For an unknown amount of time, Bai Song’s consciousness gradually returned in a daze.
The aftereffects of the BUFF were no joke. Especially after sleeping, Bai Song’s body and mind were unusually exhausted. She struggled to open her eyelids, which felt glued together, blinking repeatedly before her vision cleared enough to make out her surroundings.
This wasn’t the same room as before. It was a very simple space with minimal decor. The floor-to-ceiling windows were draped with plain white curtains, similar to those in a hotel. One side of the window was slightly ajar, letting in a breeze that carried a faint salty tang of the sea.
Warm orange sunlight streamed in, casting a glow over Bai Song’s body, dispelling the lingering chill within her.
She tried to move but found her limbs weak and devoid of strength.
“Song Song.” A hoarse voice sounded above her. Bai Song forced her heavy eyelids open and met a weary face.
Noticing the dark circles and bloodshot eyes, Bai Song hurriedly asked, “System, does Tong Yao know about my cancer?”
“No. Not just this time even the doctors who treated you before only checked your external injuries. They didn’t run deeper tests,” the system explained. “When Lu Xuanxuan sent you to the hospital, the doctors didn’t know the real reason for your unconsciousness, so they conducted a thorough examination. That’s how they found out.”
The system added, “After all, every time you needed medical attention, you weren’t exactly presentable. Tong Yao wasn’t keen on letting them examine you too closely.”
“…” Not presentable meaning naked. Bai Song was used to it, but the doctors probably weren’t.
Still, this was for the best. Bai Song relaxed slightly. “The trump card has to be saved for last.” If she couldn’t succeed in one decisive move there wouldn’t be time for any other plans.
She felt uncertain, weighed down by worry.
“Wh-where is this?” Bai Song’s voice was frail, the vibrations of her speech tugging at the wound on her forehead, sending a sharp pain through her.
“A rehabilitation center abroad,” Tong Yao replied, her tone devoid of its previous hostility. She pulled Bai Song into her arms and carefully fed her a prepared cup of warm water.
The soothing liquid slid down, instantly relieving the dry ache in her throat. Bai Song clutched the cup with both hands, gulping it down like a thirsty hamster, cheeks puffed.
She licked her parched lips, still craving more.
The water helped clear her mind. Her dazed expression shifted to alarm as she opened her mouth to ask about Lu Xuanxuan.
Did Tong Yao give her a hard time?
Their families were evenly matched in power.
Tong Yao shouldn’t be making too many enemies.
But before she could speak, Tong Yao pressed a finger to her lips, softly shushing her. “Song Song, don’t say anything that’ll upset me. You don’t want to deal with the consequences.”
Bai Song immediately shut her mouth, staring at Tong Yao’s face as she swallowed nervously.
Her gaze drifted to the window. She could almost hear the waves crashing against the shore. But, hadn’t they been in the mountains before? How did they end up by the sea?
As if reading her mind, Tong Yao answered, “The scenery here is beautiful. I thought you’d like it. Plus, it’s secluded, no unwanted visitors.”
Bai Song: “…” I don’t like it at all.
Tong Yao smiled and explained to her, “This sanatorium is located on a remote island, surrounded by sea on all sides. Lu Xuanxuan won’t be able to find her way here anytime soon.”
Bai Song: “!” Her lips parted slightly, revealing the softness of her tongue.
After speaking, Tong Yao found herself uncontrollably drawn to that hint of red and leaned down to capture Bai Song’s lips in a kiss.
Perhaps because Bai Song’s blood-covered face had frightened her earlier, this kiss was unusually gentle, even considerate of Bai Song’s feelings.
A flush immediately spread across Bai Song’s cheeks. She tried to pull away from Tong Yao’s embrace but was held tightly in place.
“Yao Yao,” Bai Song trembled, her voice barely a whisper.
Just before she ran out of breath, Tong Yao finally released her.
Gasping for air, Bai Song steadied her breathing, her eyes downcast, her voice thick with sorrow: “Do we really have to do this? You’ll regret it.”
Bai Song’s eyes were red, as though she was fighting back tears.
Tong Yao reached out, her fingertips brushing the corner of Bai Song’s eye. “How could I ever regret it, Song Song? As long as I can be with you, I’d pay any price.”
Tong Yao had to admit her love for Bai Song outweighed her hatred.
When she learned Bai Song had met with Lu Xuanxuan, she even felt that if it meant keeping Bai Song by her side, she would gladly die on the spot.
Tong Yao’s lips curled into a chilling smile. “Did you think everyone is like you, falling for anyone who comes along?”
“I didn’t,” Bai Song tried to evade her touch, but Tong Yao suddenly tightened her grip, seizing her chin.
Her hand was like a vice, as if she could crush bone with her fingers.
Bai Song’s face flushed crimson, but Tong Yao ignored it, leaning close to her ear instead. “Do you want to know what happened to Lu Xuanxuan? When did you start contacting her again? Song Song, did you really think she’d ever love a cheap slut like you, who spreads her legs for anyone? She said she didn’t care about your past, but that’s only because she didn’t love you she just wanted to play with you!”
Only I care about you. Only I truly love you.
So look at me. Only at me!
Though Tong Yao knew she had fallen for trash, she couldn’t control her heart. She could only admit how pathetic she was.
Bai Song stared fixedly at the woman smiling bitterly at her, her vision gradually blurring. Fragments of their time together flashed through her mind like a slideshow.
Being with Tong Yao had actually made her happy, joyful, content.
If not for the mission if she were truly this world’s Bai Song perhaps she and Tong Yao could have been a loving, devoted couple.
The thought of everything Tong Yao had done to her made Bai Song’s heart ache in sharp, stabbing waves.
Not because she was hurt, but because she couldn’t bear the weight of such suffocating love.
Bai Song lowered her gaze, her hands clutching the sheets beneath her.
Why cling to her like this, when letting go could lead to something better?
Wasn’t this just misery?
Keeping the one you love most only through imprisonment, it must be agony.
That’s why she tormented Bai Song, forcing her to share the pain.
A dull, throbbing ache rose in Bai Song’s chest, her eyes welling with unshed tears.
Tong Yao bit down on her neck, forcing Bai Song to tilt her head back sharply, exposing a graceful curve of her throat.
Though it didn’t hurt, the discomfort of having her neck targeted was undeniable.
Seeing the thick jealousy in Tong Yao’s eyes, Bai Song couldn’t bear the torment in that gaze any longer.
“Yaoyao, I love you, I do love you.” Bai Song shut her eyes in despair, tears streaming down the corners.
Yaoyao, I love you, but I have to leave you.
Yet leaving you hasn’t brought you the happiness I hoped for, hasn’t made you forget me and move on. So, what was the point of my departure?
As the wave crashed over them, Bai Song strained to keep her eyes open, desperate to see the person clinging to her.
She didn’t know whether to tell her.
To tell her that the betrayal Yaoyao believed in never existed only to replace it with the agony of permanent separation.
After witnessing the twisted intensity of Tong Yao’s love, Bai Song couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.
Afraid that, in her despair, Yaoyao might follow her into the abyss.
The moment the words left her lips, Bai Song regretted them. She clenched her teeth, sealing her lips shut, refusing to let out another sound.