Back Then, I Adored You

She could still vividly feel the warmth his fingertips emitted on her palm—They were hot to the touch, as though he had a sweltering fever. That was why she had taken another glance at his face, noticing that it was paler than usual, but not to a worrying extent.

So, perhaps I’m overthinking this?

As Xu Wennuan pondered over it, her footsteps came to a halt.

He got drenched on the highway and drove through the night in his wet clothes, it would be weird if he wasn’t sick… Moreover, that heat was extreme. There’s no way that I’m wrong about this. Will he be okay by himself if he really is running a high fever?

We went our separate ways more than a year ago. If he hadn’t bumped into me today, and I had not asked him for help, perhaps our paths would have remained uncrossed. His affairs have nothing to do with me… If he gets too sick, he can call an ambulance…

She could be logical about this, but when the elevator doors opened, Xu Wennuan found herself wholly unable to take another step forward.

If I had not met him today, it’s very likely that I’d still be wandering around that ancient town.

We should be equal now… Moreover, things that have happened in the past should be left there—in the past. Didn’t I call the radio station a few nights ago with the intention of leaving behind these old nightmares? Since I’ve already let them go, why am I still tying knots here and now?

At this, Xu Wennuan turned around and rushed toward the 0001 detached villa that Lu Bancheng was staying at. The villa district was exceptionally quiet late at night. Xu Wennuan circled around the it a few times before she finally found 0001.

The courtyard gate was open and there was light emanating from within. Xu Wennuan was just about to enter the residence when she heard a familiar voice. “Lu Bancheng, didn’t I warn you not to continue harassing Nuannuan? Why did you come to Lijiang? Why did you choose to stay in the same hotel as her? What exactly are you trying to do? Don’t you think that you’ve harmed her enough?”

Xu Wennuan remained rooted to the ground as though she had been immobilized.

That’s Wu Hao’s voice… Why is he in Lijiang?

……

Earlier that morning, after losing his temper in a conference room from all the suppressed anger in his heart, Wu Hao had tracked down Xu Wennuan’s flight information and booked a trip. He had arrived in Lijiang that afternoon.

He hadn’t followed Lu Bancheng but, rather, had come to look for Xu Wennuan. Ever since he had heard her on the radio a few days ago, his mind had been filled with her.

When he had discovered she wasn’t in her hotel, he had waited for 10 hours before he finally saw her, yet she had returned with Lu Bancheng.

How does Lu Bancheng have the cheek to continue harassing Xu Wennuan when he has already caused her so much harm?

At that moment, rage enveloped Wu Hao’s entire body. He hid himself behind a pillar and remained out of their sight until the two of them parted ways. Then, he tailed Lu Bancheng straight to his villa, where he waited for him to enter before he pushed the door open and started shouting at him.

With the aid of the villa’s lighting, Wu Hao could see that there was something wrong with Lu Bancheng. He didn’t know if he was feeling uncomfortable, but Lu Bancheng did not react after hearing Wu Hao shouting at him. Instead, he took two steps back and leaned against the ceiling-to-floor window.