Chapter 394: Childhood Friendships Must Be Cultivated Early (Extra 3)

An Ziyu tentatively said, “Luoluo, I think basketball is actually pretty fun.”

The joy on her face was unmistakable.

“Ziyu, you like playing basketball?”

An Ziyu thought to himself, “Luoluo must like it if I become that kind of person.”

In truth, he didn’t really like those things, but Luoluo seemed to enjoy them so much that he was willing to change himself into the person she wanted.

For the first time, An Ziyu got into a fight at school.

The reason?

Someone had insulted Luoluo after failing to confess to her.

He was furious and beat the guy up.

An Ziyu couldn’t allow anyone to speak badly about Jiang Luoluo or bully her—not even himself.

The first time he had a wet dream, An Ziyu panicked and rushed his soiled underwear to the bathroom.

Zhou Ruoyun knocked on his door, calling his name.

An Ziyu, pretending to be calm, responded.

After his mom left, he stared at the underwear in a daze.

All he could think about was Luoluo and the way she appeared in his dream.

His face burned with shame, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Dark, buried thoughts broke through the surface, growing uncontrollably.

The jealous, shadowy version of himself that craved Luoluo’s attention felt so unfamiliar.

He began avoiding her.

Even though he missed her terribly, even though late at night he whispered her name in madness, he didn’t want to get any closer.

An Ziyu was scared—afraid that if Luoluo saw this side of him, she’d start to pull away.

So, he worked even harder to become the version of himself that she liked, trying to make friends and becoming more and more exceptional.

When Zhou Ruoyun passed away, An Ziyu’s world nearly collapsed.

He was lost for days until, like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline, he clung to the girl.

An Ziyu said, “Luoluo, you’re all I have left.”

Maybe she didn’t understand the weight of those words, but he knew exactly what they meant.

He had finally become the person Luoluo had wanted.

But more and more eyes were drawn to her, and the darkness inside him continued to fester, unseen.

Jealousy, desire, and possessiveness—the urge to hide her away grew stronger and stronger.

An Ziyu couldn’t hold back any longer.

At the dance, he kissed her.

On the outside, he maintained the image of a gentleman, but in private, every twisted thought was laid bare in the room where all his secrets were hidden.

On Valentine’s Day, a boy accidentally hugged her.

Even though An Ziyu knew it was an accident, he couldn’t control his jealousy.

So, he couldn’t hold back in the equipment room and did something like that again.

What An Ziyu didn’t expect was that this time his identity would be revealed.

The shock only lasted a moment, but he quickly smiled gently.

It didn’t matter.

It didn’t matter that Luoluo knew.

Because he always knew this day would come—it was just a matter of time.

…

Luoluo was dead.

An Ziyu clutched her hand tightly, refusing to let go.

Next to him, Xiao Xueqing cried and said, “Ziyu, Luoluo is gone.”

He lifted his head, his eyes black as night, devoid of any light.

A gentle smile played on his lips.

“Auntie Xiao, Luoluo said she’d get better soon.”

Xiao Xueqing covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Ziyu… don’t be like this.”

An Ziyu’s eyes softened.

He placed a finger to his lips and said, “Shh, Auntie Xiao, Luoluo is tired today. We shouldn’t disturb her.”