Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind

Qiao Chuchu snapped back to reality, brushing it off casually: "It's nothing, my skin is thick. A little redness won't hurt."

She grabbed his arm: "Lean on me. I'll help you up—don't fall."

Shi Yu nodded and slowly stood, only for his vision to darken, sending him crashing into Qiao Chuchu and stumbling into the bathroom!

Qiao Chuchu, caught off guard, frantically wrapped her arms around Shi Yu, pinning him against the wall!

Shi Yu winced: "Mmph!"

Qiao Chuchu broke into a cold sweat: "Are you okay?!"

Dizzy and disoriented, Shi Yu shook his head and looked down at her.

Her arms held him firmly against the wall—like a shorter person attempting to "wall-slam" someone taller.

His deep eyes darkened as his hand slowly lifted, hovering behind her waist.

Almost ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍as if embracing her.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned in, inhaling her scent: "Thank you for protecting me, Miss Qiao."

Qiao Chuchu exhaled in relief: "As long as you're fine."

"I am. This is normal for me." Shi Yu’s hand settled on her waist, pressing lightly. "You’ve saved me twice now, Miss Qiao. I don’t even know how to repay you."

Qiao Chuchu pulled away, picking up the fallen crutch: "Don’t talk about repayment. I didn’t do much. It’s just… we’re tied together somehow, like we’re shackled. It’s suffocating."

Shi Yu took the crutch, mulling over her words.

Shackled together?

His gaze dropped, melancholy creeping in: "Earlier, I mentioned wanting to live with you—paying rent, sharing a space. You refused, didn’t you?"

Qiao Chuchu hesitated, apologetic: "Yes. I don’t think we should be bound like this. I have my own life to focus on."

Shi Yu’s eyes dimmed: "I understand. I know my approach was presumptuous. To you, my intentions must seem impure, so your rejection is justified."

"But I meant every word."

"Being with you, Miss Qiao… it gives me strength. And it’s addictive."

He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with her: "Deep down, I feel this dependence on you—on your very existence—will grow into something deeper."

Qiao Chuchu froze, his earnestness pressing down on her like an invisible weight.

She shook her head: "I’m sorry. My decision stands."

Shi Yu paled: "No matter what?"

"*No matter what.*"

His shoulders slumped: "Alright."

Qiao Chuchu turned to leave, the air suddenly too heavy: "I should go."

Shi Yu’s voice was hollow: "Okay…"

Her chest tightened as she hurried downstairs.

[Ugh… What a mess.]

[Rejecting someone like Shi Yu feels like kicking a stranded seal—if I don’t leave fast, I’ll lose my resolve!]

Shi Yu gripped his crutch, watching Qiao Chuchu’s retreating figure before glancing at the staircase. A flicker of determination flashed in his eyes.

A deafening *crash* echoed behind her!

Qiao Chuchu whirled around—just in time to see Shi Yu tumbling down the stairs!

She shrieked like a boiling kettle: "AHHH!!! SEAL—I MEAN, SHI YU!!!"

He landed on the landing, face ashen, the crutch clattering onto his stomach.

Qiao Chuchu sprinted over in her heels, shoving the crutch aside: "How did you fall?!"

Yun Sui and Grandpa Shi rushed in, horrified: "Shi Yu!!"

Shen Zhuoyan, having just straightened his suit, strode upstairs toward the commotion.

Ji Yanchuan staggered out, hair disheveled, lips bruised: "D-don’t you *dare* walk away! I can still fight! So what if I lost to Qiao Chuchu?! You think I can’t take *you*?!"

Within seconds, the landing was crowded.

Qiao Chuchu crouched beside Shi Yu, noticing his twisted left foot.

Her expression darkened: "Your foot’s fractured."

Yun Sui burst into tears: "Shi Yu, why didn’t you call for help? Grandma could’ve assisted you!"

Grandpa Shi remained calm: "Call an ambulance! Now!"

A housemaid rushed off.

Shi Yu, trembling, weakly reached for Qiao Chuchu.

Baffled, she took his hand.

Gritting through the pain, he addressed his family with forced bravery: "Don’t call an ambulance. Medicine doesn’t work on me anymore. Just let me die."

Yun Sui and Grandpa Shi froze, tears streaming: "Shi Yu, don’t say that! We’ll get you the best treatment—you *will* recover! You can’t leave us behind! You’re all we have!"

Shi Yu squeezed Qiao Chuchu’s hand, gazing at her with heartbreaking tenderness: "Miss Qiao, thank you for coming today. I know wasting your time on a dying man was selfish of me."

"But…"

He smiled weakly: "This will likely be our last meeting."

Qiao Chuchu: "?"

His eyes grew distant: "The next time you hear my name… it’ll be news of my death. And I… I’m honored to have seen you one final time."

Yun Sui wailed: "Shi Yu, stop this! You’re killing your grandmother!"

Grandpa Shi wiped sweat from Shi Yu’s brow, voice breaking: "Hush, child. You’ll pull through. You *have* to!"

Shi Yu shook his head slowly: "I know my time is short."

His fingers interlaced with Qiao Chuchu’s, his gaze lingering on their joined hands: "I’ll cherish this moment… forever."

Qiao Chuchu’s disbelief morphed into irritation, her chest heavy.

She leaned in, her whisper laced with steel: "Tell me the truth, Shi Yu. Did you *plan* this fall?"

He stiffened.

Her breath was hot against his ear: "You know I don’t like you, right? You know this won’t change anything?!"

Shi Yu shuddered, fingers tightening around hers.

She squeezed back, a silent threat: "*Answer me.*"

A tremor ran through him. His frail facade shattered as he whispered: "I… I did it on purpose. I wanted your pity."

Qiao Chuchu exhaled, resigned: "Let’s go to the hospital."

Shi Yu peeked at her: "Alone?"

She yanked her hand free: "*I’ll* take you. And pack your things—you’re moving in with me. We’ll settle rent and expenses later."

Shen Zhuoyan: "?"

Ji Yanchuan, swaying: "?"

Shi Yu’s face lit up: "You mean it?!"

Qiao Chuchu deadpanned: "I mean it."

Shi Yu bolted upright, grabbing Grandpa Shi’s hands in delight: "Grandpa, have someone pack my bags! I’m moving in with Miss Qiao! *I’m moving in with Miss Qiao!*"