“Zhu Wenqin, I didn’t die. I’m tough.” My voice was hoarse, barely able to form complete sentences.

Zhu Wenqin, lost in grief, couldn’t hear anything. He kept muttering about how he had once told me to live well, but the next moment, he was talking about dying together…

“Brother! I’m not dead! I’m really not dead!” Limping, I walked closer and grabbed his hand, which was covered in shards of glass.

“I’m still alive and well. I’m tough. I survived jumping into the sea, and now, I’ve survived a car accident too…” He didn’t want to get blood on me, so he pressed his cold, rain-soaked lips against mine to stop me from saying anything ominous.

“Li Yunjing, I can’t lose you again. Let all the bad karma fall on me. Bring it all to me.”

He remained kneeling on the ground, unmoving. As I looked at him, I could inexplicably tell whether it was tears or rain on his face.

“Let me ask you—when you kissed me, was it because you like me?” I asked, slowly and deliberately.

“Li Yunjing, I like you. I’ve liked you ever since I first met you at 18. It wasn’t just because of our high pheromone compatibility, but because of that determination you have. You’re the most unique Omega I’ve ever met.”

---

If he hadn’t mentioned it, I almost would’ve forgotten everything before I turned 18.

Lying on the ground, barely clothed, especially in the winter, my hands and feet numb from the cold. I was often starving and beaten, not much different from a stray dog on the street, ready to be kicked at any moment.

Thinking about this, I remembered Zhu Wenqin’s kindness, but also his cold-heartedness.

“You say you like me, but how will you prove it? And you once told me you like beautiful women.”

I couldn’t fully commit to Zhu Wenqin again, but I couldn’t deny that I was wavering.

It seems that people who lack love are easily drawn in by just a little bit of affection.

I followed Zhu Wenqin to the hospital. While he got his hands bandaged, I was wheeled off for a series of medical checkups.

When Ah Yue found out, he came rushing over and stood by my bedside, finally meeting the Zhu Wenqin I had spoken about.

“I thought the Zhu Wenqin you mentioned was just someone with the same name as the big boss. I didn’t expect it to be him.”

I didn’t know how to explain, so I just gave a few vague responses.

Zhu Wenqin said they had found the driver who caused the accident—it was Miss Wen and that lookalike of his. The two had conspired together.

He had already reported it to the police, and the investigation was now in their hands.

After thinking for a moment, I asked, “Was the Wen family’s financial problem your doing?”

Zhu Wenqin pulled up a chair and sat down, explaining, “The Wen family was already rotten to the core. They had been decaying from the inside for a long time. If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t have come to me for a marriage alliance or business partnership.”

He paused, his tone apologetic and somber. “I didn’t expect this to affect you. I’m sorry.”

It was rare to hear him apologize. I picked at the bedsheets with my fingers and replied, “Yeah, about us…”

I didn’t know what I wanted to say. The way we were interacting now made me feel uncomfortable.

“Come with me somewhere after you’re discharged.”

I didn’t ask where, and he didn’t tell me. We exchanged a knowing glance before looking away.

---

The salty sea breeze blew directly into my face. Zhu Wenqin stood on the yacht’s deck, his cold, sharp eyes filled with deep affection as he looked at me.

Things were different now.

Step by step, he walked toward me. I couldn’t help but clench my hands at my sides. It was as if he could read all my emotions, and he smiled.

“Yunjing, smile at me, will you?”

I looked around, deliberately avoiding his gaze, just like how he used to playfully tease me and hook my attention. “Zhu Wenqin, who are you to me? Why should I listen to you? Why should I smile at you?”

He pressed his lips together and handed me my favorite fruit wine. “Then I’ll wait for the day when it’s official.”

I beckoned him over, mimicking the way he used to call me. He hesitated for a moment but then walked over, surprised, and asked, “What is it?”

I took a sip of the wine, savoring the taste, and said teasingly, “You used to stop me from drinking, and now you’re the one offering me alcohol. Shouldn’t you check if it’s okay first?”

“Can I?” He took a step forward, acting like a perfect gentleman.

I stepped back and replied, “Of course. But if you miss this chance, there won’t be another.”

The sea breeze suddenly died down, and even the crashing waves seemed to freeze in place, like a movie frame stuck in time.

Suddenly, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly, and said seriously, “I’ve only ever loved you. From the beginning, I played games and hurt your heart. But from now on, I’ll treasure you.”