The afternoon sky gradually deepened into a sweet orange hue, and streetlights began flickering on one after another. People moved in a constant flow—some with happy smiles, others wearing expressions of quiet sorrow.
But Xu Yiran felt... nothing. Her mind was utterly blank as her gaze remained unfocused, staring into the distance.
The wind began to pick up, prompting those on the street to pull their clothes tighter against the chill. Yet, on the balcony, Xu Yiran sat unmoving, as if the world around her no longer mattered. A printed A4 paper rested lightly on her lap, occasionally swaying feebly in the breeze.
Rice Ball sat quietly nearby, licking its fur. The cat glanced at Xu Yiran from time to time but made no attempt to approach her, nor did it coquettishly rub against her like it usually would. It seemed to sense her sadness.
The sudden jarring ring of a phone broke the stillness, jolting Xu Yiran out of her daze. She looked down at the report on her lap, her lips pressing into a thin line. After a moment, she picked up the phone, letting out a soft sigh as she saw the caller ID.
Li Zixuan.
This man...
Their relationship was as simple as it was complicated. Partners, but only in bed. For one year.
Xu Yiran knew that Li Zixuan liked her. He believed, selectively and naively, that she would eventually marry him. But deep down, Xu Yiran had never shared the same dream. Yet, over time, her once-iron resolve had started to soften under his steady warmth. If not for today's news, she might have even agreed to his unspoken hopes.
But things were different now. Xu Yiran finally understood her feelings for Li Zixuan—and because she understood them so clearly, she knew she couldn't stay with him anymore.
The reason was simple. She was dying.
A diagnosis of stage-four stomach cancer. One year left, if she was lucky. Even with treatment, the most she could gain was a few extra months or, at best, another year. It wasn't the worst prognosis, but it was far from good.
How could she cage him in this so-called love? How could she drag him down when her time was slipping away?
The phone rang again, the shrill sound cutting through her thoughts. Xu Yiran hesitated but finally answered just before it could disconnect for the second time.
"Hello." Her tone was calm and soft, betraying none of the chaos that had engulfed her just hours earlier.
"I thought you weren't going to answer." Li Zixuan's voice held a rare playfulness, a stark contrast to his usual coldness. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," Xu Yiran replied lightly.
"Then do you want to go out for dinner? I found a great restaurant—Yanyan said the atmosphere is amazing. I thought we could—"
"Li Zixuan," Xu Yiran interrupted, her voice steady but low.
"Hm?"
Li Zixuan paused. Something in her tone felt off. Xu Yiran had always carried a serious air, but tonight, her voice was different—distant and strangely cold.
For the first time in their relationship, a deep unease crept into Li Zixuan's chest. He didn't want to hear what she was about to say.
"Yiyi, I—"
"Li Zixuan." She cut him off again, her words coming slow and deliberate. "Our agreement ended a month ago. It's time for us to stop pretending. I'll send the things you left here to your company."