Chapter 31: What Do You Want

Chapter 31: What Do You Want

For the first time, such a painful night was no longer hard to endure.

Bai Li did not know how long she had stayed huddled under the covers before she finally rose to drink the red ginger water, which was on the verge of cooling. The heating pad pressed against her lower abdomen, radiating warmth that completely suppressed the dull, dragging ache.

Looking at the boxes of nutritional supplements for menstrual care piled by the bed, her cheeks began to burn for no apparent reason, and an indescribable, strange sensation welled up in her heart.

A pleasant scent still lingered in the air.

She abruptly looked away and dove back under the covers, breathing in the thin, trapped air, trying to calm her frantic heartbeat in this way.

The evening breeze outside the window ruffled the branches of the tree, creating a mess—everything was a mess.

Fortunately, once the pain subsided, drowsiness took over, leaving her no time to ponder exactly what was in such a state of chaos.

Before falling asleep, the words Fang Ye had said before leaving echoed in her mind:
"Brothers exist to be bothered."

That night, she slept soundly.

The next morning, summer was in full bloom.

When Bai Li woke up, her fair, tender arms, exposed from the quilt, were warmed by the sun. Since that cup of red ginger water, the abdominal pain had not returned.

Feeling uneasy, she sat up to check the spot where she had slept.

On the soft sheet, there was indeed a red stain—not very large, but it had deeply soaked into the fabric.

After looking around, she lifted the sheet from the mattress and headed down the winding stairs, intending to wash the bloodstain in the backyard.

Just as she reached the last step, she heard footsteps that did not belong to her, drawing closer with every step.

She stiffened and looked to her right.

Fang Ye was standing there in casual clothes, his narrow, long eyes sweeping over her from head to toe. It was clear he had seen the mark on the sheet.

However, there was no particular emotion on his face. He merely glanced calmly at her flustered expression and said softly, "Leave the sheet there and come eat first, or it will get cold."

Bai Li looked toward the dining table, where a pot of chicken soup and a few side dishes had just been prepared.

She lowered her lashes, feeling quite surprised. So, Fang Ye hadn't gone out today just to cook chicken soup for her?

Seeing her hesitate, Fang Ye urged, "What are you staring at?"

Bai Li hurriedly put down the sheet and sat at the table. She took a sip of the fresh, sweet chicken soup, and the warmth spread from her stomach to her heart.

Although she felt it was a bit too grand—as if she were in postpartum confinement rather than just on her period—the feeling of being cared for made her eyes prickle with a bittersweet sensation.

***

After finishing the bowl of chicken soup, Bai Li didn't see Fang Ye, so she got up to find him.

The sun outside the courtyard was scorching, with only the cherry tree branches providing a patch of shade.

If Fang Ye buying her a heating pad and supplements last night had been touching, the scene in the courtyard shocked Bai Li even more.

The boy had already washed her soiled sheet and hung it out to dry in the sun.

The warm breeze billowed the sheet, and the stains had vanished completely, leaving it so clean that one could smell the faint fragrance of detergent.

Fang Ye was standing by her small garden, watering the plants.

He had done something even her own mother wouldn't have done, and there wasn't a hint of disgust in his eyes.

Feeling embarrassed that Fang Ye had done all the chores that should have been hers, Bai Li couldn't help but say, "Brother, thank you. Actually, I could have washed it myself."

Fang Ye stood in the brightest sunlight, his gaze melting into the abundant air, reflecting a pale gray. His tone was filled with laziness: "Don't you remember being in so much pain yesterday? Stay away from cold water for a while and go get some rest."

Bai Li didn't leave. Instead, she pulled up a small square stool and sat under the eaves to bask in the sun.

She found it truly incredible. Fang Ye could cook, wash sheets, handle all the housework, and still go out to earn money to cover Grandma's medical expenses, shouldering every responsibility he could have easily avoided.

He seemed capable of everything—frighteningly powerful.

Bai Li rested her chin in her hand, quietly observing the boy's profile.

Even in the hottest season, his temperament remained cold and distant. Although he wore no expression, the hostility had vanished from his eyes, yet there was no warmth either.

Deep down, Fang Ye... had always been a very gentle person.

Her gaze trembled as she recalled that vivid dream. She kept telling herself not to believe in it too much, but subconsciously, she felt it might be a miraculous prophetic dream.

If... she meant if!

If that dream truly was the future Fang Ye, what kind of experiences could have completely extinguished the gentleness within him, turning him into that cold and powerful figure?

Bai Li couldn't guess. Subconsciously, she asked, "Brother, what do you want to do in the future?"

Go to college? What major would you choose? What kind of person would you become?

The surroundings were very quiet.

Fang Ye lifted his gaze to look back at her. It was a long while before he said, "Why do you ask that suddenly?"

"Um..." Bai Li weighed her words, providing a reason. "We had to write an essay about 'ideals,' so I got curious. I was wondering what kind of life someone as capable as you would want."

In this cold world, what did Fang Ye want most?

A long time passed without anyone speaking. Just as she thought the question had been ignored, Fang Ye curled his lips and smiled.

"I want a lot."

Although he was smiling, it was clear he wasn't joking.

The ambiguous answer startled Bai Li.

How much is "a lot"? No one knew the answer.

But in the eyes of the eighteen-year-old Fang Ye, a vast ambition was suppressed. From a certain angle, he already looked almost identical to the man in her dream, only with a bit more of a boy's wildness.

Bai Li slowly withdrew her gaze. She appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was surging.

Because she felt it was entirely possible.

In that distant future, everyone must hold him in awe.

She bowed her head, calculating the time to retrieve the silver bracelet, then looked up again and smiled at Fang Ye. "Brother, I'll give you a gift in a few days."

The wind was gentle that year, the sky was a deep, lush blue, and the air was filled with the scent of lakes and breezes.

Fang Ye tilted his head slightly, seeing the young girl sitting in the heart of midsummer, her eyes filled with the softest smile.

He curved his lips into a smile. "Do people announce gifts in advance?"

Bai Li blinked, realizing belatedly, "Oh, sorry, I have no experience."

Fang Ye laughed.

"Bai Li, living well and loving yourself is the best gift."

At that time, the leaves were rustling together, and Bai Li stubbornly refused to take those words to heart.

She was already living as well as she could.

Since it was a gift, the recipient had to benefit from it.

She firmly believed that with that silver bracelet, she would surely be able to bless Fang Ye and help him obtain everything he desired.