Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 1154 - 1150: Candid Love

"And what else?" Han Qiaoqi asked curiously.

"And if you truly want to harm me, I’d willingly accept it too."

Chen Youming gazed at her, his eyes earnest to the point of stubbornness, each word spoken with a resounding clarity.

Such straightforward and fiery words made Han Qiaoqi’s cheeks instantly burn, even her earlobes tinged with red.

In a fluster, she lowered her head, her fingertips twisting at the edge of her clothes, her toes unconsciously scuffing the dirt on the ground, murmuring softly, "What are you talking about, so improper."

Chen Youming took a deep breath, as if mustering all the courage he had accumulated in his life, stepped forward slowly, the distance between them abruptly shortened. His intense gaze fell upon her lowered brows: "Han Qiaoqi, I like you, have liked you for a very long time."

"Ah? Uh..."

Even though she had vaguely sensed it in her heart, when this sentiment was clearly spoken out loud, Han Qiaoqi froze in place, her mind blank as if struck by a bolt of lightning, even her breath slowed, and she could only feel her cheeks burning fiercely.

"I’ve liked you for a long time." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Chen Youming’s voice carried a hint of choking, yet each word was clear, "I’ve... I’ve liked you for a long time... I studied hard, got into the University of Agriculture, learned cultivation techniques, returned to Qiong Province after graduation, even volunteered to come to your family’s orchard for research, all to be closer to you, to see you more often... and to help you when you need it..."

"But I didn’t expect you already had Zhou Zifu by your side..."

Chen Youming’s face was full of pain as he said this.

"The day you had an accident, I received the news and felt like I was going crazy... I should have told you I liked you sooner, I should have taken you away from Zhou Zifu, maybe then you wouldn’t have gotten into an accident..."

"I’ve fantasized countless times about seeing you again, even if you’ve become a ghost, even if I could only see you from afar, I would willingly accept."

He gazed at her, his eyes blurred with tears, "Now that you’re really standing in front of me, I’m too delighted to care about fear."

Han Qiaoqi stood in place, tears trickling down like broken beads.

She knew Chen Youming probably liked her, but she never knew he had such deep feelings.

She recalled her days and nights with Zhou Zifu, full of grievance and repression, as if wrapped in a tightly sealed net, even breathing felt burdensome.

Then she thought of her moments with Chen Youming, the idle chats in the orchard, the explanations under the trees, walking side by side along the fragrant paths, each moment relaxed and carefree, even the wind carried gentleness.

Those scattered beauties, at this moment in reflection, felt like needles in her heart, regret and heartache intertwined, making it nearly impossible for her to breathe.

"I’m sorry..." she choked out, her voice trembling uncontrollably, "I didn’t know... I really didn’t know at all..."

"It’s not your fault."

Chen Youming gently shook his head, raised his hand to wipe away her tears, yet his fingertips stopped abruptly an inch from her cheek, afraid to disturb the ethereal figure in front of him, "It’s all in the past, being able to see you again is good enough, I even wish this dream would never end."

"Uh?"

Submerged in the bittersweetness and emotion, Han Qiaoqi suddenly froze.

She suddenly realized why the usually reserved Chen Youming would be so straightforward and bold today, he actually thought this was a dream.

Indeed, such an unrealistic reunion, what apart from a dream could explain it?

He used to be so cautious even in approaching, how could he dare to easily express his feelings.

Han Qiaoqi’s heart felt stirred, she decided not to break the illusion.

Maybe only in this "dream" could he let down all his guard and speak out those long-hidden thoughts.

Following his words, she gently said, "Yes, we’re in a dream, you can tell me anything you want, tomorrow, when the dream ends, all will disappear."

Chen Youming took a deep breath upon hearing this, stepped forward, and suddenly embraced Han Qiaoqi.

Han Qiaoqi instinctively wanted to struggle, but upon feeling his trembling embrace and the warmth in his palms, her tense body gradually relaxed.

He held her tightly, almost squeezing her into his body, uncomfortably constricting, but ultimately she didn’t push him away, letting him hold her, listening to his rapid and heavy heartbeat.

"Don’t leave, let me hold you... just this once..."

Chen Youming’s voice muffled at her neck, with a heavy nasal tone, like a child who had been wronged.

He took a deep breath, the tip of his nose surrounded by her unique, faint fragrance, murmured softly, "This dream feels so real, I truly wish it would never end."

"Chen Youming." Han Qiaoqi called him softly.

"Hmm." He replied muffledly, unwilling to let go.

"Live well."

Chen Youming’s body stiffened for a moment, then replied quietly, "Alright."

"Don’t think about me."

"Alright."

Han Qiaoqi paused, her nose tingling with sourness, then softly said, "Actually, just think about me a little."

"Alright."

"Is ’alright’ all you can say?"

Han Qiaoqi couldn’t help but tease, with a hint of playfulness.

Chen Youming was about to explain, but suddenly his lips were met with a soft, cool touch.

The sensation vanished instantly, like dew on a branch, like the scent of flowers in the wind, a fleeting illusion.

In the next moment, the figure in his embrace abruptly disappeared, leaving only a light "Goodbye..." with a hint of mischievous laughter, fading into the breeze.

Chen Youming stared in a daze at the empty embrace, his arms still maintaining the posture of holding someone, the entirety of him lost in deep bewilderment.

Was it a dream?

Yet the lingering coolness in his arms, the fragrance around his nose, and the fleeting softness on his lips, all felt overly real.

He suddenly raised his hand and slapped his own cheek hard, the impact was heavy, leaving one side of his face burning red, scorching pain.

But the pain brought him instant clarity, this wasn’t a dream.

Qiao Xi had truly come back, truly stood before him, truly been held by him.

"Qiao Xi... Qiao Xi!"

Chen Youming suddenly came back to his senses, frantically searching the orchard, running and shouting, his voice hoarse and strained.

"Come out... Qiao Xi, don’t hide from me, okay... I still have so much to tell you..."

He ran throughout the entire orchard, shouted beneath each fruit tree, but the response was only the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the distant chirping of cicadas.

Until exhausted, he leaned against a tree trunk, bent over, retching dryly in place, tears mixed with sweat sliding down, only then realizing despondently that Han Qiaoqi had truly left.

But quickly, he straightened up abruptly, striding rapidly toward the direction of the Han Family.

Meanwhile, having had dinner, Zhou Zifu was saying goodbye to Han Changfa and his wife.

"Uncle, Aunt, you can go back inside now, I’ll be back tomorrow morning." Zhou Zifu rolled down the car window, calling out to them.

"Alright, drive safely." Yang Qingfang said.

"Got it." Zhou Zifu lightly pressed the accelerator, the car slowly drove out of the Han Family.

It wasn’t until he had driven far away, onto the highway, that his previously tense body began to relax, letting out a deep breath.

Lying is quite exhausting, he had to be very cautious, taking every step carefully.

He held the steering wheel with one hand, loosened his collar, turned his neck, and his peripheral vision accidentally glanced at the back seat revealing a person there, startling him with a sudden jolt to his heart.

He hurriedly turned his head to check, and saw Han Qiaoqi sitting in the back seat, smilingly waving at him.

"Zifu..."

"Screech..."

The car suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

Zhou Zifu scrambled to stabilize the car, but when he looked back, he found there was no one on the back seat.