Book 20: Chapter 10
Sister Ning calmed down a little. I tightly grabbed her hand. If I could still come back, I’d confess to her but not at the present time. I was aware all of it was fake. Zhu Liangzhe was already dead. It was impossible for me be together with Sister Ning. I couldn’t do anything besides comfort her at the moment. From my chest, she sniffled and, in a timid voice, asked, “Is it really a ‘no’?”
“Sister Ning… You wouldn’t believe me if I told you… but I can’t. I have to leave soon. I have to…”
“You’re leaving with them? Did they come to take you away this time? Th-this is too sudden… I… there… there were no prior signs… What exactly happened, Liangzhe? Can you explain? What exactly happened? I… Everything seemed fine, yet everything changed this afternoon… what, what…”
“I concur. Honestly, it’s a little abrupt for me, too… however, there’s nothing I can do about it. Sister Ning, I want to stay by your side, as well… I once liked you… but I was under the impression that you considered me your younger brother. As such, I never expressed my feelings… Then, I met Lucia…”
I sighed. I couldn’t bear to look at Sister Ning’s expression. She shakily tried to grab hold of my hand, but her hand froze just centimetres before she touched it. She slowly took a small step back and wiped her tears. She gently cleared her throat then forced a smile. Voice raspy, she questioned, “In other words, I… have lost my chance?”
“… Mm.”
I really didn’t want to give that response. Sadly, it was my only response. I didn’t try to approach her again; I didn’t dare to. She didn’t want for me to approach her, which was evident from the fact she took another step back. She took in a deep breath and smiled: “I-I can’t help it, either… After all… I… I don’t know how to get close to a man I like… It was my mistake… not yours… If I confessed sooner, if I… found the courage… it… it wouldn’t… it wouldn’t…”
“… Sorry.”
I didn’t know how to console Sister Ning. I didn’t know if my apology was of any help. Unfortunately, that was all I had. All her crying left her eyes and face red. I really wanted to give her a tight hug, tell her how much I liked her and wipe her tears. I couldn’t act on my feelings. I couldn’t. When I went to speak, all I had was an empty and weak apology.