Feng Suyin bit her lip, not knowing how to explain her sudden visit. However, she was thankful Uncle Jia didn't give her a hard time as he welcomed her warmly.
"Is Ji Yuzhe still up? Can I have a word with him?" She asked after a moment of silence.
"He's still up, Miss Feng. Please come inside and let me inform him of your arrival," Uncle Jia replied, leading the way down a dimly lit corridor.
Feng Suyin followed closely behind, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knew she was taking a risk by coming here, but she wanted to see Ji Yuzhe badly.
As they reached Ji Yuzhe's study, Uncle Jia knocked gently on the door before opening it. The room was bathed in moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the familiar surroundings. Ji Yuzhe was sitting on the couch, surrounded by books and scrolls, his face illuminated by the soft light.
However, if one pays attention closely, one would notice that his eyes are unfocused and his expression distant. Feng Suyin's heart sank at the sight of him lost in his thoughts. She couldn't help but blame herself for his condition.
If she was right, his eyes were affected when he rushed through the burning building where her old lab was. She had lost consciousness in the fire, but she remembered the fear and desperation in his voice as he carried her to safety. Feng Suyin felt a pang of guilt, knowing that her work had put him in harm's way.
"Master, Miss Feng Suyin is here." Uncle Jia announced her arrival, but before Feng Suyin could react, she heard the door closed behind her, leaving her with Ji Yuzhe.
"Ji Yuzhe," she called softly, stepping further into the room. Surprise flickering in his eyes, he looked up before recognition dawned on his face.
"Feng Suyin, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and guarded. She could see the emotions warring within him, mirroring her own.
He looked toward her, but Feng Suyin knew he was following her voice. She stepped further into the room, feeling the weight of his gaze on her like a physical touch.
She noticed that he, too, had been drinking on his own. Did he feel alone and lost, just like she did?
"I needed to see you, Ji Yuzhe," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are things we need to talk about."
She took a deep breath, gathering her courage to speak.
"I had to see you," she began, her words hanging like a delicate thread. Please tell me the truth. Tell me it was you… Tell me that you were the one who saved me and not Ji Hanjun."
Ji Yuzhe's eyes widened in surprise at Feng Suyin's words, a myriad of emotions flitting across his face before settling into a deep sadness. He didn't utter a word, but his silence was enough to answer her question. Feng Suyin could see the turmoil in his eyes, the unspoken truths and burdens he carried. She moved closer to him, her eyes pleading for confirmation, for closure.
"Why does it matter to you, Feng Suyin?" Ji Yuzhe finally asked, his voice devoid of emotion. "Why does it matter who saved you that day?"
Because it changes everything," she replied softly, her eyes locked with his.
"I thought I knew you, Ji Yuzhe, but if you were the one who saved me that day... it means so much more."
Ji Yuzhe turned his head away, refusing to explain further. Instead, he reminded Feng Suyin why she shouldn't be at his home.
"You shouldn't be here, Feng Suyin. Shouldn't you be planning your wedding with Ji Hanjun?"
There was a hint of bitterness in his tone that Feng Suyin would have missed if she hadn't known his true feelings toward her. But Feng Suyin refused to be deterred by Ji Yuzhe's words. She stepped closer, her eyes locked on his, determined to break through the walls he had built around himself.
"This isn't about Ji Hanjun," she said firmly. "This is about us, about what happened that day. I need to know the truth, Ji Yuzhe. Please don't push me away."
"As I said, why does it matter? So what if I saved you from that fire and not Ji Hanjun? You took his word in a heartbeat and didn't bother to doubt. Why now?" Ji Yuzhe's voice was tinged with hurt and frustration as he finally turned to face her, his eyes searching hers for understanding.
"I'm sorry," Feng Suyin couldn't stop her tears from falling as she reached out to touch Ji Yuzhe's hand. "I was confused, I was afraid. But now, knowing the truth changes everything. It changes how I see you, how I feel about you."
"Ji Hanjun wouldn't like it if he knew you were here. You should go."
Feng Suyin shook her head, her tears still glistening in the moonlight.
"No!" she exclaimed, shortening the distance between them and moving to sit next to Ji Yuzhe.
Feng Suyin knew she would never have a chance to speak with Ji Yuzhe. She held his arm, surprising Ji Yuzhe with her sudden, bold move.
"Please, Ji Yuzhe," she pleaded, her voice raw with emotion. "I need to understand. I need to know why you've kept this from me."
Ji Yuzhe turned his head and faced her. He stiffened under her touch but didn't pull away from her.
"Because I know you wouldn't believe me. You've made it clear you hate me, Feng Suyin, and I know you wouldn't trust anything I have to say." His words were laced with resignation, a bitter acceptance of their fate.
Feng Suyin was taken aback and stared at him in disbelief. The realization hit her like a sudden gust of wind, knocking the breath out of her lungs.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She furrowed her brows in confusion. "We might have some disagreements, but I never hate you. Not even once. What made you think you were right to make such an assumption about me, Ji Yuzhe?"
Her voice trembled with hurt and frustration. She couldn't understand how he had come to believe such a thing about her feelings towards him.
"But your sister said…"
"What did Yilan say?!" She demanded.
Feng Yilan?! It was her sister's all doing too?