Ai's gentle reassurance

Ai tilted her head and blinked her eyes.

Jun reads my books?

Was it surprise or shock, she couldn't tell. It was clear to her now that Jun disliked books with sad endings. This book had a bitter sweet ending as well.

It was a story of two people meeting on a cruise. One had lost love while the other had lost their dream. It was about how they meet and spend those few days together, rediscovering what life truly meant. But at the end, they realized they were better off friends rather than life partners and parted on a good note as the cruise trip came to an end.

It was the book that had earned Ai the award of the Best Newcomer Writer for writing a plot that didn't necessarily delve into falling into love or which didn't follow the usual trope ending.

Naturally, Ai was happy to see her book in somebody's book collection. Though it was a mystery why Jun would keep a book that he disliked.

She found her other two books too on his shelf and felt a sense of pride. It meant the whole world to her when she realized that somebody had all of her books in his collection. It meant that her books were liked, right?

Even if only a little bit, Jun must love them.

She wondered if she asked Jun about her books, how would he answer?

Would he be thrilled to know that the writer of these books in his collection was actually right in front of him?

Maybe he would ask for my autograph? Ai seriously thought.

Ai had never done a book signing event. A signed copy of books by the writer herself was an exciting event for any reader and the author themselves too.

I should work on my signature…

Ai kept the books back in their place. As she took a look at the other books, she found out that Jun didn't have a particular taste. He read all kinds of books - Fantasy, romance, action, history, biographies or autobiographies. Short stories, novellas and long novels - everything.

She randomly took out a book out of interest and sat down to read.

Time ticked by and when Ai was finished reading, she glanced outside the window.

She suddenly closed the book and widened her eyes noticing that it was dark outside. She looked at the time.

It was close to six-thirty PM.

"..."

I accidentally spent the whole day reading…

*Grumbleeee*

And now she realized that she was hungry too. She glanced at Jun, who was still sleeping soundly.

Ai touched his forehead and found his temperature had decreased a bit. On the thermometer, it showed 37.7 degrees Celsius.

She sighed in relief. The temperature was coming back to normal.

Jun would still be weak after he wakes up, she touched her chin thoughtfully.

Since she took the liberty of checking out his bookshelf and even using his books to read, Ai felt she should do something in exchange as payment.

So, she went ahead and cleaned up his whole condo. From dusting to moping, she cleaned his whole house. That way, Jun wouldn't have to bother himself with these things and can focus on resting.

Everything is done. Should I leave now?

But she wondered...

Jun would definitely understand that someone was in his house once he woke up. But seeing nobody inside would be panicking.

Will he think if a thief broke in?

She finally decided to wait until Jun would wake up, explain herself and then leave. She didn't want to make a mess of his kitchen, so she just made an easy recipe out of eggs for her dinner.

Ai went back to his bedroom and sat on a chair beside his bed. Then she waited. Since Jun had slept for the whole day, he would be waking up soon.

One hour had passed, then three. But he was still asleep.

Ai yawned. It was close to ten PM. She was beginning to doze off to sleep when Jun suddenly gasped.

Ai was alarmed. "Jun?"

"I…I…didn't want to…kill him…" he whispered.

She blinked.

Kill?

"Jin. I am sorry…Jin, wake up please…You aren't supposed to be…dead."

Ai widened her eyes.

Jin is the one who came yesterday…Jin and dead? Is he having a nightmare?

"Don't cry…Shui…."

Shui?

"Mom…Dad…I didn't want to…I never thought about killing my brother…"

"Please believe me…somebody…please believe me…"

Ai stared at the corner of his eye from where she saw a tear slipping out. He was uneasily tossing in bed, breathing heavily.

"Please believe me…Please..." at the end, Jun's voice sounded like a child desperately begging for help.

Ai slowly held his hand and whispered, "I believe you."

Jun, who was having the worst time in his nightmare, slowly calmed down as a soft voice gently rang in the air. He wasn't fully awake, but the words that the voice whispered brought him immense relief.

"You…believe me?" He clutched her hand tighter that seemed to be the source of those comforting words.

Ai nodded. "I believe you. You didn't do it on purpose."

"Yes, I purposely didn't harm my brother…Right? I-I would never do that."

"En. You would never do such a thing."

Seemingly calmer than before upon listening to her reassuring voice, Jun's breaths came back to normal.

Ai reached out her hand towards him but then pulled it back. She bit her lip and gently placed her palm on his head. She gradually brushed her fingers through his hair in a soothing motion.

What did you…go through to have such a nightmare?

She noticed his temperature had increased a bit once again. She got up to fetch another wet towel, but Jun had firmly held onto her hand. Quietly, she tried to untangle it. But it proved fruitless. If she tried to pull with a little force, Jun would become uneasy again.

Ai pursed her lips and sat back. In the end, she had no choice but to stay in that position until he would let her go himself.

—

The next morning, Jun's eyelids finally moved from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes, feeling his head much lighter than before.

He blinked.

What is on my head?

He touched his head and felt a damp towel.

Huh?

He moved his left hand but couldn't. He lowered his gaze and froze.

Zhou Ai!?