“Am I old?” he asked.

I was dumbfounded, my tongue tied. “You, you… What are you playing at, acting like a rogue?”

Lu Guanlan raised his hand and wiped the corner of my mouth. “Don’t pretend. You’re drooling.”

I quickly turned my head away and swallowed hard. He sat next to me, satisfied, and with his slender fingers, scratched my chin. “Were all those things you said back then just to anger me? The company was threatening you, I know now. You never sought anyone else, and you never stopped loving me. Now, I am the capital. I don’t have to be controlled by anyone anymore. So, what are you still worried about? Come back, let’s start over.”

I gripped the bedsheet tightly. Free from being controlled? Does that mean he doesn’t care about his reputation anymore? His fans made it clear during the last livestream—they don’t welcome me. If he insists on being with me, it will only lead to his downfall. We’ve both been in the industry long enough to know how terrifying it is when fans turn on you.

“Lu Guanlan,” I called him softly. “There’s no going back. Ten years ago, I wasn’t good enough for you. Ten years later, even more so. Being with you makes me feel inferior. I’m just a weed, unable to grow into a vine. Even if you’re willing to let me cling to you, I can’t keep up. Let me go, okay?”

Lu Guanlan looked at me in confusion. “Why? What’s mine is yours. What are you jealous of?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m inherently despicable.”

Lu Guanlan laughed hoarsely, as if he had just heard the funniest joke, his eyes red from laughing too hard. “You’re still lying to me. When will you finally tell me the truth?”

Suddenly, the system chimed in: “Friendly reminder: A one-minute deep gaze can be exchanged for one truth.”

“…”

Without hesitation, Lu Guanlan turned my face to stare deeply into my eyes. “Zong Yu, can you just answer me one thing honestly? After all these years, have you ever regretted it, even just a little?”

My lips trembled. I had witnessed his success, seen him rise step by step into the spotlight. He is great. He deserves it. So…

“Never. I’ve never regretted breaking up with you.”

---

I asked the system, “What’s the punishment?”

The system seemed to ponder for a moment before responding: “Internal injury.”

What?

I waited a long time, but nothing happened. However, Lu Guanlan suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, as if he had been struck by a martial arts master.

“Are you okay?” I panicked and tried to help him, fumbling for the phone to call for help.

“I’ll call an ambulance.”

Lu Guanlan grabbed my hand. The system added: “The damage caused by the system can’t be detected by modern science.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Medical package unlocked: A loving hug.”

“…”

This damned system, can’t stay serious for more than a second. I carefully hugged Lu Guanlan. “Is this working?”

He seemed to regain some strength. “Tighter.”

Fine, his life was on the line. I hugged him tightly all night.

---

The next day, we arrived on set. Lu Guanlan was still weak, with low, persistent coughs. I had no idea how severe the system’s punishment was, but watching him endure the pain made my chest tighten.

I recalled a behind-the-scenes documentary I had once seen. During a fight scene, Lu Guanlan was accidentally injured by his co-star. To avoid delaying the production and prevent others from feeling guilty, he pushed through to finish filming before going to the hospital. His entire leg had been soaked in blood.

He’s dedicated. He can endure. And he’s someone who evokes deep empathy.

As he focused on his work, I secretly summoned the system. “Is there any way to speed up his recovery?”

The system was slow to respond again, but finally said: “If you and he reconcile before the contract ends, he will naturally recover.”

“Contract? The system has a time limit?”

After a long pause, the system hesitantly replied: “Yes, it’s a one-month contract, and today is the last day.”

My heart sank.

This… is ending so soon?

“If we don’t reconcile, what will happen to him?”

The system firmly stated: “He will die.”

I was stunned. “Originally, both of you would lose thirty years of your lifespan, but Lu Guanlan chose to bear the punishment alone, so he will die.”

I almost shouted, “Why does he get to make that decision? Did he ask me?”

The system answered coldly: “You’ve never asked him when making any of your decisions, either.”

---

As I glanced over at Lu Guanlan, he suddenly started coughing violently again, worse than the night before. The crew panicked and wanted to call for an ambulance, but Lu Guanlan stopped them.

He wiped his mouth and waved it off. “It’s fine. I have medicine. I’ll go after the shoot. Let’s not hold everyone up.”

Then he glanced at me lightly. I rushed over, not caring about anyone watching, and hugged him tightly.

“Are you okay? Lu Guanlan, I…”

He raised his hand to stop me, smiling faintly. “We’re filming. Personal matters later.”

He pushed me away and instantly became one with his role. “Brother, do you realize your mistake now? I’ve given you a thousand chances. Why can’t you learn to change?”

I shook my head, gripping his sleeve in panic, fitting perfectly into the character of a fugitive.

“Brother, I had no choice…”

Lu Guanlan flung my hand away, his expression cold, yet pained. “Are you still lying to me? Every decision you made—did you ever consult me? You always said it was for me, for our family, but it was you who destroyed our future with your own hands!”

Tears covered my face. I couldn’t refute his words. Through his character, each line struck me like a hammer to my soul.

“It’s not like that. I never wanted it to be this way…”

I collapsed to the ground, and Lu Guanlan knelt, lifting me up. He cradled my face in his hands. “Brother, I’ll give you one last chance. Tell me, do you regret it?”

I clung to his hands, smearing dirt on him. “I regret it, brother. I really regret it. Just give me this one chance, and I’ll turn my life around.”

The tension in his face finally relaxed, revealing a small smile.