"Hah," I sighed, standing outside the rental house where An Lisi lived. For some reason, I felt a bit nervous. After a week, I came back here again, still just a harasser in the eyes of the unaware. It was possible that people would misunderstand and think I was begging her not to break up with me. But... if that was all, I could endure it. However, her refusal to open the door was wearing down my enthusiasm.

I didn't want to give up halfway. I didn't want to continue playing the role of being misunderstood. I just wanted to help her. That was my only purpose.

As I looked at the door, I hesitated when I raised my hand. I even asked myself if she really didn't want to open the door or talk to me. In that moment, I thought about calling the police. Although I had thought about it a few days ago, considering the police intervention would make things worse. Even if she didn't want to cooperate or open the door, the police would break in. An Lisi would definitely be taken away for forced detoxification.

Perhaps that would be for the best. Maybe it could even save An Lisi's life. But at the same time, it would tarnish her life. It was because of this that I hesitated. Although I didn't know how to help her detoxify if she opened the door and was willing to cooperate, as the saying goes, "cross the bridge when you come to it." There would always be a way once the first step was taken.

So, I couldn't lose my willpower. I couldn't have thoughts of giving up. It was like my previous enthusiasm had returned in an instant. I made up my mind. I would make her open the door. However, I still had a limited amount of time because drug addiction was undoubtedly a form of suicide. I couldn't waste any more time. So, unless it was absolutely necessary, I didn't want to do it.

"An... An Lisi, are you there?" I knocked on the door and asked stiffly.

"I... just want to help you," she still didn't speak. A sense of frustration welled up in my heart. No, I couldn't let it be like this. I should try harder to convey my thoughts.

"That thing will only harm your body. I don't want to see you become that kind of terrifying person," I wanted to convey my most urgent thoughts.

"Although we are strangers and our encounter has been quite unfortunate, please believe me. I have no bad intentions, and I don't want to expose your secrets. I simply want to help you."

I felt that my expression was still imperfect, but I had done my best. Although I had said these words hundreds of times and was starting to get tired of them myself, I had to continue saying them in order to achieve my goal.

"So, please show me your response. I know my request is unreasonable, and you may not fully trust me, but... please open the door. Don't let this door hinder our communication," I struggled to say these words. I had no idea if she would open the door, and until now, she hadn't said a word. Maybe she wasn't even inside... I waited for about ten minutes, but there was still no response from inside the room. It seemed that I would have to come back tomorrow.

"... Maybe you need more time to consider. It's okay... I'll come back tomorrow," helplessness and disappointment were unavoidable, but I still wouldn't give up.

As I turned around to leave, I heard the sound of a lock being turned behind me. Although it could have been a mishearing, I couldn't help but glance back. I saw the door open a crack, about the width of an arm. The room inside seemed pitch black.

"You're the one who got robbed of your wallet because of me that day... Although I feel a bit sorry, I will repay you that money in the future... So please don't come here again," a weak voice came from inside the door. Then, the door slowly started to close.

"I didn't care about that incident at all. I actually felt relieved that I could help An Lisi..." I pushed against the door to prevent An Lisi from closing it.

"I don't need help... I don't need any help... Just like this... Just like this is fine," An Lisi seemed to speak in a self-abandoning tone.

"That's just not valuing your own life," I exerted more force, but I still held back to avoid hurting An Lisi.

"You don't need to worry about that... It's my own business..." An Lisi said somewhat excitedly, trying to close the door with more force.

"Life has its own course from the moment it begins. I won't allow you to disregard your own life like this..."

I can't miss this opportunity, and I must correct her perception.

"Offended..." I whispered, and then I pushed the door with all my strength. She obviously couldn't match my strength, although she resisted desperately, she soon ran out of energy. The door suddenly lost resistance, and I successfully pushed it open. But it was terrible. Because I exerted too much force, my body leaned forward when the door was pushed open. I fell on the entrance, and even worse, it seemed that I pressed An Lisi under me. The light from outside rushed in without any restraint, and the entrance became bright. I saw An Lisi's face clearly. How should I put it? When I first saw that face, I was startled. She no longer looked pale and bloodless like before. Her skin was dull and lifeless, and a bit saggy. She looked like a person who had aged several decades. This should be caused by drug use. But did it deteriorate into this state in just one or two weeks?

Although it was a bit creepy, I had to quickly get up and say, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

An Lisi remained in this state for a long time. She seemed weak all over, wearing an oversized T-shirt, exposing her fair shoulders and white thighs.

"I... let me help you." Just as I was about to help her up, she slowly propped herself up and sat up.

"I... didn't I tell you... not to come anymore?" An Lisi spoke weakly.

"If I don't come, will you continue like this, completely losing your human appearance?" I got a little angry for some reason.

"That's my own business... I don't need an outsider like you to interfere. Even if drugs erode my body and I eventually become a withered corpse, it's my own choice." An Lisi's tone was a bit agitated. Why did she treat death so lightly? From her tone, it seemed that she also knew what consequences she would face if she continued like this. What is the reason behind all this?

"Even so, I won't ignore it."

"Please leave..." An Lisi still refused to cooperate.

"You're already like this..." I was really worried about her...

"Please leave... leave..." An Lisi's tone gradually became more intense. If this continued, others would definitely hear and come over to see.

"That's enough!" I still tried to lower my voice, although I was obviously a little angry.

"Why can't you understand me? And why can't you value your own life more? Doing this will only bring you closer to the edge of death. I don't want you to become like this. Although I'm just a stranger, I just want to help you. Do you really want to become like this? Your complexion is now sallow and dark, clearly indicating that the drug abuse has worsened."

"You don't need to care..." An Lisi still said that, but she had no strength left, and seemed too weak and fell into a coma.

What should I do now? I looked at An Lisi lying on the floor and felt troubled. I should let her sleep on the bed first.

"Excuse me..." I could only hold her and put her on the bed. Her body was so light that it was effortless to hold her. The rented room was really messy, and there was a smell of spoiled food that had been left for a long time. The corridor was full of garbage bags, and even the bed she slept on was filled with clothes. Did she live like this alone? After putting her on the bed, I put her clothes in the wardrobe. The room seemed to have a damp feeling, as if the windows hadn't been opened for a long time. I opened the windows and let out the unpleasant smell. Looking at the garbage bags that occupied most of the space, I felt both scared and had to roll up my sleeves and take all these garbage bags out and throw them into the trash can. It took a lot of time, but I finally cleaned it up. Although it couldn't be called spotless, at least it looked like a room. An Lisi still didn't wake up, and she hadn't eaten much. But when I was cleaning up, I found many syringes, which should be drug paraphernalia. However, I didn't know where the drugs were hidden. When drug addicts have cravings, they may become violent and irrational. This made me uneasy. Although dealing with a girl was more than enough for me, there would definitely be resistance when trying to stop her. What should I do then? Try not to hurt An Lisi and minimize the damage. I thought this way, but now I could only wait for her to wake up.

After an hour, An Lisi finally woke up.

"You're awake?" I said, feeling a bit awkward.

An Lisi looked at me with a dazed expression...

"Why are you still here...didn't I ask you to leave?" she said, perhaps because she was still weak and not as excited as before.

"Because you suddenly fainted, it wouldn't be right for me to just leave like that," I said calmly.

"Fainting is my own business...you don't need to worry," An Lisi seemed to want to get out of bed, but she didn't seem to have the strength to move now.

"Let me help you," I reached out my hand to assist her.

"No need..." she coldly refused. Although it was difficult, she managed to touch the ground with her feet, but soon she seemed to lose all strength and leaned forward. Worried about the situation, I quickly supported her with both hands.

"Your body is weak, don't force yourself...what do you need? I can help you get it," I said.

An Lisi remained silent, maintaining her posture.

"If you don't say anything, I can't help you," I said helplessly.