Chapter 17: You Don't Want Me Anymore

Bai Yan was afraid that if she left through the door, she wouldn't be able to lock it from the outside and that Aunt Li might be in danger. So she began to climb over the wall in the pouring rain. She was an excellent climber, nimble and light on her feet; even in the heavy downpour, she landed deftly from the top of the wall without so much as a scratch.

She wasn't very familiar with the roads, but relying on her memory, she could still find the Jiang house—after all, the village wasn't very big. As soon as she dropped down from Aunt Li's wall, she darted out swiftly.

The rain grew heavier and heavier, and she had no umbrella. In a very short time, she was soaked to the bone, looking like a drowned kitten.

But none of that mattered to her. What mattered was getting home.

However, just as she dashed out of the alley and caught sight of the road leading to the village entrance, a deafening clap of thunder split the sky.

At the sound of the thunder, it was as if someone had flipped a switch inside Bai Yan—she froze in place, unable to move.

Terrified, she crouched down, clutching her head. In the midst of the roaring thunder, she found herself utterly paralyzed.

She feared thunderstorms more than anything in the world. Nothing frightened her more.

But Jiang Chengyan was not here now. No one was here. She was alone, all alone...

…

Outside the window, the rain was falling harder and harder. Since returning, Jiang Chengyan had not slept a wink. He lay there, his brows furrowed in worry.

To make sure she was comfortable, he had delivered the quilt to Aunt Li's house that afternoon. He wondered how she was sleeping. Knowing her restless habits at night, he worried she might fall out of bed.

Finally, after tossing and turning ten times without finding sleep, Jiang Chengyan got up, grabbed an umbrella, and went out.

Thunder rumbled incessantly; lightning split the sky over and over. Jiang Chengyan quickened his pace, letting the rain soak his neat clothes.

He hurried toward Aunt Li's alley, but before he reached the entrance, he saw a white figure crouched on the ground. Listening closely, he could hear low, muffled sobs.

The moment he recognized her, Jiang Chengyan dropped his umbrella and rushed toward the frail figure.

The thunder grew even louder, and her body trembled more violently with each peal.

"Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to stay there and wait for me?" Jiang Chengyan scooped her up and raced home.

Another thunderclap boomed overhead. Bai Yan's lips were turning purple. Nestled in Jiang Chengyan's arms, her voice was faint and feverish, "I... I wanted to go home. You... you didn't want me anymore."

Jiang Chengyan pressed his chin to her head, feeling how feverish she was. Even in his arms, she couldn't stop shivering.

…

His heart clenched with urgency and pain. He kicked open the door and bundled her into the warm bed.

Each time thunder crashed outside, Bai Yan shuddered anew, and the storm showed no sign of letting up.

Jiang Chengyan changed her into dry clothes, gave her medicine with sugar, and stayed up the entire night, holding her and covering her ears.

…

In the morning, when Bai Yan opened her eyes, she was met by a pair of bloodshot eyes.

She no longer felt unwell. Her round eyes glanced at Jiang Chengyan, and under his gaze, she slipped out of his arms, quietly got off the kang, put on her shoes, and walked outside.

Throughout it all, she did not say a single word.