Decisive and Unyielding

Fang Zhou’s words lifted a heavy weight off Chu Xinran’s heart.

Ever since she learned about his public announcement, her heart had been suspended in mid-air, never settling.

This feeling was truly unbearable, much like the time before the dating show when she couldn’t find any trace of Fang Zhou.

Back then, Fang Zhou had vanished without a trace, and she could only live off the fragments and memories of their time together.

It wasn’t until she knew Fang Zhou would be on the dating show and saw him there that she finally felt at ease.

As long as Fang Zhou wasn’t genuinely in love with Qin Yun and didn’t plan to stay with her forever, there was hope, right?

Chu Xinran finally showed her first genuine smile since they met, looking like a blooming camellia.

Even though her outfit and makeup today seemed a bit out of place, a person’s aura emanates from within and can’t be hidden, even behind a mask.

For the first time today, Fang Zhou saw a glimpse of the old Chu Xinran.

The girl spoke gently, “Is it about your sister?”

“If that’s the case, I can understand you.”

What else could make Fang Zhou compromise if not for Fang Wenjing’s situation?

Chu Xinran suddenly felt foolish, realizing that jealousy and disappointment had clouded her judgment, preventing her from thinking clearly.

If she had calmed down and analyzed the situation or found another way to get information from Fang Zhou, she might not have pushed him to such an extreme today.

Guilt surged in Chu Xinran’s heart.

She even felt that arranging for Fang Zhou to attend the anniversary was a mistake.

But who knew? Chu Xinran hadn’t seen Fang Zhou in a long time.

Seeing him today, the suppressed longing in her heart grew wildly, like climbing ivy, enveloping her entire being from the inside out.

Every cell in her body rejoiced.

When physiological and psychological attraction align, it’s impossible to control one’s emotions.

Fang Zhou nodded, acknowledging Chu Xinran’s assumption.

“Yes, that’s right. She provided information about a kidney donor for my sister and made significant efforts.”

“A life-saving grace deserves a spring in return. So, did you offer yourself to her as well?”

Chu Xinran looked at Fang Zhou quietly, her emotions becoming more complex.

There was understanding, regret, and pity in her eyes.

She could understand Fang Zhou’s actions.

Because Fang Zhou was inherently a good person who wouldn’t let others suffer.

Especially since this person was his ex-girlfriend.

The regret was that she couldn’t help with Fang Wenjing’s situation, which led Fang Zhou to this point.

And the pity was because she had thought Qin Yun was someone who didn’t expect anything in return.

It turned out she was too idealistic.

In this world, who truly gives without expecting anything in return?

Even many parents expect something in return from their children before continuing to invest in them.

Once they realize their children can’t meet their expectations, they become harsh.

They start blaming them or using various means to force them toward their set goals.

Even she couldn’t be entirely selfless toward someone she liked.

Because love inherently involves a desire for physical touch, emotional closeness, and soul connection.

Fang Zhou grinned, acknowledging her words.

“What you said isn’t wrong.

After all, we’re both getting what we need now.

Who knows what the future holds? We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Maybe, as he spent more time with Qin Yun, he would rediscover her good qualities and fall for her again.

He might genuinely want to be with her.

But he didn’t dare tell Chu Xinran this.

Chu Xinran’s expression became calm, no longer showing the earlier hints of fear and anxiety.

Both of them avoided discussing Fang Zhou’s earlier state.

She nodded lightly, feeling the tear stains from earlier had dried.

With the conversation at this point, if she continued to make a fuss, it would be like pushing herself into a pit of fire.

It would also sever the last possibility between her and Fang Zhou.

Chu Xinran decided to hold onto that possibility until Fang Wenjing’s surgery was over.

As for her family, she could bear the pressure and stall for time.

But no one could force her to do something she didn’t want to, not even her mother.

“I wish your sister a speedy recovery.”

“If I have time, I’ll visit her.”

Chu Xinran smiled again, showing a pure smile like before.

In these few minutes, she had mentally prepared herself, calming her emotions so Fang Zhou wouldn’t notice anything wrong.

Even if she had a thousand or ten thousand sad thoughts, or the urge to harm herself sprouting like bamboo shoots after the rain, she suppressed them all.

She wouldn’t seek death as she did before.

That was a weak person’s tactic.

The saying “the crying child gets the candy” might be true, but that candy wasn’t given willingly.

True strength lies in careful planning and taking every step wisely to get what you want.

Besides, Fang Zhou was already troubled. If she cried and made things worse, she would be a real burden.

Fang Zhou was surprised by her quick emotional shift, staring at her dumbfoundedly and asking, “You have nothing more to say?”

He had thought Chu Xinran would find it hard to accept.

The girl with the blonde hair slowly shook her head and stood up, walking toward the door.

“What more can I say?

I can’t exactly tell you to break up with her, can I?”

Fang Zhou watched her back, sensing a hint of loneliness.

“Xinran, you’re the last person I want to hurt. I hope you can be well.”

These were Fang Zhou’s heartfelt words.

But Chu Xinran didn’t seem to believe him, leaving with a parting remark, “I’ve heard that before, two years ago.”

At the door, Chu Xinran turned back to look at Fang Zhou and told him,

“Since you’re with Qin Yun, I won’t bother you anymore.

But I hope when you’re single again, you’ll come to me first.”

With that, the girl turned and left decisively, leaving Fang Zhou alone in the classroom, staring at the many pianos in a daze.

He never expected that, besides Han Xi, the most decisive person would turn out to be Chu Xinran.