I’ve got no appetite for breakfast, and napping’s not my thing either.

I just sit there on the couch, staring into space like a zombie.

That dizziness from waking up creeps back in.

In a foggy haze, I feel this heat all over—guess I’ve got a high fever.

With my severe pheromone disorder, fevers like this are pretty much routine for me.

I dig out my old meds and pop two, but for some reason, they’re not working like they used to.

After downing three times the dose with no improvement, I call my buddy and doctor.

He rushes over, finds me passed out in the living room, and gets me to the hospital.

I don’t know how long it’s been when I come to again.

Seeing me stir, Xu Chen leans in to check my forehead.

Memories from before I blacked out flood back, and I mumble a thanks.

“Popping that many pills at once—impressive you still had the energy to call me,” he teases with a smirk. “Next time, just ring the funeral home—faster process that way.”

I crack a grin. “How about you recommend one?”

He rolls his eyes. “No joking around—this condition drags on, and I can’t promise you’ll make it past thirty.”

I do a quick mental calculation.

Maybe before I even hit thirty, this hollow marriage with Lin Yuji will be done for.

“Fair enough,” I say lightly. “Saves me two years of misery.”

Xu Chen’s smile fades. He grabs my collar, teeth grinding audibly. “What the hell are you spouting?!”

After his outburst, he pauses, straightens up, and out of nowhere asks, “Ayi, heard Fang Zhiyu’s back in the country?”

My throat tightens. “Yeah.”

He hesitates, then speaks slowly, “If those two pick up where they left off, can you think about yourself for once, please?”

Even my own friend thinks they’ll get back together…

A dull ache throbs in my chest.

I steady myself and keep listening, eyes down.

“I know I, Xu Chen, don’t mean much to you, Shen Ayi—nothing to make you stick around.”

“But even if I beg, can you just… care about yourself a little?”

I drop the fake easygoing smile.

I sigh, “Xu Chen, you’re my longtime buddy—don’t say you’re nothing.”

After a standoff, I give in. “Fine, I’ll go with your treatment plan.”

Gotta stay alive to figure out the rest, right?

Seeing Xu Chen light up with excitement over my answer, I start thinking this might just be the right call.