Chapter 225: Don't Skip Meals

I know, don't worry about it.

Zhou Congyu's voice was always dull; Zhou Yinhe had noticed, but he didn't want to expose it.

He silently turned his head to look at the scenery outside the window, remained silent for a long time, until he returned to Chen Yue Fu.

Zhou Yinhe stood at the doorway, turned back and waved at Zhou Congyu, saying, "Goodbye, brother."

Goodbye, Xiao Wu.

Watching Zhou Yinhe walk into the villa, Zhou Congyu could no longer hold back; after getting back into the car, he broke down completely and burst into tears.

He knew this was their last meeting, or rather, everyone knew.

Their Xiao Wu loved deeply; they could not stop him, could not selfishly keep him in pain for a lifetime.

They didn't even know whether what Zhou Jingyuan said about returning to his original place was true...

Zhou Yinhe pushed open the villa door and stood in the foyer; everywhere was quiet, he could even only hear his own breathing.

Baobao, why did you only come back now?

He suddenly lifted his head; everything before him was dark, only a faint light at the end of the stairs, the person he missed stood there with arms crossed, brows furrowed, asking in a coquettish tone.

Zhou Yinhe slowly stepped onto the stairs, incredulously asking, "You're not..."

What's wrong with me? Don't change the subject—I waited for you at home all night; why are you only coming back now?

Wen Ling came downstairs and stood on a step higher than the one he was on, unhappily saying, "What do your messages mean? You ran out while I was asleep; explaining later is useless."

Zhou Yinhe suddenly hugged her, ear pressed to her chest, listening to her heartbeat beat after beat, he cried out in joy: "Baobao, Baobao I missed you so much, you're back, you finally came back."

Oh dear, why are you crying again? I said you're a crybaby and you really are." Wen Ling patted his back sympathetically, smiling, and said, "Don't cry, or your eyes will swell."

Zhou Yinhe sniffled, wiping his tears, staring at Wen Ling before him, as if trying to confirm whether she really was Wen Ling.

Why are you looking at me like that?" Wen Ling asked, amused.

Are you really back?" Zhou Yinhe murmured, reaching up to touch her features, softly asking, "Am I not dreaming?"

Really." Wen Ling cupped his hand, kissed his palm, lips warm; feeling her warmth, Zhou Yinhe broke down and sobbed.

He clung tightly to Wen Ling: "I'm going crazy, I'm about to die from pain, you know? These three days, I've been about to die from pain."

He cried like a child; Wen Ling's eyes reddened, she embraced him back, choking as she comforted: "Don't cry, I'm back to keep you company."

His sobs gradually ceased in Wen Ling's embrace, yet he refused to let go; she coaxed him reluctantly until they could hold hands.

She took his hand and led him to the living room, where they sat together on the sofa; Zhou Yinhe's arms wrapped around her again, and this time no amount of persuasion or coaxing from Wen Ling could get him to let go.

I won't disappear, don't be afraid.

Zhou Yinhe shook his head, burying his face in Wen Ling's neck; though his tears had just stopped, they kept falling, he said in anguish: "I'm so scared, could you pinch me? I'm afraid this is a dream."

Wen Ling sighed, then really pinched him hard; hearing him hiss, she laughed and asked, "Now you know it's not a dream, right?"

Still afraid." Zhou Yinhe lifted his head to bite her lip, only when his teeth met flesh did he feel somewhat reassured.

He released her lips, hurriedly reaching for his phone, while searching he said, "I need to tell my parents, tell them you're not dead."

Wen Ling stopped him, gently advising, "Wait until tomorrow to tell them, so you don't disturb their rest."

Zhou Yinhe looked up at her and obediently nodded.

Wen Ling took his hand, and together they slowly went upstairs, not returning to the bedroom but heading to the balcony facing the second-floor living room; no lights were on, starlight from the floor-to-ceiling window streamed in, somewhat dim yet enough to see each other.

Together they sat on the balcony sofa, Wen Ling leaning in Zhou Yinhe's embrace, quietly gazing at the outside scenery.

Zhou Yinhe held her, his lips touching her crown, and asked Wen Ling, "What on earth is going on?"

Wen Ling didn't speak, only saying, "I don't know either; I only remember falling asleep, and when I woke up I was back."

Zhou Yinhe hummed in acknowledgment and tightened his arms.

Then what happened?

Nothing happened; Zhou Jingyuan was arrested, he said there was never any machine at all, and the reason you... is because he secretly poisoned your water.

No wonder, that must be heaven pitying you, which is why it let me come back to find you." Wen Ling touched his face, smiled with pursed lips, tears streaming down, and said dissatisfiedly, "How did you get so thin? It's only been three days since we last saw each other."

Zhou Yinhe laughed through tears, saying, "You're back, I will definitely eat properly."

Wen Ling glared at him, unable to stay seated, she pulled him downstairs as they walked, saying, "I learned to cook noodles from Aunt Zhou; I'll make them for you—haven't you gone a long time without eating?"

Zhou Yinhe's gaze remained fixed on her, he gave a muffled hum, earning another angry glare from Wen Ling.

Together they entered the kitchen; Zhou Yinhe wanted to turn on the light, but Wen Ling refused, saying, "With the light on there's no atmosphere—let's keep it off, I can still see."

Zhou Yinhe's hand halted in midair, his eyes darkened further and further, finally his hand dropped heavily onto his thigh, and he obediently replied, "Okay."

Wen Ling seemed to sense his unease, turning back she explained helplessly, "I just woke up, I don't really want to see light."

He believed her explanation, smiled with pursed lips, stepped forward and embraced Wen Ling's waist, and together they watched the noodles churning in the pot.

Having not eaten for a long time, when he smelled the aroma his stomach growled twice; Wen Ling laughed, turned to look at him, seeing he was a bit embarrassed, she teased, "I told you not to eat, now that I'm back you've starved yourself for nothing, right?"

Zhou Yinhe rubbed his nose and let out a hum.

The noodles were done; he actively scooped them into a bowl, and they sat together at the table; he wanted to feed Wen Ling, but she shook her head, saying, "I just woke up, I'm not hungry yet."

Okay." He lowered his head and ate the noodles slowly.

Wen Ling propped her chin and looked at him, saying, "Don't be like that."

What?" Zhou Yinhe raised his head, questioning doubtfully.

If I really left, you must take good care of yourself, don't skip meals, also look after Uncle and Aunt, as well as my grandfather and maternal grandfather; you can't only think of yourself.

Even as Zhou Yinhe lifted his head, tears were already streaming down his face.

Wen Ling walked to his side and sat down, leaning on his shoulder, and said softly, "You can't be like you were after our breakup before; Uncle and Aunt would be heartbroken, and so would I."

Zhou Yinhe didn't respond, just kept his head down eating the noodles, listening to Wen Ling's endless chatter beside him.