(Mo Yao’s Perspective)

I... like Xia Chuan.

Not long after meeting him, my heart had already held this feeling.

When I first saw him, I thought he was just another fake, like everyone else. But now, thinking back—if I hadn’t met Xia Chuan that day...

Perhaps I’d already be dead.

---

Yes, that day, Mo Yao skipped work because she planned to kill herself.

Just quietly swallowing sleeping pills in her dark room, then fading away. No one would know. No one would care.

She was done with this hopeless world.

She should’ve died sooner. What reason did she have to live? She had nothing left.

Mo Yao had only been barely clinging to life.

Before dying, she even cynically wondered how long until someone found her body. Maybe when the landlord came for rent?

Or when the stench reached the neighbors...

Pathetic, wasn’t she?

So just die already... Mo Yao, no one in this world ever needed you.

Her hand trembled slightly as she unscrewed the pill bottle’s cap. Just as she raised it to swallow everything—

A knock sounded at the door.

Mo Yao froze.

Who’d knock? Only the landlord ever did. As an outcast, no one visited her.

Wrong door?

The knocking persisted. Finally, she set down the bottle and walked to the door.

She gently turned the knob and opened it.

Her curtained room was pitch-dark. Sunlight flooded in as the door swung wide.

Mo Yao squinted against the glare. Adjusting quickly, she saw a tall, thin youth—vaguely familiar.

“Uh, I just moved in today... Huh? You? What a coincidence.”

The youth paused, recognizing her as the girl mobbed by aunties that morning.

“R-Really a coincidence...”

Facing the boy who’d helped her earlier, Mo Yao felt inexplicably nervous.

“Never thought we’d be neighbors. Fate, huh?”

He smiled warmly.

That spring-like smile stunned her. The ice in her chest melted a little.

Snapping out of her daze, Mo Yao blushed and bowed her head. “Mm-hmm.”

Why was she so flustered? Because he’d helped her? Or because no one had spoken kindly to her in years?

Yes—neighbors spat insults at her. Men leered everywhere, at work or here.

“I never gave my name. I’m Xia Chuan. Your neighbor now. Nice to meet you. Yours?”

His chuckle confused her, but she didn’t dwell on it.

Seeing his smile again, something stirred in her heart.

Eyes reddening, she whispered:

“I’m... Mo Yao...”

Her voice trembled.

---

After chatting, Xia Chuan left. Mo Yao shut the door.

Darkness swallowed the room again.

Leaning against the door, she stared at furniture silhouettes. Her face burned. Her gaze drifted.

He... asked my name.

Just that made her happy. She admitted liking Xia Chuan. His help was a lifeline to her loneliness.

But she knew his kindness was temporary. Once he learned her truth, he’d vanish like the others.

Still, this warmth was enough. Dying after this, she wouldn’t die bitter.

Mo Yao returned to the table, picking up the pill bottle.

This time, no interruptions...

Her hand shook as she lifted it toward her lips.

Knock knock knock.

The sudden sound jolted her. The bottle slipped, shattering. Pills scattered.

Ignoring the mess, she rushed to open the door.

Sunlight framed Xia Chuan again. His warm smile glowed.

Lips curving softly, he said:

“Miss Mo Yao, join me for dinner? If you don’t mind.”

Only feet away, his simple words shattered her. Tears spilled.

No one wants to die. Mo Yao didn’t choose this—she was forced. A shred of hope could’ve saved her. But loneliness broke her. Now, at death’s edge, fate tossed her a thread.

Like a withered plant, sunlight didn’t revive her—it just prolonged the struggle.

But even struggling, Mo Yao wanted to live.

She didn’t want to die!

Under the warm sun, she sobbed. Xia Chuan stood awkwardly, lost.

That suicide attempt ended there.

---

Days passed. Mo Yao saw Xia Chuan’s true nature.

He was endlessly kind.

As a neighbor, he was almost nosy. Learning her pain, he didn’t flee—he helped tirelessly.

This wasn’t just neighbors. This was family.

Daily closeness made her realize: she loved him.

How could you not love someone who appears when you’re broken and lifts you up?

She knew she didn’t deserve him. But this feeling? Unstoppable.

Still, she never hoped for his love.

Just... seeing him nearby was enough.

His faint light on her darkness could keep her alive.

Yes—that’s all Mo Yao wanted...

But why, seeing Xia Chuan strolling with a strange girl, did her heart twist?

Fear. Envy. Jealousy.

Resentment.

After a stunned pause, she fled the opposite way.

She couldn’t face them.

Home, she collapsed on the floor, eyes hollow.

Silence magnified her pain.

Was that girl his lover?

Of course he’d have one. A kind man like him? Normal.

Right. Perfectly normal...

But—

No! No no no!

Self-comfort drowned in rage. She shook her head wildly, tears welling.

She’d thought she’d bless him. Lies.

How could she bless the man she loved most with another?

She’d always wanted Xia Chuan beside her. Forever.

She’d hidden her greed—even from herself. But seeing him with her stripped it bare.

Why wasn’t I the one with him? Why her!

Anger. Injustice. Hurt—flooding her.

A tainted woman like her shouldn’t feel this. Yet it burned, driving her mad.

Now, Mo Yao faced her truth: she was selfish. She wanted Xia Chuan only for her. Only cooking for her. Only crying for her. Only smiling for her...

Only being her anchor.

She admitted it was selfish. But she couldn’t deny it.

Imagining him holding that girl’s hand, walking away—she’d snap.

No. No!

Anything—but not Xia Chuan. Don’t take him.

For that... I’d do anything.

Xia Chuan, don’t leave me. You’re my only light!

---

Mo Yao’s eyes flew open. She gasped.

The familiar room felt hollow.

Instinctively, she hugged the soft shape beside her.

Looking down, she saw sharp features and long bangs.

Xia Chuan.

Asleep. Night breeze swayed his hair. He hadn’t noticed her stare.

Mo Yao watched his face. Then, she smiled softly, murmuring:

“Silly...”

Slowly, she tightened her embrace—afraid he’d vanish the next second.

Mo Yao gazed at the face so close to hers. Suddenly, her eyes welled up with unexplained tears.

She pressed her small face against his ear, her lips moving softly:

“Xia Chuan....... I like you the most.......”

Even though she knew he couldn’t hear her, Mo Yao still wanted to confess her feelings. Only at times like this, when no one knew, did she dare to do so.

She knew she wasn’t worthy of loving him, but she refused to be unable to even whisper her confession.

She didn’t need a result; she just needed Xia Chuan by her side now—that was enough.

Mo Yao hugged Xia Chuan tightly again. Freeing one hand, she wrapped the blanket around them both and slowly drifted into sleep, her face peaceful in slumber.

Moonlight poured through the gaps in the wind-swaying curtains, bathing the two in its glow.

Though they were together, under the moonlight, they looked profoundly lonely.