Chapter 208: Be My Boyfriend for Three More Days

Suppressing his unease, Fang Zhou handed the bracelet forward just enough for Chu Xinran to reach.

“This is from my sister. She asked me to give it to you.”

Chu Xinran’s eyes flickered, shifting her gaze to the blue bracelet, recalling Fang Wenjing, his endearing sister.

Fang Wenjing really is quite lovable.

She didn’t resist, taking the bracelet from Fang Zhou’s hand and examining it closely, saying softly, “It’s quite lovely.”

Other than that, she said nothing more.

It seemed like a routine compliment, or perhaps she simply didn’t want to talk to Fang Zhou.

Fang Zhou didn’t get upset, just sat quietly in a chair, pulling out a pair of sleeves and some thread to sew, like he was part of the air.

For a moment, the only sounds in the room were birds chirping from the garden below and their shallow breaths.

Chu Xinran was upset but couldn’t bear to ignore him. In a short while, she wanted to speak but remembered what her mother had taught her and held back, her mind in turmoil.

Even though she had done irrational things, couldn’t he at least comfort her?

Even if he lied…

Or was she so unimportant to him that he wouldn’t even lie to show concern?

The more she thought, the more it hurt, feeling like all her previous grievances were flooding back, becoming part of her.

She turned away, staring at the white wall, sulking, even thinking: If I knew it would be like this, I’d rather not have been saved.

Something seemed to itch inside her, pushing her to speak.

‘What if he leaves if you ignore him?’

But Mom said he must apologize first; that way, the next part of the plan could proceed smoothly.

She said, “There’s a difference between asking for something and a man offering it on his own.”

Finally, as Chu Xinran battled with herself, Fang Zhou got up.

He took a few steps forward, measuring something on her.

She turned to see it was a white sleeve cover.

The kind girls wore to match their outfits.

“It should fit your arm now.”

Fang Zhou spoke, but Chu Xinran heard him clearly.

“What are you doing?”

She couldn’t help but finally speak.

Fang Zhou held up the sleeve cover, explaining, “I was worried it might be too big, so I adjusted it a bit.”

Chu Xinran was even more confused, not understanding what he was doing.

“If you need to go out later, you can’t always wear long sleeves.”

He spoke softly, his gaze on her bandaged arm.

Chu Xinran was startled, finally understanding.

He was trying to hide her self-harm scars.

Her heart ached, feeling a surge of emotion.

Fang Zhou’s first response wasn’t to scold or lecture her, but to accept what happened and find a solution.

She had thought… he would blame her first.

Chu Xinran felt a tickle in her throat, the emotions she had suppressed bubbling up.

She opened her mouth to speak.

But Fang Zhou acted first.

“Let me help you try it on.”

He gently placed the sleeve cover on her exposed hand. It fit perfectly, not too loose, not too tight.

Chu Xinran’s gaze followed his movements from the sleeve cover to his face.

His eyes were incredibly gentle, treating her like something fragile.

He had this magic, doing little things to ease her anger.

But he probably didn’t realize that this gentle blade, coated in honey, was the most lethal.

Fang Zhou created a beautiful bubble for his ex-girlfriends, making the time together so wonderful that even after breaking up, they reminisced fondly.

Making people willingly sink in, even drown in it, didn’t matter.

Like a utopia, non-existent, yet people longed for it.

As Fang Zhou was about to remove the sleeve cover, she pulled back her slender hand.

Looking up, he saw her red eyes and pursed lips.

“Weren’t you never going to see me again? Why do you care whether I live or die?”

For the first time in front of Fang Zhou, the usually gentle girl spoke willfully.

Fang Zhou paused, tilting his head and looking at her with a mix of helplessness and concern, “It was my fault. I didn’t consider your feelings. I’m sorry.”

In the face of life and death, everything else must take a backseat.

Chu Xinran’s eyes welled up, her lips trembling, feeling her grievances finally had an outlet.

But she stubbornly turned away, refusing to look at him.

Fang Zhou sighed slightly, patiently asking, “Xinran, what can I do to make you feel better? Tell me.”

Given her current state, it wouldn’t be right for her to stay upset.

Having a chronically ill family member made Fang Zhou empathetic towards patients.

Their physical pain was already a lot to bear; if their hearts were burdened too, recovery would be even harder.

Chu Xinran’s eyes shifted to the sleeve cover.

This cunning man.

Did he think a pair of sleeve covers would earn her forgiveness?

Hmph, not a chance, unless…

Her lips twitched slightly, forming a faint smile.

“Be my boyfriend for three more days, and I’ll forgive you.”

Fang Zhou stood frozen, not expecting this request.

“You…”

“What? Is it too hard? Fine, don’t worry about whether I live or die. You can leave.”

Chu Xinran suppressed her excitement, following her mother’s advice step by step.

She couldn’t soften. If she backed down, he wouldn’t agree.

Fang Zhou battled within himself, feeling conflicted.

If he agreed, it might cause problems later.

If he didn’t, what if Chu Xinran did something drastic again?

Eventually, Fang Zhou said, “Alright, but I have one condition.”

“Tell me.”

Chu Xinran suppressed her joy, pretending to be indifferent.

“You must promise never to do this again.”

Fang Zhou silently told himself: If there’s a next time, I can’t help anymore.

Life and death are beyond one’s control. He couldn’t carry others’ burdens forever.

This time, he’d consider it paying a debt.

Chu Xinran slowly smiled, softly agreeing.

“Okay.”

As long as you’re willing to be with me again, I’ll agree to any condition.

Brother Fang Zhou.