Xiao Zexin pressed his lips together, "I’m not worth it for you to do this... Ruyue, go back. When my illness is cured, I’ll come back to find you."

Nangong Ruyue lowered her gaze slightly.

"If it were me, would you go back?"

"That’s different!"

Nangong Ruyue smiled faintly, "What’s different?"

"I’m a man, and you’re a woman!"

A man shouldn’t let his own woman suffer.

He asked her to go back not only because he didn’t want to hurt her, but also because he didn’t want her to suffer here.

Of course, if she were the one sick, he would definitely stay by her side.

He wouldn’t let his woman face the pain alone...

Even though he didn’t say these things, Nangong Ruyue understood.

Her heart felt warm, "Let’s not talk about this anymore. Have you eaten? Join me for a meal."

"I’ve already eaten..."

"Come eat with me, otherwise I can’t eat."

Nangong Ruyue moved closer, and Xiao Zexin quickly took a few steps back, "I came just to tell you to go back. I’ll come find you when I’m better. I’ve said what I needed to say. I should go."

"Leave? I haven’t eaten yet."

"Then hurry and eat, I’m leaving!"

Nangong Ruyue smiled lightly, "Then go ahead."

Xiao Zexin was stunned, unable to take a step forward—

Nangong Ruyue didn’t look at him and turned to walk upstairs.

Chen Fen had just heated up a dish, "Madam, aren’t you eating? Why are you going upstairs again? Come eat!"

"I’m not hungry!" Nangong Ruyue didn’t turn back.

Chen Fen had naturally overheard their conversation.

She ran to block Xiao Zexin’s path.

"Mr. Xiao, madam is your wife after all. Can you bear to see her not eat?"

"..."

"Mr. Xiao, just accompany madam for a meal. It won’t take much of your time. These days, madam hasn’t had an appetite for eating, and if this continues, she will be malnourished."

Xiao Zexin stared at Nangong Ruyue’s back, slightly opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.

Nangong Ruyue was already on the stairs...

Chen Fen went to persuade her, and she said nothing, resolutely continued upstairs without looking back.

He knew better than anyone how stubborn her personality was.

Back then, when she decided to give up Nangong Xu and chose to love him, she really never liked Nangong Xu again.

She was a woman who, once she made a decision, would not change it.

Similarly, for him, she hadn’t spoken for over twenty years, also due to her stubbornness.

If he left like this, she surely wouldn’t eat.

Not only because of her stubbornness, but also because she probably really couldn’t eat...

"Ruyue..."

Xiao Zexin’s mouth reacted faster than his brain and he had already called out to her.

Nangong Ruyue stopped, turned back slowly.

"Let’s go, we’ll eat." He heard himself say again.

Nangong Ruyue’s mouth suddenly curved into a gentle smile.

...

The dining table was round, not very large.

Xiao Zexin sat opposite her, feeling the distance was too close.

The aura from her body, he could feel it intensely.

Chen Fen reheated the dishes and served them both a bowl of rice.

"Sir, madam, please go ahead and eat." Chen Fen said and walked away with a smile.

Xiao Zexin lowered his gaze, his right hand clenched tightly behind his back.

Nangong Ruyue saw him stiffen and her eyes dimmed.

"Relax, I’m just asking you to have a meal with me."

"You eat, I’ve already eaten, I’m not hungry."

"Actually, you haven’t eaten, have you?" Nangong Ruyue said with certainty, "Once you finish eating, you can leave."