Chapter 25
That gentle tone—clearly still belonged to the lover she knew.
The girl threw herself into his arms, clutching his neck so tight he could barely breathe: "It was so scary. You seemed like a completely different person."
Gu Xichen tasted bitterness in his mouth.
What could he say? That he'd been possessed by Chen Xi? That he himself was the evil ghost she should fear?
After much deliberation, he could only offer vaguely: "I've been too tired lately. I've neglected you. I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
They returned to the bed. Lian Xia nestled back into his shoulder. He held her with one arm and murmured gently: "It's late. Go to sleep."
But she was unexpectedly stubborn: "I'm afraid you'll run away. I want to watch you."
"What nonsense..."
"No matter what happens, don't leave me, okay?"
Gu Xichen had just reclaimed control of this body, and now he had to summon the energy to comfort her: "I won't. Even as a ghost, I won't let you go."
Little did he expect her to cry even harder: "You—you don't scare me..."
"Shh, shh, don't be afraid."
He held the trembling girl close, gently patting her shoulder until she gradually stilled.
"Want some water?"
Gu Xichen hopped out of bed and hit the light switch. The room flooded with brightness.
There was warm water in the thermos. He poured a cup for Lian Xia, then noticed his own dishevelment.
The girl's tears had soaked large patches of his shirt—clearly unwearable now. He got up and pulled it off, meaning to change into something else.
Though Chen Xi's body was that of a soft, sedentary young man, Gu Xichen had pushed it to its fullest potential, doing regular strength training in his spare time. Under the flimsy sleep shirt was an entirely different picture.
His shoulders were broad and clean-cut, his muscles lean and flowing. Above was a solid, trustworthy chest. Below, his waist was taut and sculpted.
From any angle, this was a strikingly attractive body.
He turned around and caught Lian Xia staring at him, tears still wet on her cheeks. Embarrassed, he touched his nose: "Never mind. I'll go take a shower."
...
...
In front of the bathroom mirror, he stared for a long time, then gave a cold laugh: "Trash, I know you're watching."
"I won't let you hurt her."
"If you come out again, or try anything to her, I can't guarantee I won't harm this body..."
His gaze dropped to the sink counter, where several razors lay neatly arranged, their blades gleaming.
He picked one up and drew it flat across under his chin—a phantom stroke, no pressure behind it. But his eyes were dark as an abyss.
The threat was unmistakable.
If Chen Xi dared surface again, he was ready to give up everything. He'd rather die than let that happen.
He was nothing but a ghost of unknown origin—what did it matter to return to hell?
After his shower, trailing damp steam, he returned to the girl's side.
She seemed to catch that familiar scent again and stretched out, rolling into his arms of her own accord.
Gu Xichen pulled the covers over her and sighed at the dim ceiling.
This time had been dangerously close. He'd suppressed Chen Xi at the critical moment, but he didn't know when the next sword of Damocles would fall...
All along, Gu Xichen had been navigating a complex sense of self.
To him, love meant sacrifice, not demand. Love was compromise, not coercion. Love was unwavering devotion—forging ahead through thorns and under moonlight without regret.
Whatever anyone else thought, that was Gu Xichen's philosophy of love.
He'd prepared himself to sacrifice for Lian Xia. Even though this rebirth was hard-won, in a crisis, he could only let it go.
Until he felt Lian Xia's love. She was terrified of losing him—no matter what he truly was.
Now, more than his own potential disappearance, what worried him was her.
If he were gone, what would happen to her?
Chapter 26
Two months before the exam, Lian Xia quit her factory job and went all out preparing for grad school.
Through some big client connections, Gu Xichen arranged for several professors in her field to give her pre-exam tutoring. As a result, she studied late every night—but unlike last year, when she'd been fighting alone, this time someone was always beside her when she came home.
Right now, the man sat under the bright lamplight, and his silhouette inexplicably reminded her of someone who'd once lit a lone lamp in a midnight hallway for her.
Even now, Lian Xia still hadn't unraveled the mystery of the haunted house. Whenever she thought of it, she felt moved more than afraid.
"There once lived a man in this house—a man no one else could see."
She recounted the story to Gu Xichen. He listened absentmindedly, casually pushing every strand of cilantro from his noodles into her bowl.
He seemed to despise cilantro—couldn't even stand the smell, let alone eat it. Lian Xia looked up in surprise: "Grandma said you especially love cilantro."
He paused, then said calmly: "People's tastes change."
Fortunately, Lian Xia was brilliant at academics but rather dense when it came to social cues, so he deflected her with a few words.
...
...
That night, she hugged his waist from behind and refused to leave his room.
The girl nuzzled his shoulder like a small animal: "Xichen, I love the way you smell."
In the full-length mirror, two young faces rested side by side, both sinking into the tender atmosphere.
"So, want a kiss?"
He closed his eyes, his hair drifting gently, his scent fresh and sweet.
She suddenly thought: this is a mint-flavored man.
She really wanted to write him a poem. Damn it.
He read the deep emotion in her eyes, and his heart stirred. He cupped the back of her head and kissed her—firm but tender—sipping the sweetness from her soft lips.
The deep kiss grew more and more entangled, like stirring into a sweet jelly, the aftertaste lingering. He held her tighter and tighter, and in that hormone-soaked embrace, the girl made sounds that sent shivers down his spine.
After the passionate entanglement, Lian Xia was panting—and the man's whole body burned, even the whites of his eyes tinted pink.
Wanting what he couldn't have was its own torture, especially in a body this young and vigorous.
Maybe... if he pushed further now, she wouldn't refuse.
But he couldn't do this.
At all times, love must have a foundation. But could he truly remain the master of this body from start to finish?
Judging from Lian Xia's reaction alone, she was completely immersed in this romance. Yet just a few days of coldness, and she'd come knocking on his door in the middle of the night—nearly letting that scoundrel succeed. If Chen Xi broke free again and seized this body...
She would be hurt.
His heart clenching, he released her from his fervent embrace.
The intimacy broken, the girl looked up with glistening eyes: "Xichen?"
She read an ineffable emotion in his eyes—complex, tender, even threaded with pain.
"I love you, Lian Xia."
Because I love you, I cannot touch you.
"I know, Xichen. I love you too."
She buried herself in his embrace like a swallow returning to its nest, then carefully reached up to wipe his cheek: "But... why are you crying?"
Gu Xichen was startled.
He looked in the mirror. Those familiar yet unfamiliar narrow eyes were brimming with tears.
Because deep love so often brings pain, and I bear this secret alone.
Chapter 27
Time flew by.
On the day of her final exam, Gu Xichen came home early specifically for her.
The girl sat dazed in the living room, still clutching a book. When she saw him, she stammered: "Ah, this is an essay collection I wrote myself. I had it printed at my own expense to give to you..."
"Thank you for taking care of me this past year."
He found it amusing.
She looked like she wanted to tear the thin booklet apart in embarrassment, yet she presented it to him with care and trepidation.
Gu Xichen accepted the beautifully bound collection and seemed a little troubled: "Then what should I give you in return?"
Then, as if struck by inspiration, he pulled a thin piece of paper from his pocket, looking rather smug: "How about this?"
Lian Xia squinted at the small print: "Magnolia Residence... invitation?"
"Yeah, it's a newly opened development."
To make things convenient for Lian Xia's schooling, Gu Xichen had found a move-in-ready unit near her university—a small, fully furnished apartment.
The complex had a subway entrance right outside, and his commute would be convenient too.
"It's a small place near your school. Once the year-end bonus comes in, the down payment's basically covered."
Lian Xia was stunned: "My school? What if I don't pass this time either?"
He sat at the table, leisurely pouring himself a glass of water: "Then you take it again. I'll support you."
Said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.