Incurable Pain

IP Chapter 22

Incurable Pain | Chapter 22

When the sparkler burns out, I’ll stop liking you.

Yu Shitian was quite efficient in her work. Under Yu Luoyin’s “coercion,” she rubbed her eyes in a daze in the middle of the night, muttering complaints as she contacted someone. The bracelet was easy to find, but the limited edition bestsellers were hard to come by.

However, Yu Shitian had her ways. The next morning, she handed the items to Yu Luoyin.

“Cousin, I know you’re definitely buying this to appease your girlfriend. You better thank me,” Yu Shitian snorted and waved the black card in her hand in front of Yu Luoyin, using a soft and coquettish tone.

“I contacted several of my friends in the middle of the night to get this for you. This card is temporarily mine to use.”

Yu Luoyin didn’t deny the words “appease your girlfriend.” He accepted the necklace and said calmly, “Whatever.”

He seemed anxious, casually picked up the coat hanging nearby, put it on, and walked away, stuffing the bracelet box into the coat’s pocket and took the car keys from the table.

Yu Shitian watched her cousin leave hurriedly in a deep gray coat that extended to his legs, his back figure resembling that of a refined young nobleman from the 19th century. She couldn’t help feeling a bit sentimental.

She delicately held the still-warm cup of tea beside her, sipping as she wondered…

What kind of girl could make the usually “arrogant” Yu Luoyin take an interest in her like this?

That’s right, the two keywords she was thinking about were “arrogant” and “interested.”

She understood the structure of their family. Her uncle, Yu Luoyuan, was the patriarch of the family, and Yu Luoyin, as his only son, was the sole legitimate heir to the family’s business, the “Fengyang Group.”

And there was no dissent among the family members about this arrangement—everyone had their roles and responsibilities based on their status.

Yu Shitian and Yu Shiqin, as children who weren’t eligible to have the inheritance rights, saw this clearly.

After Yu Luoyuan inherited the family business and made it thrive, the inheritance right naturally belonged to Yu Luoyin.

The family members were all well-mannered and didn’t engage in infighting or public embarrassment.

For instance, Yu Shitian understood that she was meant to be a “vase” throughout her life. But, she didn’t want to do anything else. Her life’s pursuit was to be a carefree and wealthy “ornamental” madame.

But Yu Luoyin was different. He had been raised as the true “pride of heaven” since childhood.

As the sole son of Yu Luoyuan, the head of the Fengyang Group, and Gu Yuan, a distinguished professor at the Academy of Sciences, Yu Luoyin seemed to have been born with a golden spoon in his mouth. He had been groomed as the heir from an early age.

He had to excel in everything, whether he was skilled or not, suitable or not.

He had to be an all-rounder.

While he indulged in various pleasures as everyone else did, he also bore an unimaginable amount of pressure in the background.

Yu Luoyin’s upbringing might seem free, but he always felt like he was trapped in an invisible, vast vacuum glass box. Every branch that grew too long would be pruned by someone.

For example, to prevent him from neglecting his studies, Gu Yuan imposed strict academic requirements on him. Since primary school, he had to rank in the top three of his class, or else he would face silent and unnoticeable cold treatment.

So Yu Luoyin had never dropped out of the top three, and after being forced to adopt Gu Yuan’s rigorous study methods, studying became effortless for him.

It became a habit.

For instance, to prevent his only son from becoming arrogant and unruly due to being excessively admired, Yu Luoyuan imposed various restrictions on him.

Such as controlling money. Unlike other wealthy second-generation individuals who were extravagant and spent money freely, Yu Luoyin didn’t. Unlimited money would lead to excessive indulgence, and Yu Luoyuan was strict in this aspect.

And other things, such as the luxury cars and watches that were popular among the wealthy second-generation kids…

Yu Luoyin didn’t have any of those bad habits.

Yu Luoyuan and Gu Yuan’s combined influence meant a discipline that was highly demanding on both results and behavior.

This resulted in Yu Luoyin, compared to those vulgar wealthy scions who flaunted their wealth, appear more like an ordinary student.

He looked refined and cultured on the surface, freely showing smiles, but occasionally, his gaze would turn icy.

However, only those who truly understood Yu Luoyin could perceive that he was the most difficult type of person to get close to— aloof, and always keeping people at a distance.

So Yu Shitian was curious about what kind of girl could make Yu Luoyin, someone like him who rarely sought to please others, become anxious for her, and even buy things to appease her.

In her memory, Yu Luoyin had never actively tried to please anyone, let alone this kind of hasty attempt.

There might be an interesting show to watch.

Yu Shitian’s beautiful eyes wandered, her curiosity hidden in the uplifted corners of her eyes.

On the way to pick up Bai Xunyin, Yu Luoyin occasionally unconsciously tapped the steering wheel with his long fingers. His brows furrowed when faced with a red light.

For some reason, there was a sense of unease that lingered, but he couldn’t pinpoint why.

Upon reflection, it was probably because Bai Xunyin had been unusually “cold” these past few days.

But to feel restless because of someone’s every move was quite ridiculous.

As he waited for the traffic light, Yu Luoyin took a deep breath and commanded himself to calm down.

The education he had received since childhood was—no matter when, don’t let others see what you’re thinking. The expression on your face should never reveal your true emotions.

Yu Luoyin had grown accustomed to wearing a “mask” in his life.

He was used to effortlessly deciphering people’s moods and controlling them based on that… so now that he couldn’t “control” Bai Xunyin recently, he couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy.

However, things should still be under control.

When the green light came on, Yu Luoyin turned the steering wheel, smoothly entering the alley of the neighborhood where Bai Xunyin lived.

From quite a distance away, through the car window, Yu Luoyin could see the girl standing under a tree, waiting for him.

Outside Bai Xunyin’s old residential area, there was a large pagoda tree that seemed to have grown into maturity. It was incredibly tall, casting a shade during summer that could cover several tall buildings.

Compared to the enormous tree, the girl appeared as delicate as a leaf.

She seemed to have taken care of her appearance. Today, her usually ponytailed or flowing hair was braided into a loose fishtail braid. She wore a milk-white wool coat, and her small face looked pale and delicate, resembling a cup of cold milk tea.

Amidst this serene and quiet atmosphere, she seemed lonely and fragile.

Yu Luoyin furrowed his brows and honked the car horn, intentionally breaking the almost amber-like stillness. Just as he hoped, Bai Xunyin lifted her gaze to look at him.

When Bai Xunyin’s tea-colored eyes met Yu Luoyin’s jet-black ones behind the car window, there was no discernible change in her expression. She followed Yu Luoyin’s gaze and walked over.

She quietly opened the passenger door and got into the car.

The car’s interior was so quiet that it seemed to freeze the air conditioned breeze that had been warmed.

Yu Luoyin looked at the girl’s quiet profile, unconsciously fiddling with the car key in his long fingers. He involuntarily tightened his grip.

After not seeing her for a few days, the girl hadn’t even given him a smile.

Yu Luoyin’s brows slightly furrowed. After a moment, he composed himself and smiled as he asked her, “How was your New Year?”

Bai Xunyin turned to look at him. Her tea-colored eyes were close at hand, as if she wanted to peer into Yu Luoyin’s heart.

“What’s wrong?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Is there something on my face?”

In fact, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” was just a lie. As long as the performance was good enough, the appearance wouldn’t change due to inner desires.

If she hadn’t heard Yu Luoyin say those words “a bet, little mute, tired of her” with her own ears that day, Bai Xunyin might still have naively believed him.

After all, Yu Luoyin was so good at deceiving people. He truly was a born actor.

Bai Xunyin smiled, took out her phone, and communicated with Yu Luoyin.

[Did you need something from me?]

“Can’t I contact you if there’s nothing urgent?”

Yu Luoyin responded with a slightly annoyed chuckle. He reached into his coat pocket and took out an exquisite box, tossing it to Bai Xunyin.

“Happy New Year.”

Bai Xunyin looked at the delicate blue box on her knee, with the English word “Tiffany” written on it. She knew what it was.

She lowered her gaze and opened it. On the black velvet lay a bracelet shimmering with colorful light. Just looking at it was…

Dazzling.

“Do you like it?”

Yu Luoyin’s fingers unconsciously tapped rhythmically on the car window eave as he casually uttered, “New Year’s gift.”

[Yes.]

Bai Xunyin mechanically replied, looking up at him before typing again.

[But I didn’t prepare a gift for you.]

“It’s fine.”

Seeing the girl somewhat returning to her usual “gentle” self, Yu Luoyin smiled and then paused before saying, “How about you let me help you put it on? Consider it a New Year’s gift from you to me.”

Look, he was quite good at coaxing people.

Bai Xunyin gazed at Yu Luoyin’s eyes, lips slowly curving upwards as if saying, “Sure.”

It turned out that acting and deceiving people could be so much fun. Knowing deep down but watching others let their guard down in front of you was like being a clown…

No wonder Yu Luoyin enjoyed deceiving her so much, acting so “sincerely.”

Bai Xunyin allowed the boy’s slightly cool and slender fingertips to slide over her fair wrist. Then, with a soft “click,” the bracelet was gently fastened.

The bracelet which sparkled on her wrist was like a kind of shackle.

Yu Luoyin sighed in relief, his eyes slightly narrowing as he looked at her, “School starts tomorrow.”

So, let’s have our date today.

As time went by, Bai Xunyin didn’t really remember much about the whirlwind experience of today—although it was their first “date.”

There was no need to be cautious; they could be carefree. But things that were “fake” were just that—

Fake.

Especially when you knew the outcome, no matter the beauty of the moment, it can’t leave a lasting memory.

At that time, they were just like any typical teenage couple in their late teens, eating, watching movies.

Time passed quickly.

Bai Xunyin, like a ghost, cooperated, until the night fell. As they left the city center’s square, when they raised their heads, and finally noticed the stars poking out from the misty clouds.

Seeing stars was a rare occurrence in this city. Each time they appeared, it felt like a special occasion, something to be cherished.

Bai Xunyin squinted her eyes, gazing blankly for a long time. The pitch-black sky was adorned with sparkling points, like… fireworks.

[Yu Luoyin.]

Unable to contain her amusement, Bai Xunyin smiled, sending him a message on WeChat and maked a request for the first time.

[I want to light sparklers.]

“Sparklers?”

Yu Luoyin was surprised, turning to her, “What kind of sparklers?”

[Those handheld sparklers.]

Bai Xunyin looked up at the multitude of stars in the sky, squinted her eyes, and slowly typed, [Like the ones that resemble stars.]

Yu Luoyin stared at the message on the screen for a while, then his gaze shifted to the fair and delicate side of the girl’s face. Bai Xunyin looking up at the stars seemed pure and innocent, like a little girl he had seen in his childhood who just wanted to light sparklers.

Well, it’s rare to see her with such childlike enthusiasm, so why not have some fun?

Yu Luoyin decisively took hold of the girl’s wrist and, in the breathtaking night scenery, they walked hand in hand. Their figures, tall and slender, complemented each other perfectly.

“Sure, let’s get those sparklers.”

Yu Luoyin , seemingly familiar with the area, led Bai Xunyin through a narrow alley that cars couldn’t fit through.

There was a row of storefronts there— all firework shops, offering everything one could want.

He walked in and picked out nearly every variety of handheld sparklers, which made the shopkeeper laugh heartily as he gifted him a lighter.

In the dark alley, Yu Luoyin’s slender fingers gathered the sparklers and ignited them. The flames quickly sprang to life between the two.

The light amidst the sole darkness was dazzlingly beautiful, but it was short-lived as well, a fleeting moment.

The handheld sparklers burned incredibly fast. It was impossible to preserve them forever; they could only be imprinted in one’s memory.

Bai Xunyin watched him holding the sparkler, and for the first time today, a genuine smile bloomed on her lips.

Two dimples appeared at the corners of the young girl’s mouth, faintly visible, particularly alluring combined with the light from the sparkler.

Yu Luoyin was somewhat surprised as he looked at her, feeling like he got to know another side of Bai Xunyin once again.

Receiving this “gift” of sparklers, she smiled even more happily than when she received the Tiffany bracelet.

Meanwhile, a faint buzzing sound came from his pocket; it was Bai Xunyin sending him a message on WeChat, asking.

[Yu Luoyin, can you preserve this sparkler forever?]

Yu Luoyin raised his head in confusion, looking at her.

In the vibrant tea-colored eyes of the young girl, there seemed to be a trace of sorrow, contrary to the spark of the fireworks.

[Can you freeze time at this moment?]

His phone kept receiving messages from Bai Xunyin.

In Yu Luoyin’s puzzled gaze, the mute girl smiled faintly, finally sending her last message.

[When the sparkler burns out, I won’t like you anymore.]