---

But I didn’t believe it.

I started having sleepless nights, and even when I managed to fall asleep, nightmares would wake me up.

Blood soaked my dreams.

No matter what I did, I couldn’t escape.

Gradually, even the colors in my dreams faded, leaving only shades of gray.

Sleeping beside me, Jiang Youqi would be awakened by my movements. He would tightly hold me from behind, gently patting my back.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here. Be good, sleep now.”

Feeling safe, I would fall back asleep.

But Jiang Youqi is dead.

They said he died on his way to find me.

A car, out of control, crashed into him, running over his entire body.

When he died, he was still clutching a custom-made ring for me.

Afterwards, the nightmares returned in full force, without Jiang Youqi to ward them off.

They clung to me relentlessly, never letting go.

I was trapped in a small room, and even breathing became a difficult task.

It was both a refuge and a cage that confined me.

I never had a peaceful sleep again.

---

Now, hearing that familiar name again, I found it strangely comforting.

Anything that came from Jiang Youqi’s lips, I liked.

Given another chance, Jiang Youqi, this time I’ll love you properly.

I waited, expecting Jiang Youqi to comfort me like he did in my past life with a kiss.

But he didn’t move.

I felt my way up and walked toward where Jiang Youqi was standing.

“Aqi. I was wrong before. I won’t treat you like that again. Let’s be together, okay?”

Just as I was about to touch him, Jiang Youqi took a step back.

His tone suddenly changed, filled with anger and frustration.

“Chen Yang, I’m human too, you know. I’d rather you treat me like you used to. Stop playing with me, okay?”

“You’ve used the same excuse twice now. Do you think I’m an idiot?”

In the darkness, my anxiety and fear reached their peak.

Jiang Youqi’s tone felt unfamiliar to me.

Could this all just be a fantasy before I die?

Or maybe Jiang Youqi has grown tired of me—after all, who wouldn’t find someone like me annoying?

Bad-tempered, unpredictable.

Of course, he hates me. It’s only natural.

I sniffled, forcing back the tears that were about to spill from my eyes.

When I spoke again, my voice was choked with emotion.

“Jiang Youqi, what do you mean by that? I finally get to see you again. I didn’t even have time to tell you how much I like you—how could I…”

I groped around, trying to find Jiang Youqi’s position.

But he purposefully avoided any physical contact with me.

The moment I touched his clothing, he immediately stepped back a meter.

“Are you planning to use this trick on me again, just so you can run back to Xie Yun?”

“Xie Yun? Who’s that?” I didn’t recognize the name.

Jiang Youqi stood coldly beside me, his voice dripping with bitterness and sarcasm.

“Chen Yang, stop pretending. After liking him for so many years, how could you not know who he is?”

“I won’t stand in your way. Do whatever you want, but I won’t interfere anymore. Once you walk out that door today, you and I are done.”

No, that’s not it.

I’m not trying to go to anyone else.

I just want to be with you.

---

Suddenly, like a movie, countless memories flashed through my mind, and I remembered who Xie Yun was.

In my previous life, I seemed to have someone I liked.

And his name was probably Xie Yun?

I threw myself into pursuing Xie Yun, and my affection for him was no secret to anyone.

He would even grin mischievously and call me “Young Master,” occasionally responding to my advances.

After I went blind, he disappeared without a trace.

Just like everyone else, Xie Yun kicked me aside when I had nothing left.

But I refused to believe it, driving myself mad.

I even used this to toy with Jiang Youqi multiple times.

“Jiang Youqi, I’ve made up my mind. I like you now. I’m not going to look for Xie Yun anymore. I only like you, okay?”

Back then,

Jiang Youqi mistook my words, thinking I truly had feelings for him.

And when he leaned in to kiss me, I would slap him hard.

“Do you think I could ever love you? Dream on—it’ll never happen. Jiang Youqi, you’re better off being my dog.”

“I’m blind, and you still like me. What a pitiful sight.”

Every time I softened just a little, giving Jiang Youqi a tiny taste of affection, he’d immediately come crawling back, forgetting all the pain I’d caused him.

But eventually, I got tired of it all.

So I let Jiang Youqi stay by my side through countless days and nights.

Because when I was in his arms, I could sleep soundly.

Now, those memories have come back like a boomerang, stabbing me hard.

Luckily, I’ve been given another chance.

Many things haven’t happened yet, and I won’t let Jiang Youqi down this time.

I grabbed onto the hem of Jiang Youqi’s clothes and stubbornly held on tight.

Now that I’ve caught him, I won’t give him the chance to push me away again.

“No. Jiang Youqi, I like it when you keep me in line. I don’t care about anyone else. I just want to stay by your side. Please believe me, okay?”

“I’ll prove it to you.”

---

I didn’t realize how tempting my words were to the man in front of me.

Like a moth to a flame, he knew this path would only lead to his destruction.

But he couldn’t resist the temptation.

He resigned himself to his fate.

Jiang Youqi wrestled with his emotions for a long time.

Once again, he chose to surrender.

All because I said one simple thing:

“Aqi, my head hurts so much. Can you help me massage it? If you don’t want to, it’s fine. Maybe the pain will go away after a while.”

Moments later, I was sitting on the sofa, and Jiang Youqi was standing in front of me.

His hands, dry and warm, gently massaged my temples.

The headache eased considerably.

I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head against him. “Aqi. I really like you.”

The words I never had the chance to say in my previous life.

This time, I’ll say them often.

---

6

“Jiang Youqi, where are you going?”

“I’ll be in the room next door. If you need anything, just call me.”

I couldn’t quite figure out what had gone wrong.