111 If Time Could Listen

W.U8XS.Com — The Fastest Updating Novel Reading Site

(Thank you all for your generous rewards, pink hearts, and messages. Despite my flawed character, I never expected to have your silent support—it truly moves me. I’ve been unable to eat properly these past two days; my neck aches again, accompanied by nausea and dry heaving. Yet, facing your encouragement, I remain deeply touched. No more idle talk—let’s continue the story.)

A warmth blossomed in Lin Xia’s heart. Her relationship with Meow Meow was purely professional; in many ways, she owed her promotion to her. Yet, since they had met, Chen Qing had genuinely treated her with kindness.

Lin Xia nodded, then suddenly realized Chen Qing couldn’t see her, so she smiled and said, “Got it, Sister Meow is getting more and more talkative these days.”

“You’re always teasing me,” Chen Qing replied. “Well, for the sake of your latest work, I won’t argue. Do you still have any manuscripts? Remember to send them to me when you get back—I’m looking forward to the next chapters.” She sighed, “I really want to see the ending soon; it’s so tantalizing, you rascal!”

Hearing this, Lin Xia seemed to picture Chen Qing’s fierce expression and laughed. “I promise, Sister Meow will be the first to see the ending. I still have some drafts on my computer. I’ll tidy them up and send them to you later—consider it the submission for the next issue.”

“Of course it’s good to submit your work, but don’t push yourself too hard. Health is the most important. Lately, seeing how you’re dealing with your classmate’s situation, you look thinner already.” Last week, Chen Qing visited Lin Xia and noticed how much thinner she, Zhao Qian, and Sun Xiaoxiao had become. Without hesitation, she took them out for a sumptuous meal to improve their diet. Later, she even took them around for some relaxation and fun.

Though Lin Xia didn’t say much, she treasured Chen Qing’s kindness deeply. Some things need not be spoken aloud; quietly feeling others’ care and returning it in kind is enough.

“Thinner? No way,” Lin Xia said teasingly, pinching her still slightly chubby cheeks. “I think I’ve put on quite a bit of weight.”

Lin Xia had indeed lost weight. Even with Zhao Xin’s help from his special space, she was troubled, so she gradually slimmed down. Thankfully, Zhao Xin’s excellent cooking prevented her from becoming too thin.

Her body was naturally slender, with little fat to spare, though her face retained a bit of baby fat, which made her appear healthy to others. Recently, for reasons unknown, her figure was rapidly changing, and the fullness in her face began to fade, slowly returning to her former self.

She knew this well and wasn’t surprised, but Chen Qing, having not seen her for a while, naturally attributed the change to the accident involving Xie Xitong and Lin Xia’s poor self-care.

“You’re still fat? I don’t know who’s under 80 pounds,” Chen Qing said coolly.

The last time they went out, passing by a pharmacy with a scale, the four of them weighed themselves. Zhao and Sun were okay, both over 80 pounds, but Lin Xia was notably thinner. That’s why Chen Qing was concerned—she was a bit too thin and unhealthy.

“I’ll come see you in a few days. If you haven’t gained weight by then, I’ll hold you accountable,” Chen Qing warned.

Lin Xia laughed helplessly. “I’m not a pig; fat doesn’t grow on command.” But she understood Chen Qing meant well and said, “Don’t worry, Sister Meow. Ever since you said that, I’ve been taking good care of myself. My complexion is much better now. Please don’t worry.”

They chatted a little longer before Lin Xia put away her phone and sat on a bench, gazing at the shimmering pool before her, softly sighing.

Since meeting Xu Yichen, her thoughts had been unsettled. Now, a major event had indeed occurred. Amid her sorrow, the heavy weight on her heart seemed to ease somewhat. She only hoped that Xie Xitong had learned her lesson and that Xu Yichen would no longer harm her, for otherwise, it would be impossible to guard against him in the future.

One fears not a thief’s theft, but his lingering intent; there’s no such thing as a thousand-year defense against a thief.

Lying back in the chair, hand shielding her eyes, she wondered what to do next. Xie Xitong’s nature was too stubborn—a typical case of yielding to softness, not hardness.

“Don’t worry, Tongtong is auspiciously protected and will be fine,” a gentle voice sounded above.

Lin Xia opened her eyes to see a boy standing before her. The sunlight outlined his pale grey features, spreading from behind him and bathing her eyes with warmth. His soft voice filled the surrounding silence with a comforting presence.

It was You Xin.

Though reluctant to move, Lin Xia understood basic manners and sat upright, making room for You Xin beside her. She softly asked, “Have you seen Tongtong?”

You Xin shook his head. “I only saw Aunt and Brother Chen. Tongtong has already fallen asleep; it wouldn’t do to disturb her, and it would go against our purpose.”

Lin Xia nodded in understanding.

Turning her head, she looked around but saw no sign of Zhou Meng and the others. She asked, “Where are Brother Zhou Meng and Qianqian?”

“They’re still inside talking with Aunt. I came out for some fresh air,” You Xin replied, pausing briefly before hesitantly asking, “Tongtong’s leg… is it really…?” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the question outright, but Lin Xia understood perfectly from his eyes.

She thought for a moment, hesitated, then nodded, before shaking her head halfway through.

“I’m not entirely sure. Tongtong has a constitution better than most. In this kind of situation, most people would need one or two months to recover to this extent, but Tongtong only took a little over a week. The doctors are quite surprised. Maybe her leg will heal faster than others.”

You Xin looked surprised. “That’s good news. If her recovery astonishes the doctors, perhaps there’s hope for even better news.”

Lin Xia sighed. “Let’s hope so, or Aunt and the others will have their hands full.”

Anyone familiar with Xie Xitong knew her temperament well. As for her recovery, they could only rely on Zhao Xin’s space.

After a brief exchange, both fell silent.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting their elongated shadows—one long, one short—across the ground.

Willows lined the pond’s edge, adding tranquility to the hospital grounds. The grass was dotted with dandelions, which the wind gently lifted and scattered, drifting lightly towards the sky as they passed.

Watching the delicate white parachutes, Lin Xia slowly extended her right hand, fixating on one as it landed softly in her palm.

You Xin’s usually pale eyes deepened suddenly, the world turning into a silent, delicate moment. Everything dissolved into the void of the cosmos. In his gaze, there was only that pure white hand holding the faintly trembling, unreal glowing dandelion.

“Lin Xia—”

“Hmm?” She turned to meet his dark eyes.

His words were soft, but to the tiny dandelion, they were like a hurricane. It slowly rose, leaving her palm and drifting toward the vast sky.

Seeing her slight frown, You Xin’s right hand, resting at his side, opened slightly as if to catch another.

“Is something wrong?” Her gentle voice was interrupted by Zhao Qian’s call from nearby. “Xiaxia, Axin, what are you two doing? We’re leaving now.”

“Oh, you’re here,” Lin Xia replied, standing up. “Let’s go.”

You Xin rose as well and nodded. Watching Lin Xia’s back, he turned his head away. The dandelions on the lake’s surface still danced lightly in the sun, shimmering with an unreal glow.

A breeze brushed past their hair, like an unreal dream.

If only time could hear.