C2 I Don't Want It!(2)

She really started to wonder if she had gone for a run in her sleep, but she knew she didn’t have a habit of sleepwalking. Feeling a bit silly, she gave her head a light knock. "Youyou, you're getting more and more absent-minded, always daydreaming," she muttered to herself, then got up from the floor and headed to the bathroom...

——

Two months later.

As Shaang Zirui's fiancée, Youyou accompanied him to meet his family. The atmosphere at the dinner table was tense, making it hard for her to breathe. Zirui's mother, Hee Huitong, had never liked her. From the moment Youyou walked in, Huitong was giving her the cold shoulder, but only when Zirui wasn’t looking. Whenever Zirui was around, Huitong managed to hide her displeasure, maintaining a lukewarm demeanor.

Since she was Zirui's mother, Youyou held back from arguing, no matter what Huitong said. However, the oppressive atmosphere at the table was making her feel nauseated. She furrowed her delicate brows, trying to suppress the urge to vomit. To Huitong, it seemed like Youyou was dissatisfied with their food.

With a mocking smile, Huitong remarked, "It seems, Miss Qiao, that you've had too much of the good stuff and can't appreciate our family’s cooking. Is that frown because you find our food unworthy?"

"No, it's not like that," Youyou quickly shook her head, trying to explain.

"Hmph..." Huitong let out a cold laugh. "You sit down with such a sour face, like we've wronged you. Zirui served you a ton of food, and you haven't even touched it."

Indeed, the bowl in front of her was so full it was nearly overflowing. She turned to Zirui, giving him an apologetic look, and he responded with a gentle smile.

"Youyou, is the food not to your liking? Or is something else going on?" This time, it was Zirui's father, Yuhua, who spoke. His tone was calm, unlike Huitong's sarcastic remarks. Yuhua's voice carried the concern of a caring elder. Youyou managed a sweet smile. "No, it's just that I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so my appetite isn't great."

"What's wrong? Where are you feeling unwell? Why didn't you tell me?" Zirui looked at her with worry, his questions urgent and concerned.

"Don't worry about it. It's just a bit of stomach discomfort. I was planning to see a doctor, but I've been so busy these past few days that I haven't gotten around to it." She forced a reassuring smile, trying to ignore the discomfort in her stomach.

Whether it was from nerves or the stuffy air in the restaurant, Youyou felt a bit short of breath, and her head was starting to spin.

Her hand braced against the dining table as she tried to get up for some fresh air. But suddenly, everything went black, her legs gave way, and she slowly slid to the floor, losing consciousness...

——

When she opened her eyes again, she was greeted by a chandelier that was both familiar and strange. The room was dimly lit by a bedside lamp, and by the window stood a familiar figure. The moonlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting a lonely and desolate aura around him. Qiao Youyou slowly sat up and softly called out, "Zirui..."

Standing by the window, Shang Zirui seemed to shiver at the sound of her voice. The light was too dim for her to see clearly, but he turned and walked over to the bed.