Chapter 128 - 126 The Sudden Disappearance of Chen Xin

Words : 1256 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

"No matter what you say, Lan, I’m not going to the official shelter." Chen Xin avoided Qin Lan’s gaze and still chose to refuse. "Xin!" Qin Lan felt a surge of frustration. She was already familiar with Chen Xin’s stubborn nature, but she never expected that even in such matters, he would still be so obstinate: "Can’t you just listen to me for once? You’re all alone here, and if something happens, no one would even know if you died!" As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Lan immediately regretted them. They were unnecessarily hurtful. However, just as she was about to remedy the situation, Chen Xin raised a hand to stop her: "Lan, there’s no need to say more. I understand your good intentions, but... I really don’t want to go to the official shelter. Just assume I’m unwilling to part with the refuge I’ve painstakingly created. If I’m truly destined to die here, then let this place serve as my grave." "Xin..." Qin Lan wanted to persuade him further, but Chen Xin clearly wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation. Chen Xin shook his head, stood up, and picked up his clothes: "Lan, you sleep inside tonight. There’s an electric blanket on the bed, don’t catch a cold." Saying that, he walked into the bedroom, brought out a quilt, and also took out the electric heater originally placed in the bedroom. Seeing Qin Lan still sitting naked on the sofa, Chen Xin sighed at her: "Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really tired now. Can you let me sleep?" Chen Xin’s words made Qin Lan feel a wave of irritation, but she contained her emotions, picked up her clothes from the sofa with a hint of anger, and walked into Chen Xin’s bedroom. Watching the door slam shut with a "bang," Chen Xin scratched his cheek and felt utterly helpless. After putting his clothes back on and pulling out the sofa to make it into a bed, only then did Chen Xin lie down again. This sofa could be pulled out to turn into a single bed. Chen Xin hadn’t really expected it to fulfill this function, yet now it had genuinely become his bed. Though he had just told Qin Lan he was going to sleep, in reality, Chen Xin wasn’t the least bit sleepy at this moment. "Ah~!" He let out a long sigh, feeling that there truly was a discord between him and Qin Lan. The reason they broke up back then was the same. Qin Lan believed she was doing what was best for Chen Xin, considering his interests. However, Chen Xin preferred to choose what he liked. When neither could agree, it naturally led to quarrels. If only one of them were willing to take a step back, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many issues. But neither Chen Xin nor Qin Lan were the type to back down. When two strong-willed people clash, it only leads to more conflicts, eventually resulting in a breakup. Of course, Chen Xin understood Qin Lan was looking out for him, but sometimes, people’s choices aren’t necessarily what is best for them. It’s like everyone knows drinking too much soda is bad for health, but who can resist the joy brought by soda and chips? Moreover, for the current Chen Xin, staying in his self-made refuge was undoubtedly the best option, due to his unique circumstances. But this was something he couldn’t explain to Qin Lan. Thus, it became inevitable for Chen Xin to refuse Qin Lan’s good intentions. In this matter, as long as Qin Lan was willing to compromise and move in to live with Chen Xin, all problems could be resolved. However, both knew that wasn’t possible, just as it was impossible for Chen Xin to move to the official shelter. Turning over, Chen Xin’s feelings for Qin Lan and his attraction to her body made it difficult to let go of this woman who used to be his girlfriend, yet he couldn’t abandon everything he had for her. The overwhelming emotions and thoughts caused Chen Xin to toss and turn, leading to complete insomnia. ———————————————— Outside the door, Chen Xin couldn’t sleep; inside, Qin Lan was no different. If Chen Xin couldn’t let go of her, how could she let go of Chen Xin? "Damn you, Chen Xin! Why can’t you just listen to me for once!" Qin Lan pounded her fist on the pillow, feeling utterly frustrated with Chen Xin’s stubbornness. If she didn’t love him dearly, why would she go out of her way to come and persuade him like this? But beneath her frustration, Qin Lan still couldn’t let go of her feelings for Chen Xin. "Forget it. If you were so easily persuaded, you wouldn’t be you." Qin Lan shook her head helplessly, inhaled the scent of Chen Xin on the pillow and bedding, and buried her face in the pillow filled with his smell, deciding to persuade him again tomorrow. A whole night passed without a word. The next morning, when Qin Lan opened her eyes, she had calmed down and reminded herself to control her temper and have a good talk with Chen Xin today. However, when she got dressed and came out of the bedroom, the living room sofa was already devoid of Chen Xin’s presence. The meticulously folded blanket and the breakfast on the coffee table indicated Chen Xin had gotten up early. She walked over to the coffee table, touched the breakfast, and found that it was still warm, causing a warmth to flow through her heart. "At least you remembered to make me breakfast. You do have a conscience," she snorted before heading to the bathroom to wash up. Despite the limited supplies, Chen Xin had still placed a new toothbrush and towel on the washbasin. Seeing that Chen Xin had prepared everything, a nostalgic look appeared in Qin Lan’s eyes. In the past, when she was with Chen Xin, he would always prepare everything for her, taking care of her meticulously without her needing to worry about her lifestyle. But those days were gone. With a sigh, Qin Lan picked up the toothbrush and began her morning routine. Yet, after finishing her wash and breakfast, she still didn’t see any sign of Chen Xin upon coming out of the living room. This left Qin Lan extremely puzzled and also flooded her heart with concern, prompting her to search for Chen Xin’s presence. However, he wasn’t in the storeroom, the greenhouse, or the utility room. Qin Lan searched every corner of Chen Xin’s refuge but couldn’t find him anywhere. Growing anxious, she dashed towards the refuge entrance along the corridor, fearing that Chen Xin might have left to avoid seeing her. Yet, the refuge’s main door was tightly shut, exactly as she left it yesterday. Even after she opened several doors and rushed outside the refuge, Chen Xin was nowhere to be seen, nor were there any footprints indicating his departure. "Xin!" Qin Lan called out loudly while staring into the darkness outside, her heart sinking lower and lower. Where could Chen Xin have gone? It was truly inexplicable and baffling to Qin Lan that he could disappear from his own refuge. Without any footprints at the entrance, could Chen Xin have vanished into thin air? Qin Lan weakly knelt at the entrance of Chen Xin’s refuge. The cold wind whipped across her body, chilling her to the bone and deepening the despair in her heart.

Chapter 128 - 126 The Sudden Disappearance of Chen Xin

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