Ah Fei looked at Zhang Yiran, his eyes soft with sorrow. Three weeks had passed - and the Zhang Yiran who once stood tall, radiating such quiet strength, seemed to have vanished into thin air. All that remained was a hollow shell, his gaze distant and empty, as though his soul had already wandered far away.
"Senior Zhang... let me help you get cleaned up."
Ah Fei spoke softly, undoing the buttons of Zhang Yiran's shirt one by one. The man remained perfectly still, allowing himself to be cared for, as if he no longer had the will to respond to anyone.
Ah Fei dipped a cloth into warm water, wrung it out gently, and wiped Zhang Yiran's skin with the utmost tenderness. Day after day, he never faltered - bathing him, feeding him, holding him close through the long, quiet nights.
"There... all nice and fresh now."
He smiled as he finished. Today, he had made up his mind: Zhang Yiran wouldn't heal if he stayed locked within these four walls. It was time to bring him out.
Ah Fei opened the wardrobe and rummaged through it until he found what he was looking for. He held up a bright pink sweater, a playful, mischievous smile tugging at his lips. He knew perfectly well it was the colour Zhang Yiran despised most.
"If you don't like it... take it off yourself."
He whispered, dressing him in it anyway, his grin growing bolder - anything, just to draw some kind of reaction.
Zhang Yiran said nothing. Did nothing. So Ah Fei dressed him head to toe in pink, completely unrepentant.
"There. All done. You look so cute like this. Why do you hate this colour so much? But whatever..."
Satisfied, he wheeled the chair over to the bedside.
"Now... time to -"
Ah Fei tried to lift him - then groaned, lowering him gently back onto the bed.
"Urghhh... what have you been eating to get this heavy? Hah..."
He groaned, rubbing his aching back. But it didn't take long before he headed to the door. Two guards stood outside, keeping watch.
"Excuse me... could I ask for a little help?"
Ah Fei smiled sweetly. Since the explosion at the harbour, he seemed the only one still bright and unshaken - not because he felt nothing, but because he had long since learned to wear cheerfulness as a shield. As long as he kept smiling, everything would be all right.
The two guards stepped inside.
"Please help me lift Senior Zhang into the wheelchair. I want to take him for a walk around the garden."
They exchanged glances, then nodded and lifted him carefully. Still no response from Zhang Yiran. The guards looked at one another again - then placed their trust in Ah Fei.
"We're all set. Would you like us to come along?"
Ah Fei shook his head. He wanted this time to be just for the two of them.
"Very well. But please contact us immediately if anything arises."
They were right to be cautious. After what had happened to Ru Yi's vessel, no one could be too careful. There might still be others out there.
Ah Fei nodded. Ruan Xi and Chen Lian Hua had stationed their people everywhere. Everyone was keeping a close watch - especially with Bo Ya still unconscious and Ru Yi still recovering.
He pushed the wheelchair slowly and carefully. Whenever they came to steps, he asked nearby guards for a hand.
When they reached the garden, he came to a stop. He locked the brakes right in front of the gazebo - their gazebo, the very place where they had spent so many afternoons together. A tea set was already laid out; Ah Fei had asked Lulu to prepare it before they set off.
He poured Zhang Yiran's favourite - oolong tea, with two brown sugar cubes - and held the cup gently to his lips.
"Your favourite."
He whispered, kneeling before him. Slowly, spoonful by spoonful, he fed him. Zhang Yiran swallowed. Ah Fei smiled, gently dabbing his lips with a napkin.
He straightened the blanket over Zhang Yiran's legs, his smile never fading. He always tried to stay bright - especially in front of Zhang Yiran.
"Everything will be alright,"
He said, gazing gently at Zhang Yiran's face. But Zhang Yiran gave nothing. No sign. No spark. Ah Fei turned away and walked toward Fantuan's little house nearby, searching for something - anything - to hold onto.
"Fantuan... are you in there?"
Empty. The cat was gone - off exploring the island, perhaps.
Ah Fei sank down beside the little house, trying to gather his thoughts. It felt impossible - talking to someone who wouldn't answer. If this went on much longer, he might break too.
His eyes burned. His chest ached. Everything he had clung to was crumbling - and he did not know how to save it.
"Ah Fei? What are you doing there?"
He looked up. Lulu stood beside Zhang Yiran, watching him gently.
"Lulu..."
Ah Fei's voice broke. The tears finally fell. He ran over and clung to Lulu, small and trembling, every bit of his strength gone.
Lulu held him gently, stroking his hair. He understood - Ah Fei had been carrying it all by himself, smiling through everything, telling everyone the sun would shine again. But deep down, he was still just a boy.
"It will be alright. Senior Zhang will recover. Uncle Bo Ya will wake. And Ru Yi... there will be a way. I promise."
Lulu pulled back, holding Ah Fei's shoulders. His smile was sad but steady.
"We must be strong. For them. So they have something - someone - to come back to."
Ah Fei nodded, wiping his eyes and forcing a bright, brave smile - just as he always did. He went back to Zhang Yiran and pulled out his phone.
"Come on - let's take a photo. For the memory. It's not every day you get to see Senior Zhang in all pink!"
Lulu smiled, relieved. They leaned in together, grinning for the camera - a keepsake, and a quiet promise: I'll wait. I'll tease you back to life. You won't be alone.