Chapter Fourteen: Is Nianyu Dead?

Zhou Yu caught Nian Yu as she collapsed backward, holding her tightly. Gazing at her flushed face, he murmured, “My love, how could you be so foolish? No matter what happens, you are never a burden to me.”

Nian Yu looked up at Zhou Yu, wanting to say something, but the words would not come. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

Seeing her cry, Zhou Yu’s gaze grew even more resolute.

He gently laid Nian Yu on the ground, set his pistol aside, and spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid, my dear. Do you remember what I once told you? Whether in life or death, I will stay by your side and protect you. My parents passed away when I was young, and I never really understood what love was. Only after being with you did I come to realize it. Even though we argue sometimes, isn't that what true family is? And isn’t love itself just another kind of kinship?”

Tears slipped from Zhou Yu’s eyes as he spoke. He bowed his head and pressed a gentle kiss to Nian Yu’s forehead.

Though she could not speak, Nian Yu heard every word. When Zhou Yu promised to stay with her through life and death, her eyes widened with alarm. She tried desperately to tell him not to do anything rash, but no sound escaped her lips. Her body trembled with urgency.

Zhou Yu sensed her trembling and tried to comfort her, “My love, dying together with you is not so bad, except…”

Just then, Nian Yu suddenly let out a long, anguished cry, cutting him off.

The red crystal lodged in her throat had slipped deeper into her body, unleashing its full power. Overcome by pain, Nian Yu screamed.

Zhou Yu sat there in a daze, watching her cry out.

Perhaps out of instinct, Nian Yu squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head to the side, falling silent. Whether she was alive or dead, no one could tell.

Zhou Yu stared at her, slowly reaching for the gun nearby. He murmured under his breath, “My love, don’t rush, wait for me. I’ll walk the road to the afterlife with you. Wait for me.”

Suddenly, with a sharp slap, Xiao Jie struck Zhou Yu across the face. “Are you out of your mind? What are you doing? What happened to Nian Yu?” he shouted.

Nian Yu’s scream had startled everyone at dinner. Xiao Jie and Wang Kui had rushed in, while Zhao Yan stood guard outside with the others.

“Nian Yu is dead. She didn’t want to be a burden to me, so she swallowed that red crystal,” Zhou Yu replied, his eyes empty as he looked at Xiao Jie.

Xiao Jie was stunned by Nian Yu’s resolve, but he pressed on, “So you plan to kill yourself now? Are you sure Nian Yu is dead? What if she isn’t, and you die instead? How am I supposed to explain that to her?”

At that moment, Wang Kui spoke up, “She’s not dead, only unconscious.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jie grabbed Zhou Yu’s collar and shouted, “Did you hear that? She’s just passed out, not dead!”

Ignoring Xiao Jie’s yelling, Zhou Yu turned excitedly to Wang Kui, “Nian Yu—she’s really not dead?”

“I’m sure,” Wang Kui replied. “See for yourself, though her body is a little hot.”

Zhou Yu turned to Xiao Jie, his voice urgent, “Quick, let go, let me see her!”

Xiao Jie, seeing Zhou Yu so agitated, said nothing and released his grip.

Zhou Yu immediately knelt at Nian Yu’s side, pressing his fingers to the artery in her neck.

He could feel the strong, steady pulse beneath his fingertips. Overcome with emotion, he exclaimed, “She’s alive! Nian Yu’s alive! Thank goodness!”

“You two go on. I’ll stay with her,” Zhou Yu said to Xiao Jie and Wang Kui.

Xiao Jie cast a glance at Zhou Yu, then at Nian Yu lying on the ground, and left without a word. Seeing there was nothing more to do, Wang Kui followed him out.

Zhou Yu remained beside Nian Yu, silently holding her hand and watching over her, saying nothing as time slipped by.

After an unknown while, Xiao Jie returned carrying a bottle of water and a loaf of bread.

“Eat something. You wouldn’t want to collapse before Nian Yu wakes up, would you?” He handed the bread and water to Zhou Yu.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” Zhou Yu replied, his voice hoarse, without lifting his head.