Chapter 74 Chapter 74: Accept Her, Or Abandon Her
Chapter 74: Accept Her, Or Abandon Her
This early winter was colder than previous years.
Stepping out of the warm, air-conditioned cafe and into the biting wind and light snow, even with her hands tucked into her pockets, she couldn't fend off the bone-chilling damp cold of Jiangnan.
But as she said goodbye to Chi Xiaocheng and faced the cold wind alone, Su Tao felt a unique sense of lightness.
Her nerves had been stretched too taut.
Ever since that scene in the basement, everything seemed to have changed.
Her affection, her madness, her obsession.
The fleeting glimpses from snippets of their conversations gradually overlapped with the alternating scenes of the rooftop and the basement.
The taste of orange juice still made her stomach churn, yet her body had unconsciously grown accustomed to it.
Chi Xiaocheng was a mass of contradictions.
When indulged, she would display a sweet, healing smile, and her reliance on others was delightful.
Yet her sensitivity far overshadowed this sweetness.
A single gesture, a word, or even a glance could trigger a reaction from her.
Even though she was clearly the one suffering from an illness, and the one at fault, imperceptibly, everyone around her leaned towards her.
Doctor Cheng, Si Chen, Chen Qian, her roommates, and even Liu Guijia, who had bullied her—anyone who knew even a part of the relationship between herself and Chi Xiaocheng, sided with Chi Xiaocheng.
The crucial point was how Ye Liang compared to Chi Xiaocheng in their eyes.
Gender aside, Chi Xiaocheng's attitude towards Su Tao seemed to completely outshine Ye Liang's.
—Even though she was quite ill.
If Xiaocheng wasn't at fault, then was I?
Pressure, like a large hand, squeezed her throat, tightening bit by bit, making it hard for her to breathe, intensifying her suffering.
Her physical exhaustion might have eased, but what about her mental state?
It was like a fine thread suspended above her head, stretched incredibly taut.
When normal, Chi Xiaocheng was lively, sweet, docile, and refined.
She could very carefully discern Su Tao's mood, providing emotional comfort to please her.
It seemed perfect, very relaxing, didn't it?
Yet, when she was around Chi Xiaocheng, Su Tao had to constantly keep her nerves on edge, minding her words and actions, her mind continuously pondering how to soothe Chi Xiaocheng's triggered reactions, always prepared for her seemingly insecure, abrupt questions.
Saying she liked her, against her own will.
It wasn't just Chi Xiaocheng; even her surrounding life was exerting pressure on her.
Her school mentor's overly high expectations, her classmates' warmhearted fondness for her, being put on a pedestal for her beauty, and every meticulous action of hers being observed by countless students under the spotlight.
And there was work, earning money, studying, daily life...
Chi Xiaocheng exerted the most pressure, yet she was also the only one who could alleviate it.
By her side, Su Tao could occasionally recall the past, enjoying a quiet warmth.
She cupped cold water in her hands and splashed it on her face.
Su Tao emerged from the public restroom, feeling significantly lighter.
She didn't know how to deal with Chi Xiaocheng, nor did she dare to actually follow Doctor Cheng's advice to 'enjoy' her obsessive, possessive affection.
She was utterly terrified; how could she possibly enjoy it?
“Was not dealing with it the best way to deal with it?”
Thoughts of evasion rose in her heart. Su Tao tucked her slightly reddened, frozen hands into her pockets and slowly walked in the direction of Chi Xiaocheng.
She wanted time to think.
But fate did not grant her wish.
Ye Liang arrived.
And started arguing with Chi Xiaocheng.
A glinting small knife shimmered with a cold light.
Hidden behind a tree in their blind spot, she saw everything clearly.
“Tell me~ if I were injured, or stabbed, who would be responsible?”
“Ye Liang, it just so happens I couldn't make Tao Tao stay away from you and despise you. Your timing... is perfect~”
Chi Xiaocheng's voice became hoarse and crazed.
Su Tao knew that Chi Xiaocheng had entered her obsessive state.
Ye Liang had provoked her; her rationality was gone.
Was Xiaocheng waiting for me to appear, then to harm herself and frame Ye Liang, to gain my sympathy?
What would happen if I didn't step out?
Su Tao leaned against the tree, looking up at the sky. Fine snow drifted onto the corners of her lips, forming a bitter smile.
“So this is what Qianqian and Doctor Cheng meant by 'choice'.”
It wasn't a choice between Ye Liang and Chi Xiaocheng.
But rather.
—Accept her.
Or.
—Abandon her.
If I were to just flee directly like this, what would become of them?
Maybe I shouldn't appear after all.
Yes, she always presents such choices. If it happens once, it will happen countless times. All I need to do is escape.
Just escape!
If she just left, there wouldn't be this painful dilemma anymore.
Taking a step forward, Su Tao then stopped, frozen.
A voice in her heart seemed to question her.
Are you truly going to escape like this?
But isn't she the sister you care about most?
Isn't she the one who accompanied you throughout your entire childhood, the only one who supported you as you constantly moved forward?
Suddenly, Ye Liang's ferocious roar echoed in her ears, “Chi Xiaocheng, are you mad?!”
Little time was left for her to choose.
Su Tao mechanically peered out, her pupils constricting abruptly.
She saw Chi Xiaocheng standing before Ye Liang, painfully clutching her abdomen, as bright red orange juice dripped continuously onto the ground, melting the fine snow.
Whether it was intentional on Chi Xiaocheng's part, or simply due to the excessive range of her movements, Ye Liang, who was close to her, couldn't help but be splattered with a considerable amount of crimson droplets.
From a distance, it truly looked as if he had acted with brutal intent, determined to leave Chi Xiaocheng in the snow forever.
Clouds obscured the last bit of sun, and gloom settled on Ye Liang's face. “You lunatic, do you think this will make Su Tao cling to you? Standing before me in such a frail state, aren't you afraid I'll simply kill you here and now?!”
He stretched out his hand, seemingly about to snatch the fruit knife from Chi Xiaocheng's grasp.
Chi Xiaocheng's smile grew even more sinister, and she was about to speak.
A system voice suddenly sounded in her mind.
【Host, calm down. Su Tao is back; she's watching right now!】
Chi Xiaocheng's pupils constricted slightly. The pain, which even her pain-reduction skill couldn't entirely alleviate, made her grow even calmer.
A flash of inspiration struck her, and she changed her original words.
Instead, she glared fiercely at Ye Liang, “Don't think I don't know, Ye Liang. You know Tao Tao's true identity, don't you? You're approaching her simply to use her!”
“What on earth are you saying—”
Before he could finish, Chi Xiaocheng's even more fierce voice cut him off, “I will never allow you to harm Tao Tao, and I will certainly not allow you to approach her!”
Ye Liang's anger intensified, a sinister smirk twisting his lips. He ordered his bodyguard beside him, “Go find Su Tao. Stop her for me; she must not come here.”
“As for you, Chi Xiaocheng!” Ye Liang clenched his fist. “Since you're so intent on using injury to threaten me, I'll make sure you stay here forever!”
The furious voice reached Su Tao's ears.
She knew she could no longer wait.
“Xiaocheng, is your love really so heavy?”
Her chapped, frozen lips parted slightly, and Su Tao slowly stepped out from beside the tree.
As if she had just arrived, her incomparably haggard face displayed extraordinarily poor acting.
Su Tao's lips trembled as she softly asked, “Ye Liang... what are you doing?”
From beginning to end, she had no choice.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!