{Chapter: 15 What's your dream?}
At that moment, Qiu Wanxi didn't show any resistance to Lin Yuan's actions.
Her face wore an expression of enjoyment.
She held Lin Yuan in high regard and trusted him deeply. Not only was Lin Yuan wealthy and had treated her to a delicious meal, but she discovered that they shared many common interests and passions.
He was someone with whom she could converse for hours. She liked Lin Yuan as a friend, but there was an undeniable allure to him. His brilliance made her feel inferior, as if she was a small speck next to a shining star. Despite the inexplicable fluttering in her heart, she forced herself to suppress these feelings, unwilling to entertain them.
"Meeting Master Lin, even if just for half a day, has made my life feel worthwhile," Qiu Wanxi thought as she admired Lin Yuan's handsome features from the corner of her eye.
[Ding! Counterattack points +100!]
Lin Yuan observed the contentment on her face and, taking advantage of the moment, asked, "Do you work in multiple places?"
"Yes," Qiu Wanxi answered, nodding.
"Then you must be saving a fair amount. Why wear such worn-out pants?" Lin Yuan asked unexpectedly.
"Ah!" The look of enjoyment on her face instantly faded, and a hint of embarrassment appeared.
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I only have fifty yuan; it's not that I didn't want to treat you to better food. I apologize!"
Qiu Wanxi had always struggled with her self-esteem. Standing beside Lin Yuan, who seemed flawless and radiant, she felt insignificant, almost as though she was invisible. Yet, Lin Yuan's warmth gave her a flicker of courage.
When Lin Yuan asked about her pants, she immediately assumed that he might think she wasn't willing to spend money to treat him, rather than considering any deeper reasons.
"No, I believe you only have fifty yuan. The noodles were delicious too, but why didn't you save money?" Lin Yuan asked.
As he spoke, Qiu Wanxi's eyes filled with confusion and worry. Lin Yuan, understanding her hesitation, sensed that it would be better for her to open up rather than having him press her further.
Little did Qiu Wanxi know, Lin Yuan had already figured her out. She hadn't planned to tell him about her liver disease, but she feared he might think she was being stingy and deceptive.
With a deep breath, she began to recount her past, her voice wavering with each word. This was the first time she had ever shared her life story with anyone.
"When I was six years old…"
Although Lin Yuan had known about it for some time, he listened patiently and attentively, his gaze softening.
"The doctor said I would need a major surgery to cure my illness, one that would cost at least a million. Every month, I had to get IV treatments, and all the money I earned went toward paying for those…" Qiu Wanxi's voice cracked, and tears began to fall.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to the suffering, but no one had ever truly listened to her struggles before. As she spoke her heart out, her feelings of inferiority only deepened. It was as though all her pain and isolation poured out in a flood of tears. But beneath the surface, she was just a young girl trying to survive, like many others caught in life's cruel challenges.
To Lin Yuan's surprise, after finishing her story, Qiu Wanxi suddenly ran off.
She sprinted quickly and without warning, making her escape seem all the more sudden and difficult to follow.
However, despite her speed, Qiu Wanxi, weakened by years of malnutrition, couldn't outrun Lin Yuan. He swiftly closed the gap and grabbed her hand.
"Why are you running away?" Lin Yuan asked, his voice gentle but firm.
Seeing Qiu Wanxi's tear-streaked face, a surge of compassion filled him. Passersby observed the scene, mistakenly assuming that the young couple was having a falling out.
After catching her breath, Qiu Wanxi lowered her head, her voice small and meek. "I… I didn't want to tell you that I'm sick."
"Why?" Lin Yuan asked, his concern growing.
Qiu Wanxi clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, anxiety evident in her trembling hands. "Because you're rich. I was afraid that once I told you, you'd think I only wanted to use you for your money. That I was pretending to be sick just to trick you. So, I ran away—I didn't want you to think I was a fraud."
Lin Yuan let out a small laugh. "You think you can run away from me with your short legs? As you said, I could easily claim you were just pretending to run away."
"I didn't! I really didn't!" Qiu Wanxi cried out, her voice desperate and full of anxiety, as she hurriedly explained.
Lin Yuan reached out, placing a hand on her head in a comforting gesture. "Relax, I believe you."
"If you really wanted to deceive someone, there are far more effective ways to do it. But I trust you."
Lin Yuan knew Qiu Wanxi's nature, and he could tell that she was being completely honest with him. She had revealed her illness to him not out of a desire for pity, but because he had created a space for her to speak her truth. In the original novel, Qiu Wanxi had always been full of hope, but never once asked for anyone's help.
"Thank you… Thank you, Master Lin!" Qiu Wanxi took hold of Lin Yuan's hand, her heart overwhelmed with gratitude.
Lin Yuan's trust meant more to her than anything, a validation that someone saw her beyond her flaws.
[Ding! Counterattack points +200!]
The system rewarded him with another prompt.
Lin Yuan reached into his pocket, withdrew 100 yuan, and handed it to Qiu Wanxi with a smile.
"Here, pay your salary," he said.
"Ah! That's out of the question! I can't accept it! You've already treated me to so much today!" Qiu Wanxi froze in place, shaking her head repeatedly.
"Don't tell me that 100 yuan isn't worth spending half a day with me? Do you really think my time is that cheap?" Lin Yuan chuckled, pulling her hand gently and placing the money in her palm.
Qiu Wanxi, blushing deeply, didn't dare to refuse. She held the note in her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Oh, by the way, what's your dream?" Lin Yuan asked suddenly, his voice full of curiosity.
Qiu Wanxi's eyes lit up, the question like a beacon of light in the darkness.
*****
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