Aki Apricot Juvenile - Chapter 16

What is tragedy?
It’s when something beautiful is destroyed before your eyes alive, vivid, and full of promise, only to crumble into ruin.

There are countless things in this world that can bring tragedy: war, disease, and the endless confusion that comes with being human. Blinded by greed and desire, humanity is bound to perish one day. And the truth is, no other creature needs humans to survive if anything, the earth would probably be better off without us.

Just like in that Japanese film Memories of Matsuko, it says “To be born human, I am truly sorry.”

Under Meng Li and Jiang Ji’s careful watch, Qiu Xingyou had been so exhausted that he slept for two whole days.

When he finally woke up, the first person he saw was Meng Li. She urged him to take his medicine, and after he did, he looked much better.

Jiang Ji, however, didn’t intend for Qiu Xingyou to know that he was aware of his illness. He was afraid Qiu Xingyou would start avoiding him again. Right now, Qiu Xingyou was the only thing Jiang Ji truly cared about.

“I can’t leave him,” Jiang Ji said quietly, blocking Meng Li at the door just as she came out of the room carrying a bowl.

Meng Li gave him a sharp look. “We’re all the same in the end. What you should be thinking about now is how to face him. Listen, kid treat Xingyou well from now on. Because soon, you won’t even have the chance to hurt him again.”

With that, she brushed past Jiang Ji and left.

Jiang Ji opened the door.

Qiu Xingyou was sitting by the bed, gazing out the window.

“You should be lying down right now,” Jiang Ji said gently.

At the sound of his voice, Qiu Xingyou turned his head. His eyes flickered with surprise. “You know already.”

Jiang Ji nodded and walked over. Then, without hesitation, he pulled Qiu Xingyou into his arms.

“Do you remember?” he murmured. “I told you no matter how vast the universe, no matter how long time stretches on, I’ll love you, always.”

Qiu Xingyou began to drift again, lulled by Jiang Ji’s soft words. Lately, he had been sleeping more and more, and Jiang Ji couldn’t explain why. Something about it felt wrong terribly wrong.

Later, when Jiang Ji went to the living room, Meng Li was sitting there.

“Xingyou’s been sleeping too much,” Jiang Ji said, his voice heavy. He closed his eyes, pressing a hand to his forehead as he leaned back on the sofa.

“Cotard’s Syndrome,” Meng Li murmured. “Stage one excessive sleep, occasional hallucinations.”

At Yan Yue’s office…

“Can you cancel my next three months of work?” Jiang Ji asked, sitting upright across from her.

Yan Yue stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “What kind of joke is this? You’re at the height of your career! Take three months off now, and you might as well kiss your future goodbye!”

She slammed his schedule down onto the desk, her eyes burning. “This is about that Qiu Xingyou again, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ji said flatly. “I love him. And it’s none of your business. I’m the boss of this studio you’re just my employee. You follow my orders.”

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind him.

Back at Meng Li’s house…

“Has Xingyou woken up today?” Jiang Ji asked, walking to the bedside and touching Qiu Xingyou’s cheek.

“Yes,” Meng Li replied. “He ate a little, then said he was tired again. This can’t go on. We’ll need to start the IV soon… there’s only three months left.”

The next day, a new visitor arrived at Meng Li’s house.

“Hello,” the young woman introduced herself politely. “I’m Cui Yingluo, Xingyou’s assistant from Japan. I’ve been familiar with his condition for a long time. He once told me that if he ever stopped contacting me, it would mean his illness was worsening so I came to take care of him.”

Meng Li gave her a long, cautious look. “And how did you find this place?”

“Xingyou gave me three addresses before. One of them was yours.”

After hearing that, Meng Li stepped aside and gestured for her to come in.

“Xingyou, look who’s here,” Jiang Ji said softly, shaking him awake.

Qiu Xingyou blinked his eyes open and sat up slowly. “Xiao Cui…”

Meng Li and Jiang Ji exchanged a glance and quietly stepped out, closing the door behind them.

Cui Yingluo walked over with a bright smile but the moment she saw him clearly, that smile faltered.

“Oh my god… the ‘brother’ you mentioned don’t tell me that’s Jiang Ji?”

Qiu Xingyou gave a weak, bitter smile and shook his head.

“Hah,” Cui Yingluo scoffed softly. “So it’s true people really aren’t what they seem. I can’t believe he did this to you.”

“Xiao Cui… don’t say that,” Qiu Xingyou said faintly.

Cui Yingluo looked at his pale face and sighed deeply. She reached out and patted his hand.