Only by experiencing death once can one truly understand the value of life.
However, most people never get this opportunity. Impulse is a devil, and life rarely offers second chances.
Shu Yunyi clung tightly to Shen Yi, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath, her palms damp with cold sweat.
Her hands were clenched so tightly, as if letting go would send her plummeting into an abyss.
She had thought she wasn’t afraid of death, that she had nothing to care about, so she had jumped without hesitation.
But when her body was truly suspended in mid-air, an overwhelming instinct for survival filled her with terror and regret.
Shu Yunyi steadied her breathing and looked at Shen Yi, whose face was twisted with anger. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“You came…”
“How can you still smile?!”
*Slap!*
Unable to hold back, Shen Yi struck her across the face.
Shu Yunyi’s head snapped to the side, a few strands of hair sticking to her lips.
“Are you out of your mind?!”
“How could you do this?!”
Shen Yi was furious, no longer caring about their teacher-student relationship or the past they shared. He grabbed her collar and shouted at her.
Shu Yunyi was like mud that couldn’t be molded, a fool who chose to escape reality.
What angered Shen Yi the most was how little she valued her own life.
First, she drank herself to the brink of death, and now she had tried to end her life altogether.
If Shen Yi hadn’t turned back halfway, sensing something was wrong, Shu Yunyi would already be a corpse.
Shu Yunyi touched the side of her face, still stinging from the slap. Shen Yi hadn’t held back, and her cheek burned.
Without brushing so close to death, how could one appreciate the beauty of life?
The pain made her feel vividly alive, dispelling the dark clouds that had loomed over her. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Shen Yi.
Seeing her like this, Shen Yi felt he had been too harsh. But his anger had been too overwhelming, and he couldn’t bring himself to apologize just yet. Instead, he changed the subject.
“Why are you looking at me like that? I’ve already asked Shi Jing to notify your mother. Once she gets here, we’ll see how you explain…”
“Mmm…”
Before Shen Yi could finish, Shu Yunyi stood on her tiptoes and silenced him with her lips.
All the complicated emotions were swallowed by the softness of her kiss.
Her lips were warm, smooth, and tender, like velvet petals.
Shu Yunyi wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, closing her eyes as if trying to merge herself into Shen Yi’s body.
After what felt like an eternity, they parted.
Shu Yunyi had never been this forward before. Flushed with embarrassment, she couldn’t bring herself to look at Shen Yi.
After composing herself, she lowered her head and said earnestly,
“I’ll quit drinking.”
Shen Yi, momentarily forgetting he had just been kissed, placed his hands on her shoulders and asked,
“You… you’re willing to quit drinking?”
“Yes.”
“Starting today, I’ll quit drinking.”
Shu Yunyi wasn’t acting on impulse. Though her words were light, she had made the decision after careful thought.
“Good, that’s good.”
Relieved, Shen Yi finally let out a deep breath. He gently touched her still-red cheek.
“Does it still hurt?”
“No, it’s fine now.”
Shu Yunyi shook her head. Understanding Shen Yi’s intentions, she couldn’t blame him.
By then, Shu’s Mother and Shi Jing had arrived in the middle of the night, having rushed over after receiving Shu Yunyi’s alarming message.
[Shu’s Mother, worried sick, had traveled a long distance to see her daughter. Relieved to find her safe, she collapsed to the floor.]
[After the life-and-death crisis, mother and daughter reconciled, holding each other and crying. Shi Jing hurriedly tried to comfort and console them.]
[After a while, Shu’s Mother wiped her tears and stopped trembling with fear. The two women huddled together, speaking softly.]
[Shu’s Mother had noticed the intimate moment between Shen Yi and Shu Yunyi when she arrived. Being of an older generation, she took Shu Yunyi aside and questioned whether she was “robbing the cradle.”]
[Shu Yunyi, embarrassed, swatted her mother’s hand away and walked off to sweep up the broken glass on the floor.]
[After learning what had happened, Shu’s Mother approached Shen Yi and thanked him sincerely.]
[Shen Yi modestly declined the praise, refusing to take credit.]
[Shi Jing, now aware of the truth, widened her eyes in a mix of shock and admiration, giving Shen Yi a discreet thumbs-up.]
[The drama finally came to an end. Fortunately, it hadn’t spread beyond the small apartment, and everything was resolved quietly.]
Shen Yi took a deep breath, slowly exhaling as he returned to the present. His teacher was truly a handful.
The situation had been spiraling out of control, and they had nearly parted on bad terms.
Sensing something was wrong, Shen Yi had used 1 strategy point to gain some free time and rushed back.
It was the right decision—otherwise, he wouldn’t have arrived just in time.
If Shu Yunyi had truly jumped, not only would the simulation have failed, but it would have been another tragedy.
Thankfully, the rescue was timely, and things had taken a positive turn, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
The two simulation sessions had passed quickly. Looking out the window, Shen Yi realized it was almost evening again. His stomach growled, but he had no time to eat. Steadying himself, he continued to focus on the simulation.
[In the days that followed, you officially became involved in Shu Yunyi’s alcohol cessation plan.]
[There are many ways to quit drinking, such as medication or inpatient treatment, but these methods often have significant side effects and can harm the body. So, you decided to help her quit at home.]
[Shu Yunyi was determined this time, promising to fully cooperate with your plan without complaint.]
[Shu’s Mother, now aware of your special relationship, didn’t say much and fully supported your efforts.]
[You began by cleaning up Shu Yunyi’s living environment, as a good environment is essential for physical and mental well-being.]
[You opened the curtains, allowing sunlight to flood the once-dark corner of the room, illuminating everything.]
[First, you cleared out the countless bottles of alcohol that had nearly taken over the apartment. Then, you began a thorough cleaning.]
[Shu Yunyi tried to help, but despite her seemingly healthy appearance, she was physically weak. Just a little exertion left her drenched in sweat.]
[Years of excessive drinking and a lack of exercise had left her body soft and lacking strength, putting her in a state of suboptimal health.]
[Alcohol tends to cause weight gain, but thanks to her naturally fast metabolism, she hadn’t become obese—yet.]
[After a day of hard work, the apartment was completely transformed.]
[The room was spotless, with clean windows and a well-organized space. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains, and the warm light bathed the room in a golden glow.]
[The cleanliness was a feast for the eyes, and the soft light brought a sense of peace and comfort.]
[Leaning on the mop, you nodded in satisfaction. Compared to the gloomy environment before, this now felt like a real home.]
[Shu Yunyi, who had been smiling the whole time, handed you a towel as soon as you stopped.]