words, "Then I'm really lucky."
"So why are you unhappy?" Luo Yanran asked.
From his end, he could hear his calm breathing before he spoke, "Maybe it's just one of those days for guys?"
Luo Yanran: ...
She coldly uttered, "Then you better rest well, I'm going to sleep."
She felt a bit stifled inside, unwilling to say why did you call anyway?
Xie Xiao immediately detected the change in her tone, sighed, "Don't be like that, it's not like I can't talk about it, I just thought you'd find it boring."
His tone sounded a bit helpless, "Today, I saw a girl in my class playing a test with Lin Yu, it asked if I became paralyzed someday, would you still want to be with me?"
After he asked, both remained silent.
All they could hear was each other's breathing.
Xie Xiao waited a while, feeling his question was somewhat absurd, and he laughed at himself, "Pretty boring, right? What a strange question..."
"I probably wouldn't," Luo Yanran's voice cut him off.
Xie Xiao felt a pang in his heart, but thought it was normal.
Although until now he didn't know why Luo Yanran came to him in the first place.
But it seemed normal for her to be unwilling now...
"Because we're not even together," Luo Yanran whispered, "so it doesn't seem right for me to stay by your side..."
But if it really came to that, I think I would want to.
Even go find a legitimate reason to stay by your side...
Hearing this, Xie Xiao's heart, which had sunk, suddenly soared, his tone uncontrollably carrying a hint of anticipation, "What if, we never get a chance to be together? What if something happens to me..."
"I don't want to hear this 'what if,'" Luo Yanran interrupted him impatiently, complaining at the same time, "Why do the girls in your class have time for such nonsensical stuff."
Her tone, laced with impatience, wasn't interested in hearing him curse himself.
Xie Xiao suddenly laughed, "My mood has improved, thank you, teacher Luo."
In the darkness, Luo Yanran covered her face with her hand, her eyes shimmering, though her tone was still fierce, "Go to sleep early, instead of watching this stuff, you should review more problems tomorrow."
"Okay," Xie Xiao responded with a laugh.
A goodnight was left on his side before hanging up the call.
Xie Xiao clenched his phone in his hand, some people would always unconditionally accept him.
Apart from family, it seemed that only person was Luo Yanran.
Just then, his phone vibrated once more—a message came in.
[Don't look at those nonsensical things, they're meaningless. If that day really comes, I will always find a way to be with you.]