Chapter 48: Compromise

You Xue tilted her head slightly, letting the gray-white hair that covered part of her left eye slide away.

That eye was no longer as bright as when he first saw it; its luster had faded, like a flame about to go out.

“During the escape, I gouged out my left eye with my own hands. It hurt at first, but as time went on, it didn’t hurt as much. Now it feels pretty much the same as the original eye.”

You Xue said it calmly.

But Su Li felt as if struck by a heavy blow.

Those days when You Xue appeared in front of him wearing an eye patch, it was to hide the replaced left eye.

She only said her eye was inflamed, deceiving him for so long.

The shock he felt now was stronger than at any time before.

In the imagined picture in his mind, that fragile, petite gray-haired girl, on the gray street, reaching her fingers toward her own left eye.

How painful that must have been.

He couldn’t bear to think anymore.

The girl in front of him spoke those words so calmly.

Could it be that she felt nothing at all while saying them?

“Was that ability brought by the Dragon’s Eye?”

Su Li asked.

“Yes, this powerful force is exactly what the Dragon’s Eye brings. And I came to the training base as an engraving maintenance technician, so that I could save you at that moment.”

You Xue said this with confidence.

After all, it was she who saved Su Li using the power brought by this eye.

Su Li should have no reason to complain about her actions.

“But I don’t think it’s good.”

“What’s not good about it?”

You Xue didn’t understand why he would say that.

At that moment, she had saved Su Li, even if there was a slight deviation afterward…

“But you looked so painful at that time.”

Su Li remembered her hollow eyes at that moment.

Did she still have her senses then?

Or was that her true feelings?

Those eyes were exactly like those of a dying person.

Su Li took a deep breath and said very solemnly.

“I don’t want you to become like that. Promise me, don’t use that ability from now on, okay?”

“Okay…”

You Xue pretended to agree, but she didn’t want to do that at all.

In this cruel world, the weak don’t even have the right to choose.

Using the power of the Dragon’s Eye would at least let her die with the most value.

Anyway, it seemed she had temporarily lost the ability due to overuse.

She lowered her head, pretending to compromise.

“I promise.”

Then she continued.

“Well, it’s actually not a big deal. I’m fine now, my body has recovered, so can I go back?”

Su Li didn’t speak.

You Xue took that brief silence as consent.

“Where are my things? They shouldn’t have been thrown away. I want to go back.”

Just then, You Xue heard Su Li say.

“You can’t go back.”

“Why?”

“It’s not safe alone. You can’t go back.”

Su Li’s words were firmer than before.

“I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself.”

You Xue furrowed her brows, also a bit angry.

And a bit aggrieved.

Wasn’t she doing all this for Su Li, for the good ending that hadn’t yet become reality?

If only he wouldn’t care about her, wouldn’t care about the childhood sweetheart in the story, then the subsequent story would be much easier, not so agonizing.

“I don’t want to lock you up, nor do I insist on treating you like a patient. It’s just that it’s not safe outside. Don’t do those dangerous things anymore. I worry about you.”

Su Li persuaded her.

Although his tone had softened a lot, there was still an uncompromising persistence in his eyes.

They had lived together for so many years; he had the responsibility to protect her.

“I reported the matter of your eye to the Academy. In a few days, the Academy will arrange an examination. If you pass, you’ll be able to settle down in the Academy. Although you won’t count as a student, you’ll get the Academy’s protection, and I can help with anything you need.”

Su Li placed his hand on You Xue’s shoulder, his words filled with sincere concern.

“For these recent days, just stay in the Academy and rest. Although the physical damage has been healed, but…”

They looked into each other’s eyes, and You Xue could feel the concern of the person before her.

But… she still felt very awkward.

The other party didn’t know that within this childhood sweetheart’s body was hidden the soul of another person.

Then You Xue understood that she couldn’t convince Su Li.

Being firmly chosen by someone was actually a very good thing.

But the problem was, she was a fake.

In the end, You Xue chose to temporarily compromise.

After all, she had already told enough lies; one or two more didn’t matter much.

Rather, after explaining all this, she no longer had any reason not to do so.

“Mm, thank you.”

So she said softly.

She didn’t want to stay with Su Li for too long.

She was perhaps a weak person, only able to maintain her resolve when there was no hope.

If she could truly feel some comfort from Su Li, gain a glimmer of hope that her illness could be cured, then her heart would soften, and she wouldn’t want to die so easily.

But in the present world, Magic Rejection Syndrome really had no cure.

“Trust me, don’t do those dangerous things from now on. I will protect you.”

Su Li said, then turned around and pulled out a bag from the things he had been carrying from the start.

“I’ve brought your clothes. If the checkup is fine soon, you can be discharged. I’ll go call Dr. Mei Lulu right away.”

You Xue blinked and said.

“Okay.”

***

Before long, Mei Lulu arrived.

“Miss You Xue, I heard you’re being discharged?”

Mei Lulu’s light orange hair glistened under the light.

Her voice was still as gentle as ever.

You Xue nodded and said.

“I’ll trouble you.”

Finally, Mei Lulu used those small, unfamiliar instruments that You Xue didn’t understand to conduct an examination.

After all, this was a world completely different from her previous life; it was normal to have unimaginable medical equipment.

Mei Lulu looked at the instrument’s dial and revealed a gentle smile.

“The situation is much better than expected. All indicators fall within the normal range for a person.”

But the next moment, her expression turned somewhat worried.

“However, there’s still some malnutrition. Miss You Xue should eat properly from now on.”

“I understand.”

You Xue nodded lightly.

Su Li looked at Mei Lulu and also nodded.

“Then it’s fine. The discharge procedures are done. You can leave anytime.”

You Xue changed out of the hospital gown and walked out of the school clinic with Su Li.

The sunlight was pleasant.

You Xue subconsciously squinted.

The spring breeze carried a slight warmth, brushing against her cheeks.

She and Su Li walked side by side.

It had been a long time since they had walked together so quietly.

Rather, they had never done so at all.

“You Xue, I’ll take you to the dormitory. The Academy approved a staff dormitory room. I’ve put all your things in that room. There’s an extra bed, so sometimes I can stay there too.”

Su Li was rambling beside her.

“I think… maybe not.”

You Xue instinctively refused.

“I’m fine alone.”

You Xue turned her head away.

If she really had to stay together with Su Li, there would be no space for her to hide.

Su Li gave You Xue a deep look.

There was still some worry in his eyes, but he chose to compromise.

“Okay, but I’ll come see you every day. Don’t do those dangerous things.”

He said solemnly.

“Okay.”

You Xue had already experienced his stubbornness.

Continuing to argue would only increase Su Li’s suspicion.

So she would treat it as a holiday of life, not think about those complicated things, and occasionally experience the feeling of being cared for.

There was nothing wrong with that.

They took a few turns, saw willow trees by the small river in the Academy swaying in the wind.

Walking a few more steps, they arrived at a building with warm yellow walls.

Su Li led You Xue further forward and arrived at the door of one of the rooms.

Su Li took out a key and gestured to You Xue.

“This is your room.”

The door opened.

The first thing that came into view was the living room.

It was a bit larger than imagined.

There was a south-facing window, sunlight streaming in from there, spreading an orange glow on the wooden floor.

Inside were a few armchairs, a long table, some cabinets, and some cluttered little decorations.

Her belongings were placed on that long table.

But the clothes she had been wearing were gone.

Anyway, they had been torn up, probably thrown away by Su Li.

The dormitory had separate bedrooms.

There were four bedrooms.

You Xue casually chose one with a window, because when she woke up, she could see sunlight spilling in and feel warm all over.

In the bedroom, there was a bed, two nightstands, a wardrobe, and a desk.

There was nothing on them, clean and tidy, as if smelling of air dried in the sun.

It had to be said, it was much more refined than the old broken house in the slums.

There was no lingering damp and moldy smell in the air.

“What do you think?”

Su Li stood by the bedroom door and asked.

“It’s quite nice.”

You Xue nodded.

Hearing You Xue’s answer, Su Li seemed relieved.

“I still have classes to go to. Just stay in the Academy and don’t wander off. If there’s anything you need to go back to the slums to get, make sure to call me.”

Su Li explained the precautions one by one.

You Xue just listened quietly.

Finally, Su Li handed the key to You Xue.

“I’ll bring you lunch at noon.”

“Okay.”

You Xue responded softly.

Then Su Li opened the door and left.

You Xue didn’t think about wandering either; she had nowhere to go anyway.

Coming to the living room, she first checked if any of her things were missing, then took out that bottle of painkillers.

Hmm, as expected, this thing was indispensable.

Then let her rest for a while.

Chewing a few painkillers as if they were candy beans, she lay down on the soft bed and slowly closed her eyes.