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He brought Tao Hua along for Lin Xinlan’s health, and now it turned out to be just in time.

After a night of emergency treatment, Lu Xiaofan was breathing again and out of danger.

Rong Shaoze took a shower, changed clothes, and quietly returned to Lin Xinlan’s bedroom.

The sunlight poured in from the window, carrying the scent of winter, bright and beautiful.

Lin Xinlan opened her eyes groggily, meeting Rong Shaoze’s deep and attractive gaze.

The warm sunlight illuminated him, casting a faint halo around him, making him seem too beautiful to be a mere mortal.

Lin Xinlan watched him foolishly, not daring to make a sound, afraid that any noise might startle him and cause him to disappear.

Rong Shaoze, too, gazed deeply at her. Seeing that she didn’t speak, he stroked her face and asked with a light smile, "What’s wrong?"

Lin Xinlan’s eyes shimmered slightly, and she smiled, "You’re real."

"Have you gone silly? Of course, I’m real." His eyes and brows were filled with a thick sense of humor.

Lin Xinlan affectionately rubbed his palm, speaking softly, "I thought everything that happened last night was just a dream. I’m glad it wasn’t.

You don’t know how many times I dreamed of you, but I didn’t dare see you or acknowledge you.

My heart has always been full of fear. I was so afraid you would see me as I am now, so I hid from you everywhere. Even though I missed you deeply, I restrained myself from recognizing you, and that feeling was truly torturous...

But now it’s fine, you are truly by my side, I don’t need to hide from you or be afraid to acknowledge you anymore, and the fear in my heart is gone. I feel really secure and comfortable..."

"You really are a fool," Rong Shaoze chuckled and couldn’t help but lean down to kiss her lips.

She indeed was a fool.

If she had opened up to him earlier, she wouldn’t have had to suffer so long.

Happiness was within reach, but she foolishly abandoned it, choosing to torment herself and him. If she wasn’t a fool, then what was she?

Lin Xinlan hugged his neck and said with a nod, full of apology, "You’re right, I am a fool."

Rong Shaoze pressed his forehead against hers, smiling, "Yes, you’re a fool, but I am an even bigger fool for not noticing there was something off with you and letting you suffer so much. Xinlan, I’m sorry, I didn’t protect you well."

"It’s not your fault, maybe this is just my destiny... Rong Shaoze, if I really died, could you please die after me? I don’t want to see you die for me, I don’t want to suffer in my heart..."

Even with all her openness, she couldn’t bear the thought of watching him die for her.

So, selfishly, she wanted to die before him to lessen the pain a bit.

"Don’t worry, I’ve long decided to die after you. But not now, not in a month, but maybe seventy or eighty years later."

"You got the antidote?" Lin Xinlan asked, surprised.

"Almost there. Get up first, have breakfast, and then I’ll tell you everything."

Rong Shaoze helped her up, dressed her, and carried her out of the bedroom.

He personally made porridge and side dishes for her, and they sat at the table, eating heartily.

After breakfast, Rong Shaoze told her about the events of the previous night. Lin Xinlan, concerned, asked, "What kind of challenge did Qiao Yiyang issue you?"

Rong Shaoze held her hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"No matter what he challenges me to, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry, I will definitely beat him."