AMTBYIGA Chapter 99

Chapter 99: A Little Black Room?

From the moment he realized he was abandoned, Lin Sui could no longer believe in anyone’s love.

No matter how passionate the love was, it wouldn’t affect the decisiveness of abandonment in the slightest.

Gu Nian was too good. He was like a work of art carefully crafted by God, shining with a light brighter than the sun. He was so perfect that Lin Sui didn’t dare to approach. Only when this person had flaws did he dare to cautiously get closer, because only then could he believe that Gu Nian would be his.

Now, Gu Nian had become the sun again.

Lin Sui was so overwhelmed by the scorching temperature that he could only retreat little by little to where he started.

Even if it wasn’t Duan Miao, there would be other, better people who would appear. Any one of them was more worthy of Gu Nian than he was.

When Gu Nian had more and better choices, perhaps he wouldn’t waver at first, but as time passed, he would eventually forget him like his parents did, turning him into an insignificant speck of dust in his memory.

Lin Sui would rather cut ties now than see that day.

Lin Sui thought self-deprecatingly, he really hadn’t made any progress at all.

Even though his body had become healthy, his soul was still the same flawed and broken Lin Sui of the past, constantly doubting himself and others, forever living in anxiety.

How could he, like this, be worthy of being loved?

After he said such hurtful things, Gu Nian would probably give up on him too, right?

Lin Sui curled himself into a ball, hugging his cold body, closed his eyes, and wearily fell asleep.

—

As soon as Gu Nian returned home, he locked himself in his room. The curtains were tightly drawn, blocking all light, and the whole room was as dark as night. The room was so quiet that there wasn’t a single sound, not even a faint breath.

Gu Nian huddled on the sofa, hugging clothes that Lin Sui had worn, burying his face in the fabric, like a dead man.

When Jiang Sheng arrived, he saw just such a scene, and his heart sank. He carefully walked in and asked, “Is the missus angry?”

Gu Nian didn’t move, as if he hadn’t heard.

Jiang Sheng’s sense of unease grew stronger. He had known Gu Nian for so long, and even when he had the car accident and was diagnosed with paralysis, he had never seen him sotuífèi – dispirited/dejected.

To use a somewhat inappropriate analogy, Gu Nian now seemed as lifeless as if the world were ending tomorrow.

Jiang Sheng was anxious, but he put on a carefree smile and teased, “Oh, I didn’t expect you to have this day. It’s normal for couples to quarrel. Just coax him a little. Besides, Lin Sui likes you so much. If you just humble yourself and say a few soft words, how could he bear to be angry with you?”

Before he could finish speaking, he didn’t know which word stimulated the person on the bed. Gu Nian suddenly sat up, his dark eyes in the darkness like a dragon whose reverse scale had been touched, coldly looking at Jiang Sheng not far away.

Jiang Sheng instantly fell silent, a layer of cold sweat breaking out on his back. He suddenly understood that this matter might not be as simple as a quarrel.

Come to think of it, given how much Gu Nian treasured Lin Sui, how could he still be lying here self-isolating? Something even more serious must have happened between them.

But besides Gu Nian concealing his recovery, what else could have caused these two to become so stiff?

Jiang Sheng was puzzled. Just as he was pondering, Gu Nian slowly opened his mouth, his voice so hoarse that it was unrecognizable.

“Lin Sui said he wants to divorce me.”

“!!!?”

The words Jiang Sheng wanted to use to comfort him were stuck in his throat. He uncontrollably opened his mouth wide, utterly shocked.

After a long while, he finally digested the sentence.

“No,” Jiang Sheng stammered, “Did you do something to upset Lin Sui? How could he suddenly say divorce?”

Gu Nian gave a self-deprecating laugh, “I also want to know what I did to make him sojuéjué – resolute/determined.”

His voice lowered, “But he said he never liked me. He was good to me before because he pitied me. Now that I’m better, he wants to leave.”

“?”

Jiang Sheng felt like he had used up a year’s worth of shock in these few minutes.

In a daze, he reached out and pinched his face, wondering if he was dreaming.

Otherwise, how could he have heard such a magical thing?

But the pain clearly reached his brain, and Jiang Sheng had to believe that it was all true.

How the hell was he supposed to comfort him? This was basically a death sentence!

He didn’t know what to say for a while, and after a long silence, he said, “Then what are you going to do now? Are you going to let go?”

“Let go?” Gu Nian sneered, a trace of obsession in his eyes, “I don’t believe those words at all. I can feel whether he likes me or not. Does he think a few words can make me give up?”

Gu Nian said each word carefully, as if each word carried a kind of fierce anger.

“He can forget about leaving me.”

For no reason, Jiang Sheng shivered.

He looked at Gu Nian, whose condition was obviously not right. After hesitating for a long time, he mustered his courage and said, “Don’t do anything irreversible. With Lin Sui’s personality, forcing him won’t end well.”

Jiang Sheng’s mind was already filled with all kinds of “you escape, I chase, we can’t fly” black room plots, and he was very worried that his friend would go astray.

Restricting the personal freedom of others was illegal, and he might end up in jail without winning the person back.

Gu Nian glanced at him with a puzzled expression, “What am I forcing?”

“I mean, since Lin Sui says he doesn’t like me, then I’ll win him back.”

“No matter why he wants to give up on me, I won’t give him the opportunity.”

Gu Nian said firmly.

“…” Jiang Sheng looked at Gu Nian’s serious expression, laughed awkwardly twice, and wished he could travel back in time and slap himself in the face for being so impulsive a few minutes ago.

Dog-blood novels were harmful! He swore he would never read them again!

But at the same time, Jiang Sheng also breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Gu Nian wasn’t someone who would be easily defeated, and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Then what are you planning to do? Lin Sui doesn’t want to see you now, does he?”

“Do you want me to share my experience of being atiǎngǒu – simping… oh, no, pursuing someone?” Jiang Sheng patted his chest, righteously generous, “We’re brothers, as far as pursuing someone goes, if I say I’m second, no one dares to say they’re first!”

“No need.” A glint flashed in Gu Nian’s eyes, “I already have a plan.”

—

Lin Sui slept soundly, waking up with not a trace of strength in his body. He couldn’t even lift his fingers to make a phone call. Fortunately, the hotel staff came to inquire about extending his stay, and discovered Lin Sui, who was almost fainting from hunger. They were so scared that they quickly sent him to the hospital.

After receiving a glucose drip, Lin Sui felt a little better. He quickly thanked the manager, paid the room fee and medical expenses, and then lay weakly on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the familiar ceiling.

The hospital in this world was a little different from the one in his original world. It wasn’t completely pure white, and the walls were painted a light green.

Lin Sui aimlessly opened his video account, scrolled for a while, and felt bored. After thinking about it, he opened the backend to check the comments, and suddenly saw an eye-catching avatar.

Not because of anything else, but because this avatar had a yellow “V” for exclusive broadcasters.

Lin Sui thought of the e-sports streamer he met at the streamer event, and quickly clicked in to see the chat content.

At first, there were concerns. Lin Sui felt warm in his heart as he read them, but he was slightly stunned when he saw the last message.

Silver Fox: [Recently, that sùrén – amateur/non-celebrity variety show wants to invite a few people from our platform. Are you going? If you’re interested, let’s be companions]

Variety show?

Lin Sui retreated and saw the official invitation information, with the final registration date being today.

If it were before, Lin Sui would definitely reject it without thinking, because he preferred to stay with Gu Nian rather than film any variety shows.

But now…

Lin Sui clicked in and carefully read the variety show content, and sent a message to Silver Fox.

[I’m going]

The other side seemed to be online all the time, and replied instantly.

[Really? That’s great. I’ve always wanted to go to the grassland. I can ride a horse too. I’ll take you for a ride then!]

Lin Sui earnestly replied with “thank you,” and then discovered that the official had already sent him a contract, which was for that variety show.

Lin Sui was a little surprised. He thought that it would be difficult to compete for this spot, and that his chances of applying so late were slim.

So it was this simple.

Lin Sui browsed through it, and after finding nothing wrong, he signed it online. When he received the message that the signing was successful, he exhaled and looked at the familiar city outside the window with complex emotions.

This variety show was a travel variety show. Each episode would invite a few sùrén – amateur/non-celebrity to participate, and the location of the next episode happened to be the grassland.

Lin Sui didn’t know if he was right to escape like this, but he really didn’t have the courage to see Gu Nian for the time being. Going to a remote city was the best method he could think of at the moment.

He would just treat it as a way to relax, and also gather some inspiration for his graduation project. Lin Sui snuggled into the quilt, finding excuses for himself.

The next day, Lin Sui recovered a bit, returned to the hotel, ate a hot meal, and started watching the past episodes of the program.

The popularity of this variety show wasn’t very high, but it had a good national following. Even people who weren’t fans would watch it. It relied on its extremely approachable style.

There was no tension and excitement of common variety shows. Instead, it was very 평단 (píngdàn – ordinary/uneventful) and warm. The resident guests were also a few older people in the entertainment circle. The main activity was for everyone to travel together, and complete some not-too-difficult tasks while experiencing the local customs.

After Lin Sui finished watching, he relaxed and couldn’t help but look forward to it.

The grassland, ah, was a place he had always wanted to go to since his previous life.

Time flew by, and it was the day of filming. Lin Sui was sitting at the airport waiting to board, when a youth with silver hair suddenly sat down beside him.

Silver Fox familiarly patted Lin Sui on the shoulder and said with a smile, “Long time no see. I thought you weren’t coming this time. I’d be so lonely by myself. It’s great to have someone to accompany me now.”

Lin Sui also smiled, “If you hadn’t reminded me, I almost missed it. I’ve always wanted to go to the grassland.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve checked this program. There’s a lot of free time. I’ve been there before, and I’ll definitely take you to have a great time.” Silver Fox patted his chest, and then leaned closer to Lin Sui, mysteriously saying, “But I heard that there will be a special guest on this program, and their status is quite high. The director’s expression was respectful when he mentioned them. Who do you think it will be?”