Ji Yuzhe could hear the faint snoring of the woman he had loved for many years. As much as he wanted to see her, his eyes could barely make out anything but faint figures since the fire accident at Feng Suyin's previous lab facility. He reached out a trembling hand and found hers on the couch beside him. The touch of her skin sent a wave of warmth through him, reminding him of all the moments they had shared before the accident.
He closed his eyes, trying to picture her face in his mind. The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. The curve of her lips when she laughed. He longed to see her again, to look into her eyes and tell her how much she meant to him. But now he was trapped in darkness, unable to witness the beauty of the world or the woman he loved.
And yet, he knew that everything would be alright as long as she was near.
It didn't matter to him that he couldn't see, so long as her safety was assured. But Ji Yuzhe knew deep down that to protect her, he needed to regain his eyesight. He silently vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to find a way to see again.
For her.
Feng Suyin stirred from her sleep and hummed. Ji Yuzhe was surprised she had such a high tolerance for alcohol. He hadn't realized how much she had drunk the previous night. But as she shifted beside him, her hand tightening around his, warmth filled his chest.
This was the closest he had ever been to her.
In the past, she would always avoid him like a plague. As if the mere thought of him was a disease she couldn't shake off. But now, in the quiet of the night, with only the sound of her steady breathing and the brush of her skin against his, Ji Yuzhe felt a glimmer of hope.
He knew their relationship had always been complicated. Filled with unspoken words and missed opportunities. But as he sat there in the darkness, holding her hand, he promised himself he would seize this moment. Finally confront his feelings for Feng Suyin.
Since his foolish half-brother only had ill intentions toward her, Ji Yuzhe would claim her as his.
He wouldn't allow anyone to take her away from him. Not anymore. He promised to protect her at all costs—whether she asked for his help or not. Even if it meant going against the Ji family and confronting his own brother.
Feng Suyin stirred again. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes filled with sleep and confusion. A soft smile curved her lips when she realized Ji Yuzhe was beside her.
"Ji Yuzhe, you're still here," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
Ji Yuzhe was taken aback and about to pull away. But he felt her grip on his arm tighten.
"Are you still mad at me?" she asked in her drunken state. He could smell the hint of alcohol on her breath.
He shook his head. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"No," he replied softly. "I could never be mad at you."
Feng Suyin blinked at him, her gaze searching his face as if trying to read his emotions through the darkness. "Then why... why do you always push me away?" she whispered, her words slurring slightly.
Ji Yuzhe hesitated. A lump formed in his throat. He had never thought she noticed how he kept his distance.
He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I thought I was protecting you," he confessed. "But now I see I was only pushing you further away."
Feng Suyin's hand tightened around his. Her fingers intertwined with his own.
Ji Yuzhe wondered if he was dreaming. If all of this was nothing but a figment of his imagination. His eyes widened in surprise at the tenderness of her touch.
"You don't have to protect me from everything, Ji Yuzhe," she said, her voice gaining strength. "I can take care of myself."
Ji Yuzhe knew that. But he still couldn't help feeling worried about her. Now that she knew what Ji Hanjun and Feng Yilan had done behind her back, he feared they would become more aggressive. He wanted Feng Suyin to rely on him. But he knew his position in her heart was nothing but an acquaintance she had reluctantly come to befriend.
"You should worry about yourself, Ji Yuzhe," Feng Suyin continued. "How long do you plan to stay like this? Is there a reason why your eyesight hasn't been restored yet?"
His heart clenched at her words. She saw through his facade. She cared about his well-being too.
He took a deep breath, gathering the courage to confide in her about his struggle.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm getting treatments for it."
"Is it working, though?" Worry laced her tone.
"My blindness is caused by a head injury. The treatment has been slow, but the doctors hope my vision will return. It's just a matter of time." His voice was tinged with uncertainty. He felt vulnerable revealing his condition to her. But he knew he couldn't lie.
Feng Suyin's expression hardened.
All of this was because of her.
She couldn't imagine the struggle he endured every day, unable to see the world around him. Her grip on his hand unconsciously tightened as she racked her brain for any solution she could offer.
"I'm sorry." Tears started to fall. "If it weren't for me..."
Ji Yuzhe placed a gentle finger under her chin, lifting her face to meet his unseen gaze.
"Don't blame yourself," he said softly, his heart aching at the sight of her tears. "This wasn't your fault."
He didn't regret saving her that day. Although he should have paid more attention to his surroundings when he dragged the unconscious Feng Suyin from the burning building. If only he had taken precautions. Not let his guard down for a second.
But dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything.
What mattered now was the present.
And the future ahead of them.
Outside the penthouse window, the city lights flickered against the dark sky. Two broken people sat side by side in the moonlight, holding onto each other—and onto the possibility of a second chance.