2.26.64 - They are back (4) - Mr. and Mrs. Jelly

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Author's note: I saved this song only for this chapter, for this scene. It's a beautiful duet. Check it out: Can You Hold Me - NF ft. Britt Nicole (Lyrics)

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Everything seemed fine between them, not until... Bing Shi reached 26 and Xuan Mu 24.

Bing Shi woke up from the cry next to her. Rubbing her eyes, she switched on the night lamp. Xuan Mu in his sleep was hugging himself, sounds of sobbing came out through his bitten lips. His hair became damp from his sweat.

"Xuan Mu, wake up," Bing Shi full of worry, shook his shoulder, "Wake up! It's a dream!" Her voice increased.

Xuan Mu opened his red eyes wide, filled with terror he spun his face around, looking for the person from his dream. "Bing Shi," he hugged her tight, his whole body shaking in fear.

Bing Shi hugged him back, "Shh... It wasn't real." She patted his back. She didn't ask what happened in the nightmare; it would be great if he could forget it. The worst thing was, he seemed to remember each and every one of them.

"Bing Shi, someone tortured you before my eyes, and I could do nothing," he spoke as he looked around for any sign of danger, his hold on her tightened.

One sentence was enough to shook her. She couldn't imagine how tormenting the nightmare was for him. The nightmares were different from before; usually, it was about her leaving him. Since moving together, they decreased together with his dark circles.

Now, they were back, harsher, and more severe...

Such depressing nightmares every night showed themselves on his mind and body. Xuan Mu lost weight, he was stressed like never before. It was so extreme that strands of white hair appeared in between his black locks. They tried all kinds of therapies, even hypnotherapy.

Nothing worked.

It ended in Xuan Mu's inability to fall asleep; he was always dreaming. Sleeping pills never worked; it even worsened his symptoms.

Xuan Mu's paranoia intensified.

He would send Bing Shi to all kinds of doctors to check her health. She would return back with a report, saying she was all good and healthy.

Bing Shi couldn't drive a car or a plane without Xuan Mu.

At nights, he would roll and kick around the bed. One time, Bing Shi got a straight kick to her waist. She was sent flying out of bed. The impact took her breath away. Seeing her gasping for air, Xuan Mu was terrified of himself. He almost killed her! He carried her to a hospital while apologizing endlessly.

Back at home, Bing Shi and Xuan Mu sat at the couch in the brightly lit living room.

"It's not your fault. You did it against your will," she said with a reassuring smile.

He felt like a failure. He put his forehead on her shoulder, his voice trembling, "Why are you not scared of me? Why do you care for me? You can leave whenever you want, you know I would do nothing to stop you, right? So why are you still with me?"

"If you give me a reason to hate you, I'll leave, and I don't care if you kill yourself or not," she caressed his cheek, leaning over, she took the initiative and pressed her lips against his, opening their mouth together, their tongues connected.

The desolate man who was deserted a while ago was brought back to life. As each touch of her tongue was like healing water for his dried-out soul.

Bing Shi would never allow herself to fall in love first. Noticing Xuan Mu's interest in her, she reciprocated his level of interest. She didn't judge his face nor his background, but... she judged his every action towards her, heartlessly. It didn't mean that he ought to act perfectly before her, the opposite. Most of the time they had to be themselves while taking their interest into consideration.

Courting Bing Shi was extremely difficult. She was too careful, and that time she was only seventeen! Promise her the skies, and she would toss it back at you. 'Actions speak louder than words.' This could be said about Xuan Mu too, his requests for a partner were much more demanding than hers.

The final verdict? She let herself fall in love... only because her brain allowed it...

This girl!

But the love she gave him in exchange was deep and unparalleled, something even Xuan Mu didn't know could exist. Like ocean waves, she kept drowning him into a bottomless mending sea. Fortunately, Xuan Mu was a shark, the king of the ocean welcomed her mending waves with open arms.

Another bed appeared in their bedroom.

Bing Shi felt powerless.

Now, he wouldn't even move from her side, afraid of something happening to her.