Chapter 1283: LUO YAN'S PIECE

LUO YAN fell into a silent contemplation as Su Yuqi's words slowly registered in his brain. He was shocked at first, but once he tried to put himself in Su Yuqi's shoes, he understood why she had arrived at such a decision.

She was simply thinking about their future in a practical way. It was a plain fact that Luo Jin was younger than her. If they were both in their late twenties, a four-year age gap would mean almost nothing. But Luo Jin was seventeen. At that age, a few years represents a vast difference in life experience. It meant he was in a completely different stage of his life, with different priorities and uncertainties. That gap mattered a lot right now. Maybe it mattered a bit too much, at least from Su Yuqi's perspective as the one older.

Just like Su Yuqi had said, what Luo Jin felt so strongly right now might not be what he would feel in a year or two. By stepping back now, she was giving him a simple chance to get out before they got in too deep. It was a choice to end things now, on uncertain but still civil terms, rather than risking a much uglier and more painful separation later on. She was probably trying to save them both from that kind of future heartache. In her own way, she was trying to be selfless.

But it was also a very selfish decision.

It showed that she had little faith in Luo Jin's feelings or his character. Yes, his brother was young, but he wasn't fickle, nor was he someone who took his promises lightly. Luo Jin was serious and stubborn when he cared about something. By making this choice for both of them, she wasn't giving his loyalty a chance to prove itself.

Again, it wasn't like Luo Yan couldn't understand Su Yuqi's decision. In a certain way, he was in a similar situation. His body might be young, but he was much older than Shen Ji Yun in every other way that mattered. Yet, unlike Su Yuqi, he had never seriously considered the idea that what Shen Ji Yun felt for him might only be temporary. Okay, maybe the thought had crossed his mind once or twice. But Shen Ji Yun's clear dedication and steady determination just made it too hard to stay sensible. And, well, it also didn't hurt that he was very attracted to the other.

Luo Yan looked at Su Yuqi. She looked very composed on the surface, but he could see the slight trembling of her fingers as she picked up her small espresso cup. He also noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes that her makeup couldn't completely hide. These small signs showed him she was also very much affected by her own decision.

He let out a long sigh. "You should know that Ah Jin isn't in a good state after your talk. I've only seen him through our video calls, but I can tell he's not doing well at all. He even looks a little thinner."

Su Yuqi looked visibly shaken by that news. A flash of genuine worry quickly etched itself onto her face. But she caught the reaction almost immediately, smoothing her expression back into something more neutral. Then her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Luo Yan.

"Are you guilt tripping me?" she asked in a low voice.

Luo Yan scratched his cheek, a little sheepish. "Okay, I might have exaggerated the 'thin' part a bit," he admitted. "But it's true that Ah Jin really looks like he's had better days."

This time, it was Su Yuqi's turn to let out a long sigh. Her eyes drifted away from Luo Yan, looking down at the dark surface of her espresso. A heavy feeling settled in her chest as she thought about what Luo Jin must be going through right now. The image of him being upset, all because of the choice she made, filled her with a deep sense of guilt. But then she mentally shook her head, pushing the feeling aside. She couldn't let doubt change her mind now. She needed to believe this was for the best for both of them.

"I'm sure he'll get better," she finally said, trying to sound firm, more for herself than for Luo Yan's benefit.

Luo Yan stared at the rigid line of Su Yuqi's jaw. She looked completely decided, as if nothing he could say would change her mind. He could see the firm resolve in her posture. But he still felt he had to say his piece. It's the very least he could do for his younger brother.

"I understand where you're coming from, Sister Yuqi. Our situations are a little similar, when you think about it," he began. "Shen Ji Yun could have made the same decision you did. Not only are we both guys, but I'm also three years younger than him. On top of that, I was in a coma for years. He probably considered all those factors and more. But he still took the risk to be with me. So, I have to ask. Does Sister Yuqi think Brother Ji Yun made the wrong decision by being with me?"

Su Yuqi blinked, clearly surprised by the direction of his logic. Before she could even think of how to respond to that question, he continued speaking instead.

"I know you're thinking of his future, and you believe this is the kindest choice," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But Sister Yuqi, not everything needs to be safe to be worth trying. Feelings are a risk. Shen Ji Yun took that risk with me. Sometimes, letting things happen is the only way to know for sure. If it doesn't work out later, then you both deal with it then. People get hurt and move on. But if you never try because you're afraid of the ending, you also guarantee there will never be a good one."

He paused for a moment before he continued.

"Instead of always wondering what might go wrong, maybe you should just take the chance and see what happens. But if what you feel for him isn't enough to make that gamble... then maybe this really is for the best."

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