After Rebirth, My Ex-Girlfriend Became Obsessive - Chapter 24
“I still feel a little regretful.” Lin Duxi hugged her for just a few seconds before letting go, clutching An Yu’s sleeve with her eyebrows slightly drooping. “My mask isn’t finished yet.” She lowered her eyes, her raven-feather-like eyelashes trembling faintly in the sunlight, as if expressing her sorrow.
An Yu thought she was upset about her own mask and turned to look. Sure enough, beside that hideous, outrageously ugly mask lay another unfinished one, quietly placed on the table-just like its owner, always trying to bury everything deep inside, never letting anyone see.
An Yu couldn’t suppress the faint ache in her heart. “I’ll help you,” she said.
Lin Duxi looked up at her words. “But An Yu hasn’t finished her own mask yet. Making masks is troublesome. Mine can just be left aside. It’s fine if I don’t wear one for the gathering.”
She was genuinely considering An Yu’s feelings.
An Yu smiled and couldn’t resist reaching out to ruffle Lin Duxi’s hair. Lin Duxi, still enduring the pain from earlier, had faint traces of red lingering at the corners of her eyes. Now, as An Yu tousled her hair, her expression was one of startled delight. An Yu stroked her smooth locks, watching her dazed look, feeling as though she were petting a little kitten.
“It’s fine, just wait a moment,” An Yu said. She stood up and walked to her own desk, picking up the mask there and adjusting something.
Lin Duxi watched her handle the mask with such care and couldn’t help but recall how gently she had bandaged her wound earlier, her movements just as tender. Unconsciously, her gaze grew intense.
Afraid of being caught on camera, she averted her eyes and turned around, spotting the mask on the table. Looking at the mask she had never touched, Lin Duxi no longer felt any desire to half-heartedly engage with it. She casually set it aside and focused on her own mask instead.
How would An Yu help her? Would she guide her hands like she had earlier?
She longed to experience being held by An Yu again-that feeling of being enveloped in An Yu’s scent, something she could never reach in countless dreams, something she craved every time she woke up in pain, utterly alone.
Lost in thought, Lin Duxi suddenly felt the urge to create something. She picked up a file, ignoring the injury on her hand, and was about to start carving when-
A mask suddenly appeared in her line of sight. Lin Duxi instinctively stopped and took it. It was a kitten mask, exquisitely painted and carved, so beautiful that Lin Duxi fell in love with it at first glance.
An Yu took the file from her hand, observing her slightly stunned expression. Swallowing back her worried reproach, she said softly, “If there’s any part of the mask I help you with later that you’re not satisfied with, you can wear this one for now.”
Lin Duxi looked up. An Yu was fiddling with the file, deliberately avoiding her gaze, but her slightly reddened ears betrayed her.
For some reason, Lin Duxi felt dazed. Her dark, beautiful eyes churned with unreadable emotions before she lowered them, her fingers lightly tracing the patterns on the kitten mask.
“Did An Yu make this?”
“Yes,” An Yu replied, swallowing nervously. If Lin Duxi didn’t like this, she truly wouldn’t know how to make it up to her.
“It should be… passable,” she added cautiously.
Lin Duxi looked up, the storm of emotions in her eyes hidden away, leaving only boundless joy. A faint light sparkled in her gaze as she said cheerfully, “I love it.”
She loved it so, so much-so much that she could barely restrain herself from letting An Yu see the unspeakable thoughts swirling inside her.
Hearing this, An Yu finally relaxed. “I’m glad you like it.” She brought over a small stool and sat beside Lin Duxi, picking up her mask to continue working on it.
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it according to your instructions.”
Lin Duxi nodded. “Okay.”
“But what about that… uh… unique mask?”
“Just ignore it.”
[Wow, these two are really playing it up-wearing each other’s masks and everything.]
[I’ll bet a pack of spicy strips-the way they look at each other is anything but innocent. There’s definitely something going on. So sweet!]
[The way their gazes could practically tangle into silk threads… I might believe Lin Duxi is acting, but An Yu? Unless she’s been possessed. Seems like there’s really something between them.]
[As a longtime CP fan of these two, watching their genuine interactions, I can’t help but shout: YuXi is the absolute best!]
The evening gathering in the town usually began at sunset, so Lin Duxi and An Yu didn’t start preparing dinner before heading to the market with the others.
When director Qiao Qingzhou learned that Lin Duxi had accidentally injured herself, she nearly fainted. Visions of Lin Duxi’s fans storming her house flashed through her mind, and she insisted on taking Lin Duxi to the hospital immediately.
But Lin Duxi only smiled, showing Qiao Qingzhou the neatly bandaged gauze. “An Yu already disinfected and dressed it for me. There’s no need to trouble you, Director Qiao.” Besides, she knew the wound wasn’t serious-after all, she had inflicted it herself.
After repeated assurances, the director finally relented, though she still persuaded Lin Duxi to get checked at the hospital later. Once Lin Duxi left, Qiao Qingzhou wiped her cold sweat, her heart still pounding. For some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Lin Duxi’s words had carried a hint of… pride?
By dusk, the town’s residents were already bustling with activity. Since the town thrived on tourism, the gathering was bound to be lively and elaborately decorated.
As the six of them rode to the event, they could see the streets lined with festive decorations exuding the town’s unique charm through the car windows.
When the car arrived at the lively venue, the distant view revealed a sea of people-locals and tourists who had come specifically for the experience.
“This town has a long history and has preserved many traditional festivities. Attending this gathering will feel like stepping into an ancient festival. The novelty of it will surely captivate you all. Just remember, while enjoying the sights, keep an eye on your partner-don’t get separated,” the director reminded them warmly.
The gathering was densely packed with people, making it impossible for the director’s car to enter, so it stopped on the outskirts. The director specifically reminded everyone that in an hour, a bonfire would be lit at the center of the event and not to miss it.
An Yu checked the time and saw that it was still early before dusk. She got out of the car in order, but the sight of so many people instantly triggered a wave of resistance in her. For a moment, she almost turned around to leave.
But the crowd kept growing, and Lin Duxi, who had been standing beside her, was swept away by the flow of people in the blink of an eye. Worried that Lin Duxi might injure her hand further, An Yu suppressed her discomfort and hurried after her.
Walking along the noisy street, surrounded by chattering groups of people, An Yu’s aversion grew stronger. Cold sweat broke out on her skin, and fragments of long-forgotten gossip flooded her mind.
“That’s the An family’s daughter, isn’t it? Ah, how… sigh.”
“The An family really had it rough-both parents gone, leaving only the youngest behind. Who knows what will become of her?”
“The little one was the family’s treasure. How could the parents just leave like that?”
An Yu tried to ignore their words, but her sharp senses picked up every whisper. She shook her head, trying to dispel the voices, but they surged over her like a tidal wave, suffocating her.
The town’s traditional atmosphere was thick, with local specialties sold in street-side stalls. Lin Duxi, holding An Yu’s arm, browsed shop after shop with great enthusiasm.
“A-Yu, what do you think of this?” Lin Duxi picked up a box of pastries and turned to An Yu, only to find her expression distant and troubled.
“A-Yu? What’s wrong?” Lin Duxi quickly set the pastries down, her eyes filling with worry. She shook An Yu’s arm gently, snapping her out of her daze.
An Yu blinked, her trembling gaze steadying. She took a breath and reassured her, “It’s nothing. Just a bit tired from working all day.”
Lin Duxi’s frown eased slightly. “Are you exhausted? It’s my fault for making you do extra work.” She lowered her eyes. “Let me help you out. We can go rest, okay?”
An Yu shook her head. “It’s fine. Let’s keep looking around.” She couldn’t let her own mood ruin Lin Duxi’s excitement. Holding Lin Duxi’s hand, she carefully shielded her injured fingers, masking her earlier lapse.
Lin Duxi watched An Yu’s back with a complicated expression, allowing herself to be led deeper into the gathering.
As dusk fell, lanterns lit up the streets. A large pile of dry wood had been stacked at the center, surrounded by a safety perimeter. Staff members checked the time, ready to light the bonfire at the designated moment.
An Yu and Lin Duxi had lingered too long on the outskirts, and encounters with Lin Duxi’s fans further delayed them. By the time they reached the center, the bonfire was already ablaze.
The flames illuminated everything like daylight. The moment An Yu arrived, she spotted Pei Lu scanning the crowd. She frowned.
“The host hopes you’ll create opportunities for the male and female leads this afternoon and evening.” The system’s words from that morning resurfaced. An Yu gritted her teeth and reluctantly began to slip away from Lin Duxi’s side.
At the time, the two hadn’t yet entered the thick of the crowd. Lin Duxi stood near the stalls, carefully examining trinkets. She picked up a small cat-shaped pendant, turning it over in her hands with delight.
When she turned to share her joy with An Yu, she realized An Yu had already disappeared into the crowd.
Lin Duxi’s expression instantly twisted with panic. She frantically searched the sea of faces, but An Yu was nowhere to be found.
Had An Yu abandoned her again? Just like before, vanishing without a word?
Her barely mended heart was gouged anew, leaving a bloody, gaping wound.
Lin Duxi’s breathing grew ragged. She clenched her fists so tightly that her healing wounds split open, blood seeping through the bandages. Yet she barely noticed.
The pendant she had loved moments ago now felt meaningless. She was about to put it back when a voice called out to her.
“Teacher Lin!” Pei Lu, seeing Lin Duxi alone, quickly approached.
Lin Duxi froze. A flash of clarity cut through her tangled thoughts. When she turned back to face him, her earlier turmoil was gone, replaced by a practiced smile.
“Teacher Pei, what is it?”
Pei Lu smiled. “The bonfire’s started. Want to go see?”
Lin Duxi studied him silently. Pei Lu thought his hint was obvious-surely she wouldn’t refuse.
Sure enough, Lin Duxi smiled. “Sure. Let me just buy this first.” She paid for the cat pendant, her eyes glinting with understanding.
An Yu had just slipped away, and now this man appeared. It seemed the person behind An Yu wanted her to interact with him.
Fine. If “A-Yu” wanted this, she’d play along.
“That pendant really suits you, Teacher Lin,” Pei Lu remarked.
Lin Duxi smiled, though her eyes remained cold. “Does it?”
Not far away, An Yu stood by another stall, watching Lin Duxi and Pei Lu walk toward the bonfire. A pang of sourness twisted in her chest. Distractedly, she grabbed a random trinket, paid, and left.
It must be the crowd making me uneasy.
An Yu told herself she was tired and should head back to rest and cook dinner. But even as she thought this, her feet carried her deeper into the crowd, closer to the bonfire.
The denser the crowd, the more suffocated she felt. Her limbs grew weak, yet she pressed forward.
Meanwhile, Lin Duxi used the chaos to slip away from Pei Lu, even evading the camera crew.
That little act should be enough. The one controlling An Yu won’t suspect anything.
She turned to leave, but a collective gasp from the crowd stopped her.
“Wow!”
Lin Duxi turned toward the towering flames-and froze.
The world around her twisted. The crowd vanished, replaced by frantic shouts.
“Fire! There’s a fire!”
“The Lin family’s house is burning! Call the police! Fetch water!”
“The couple’s still inside! Hurry, save them!”
“The flames are too strong! Focus on putting it out first!”
Amid the chaos, a little girl stumbled into the scene, knocked down by rushing rescuers.
Young Lin Duxi cried out as she fell, but her eyes remained fixed on the inferno. The bright flames reflected in her dark, hollow gaze, failing to pierce the emptiness within.
Her pretty dress was stained with dirt, forever ruined.
“Mom…” she whispered, her voice lost in the roar of the fire.
Now, years later, Lin Duxi’s lips moved soundlessly. “Mom.”
The bonfire’s heat surrounded her, yet her eyes brimmed with tears, her entire being radiating despair.
Then-a warm hand closed around her wrist.
Lin Duxi flinched. She turned and met An Yu’s worried gaze.
“A-Yu…” Her voice was fragile, her eyes red-rimmed. The anguish in them was like a lifeless sea-only stirring at the sight of An Yu.
An Yu didn’t respond to her words. Softly, she said, “It’s too hot here. Let’s go.”
She led Lin Duxi away from the crowd to a quiet, cool spot. Lin Duxi followed without protest, silent the entire way.
Once seated, away from the bonfire’s heat, An Yu studied her. “What happened just now?”
Lin Duxi’s expression was calm now, even smiling. “The sudden flames startled me.” She reached for An Yu’s hand, interlacing their fingers. “But I’m fine now. With you here, I’m not scared.”
An Yu wasn’t convinced-Lin Duxi’s earlier reaction had been far more than mere fright. But since Lin Duxi was now teasing her, she let it go.
As she moved to sit, however, she noticed blood seeping through the bandages on Lin Duxi’s fingers.
An Yu’s face paled. She quickly pulled out disinfectant and fresh gauze.
“Your wound reopened. Let me rebandage it.”
She unwrapped the gauze gently, revealing the split cut. Guilt gnawed at her.
I still failed to protect her.
Her touch was feather-light, her focus absolute. Her fingers brushed Lin Duxi’s skin, leaving fleeting warmth in their wake.
Lin Duxi watched her, her gaze darkening. She clenched her uninjured hand, biting her lip.
A-Yu… Don’t be so tender with me only to push me away later. I won’t be able to hold back.
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Zei_An
Lin Duxi really is perceptive. And I hate the fact that fate is so cruel to them