Hearing these words, Xia Chuan’s pupils dilated slightly, his expression freezing instantly.

Of course he knew Mo Yao liked him—he wasn’t an idiot. But when she said it aloud, his heart couldn’t help but tremble a little.

What shocked Xia Chuan even more was Mo Yao confessing in such a moment.

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Xia Chuan felt a sharp ache in his chest. Her hopeful gaze made him unable to meet her eyes.

He lowered his head slightly, forcing a smile. “Mo Yao, don’t joke. Just come down first.”

“I’m not joking!” Seeing Xia Chuan avoid her gaze, Mo Yao felt something inside her slowly crumbling. The emotions she’d held back for so long finally burst out: “How could I joke about this? I like you, Xia Chuan! I like you, I like you... I’ve always liked you!”

“I know a dirty girl like me doesn’t deserve you. But how can I just throw away these feelings? I tried hiding them deep inside.”

“But I can’t! Seeing you with other girls makes me so jealous I could go mad. I’m just... such a selfish woman.”

“I... I really want to stay by your side forever, Xia Chuan. I admit I’m selfish, but I can’t deny this...”

Xia Chuan stared at the ground. After her words, he found himself even less able to look up.

Silent for a moment, he finally spoke, his voice trembling: “Why... me?”

Yes, why did Mo Yao like him? He’d never questioned it before. He was just an ordinary guy—what made him worthy of her affection?

“Because...” Mo Yao let out a bitter laugh, whispering softly: “Only you, Xia Chuan...”

Only Xia Chuan. Everyone else looked down on her, but he spoke to her, helped her, smiled at her.

Because he was the only one, she cherished these feelings to a pathological degree.

If she lost him, who would give her warmth in this dark, cold world?

“...Is that so? But, Mo Yao, do you really like me?” Uncharacteristically, Xia Chuan didn’t comfort her. He kept his head down, denying her feelings outright: “You don’t even know what love is. You mistook gratitude for love because I helped you when you needed it. If anyone else had helped you then, you’d have fallen for them just as easily.”

“You don’t like ‘Xia Chuan’—you like whoever saved you. Can feelings based on gratitude be real?”

Xia Chuan knew he shouldn’t say this, but hearing “I only have you” made him argue.

How could this be love!

Mo Yao froze at his words, tears welling up again.

Xia Chuan instantly regretted his thoughtless reply. Just as he tried to fix it, he heard her voice from afar—hoarse from crying yet clear as a nightingale’s.

“I... I don’t know what love is. I’ve only ever liked you, Xia Chuan. Maybe you’re right—I mistook gratitude for love.”

“But... no matter what, you were the only one who helped me. There was no one else. Only a fool like you would help someone like me...”

“I don’t know if my feelings are what you say. But one thing’s clear: I want you to smile only at me, talk only to me, cook only for me. Could even this... just be gratitude?”

Xia Chuan listened silently, his eyes dazed.

Even after her last word, he still couldn’t raise his head.

His mind was chaos. He’d just denied her feelings, yet now he had no rebuttal.

It wasn’t just to avoid hurting her—he truly couldn’t refute her.

Did he even understand love? He only had a crush on Liu Yixia. What right did he have to call her feelings fake?

But even if Mo Yao loved him, did he love her?

The moment he asked himself, Liu Yixia’s smiling face flashed in his mind.

The answer was no.

Yet Xia Chuan knew a small lie could save her. If he said he liked her, she might step back from suicide. It should be simple.

But why did his heart ache so much? The lie stuck in his throat.

For her safety, after hesitation, he made up his mind.

“Mo Yao, I...” He lifted his head, forcing seriousness, lips moving as he met her eyes.

But seeing her desperate, sorrowful gaze, his words died instantly.

What are you doing, Xia Chuan? Say it! She’ll stop if you say it!

“I...” Stop hesitating!

“I...” Even urging himself inwardly, Xia Chuan’s eyelids drooped. Then he spoke fully: “I... I don’t like you...”

The moment the words left his mouth, all strength drained from his body.

He lowered his head again, unable to face her.

He should’ve just lied. It wasn’t a big deal. But Xia Chuan couldn’t.

It wasn’t about not deceiving her. He thought: after this lie, would he have to keep lying forever?

This lie would shatter someday. If she tried suicide again, how could he save her? Tie her up?

A lie might give hope, but truth would hurt her more later.

Better to end this cycle now.

Unwanted feelings should be cut off early.

Mo Yao heard his words. Her pupils widened, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She’d thought if he just said he liked her—even as a lie—she’d come down.

But he wouldn’t even give her that.

But this was the Xia Chuan she knew. If he’d lied, it wouldn’t be him...

But doesn’t this leave me with no hope?

I could survive with just a little light. Why won’t you give me even that?

Finally, Mo Yao’s emotions collapsed completely. Tears flowed from her lifeless eyes.

“If you don’t like me, then don’t smile at me from the start.”

Xia Chuan felt a sharp pain in his chest.

“Don’t talk to me, don’t cook for me, don’t come near me. Why give me hope back then? Leaving me alone would’ve been better.”

“Just living is already a struggle. Why give me hope I never should’ve had?”

“You gave me hope, so why take away even the faintest light now?”

Mo Yao shouted, her voice raw from crying. Xia Chuan still kept his head down.

She stared at the boy not far away. Had he even lost the words to comfort her?

Mo Yao let out a bitter laugh. Slowly closing her eyes, she whispered: “I’m sorry, Xia Chuan... I really can’t go on...”

Hearing this, unease flooded Xia Chuan’s heart. He looked up instinctively—and saw Mo Yao leaning back slightly. Her perfect balance finally collapsed.

“No, Mo Yao!” Regret overwhelmed him. He lunged forward the instant he spoke.

But Xia Chuan wasn’t light—he couldn’t reach her in time. He could only watch helplessly as her body tilted backward and fell.

“No...” In that moment, Xia Chuan clearly saw relief on her face.

Then, under the crowd’s stunned gaze below, Mo Yao fell like a summer flower about to wither.