After Rebirth, My Ex-Girlfriend Became Obsessive - Chapter 36

Because… I don’t want A’Yu to be disappointed in me again.”

Lin Duxi’s eyes were red as she stared straight at An Yu. Her gaze, usually deep and affectionate, now held a melting glacier-its surface thawed, but beneath lay endless desolation and despair.

She had laid bare her most heartfelt confession, like a devout believer tearing open her chest to reveal an untamable, scorching love. She longed for An Yu to see it, to feel even the slightest tremor in her heart-just a little would be enough.

An Yu’s breath hitched. The intertwining emotions of despair and passion in Lin Duxi’s eyes burned her, making her instinctively want to turn away. Yet those eyes seemed to magnetize her, locking their gazes together, allowing their emotions to tangle in the air.

A dull ache spread through An Yu’s chest, seeping into her limbs like molten lead. Her heart felt as though it had been struck hard, sending tremors deep into her soul. She met Lin Duxi’s eyes, letting the storm within her own swirl unchecked, even as her expression remained calm.

Lin Duxi searched desperately for any sign of what she longed to see in An Yu’s turbulent gaze-but found none. Lowering her head, she was the first to break eye contact. A bitter chuckle escaped her, laced with sorrow.

“I’m not in pain anymore, A-Yu. Let’s go.”

In truth, she no longer felt any physical pain-it paled in comparison to the agony in her heart.

Rather than hear An Yu’s cruel rejection, she’d rather change the subject herself. That way, she could delude herself into believing An Yu still cared for her, that An Yu  must  still have feelings for her.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Duxi tried to stand, but An Yu pressed her back down. An Yu’s expression was complex as she held her in place. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“Rest a little longer.”

Her voice was steady, but beneath it simmered an undercurrent of suppressed anguish.

Lin Duxi looked up at her, lips curving into a faint smile. Her face was still devoid of color, her entire being radiating exhaustion.

“It really doesn’t hurt anymore. A-Yu, you have to believe me.”

She reached out and took An Yu’s hand from her shoulder, cradling it in her palm as if it were a priceless treasure.

“I told you-I’ll never lie to A-Yu. So, A-Yu has to trust me too.”

Her eyes met An Yu’s, the light within them fractured yet shimmering with an intoxicating emotion.

But what An Yu saw in those depths was a silent plea and struggle, clawing at her heart like talons, tearing it open until blood spilled freely.

An Yu glanced up at the remaining stretch of mountain path, then at Lin Duxi and the two cameramen beside them. Without answering Lin Duxi’s question, she simply shouldered her backpack, helped Lin Duxi up, and draped one of her arms around her own neck-just like before-bearing most of Lin Duxi’s weight.

Lin Duxi let herself be maneuvered, her only desire now to inhale An Yu’s scent, greedily soaking it in as if it could somehow mend her shattered heart.

But just as they were about to start climbing again, she felt warm breath brush against the skin near her right ear. Then, in a whisper so soft it was almost inaudible, she heard An Yu murmur:

“I have never been disappointed in you.”

It was as if her soul had been struck with a hammer. Lin Duxi froze, wondering if this was yet another hallucination conjured by her despair. But the warmth of An Yu’s breath was too real. She turned her head, meeting An Yu’s gaze-deliberate, gentle, yet unwavering-as if confirming that what she’d heard was no illusion.

An Yu wasn’t lying. She had never been disappointed in Lin Duxi-not six years ago, and not now.

Back then, the breakup had left An Yu heartbroken, even devastated. But time had dulled the pain, and years later, when she occasionally reminisced about that fleeting, youthful love, she realized the seeds of separation had been sown long before.

Back then, they’d naively believed love alone could conquer all. But it couldn’t. Once those seeds took root, they were destined to sprout.

Even if Lin Duxi hadn’t initiated the breakup that day, their irreconcilable differences would have eventually driven them apart.

What An Yu couldn’t understand was how Lin Duxi had detached so swiftly, leaving without a trace of hesitation. She  had  resented her-but never for the so-called “disappointment” Lin Duxi spoke of.

Lin Duxi stared at An Yu in disbelief. The ashes of her heart reignited into a blazing inferno, fiercer than before, threatening to consume her entirely-yet she welcomed it.

Leaning into An Yu’s embrace, she let herself be led forward. Even as the pain in her abdomen persisted, a faint smile tugged at her lips. She lowered her head, long lashes veiling the scorching devotion in her eyes.

The summit was now within reach. An Yu spotted Xie An’an ahead, waving and shouting at them, with Pei Lu standing beside her.

From this distance, she couldn’t make out his expression-but she knew it was hostile. Lin Duxi saw them too.

An Yu scoffed, tightening her grip on Lin Duxi’s arm in case her strength gave out.

“We’re almost there. Let’s take it slow.”

Her words were as much for herself as they were for Lin Duxi.

The crew ahead cheered for them, but An Yu felt no excitement. Lin Duxi’s condition was clearly deteriorating-her faintly furrowed brow, the cold sweat on her forehead-each detail deepened the ache in An Yu’s chest.

“Okay. I’ll listen to A-Yu.”

Lin Duxi nestled obediently against An Yu, too exhausted by the pain to speak. All she wanted now was to hold An Yu and sleep.

Step by step, they trudged forward, the crew’s cheers fading into the background. Only when they finally reached the last step did An Yu allow herself to relax slightly.

“Director! Is there a room here? Lin Duxi needs to rest!”

Ignoring her own sweat-drenched clothes, An Yu adjusted her hold on Lin Duxi, letting her lean fully against her.

Qiao Qingzhou rushed over, paling at the sight of Lin Duxi’s ashen face and clammy skin.

“Yes, just ahead! Quick, help Teacher Lin!” She gestured for the staff to assist.

An Yu followed her direction, supporting Lin Duxi as they moved. The crew hovered awkwardly, unsure how to help.

Then, a figure blocked their path.

Pei Lu, clad in full hiking gear, frowned at An Yu before turning his gaze to Lin Duxi.

“Thank you for your hard work, Teacher An. I’ll take it from here-after all,  I’m  Duxi’s partner.” He reached for Lin Duxi, confident, but An Yu harshly swatted his hand away.

“Get lost.”

An Yu’s voice was low, simmering with fury. She took in Pei Lu’s pristine attire, then the woman in her arms-shivering despite her thick coat-and an indescribable rage ignited within her.

“What did you just say?” Pei Lu’s face darkened, his jaw clenching. “Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

An Yu met his glare head-on, unflinching.

“I said, get lost.”

Pei Lu seemed stunned. He scoffed, glancing away before looking back at Lin Duxi, who remained docile in An Yu’s arms-utterly unresponsive. The sight stung his pride. Swallowing his anger, he forced a smile, clinging to his gentlemanly facade.

“An Yu, I don’t mind you accompanying  my  partner this far. But Duxi is  my  teammate. The rest should be handled by  me  .”

An Yu had no patience for his nonsense. Every second wasted was another second of suffering for Lin Duxi. She sidestepped him without a word, brushing past as if he were air.

Lin Duxi, nestled against her, listened to their exchange. Though she couldn’t see An Yu’s face, the corner of her lips curled slightly.

[Did An Yu just snap? Damn, that was hot!]

[That glare she gave Pei Lu? Instant stan. I wanna call her “wife,” but Lin Duxi would murder me.]

[Pei Lu, are you stupid? Lin Duxi’s clearly suffering, and all you care about is your stupid “partner” title? Where were you on the trail? Now you show up to act chivalrous? Pathetic!]

[Don’t defend him. The livestream doesn’t lie. He didn’t even wait-Lin Duxi said she had something to do, and he ditched her in minutes. At least Xie An’an waited for An Yu! (Not shading Xie An’an, just remembering her third-wheeling antics.)]

Following the staff’s directions, An Yu brought Lin Duxi to a room, gently settling her on the bed. She removed Lin Duxi’s coat and tucked her in, then turned to fetch water-only for Lin Duxi to stop her.

Weak but determined, Lin Duxi clutched An Yu’s sleeve, her pale lips parting faintly.

“A-Yu…”

An Yu’s gaze softened. She leaned down, close enough that Lin Duxi instinctively closed her eyes, expecting a kiss. Instead, she heard a tender reassurance:

“I’ll get water and talk to the director. Sleep now.”

Lin Duxi’s eyes fluttered open. Seeing the distance between them, a pang of longing struck her. In her weakened state, she craved more comfort-for a moment, she even imagined grabbing An Yu’s face and kissing her senseless.

But she had no strength left.

“Will A-Yu come back?” she whispered.

An Yu nodded, her calm gaze soothing Lin Duxi’s restless heart. Slowly, Lin Duxi released her grip.

With a faint smile, An Yu adjusted the blankets and left.

She fetched water, helped Lin Duxi drink, and waited until she drifted off before heading out to brief the director.

Returning to her own room, she prepared to shower and change out of her sweat-soaked clothes. But the moment the door closed behind her, a sharp pain lanced through her skull.

She stifled a groan, collapsing to the floor.