Unconcerned and tranquil

Did Yuan Xuelan hear that right? Or perhaps it was but an auditory hallucination created by his desperation. Hope was cruel.

"..." Yuan Xuelan only grimaced and looked away. He could not understand why Liu Sumeng was not giving him a clear rejection. Was he being fed with foolish hope that would only end up with him embarrassing himself? Yuan Xuelan could not understand. But he knew that his heart bled freely for this man and it was driving him insane. Gods, was he already insane?

"Maybe…we shouldn't…" His throat ached but Xuelan forced the words out anyway, "shouldn't be so close…"

Maybe then he could forget his obsession, perhaps then his heart could heal. Yuan Xuelan did not want to be a burden to Liu Sumeng, no matter much it agonized him.

And Liu Sumeng understood that much as well. Staying apart might be the best answer to this situation. But how could he bear that? Liu Sumeng could not. He already followed this idiot from one lifetime to the next.