frightfiction Chapter 163 Two Fools
Chapter 163 Two Fools
Upon hearing these words, Fan Junyu's body trembled violently. A sharp pain surged from the depths of his heart, as if an extremely sharp knife had pierced his chest and was relentlessly twisting and turning, causing him unbearable agony. This pain was like countless tiny, ferocious ants frantically gnawing at his fragile heart, each bite bringing excruciating agony.
His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the woman before him, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't utter a sound. It turned out that he had been in love with her all along; her heart was already completely filled with someone else, leaving no room for him.
Recalling her denials and intimate gestures, everything now seemed crystal clear to him. It was all like a cannonball wrapped in a sweet cloak—appearing alluring on the surface, but actually deadly, merely a ploy to avoid humiliation and public disgrace. A bitter smile crept onto his lips, a smile more unbearable than the bitterest gall. He silently pondered how, just moments before, he had so naively believed she harbored love for him and was devoted to him. Now, cruel reality laid bare before him, making him acutely aware that it had all been nothing but wishful thinking.
Indeed, he was busy with numerous affairs at the Dali Temple every day, leaving him almost no free time to accompany her or get to know her. The two of them were like two parallel lines that would never intersect, rarely crossing paths. During this long period, she naturally met many outstanding young men, and it was perfectly normal for her to fall for others.
Thinking of this, Fan Junyu couldn't help but sigh softly, muttering to herself, "Fan Junyu, since you love her so deeply, then you should be like a selfless candle, burning yourself without hesitation, just to light her path to happiness. Even if the one who ultimately brings her happiness and joy isn't me, it doesn't matter. As long as that man treats her sincerely, cherishes her wholeheartedly, and lets her live a carefree life, that's enough for me."
At the same time, Fan Junyu secretly resolved that from now on, he would sincerely bless her, like a warm and pleasant spring breeze. He would choose to quietly protect her from behind, becoming her strong support. As for the deep and passionate feelings within his heart, it was better not to let her know, lest he cause her unnecessary trouble and worry. Let this deep affection remain buried in his heart, transforming into silent care and devotion.
Despite repeatedly telling himself this, Fan Junyu still felt as if his heart was being slashed by an incredibly sharp knife, the pain so intense it felt like it was bleeding. He truly didn't want to bring He Mingning even the slightest bit of unnecessary pressure, and he absolutely didn't want her to feel even the slightest bit of disgust towards him. Therefore, he could only endure the overwhelming, surging pain with all his might, gritting his teeth as he made that incredibly difficult decision—to let go.
This was the first time in his life he had ever wholeheartedly fallen for a woman! Yet, in the end, he still failed to win her heart. Upon reflection, he realized it was probably because he hadn't done something right. Alas, what could he do now? Since the outcome couldn't be changed, he decided to leave it at that and not disturb her peaceful and beautiful life any longer. Let her continue to live each day carefree and happy, like a beautiful flower blooming on a branch!
Thinking of this, Fan Junyu's heart was still filled with deep sorrow and grief, but at the same time, it was as if a sliver of warm, gentle sunlight had suddenly pierced through the long, gloomy sky, offering him a slight sense of comfort and relief. However, at this moment, he didn't dare even lift his head, fearing that He Mingning might accidentally catch the deep, desolate sorrow in his eyes, as poignant as the falling, withered leaves of late autumn.
Fan Junyu looked like a rooster that had just suffered a crushing defeat in a fierce battle, his head hanging low and listless. Even his voice sounded like it was trapped inside a sealed jar, unusually dull and oppressive: "Did Ningning tell him about this?"
He Mingning shook her head slightly, as if that gentle movement could shake off the bitterness in her heart. Her voice was so low, like a candle in the wind that it might be extinguished at any moment, as she murmured with endless sorrow, "No, he doesn't like me..."
When Fan Junyu heard these words, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He abruptly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the woman in front of him, whose emotions had sunk to an all-time low. He Mingning's once bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, with tears glistening in the corners, making her look pitiful and heartbreaking.
Fan Junyu felt as if a sharp knife was tearing at his heart, the pain almost unbearable. He simply couldn't understand why such a kind and lovely girl couldn't win that person's heart. So, he blurted out without thinking, "He doesn't like you? How could that be! With your status, how could he not like you? Even disregarding your status, how could he not like such a gentle, kind, obedient, and lovely girl like you!" After saying this, Fan Junyu cursed inwardly, thinking, "Who is this blind bastard who can be so blind to such a beautiful girl? He's a complete fool!" However, at that moment, he was completely unaware that the "fool" he was cursing was actually himself.
Fan Junyu looked at He Mingning's tearful face with heartache and asked softly and cautiously, "Ningning, how do you know he doesn't like you? Could it be... that you asked him directly?" He Mingning gently shook her head, the movement slow and heavy, as if each shake required all her strength. Her once bright, star-like eyes were now dull and lifeless, and her voice carried an undisguised despair: "I never asked him directly, but in our several interactions, although he has always been very caring and considerate towards me, yet... yet he has never uttered a single word about his true feelings, not even a word about his affections for me. I suppose he already has someone else in his heart." As soon as she finished speaking, He Mingning felt as if her heart was being torn apart and devoured by thousands of ferocious ants, the pain almost suffocating her.
The mere thought that Fan Junyu might have fallen for another woman, and that they would never see each other again; even if they were fortunate enough to meet again, they would likely be strangers, all their past affection vanishing like a bubble—this very scene, even briefly conjuring up in her mind, felt like a sharp blade piercing her chest, causing excruciating pain. What she found particularly difficult to accept was that Fan Junyu was the first man she had ever truly loved! Although she always stubbornly maintained her composure, insisting that there were no feelings between them and that if he didn't want to marry her, he could simply break off the engagement, how many people could truly know the fervent hopes she harbored deep within her heart for this marriage?
Looking at the dejected girl before him, as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant, Fan Junyu felt a pang of sorrow. He cursed the man in his heart, then quickly composed himself and gently comforted He Mingning, saying, "Maybe he doesn't have anyone he likes! It's all just your imagination. Tell him your feelings; maybe he reciprocates your love too!" Hearing this, He Mingning seemed to be suddenly bathed in warm sunlight, slowly lifting her delicate face. Her face blossomed into a radiant and captivating smile, like a spring flower in full bloom. At that moment, she looked at Fan Junyu with joyful eyes and softly asked in a sweet, gentle voice, "Really?" These simple three words seemed to contain endless anticipation and joy.
Fan Junyu gazed silently at the beautiful young woman before him. Her large, bright eyes sparkled with a dazzling light, like the glittering stars in the night sky. However, seeing He Mingning like this, Fan Junyu's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain intensifying. He never imagined that He Mingning's love for that man could be so profound. Just a simple hypothetical scenario had stirred her previously calm emotions like a rising tide, making them surge and swell with joy in an instant.
Even though his heart was filled with pain and sorrow, Fan Junyu tried his best to control his emotions. He gently pursed his lips, then slightly raised the corners of his mouth, forcing out a faint smile. Then, in an unusually serious tone, he said, "Really, how can you know the result if you don't try it yourself?" Just then, He Mingning seemed to suddenly remember something, and her originally bright eyes dimmed rapidly, like the sun being obscured by heavy dark clouds. Fan Junyu stared intently at the girl in front of him, only to see her once bright and sparkling eyes suddenly lose their light, becoming dull and lifeless, as if shrouded in clouds. Seeing this, Fan Junyu's heart clenched, and an indescribable anxiety welled up inside him.
He hurriedly stepped forward and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind? Tell me quickly." His voice was full of urgency and worry.
He Mingning slowly raised her head, her eyes empty and lifeless, and replied weakly, "N-nothing, I'm just a little scared." After saying that, she lowered her head again, looking as helpless as a frightened fawn.
Seeing this, Fan Junyu reached out without hesitation and gently placed his hand on He Mingning's shoulder, encouraging her with a firm yet gentle tone: "Ningning, don't be afraid! No matter what happens, I will always be by your side. Let's go find him together and tell him what's on your mind. Maybe he's been watching you all along and has feelings for you! It would be such a pity and a regret if we just missed each other like this!"
Hearing Fan Junyu's words, He Mingning fell into deep thought. Yes, if she didn't bravely take this step, she might be forever trapped in this swamp of unrequited love. No matter the final outcome, at least she had tried and wouldn't have any regrets.
After much deliberation, He Mingning finally raised her head again, her gaze no longer filled with confusion and hesitation, but with an unprecedented determination. She gazed at Fan Junyu, nodded slightly, and said softly, "Yes, you're right. I really should find an opportunity to talk to him clearly. This isn't just for him, but also to give myself closure. Even if the final answer isn't what I hoped for, as long as it brings peace to my heart, that's enough." Fan Junyu quietly gazed at the incredibly earnest He Mingning before him, his heart feeling as if it were being mercilessly cut by a thousand sharp blades, the pain unbearable. Yet, he still gritted his teeth, using all his strength to control his emotions, striving to make his voice sound calm and ordinary: "Then...then let's go!"
When He Mingning heard Fan Junyu say those words, it felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her head. She was instantly stunned, her mind blank, completely unable to think. After a long while, she finally came to her senses as if from a dream, and subconsciously asked, "Where...where are we going?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Junyu's face immediately showed a deep look of confusion, like a monk who was completely baffled. He looked at He Mingning with a puzzled expression and said softly, "Didn't Ningning say she was going to find that person to clarify things? In that case, let's hurry over there now!"
However, He Mingning's heart was filled with mixed emotions at this moment, because only she knew that the person she wanted to confess her feelings to was actually Fan Junyu, who was standing in front of her. But Fan Junyu was completely unaware of this, which made He Mingning feel both helpless and heartbroken. So, when she heard Fan Junyu's words, her body seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move. After a moment of silence, He Mingning did not directly respond to Fan Junyu's words, but instead forcibly changed the subject, trying to hide her inner panic and unease.