Chapter 105: Asthma
On the giant promotional poster, Ren Yun Shen sat before a piano, her black hair cascading over her shoulders and her long dress trailing on the floor. In her glance back, she quietly gazed at the city from the painting, her entire being ethereal and elegant, like a celestial being who had accidentally descended into the mortal world.
Italy—Bonn—Paris—Birmingham—Austria—Singapore.
The final stop of Princess of Piano Ren Yun Shen's world tour: Liaocheng, China.
"Secret 'Whispers'—Let the Notes Speak to You." This was the slogan on the poster, and the theme of Yun Shen's concert was indeed called "Whispers."
She was back.
After traversing more than half the globe and traveling through most of the world, she had returned to where it all began.
"It's Yun Shen," Ruan Yu said.
Teng Hao didn't respond, nor did his expression change. But the moment he heard Yun Shen's name, his eyes lowered, and he averted his gaze.
"Let's go," Teng Hao said, his voice slightly hoarse.
Ruan Yu could feel it—his mood had shifted dramatically, from the lush vitality of spring to the biting cold of winter, all in that instant.
Could it be that, after all this time, he still hadn't let go of Yun Shen's abrupt farewell back then?
On the way back, Teng Hao turned to look out the window, silent.
The city's lights flickered in a kaleidoscope of colors, and Teng Hao sat rigidly at the boundary between light and darkness, his desolation faintly visible.
Ruan Yu kept glancing at the man beside her, unsure of what to say to break the silence. The journey suddenly felt unbearably long.
When the car arrived at Jinting, Ruan Yu got out first.
She and the driver went around to the back seat, intending to help Teng Hao out together, but he waved them off.
"I don't need help."
No sooner had he spoken than his hand missed its grip, nearly causing him to fall out of the car.
"Careful!" Ruan Yu and the driver both grabbed Teng Hao's arm.
Teng Hao steadied himself and didn't fall, but his expression was even more troubled than if he had.
"Looks like you were right to insist on sending me home, Top Scholar," he said, forcing a smile at Ruan Yu.
"Of course, you little brat."
"No one at DT dares to talk to me like that."
"Well, I'm not a DT employee, so I'm not afraid of you."
"At least don't call me a little brat—save me some face," Teng Hao said, glancing at the driver to remind Ruan Yu that there was an outsider present.
"Yes, yes, President Teng."
The driver helped Teng Hao into his wheelchair.
Ruan Yu stepped forward and pushed him inside.
This time, Teng Hao didn't refuse.
The house was brightly lit, and as soon as they entered, they were greeted by a rich, tangy, spicy aroma—someone was cooking.
Teng Yi?
Had he learned to cook?
Just as Ruan Yu was wondering, a woman suddenly emerged from the kitchen.
She had curly hair and wore an apron, looking every bit the homemaker.
It was her.
The mixed-race beauty who had been intimate with Teng Yi at the nameless bar.
"Hey! Teng Hao! You're back!" The woman waved at Teng Hao, then paused when she saw Ruan Yu behind him, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Oh? Is this your—"
"No," Teng Hao cut in.
"Then who is she?"
Before Teng Hao could introduce Ruan Yu, the woman recognized her.
"Oh, I know you! That famous TV host! What was it... something 'fish'?"
"Ruan Yu," Ruan Yu introduced herself.
"Oh, right, right! Hello. I'm Rui Shu." Rui Shu extended her hand to Ruan Yu."Hello." Ruan Yu shook her hand.
"I heard from Teng Yi that you recorded a show together today, right?"
"Yes."
"How did it go? Smoothly?"
"Very smoothly."
"That’s great!"
Rui Shu naturally exuded a bright, sunny energy. If they were just friends, she would undoubtedly be a very pleasant person to be around. But now, in this household, Ruan Yu couldn’t comfortably enjoy her cheerfulness and warmth.
"Where’s my brother?" Teng Hao asked.
"He went upstairs to change! He should be down soon." Rui Shu turned and pointed toward the kitchen. "I’m making a stew. Have you eaten yet? If not, join us."
"We’ve eaten, thank you." Ruan Yu glanced at Teng Hao. "You should go rest. I’ll head back now."
"Alright."
As Ruan Yu turned to leave, a small white bundle suddenly leaped off the sofa and brushed against her pant leg, clinging to her.
It was a Persian cat.
Instinctively, Ruan Yu sidestepped away.
"Mimi!" Ruan Shu called out. "Move! Auntie is leaving!"
The cat named Mimi didn’t budge, still pressing close to Ruan Yu.
With the sofa behind her, Ruan Yu had nowhere else to retreat. She covered her mouth and nose, her body breaking out in a cold sweat from tension.
"Looks like Mimi really likes you," Rui Shu said with a smile.
"I—"
Ruan Yu’s breathing suddenly became labored. A suffocating tightness gripped her chest, nearly choking her.
"I—" Ruan Yu clutched the sofa, slowly sinking to the floor.
"Top Scholar!" Teng Hao shouted. "What’s wrong?"
Rui Shu, standing nearby, was also terrified.
"What’s happening? What’s going on?" She wanted to reach out and steady Ruan Yu but, unsure of the cause, hesitated to touch her.
Ruan Yu couldn’t answer. Her breathing grew increasingly strained, her chest tight and wheezing, as if she were being smothered.
Teng Yi happened to come downstairs just then. The moment he saw Ruan Yu collapsed by the sofa, his expression darkened. He quickened his pace, rushing to her side in a few strides.
"Ruan Yu!"
It was the first time he had called her name since their reunion.
Teng Yi dropped to one knee, gripping her shoulders and pulling her into his arms.
"What’s wrong?" His voice was laced with barely restrained panic.
Ruan Yu gasped, unable to speak. She leaned into Teng Yi’s embrace, clutching his sleeve tightly.
"Asthma?" Teng Yi guessed based on her symptoms.
Ruan Yu managed a weak nod, then weakly pointed at the cat beside her.
"Is Top Scholar allergic to cat hair?" Teng Hao nudged Rui Shu. "Take the cat away, quick!"
Realizing, Rui Shu scooped up the cat and dashed into the kitchen, shutting the door behind her. Though both she and the cat were now far from Ruan Yu, her condition didn’t improve.
"Bro, what do we do?" Teng Hao was frantic, but in his wheelchair, he couldn’t help.
Teng Yi’s face was grim as he wordlessly lifted Ruan Yu and strode toward the door.
"Bro!"
"I’m taking her to the hospital!"
With that, he didn’t look back.
He carried Ruan Yu all the way to his car—no longer the low-slung coupe of his youth but a spacious, rugged Mercedes G500.
Once inside, Teng Yi leaned over to adjust the passenger seat, positioning her for easier breathing. But it did little to ease her distress."Mmm..."
Ruan Yu's eyes were moist as she gazed at Teng Yi, her breath coming in short gasps.
She was truly afraid—if anything happened to her, she wouldn’t even have the chance to say her final words to him.
Teng Yi swiftly started the car, which roared like a wild beast before lurching out of the estate.
With one hand gripping the steering wheel, he reached over with the other and clasped Ruan Yu’s hand tightly.
In the darkness, the sharp contours of his profile resembled ice carved by the wind, yet his voice carried a long-lost gentleness.
"Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you."
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