Ji Yuzhe could hear the faint snoring of the woman he loved for many years near him. As much as he wanted to see her, his eyes could barely see anything but faint figures since the fire accident in Feng Suyin's previous lab facility. He reached out a trembling hand, finding 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.
Ji Yuzhe closed his eyes, trying to picture Feng Suyin's face in his mind—the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled and 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 nearby.
It didn't matter to him that he couldn't see so long that 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 that she had 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, he felt warmth filling his chest. This had been the closest he'd been with 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 in his, he promised to seize this moment and finally confront his feelings for Feng Suyin.
Since his foolish half-brother only had ill intentions towards 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 fluttering open to reveal 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.
"Are you still mad at me?" She asked in her drunken state. Ji Yuzhe could smell the hint of alcohol on her breath as she spoke.
He shook his head, and 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, feeling a lump form in his throat. He considered her question. He never thought she noticed how he kept his distance from her. He took a deep breath before he spoke, 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 intertwining with his own, surprising him. Ji Yuzhe wondered if he was dreaming. If all of these were nothing but a figment of his imagination. His eyes widened in surprise at the tenderness in 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 but feel worried about her. Now that she knew what Ji Hanjun and Feng Yilan had done behind her back, he feared that they would become more aggressive towards her. 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?"
Ji Yuzhe clenched his heart at her words, realizing that she saw through his facade and cared for his well-being as well. He took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to confide in her about his struggle with regaining his eyesight.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm getting treatments for it." He assured her.
"Is it working, though?" Feng Suyin asked, worry lacing 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," Ji Yuzhe explained, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He felt vulnerable about his condition to Feng Suyin, but he knew he couldn't lie to her.
Feng Suyin's expression hardened. All of these were because of her! She couldn't imagine the struggle he had to endure 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 him.
"I'm sorry." She couldn't help but say as 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 and not let his guard down for a second… But dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything. What mattered now was the present and future ahead of them.