CHAPTER 28 (PART 3)

Once home, she decided she couldn’t just sit around waiting. After searching online, she found a psychiatric hospital and started volunteering there every day, leaving early and returning late.

On the third day, Shen Jingyan finally asked, “Where have you been running off to lately?”

“I’m doing something very meaningful. You should come with me tomorrow,” Shi Li had been waiting for this question.

Shen Jingyan thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

The next morning, Shi Li took him to the psychiatric hospital, where she openly cared for autistic and paranoid patients in front of him.

These patients’ worlds were closed off. Their minds contained only themselves and a single companion. Some had a stuffed doll as their only friend, others a small cup. And some, like in the movie they had watched, had a world where only one family member remained.

Those whose entire lives revolve around a single family member become frantic, crying and screaming when visiting hours end. Some, in more severe cases, even resort to self-harm. The scene is nothing short of harrowing.

Shen Jingyan watched these people, his expression unreadable.

Shi Li didn’t expect him to empathize, but she still patiently explained, “Children whose entire worlds revolve around just one person are really pitiful. No matter how wealthy their family is or how much time their loved ones spend with them, the moment they’re out of sight, these kids feel like they’ve lost their entire purpose in life. They could put themselves in danger at any time.”

Shen Jingyan lowered his gaze.

Shi Li sighed, “If only they could be healthy and live like normal people, then they could stay with their families for a long time instead of constantly putting themselves at risk.” As she finished speaking, she glanced at Shen Jingyan out of the corner of her eye. Seeing that he was watching her, she quickly looked away.

Shen Jingyan remained unresponsive, but just then, another patient started acting out. Shi Li quickly ran over to help the nurses restrain him so the doctor could administer a sedative.

From his spot in the corner, Shen Jingyan silently observed. He watched as she assisted the medical staff and then went on to play with some of the patients, her face glowing with energy. For once, he seemed lost in thought.

That evening, when they returned home, both of them were exhausted and sat on the couch in silence.

After a while, Shi Li let out a sigh. “I don’t feel like going out. Let’s order takeout.”

“Okay.” Shen Jingyan agreed and immediately started placing an order without even asking her opinion.

Ever since they visited the psychiatric hospital, he had been in this withdrawn state, barely interacting with her. But Shi Li didn’t mind—it meant today’s experience had affected him.

She hoped he would come to his senses soon.

Even though he hadn’t asked for her input, everything he ordered was what she liked. They had dinner together without any intention of taking their usual evening stroll. Stretching lazily, Shi Li got up to head to the bedroom, already planning to take Shen Jingyan back for another round of emotional education tomorrow.

Just as she reached the bedroom door, Shen Jingyan suddenly grabbed her arm. She paused and turned back, only to hear him say calmly, “We’re sleeping separately tonight.”

“…Why?” Shi Li was dumbfounded. What did this mean? Was he trying to distance himself from her so she wouldn’t influence him?

Shen Jingyan nodded matter-of-factly. “Which room do you want to sleep in?”

“N-No, I mean, why do we have to sleep separately?” Shi Li struggled to understand, hoping it wasn’t because he was rejecting what they had done today.

Shen Jingyan responded unhurriedly, “I need to think about some things. Your presence will distract me.”

Shi Li: “…”

“I’ll take your room.” Seeing her hesitate at the door, Shen Jingyan made the decision for her and turned to leave.

The sound of the door closing completely separated them.

Shi Li stood there in a daze for a long time, her legs growing sore before she finally snapped out of it and returned to the room.

Sitting on Shen Jingyan’s bed, she looked at the now-empty spot beside her, feeling conflicted.

She remained still for a while, thinking that things hadn’t gone too bad yet. If he was so unsettled by her presence, it meant today’s events had truly shaken him. He had chosen to distance himself now probably as a way to remind himself to stay firm in his dedication to the experiment.

…Thinking about it this way, she couldn’t just let him sit alone and reflect. What if, after all his thinking, he decided to purge all distractions and fully commit to the experiment?

The more Shi Li thought about it, the more it made sense. She got up to head out, determined to continue interfering with his thoughts. But just as she reached the door, she stopped.

…No, he had already rejected sleeping together once. Even if she went over now, he would probably just send her back. She needed a plan—something that would make it impossible for him to refuse.

Shi Li returned to the room, thinking hard, until her gaze landed on his pajamas.

Meanwhile, in the other bedroom, Shen Jingyan had finished showering and was now sitting on the sofa, expressionless. He seemed to be lost in thought—or perhaps just zoning out. After a long while, he finally got up and lay down on the bed.

As soon as he did, he instinctively reached out his arm, only to remember that Shi Li wasn’t sleeping with him tonight. She wouldn’t be using his arm as a pillow.

He paused for a moment, withdrawing his arm. He had thought he felt nothing about this arrangement, but at this moment, there was an inexplicable sense of emptiness.

Just as he was trying to make sense of this feeling, a soft sound came from the door. His eyelashes twitched slightly as he looked over.

Shi Li cautiously stepped inside. After just two steps, their eyes met, and she let out an awkward laugh, nervously tugging at the hem of her pajama top. “I-I couldn’t sleep…”

Shen Jingyan’s gaze slowly moved downward. She was wearing his pajama shirt—one that had been cut up. Her long legs pressed together in uncertainty, and the altered shirt exposed her shoulders and waist. It looked strange, but because of her perfect figure, it had an unexpected allure.

And her expression clearly showed she had dressed like this on purpose.

Shi Li quietly met his gaze. Seeing that he remained completely composed, she started feeling more and more embarrassed.

She had wanted to wear something more revealing, but there was nothing suitable at home, so she had to DIY something at the last minute.

Honestly, she had no confidence in this plan. Shen Jingyan wasn’t someone who felt “impulses” in the way normal people did. Now, looking at his calm, indifferent eyes, she was certain—she had definitely overestimated herself.

“…Whatever, I’m not sleeping separately from you. Don’t even think about getting rid of me.” Embarrassed by his stare, Shi Li stubbornly lay down beside him, making it clear she wasn’t going anywhere.

Shen Jingyan silently watched her, saying nothing.

Shi Li kept her chin up, determined to hold her ground. At first, it was fine, but as time passed, the awkwardness grew. In the end, she couldn’t take it anymore and caved.

“A-Anyway, I know I probably look ridiculous right now, but do you really have to stare at me like I’m some kind of clown…?”

Before she could finish, Shen Jingyan suddenly took her hand and placed it over his chest.

Shi Li froze.

She could clearly feel it—his heartbeat had sped up.

“If I were capable of reacting like a normal person, I’d probably be losing my mind right now,” Shen Jingyan stated matter-of-factly.

A fleeting smile crossed Shi Li’s face, but she quickly suppressed it. “Then shouldn’t you hurry up and kiss me? Don’t leave me hanging here in embarrassment.”

Shen Jingyan obediently leaned in and kissed her. Shi Li, satisfied, closed her eyes and gently returned the kiss.

The next morning, the two of them went to the psychiatric hospital again.

From that day on, they both started helping out at the hospital. But as time continued to slip away, Shi Li grew more anxious—until it was finally time to go to the biotech company for a pregnancy test.

She couldn’t sleep at all that morning. Shen Jingyan also woke up early. Their eyes met, and he said, “Let’s go to the company.”

Shi Li: “…”

She wanted to stall longer, but she had no more excuses. With no other choice, she followed him there. The laboratory was empty when they arrived. Shen Jingyan drew her blood himself and went to run the test.

Shi Li sat alone in the waiting area, glancing toward the door repeatedly, looking ready to bolt at any moment.

Half an hour later, Shen Jingyan came out of the testing room. “You’re not pregnant.”

“…Really? That’s great.” Shi Li forced a stiff smile.

Shen Jingyan gave her a look, then turned and walked toward the exit. Shi Li was startled. “Where are you going?”

“To get breakfast,” Shen Jingyan replied.

Shi Li quickly asked, “Wait, aren’t there more tests to do later? Won’t eating affect the results?”

She hadn’t meant to remind him—he knew better than anyone about the precautions for medical tests. If he was suddenly suggesting breakfast, did that mean he had changed his mind?

Sure enough, Shen Jingyan said slowly, “We’re not doing them today.”

“Really?” Shi Li’s eyes lit up.

Shen Jingyan nodded. “What do you want to eat?”

“Well, now that you mention it, I have a long list…” Shi Li started rattling off food choices as she eagerly pulled him outside, afraid that if she hesitated for even a second, he might change his mind again.

With her worries gone, Shi Li finished breakfast and immediately asked for ice cream.

Shen Jingyan refused. “You just had spicy food. You shouldn’t irritate your stomach any further.”

“It’s fine, my stomach can handle it,” Shi Li assured him.

But Shen Jingyan still didn’t agree. In the end, she had to sneak out while he was napping, buy some ice cream, eat every last bite downstairs, and then rush back home.

And then she ended up with food poisoning.

After seeing the doctor and confirming it was just stomach irritation, Shen Jingyan took care of her while asking, “Did you sneak off to eat something?”

Shi Li’s heart skipped a beat. “No!”

Shen Jingyan stared at her steadily for a long moment before slowly saying, “Get well soon. Don’t delay the experiment.”

Shi Li: “…!!!”