Pristine Darkness

Chapter 56

With this chapter, we reach the end of Volume 1. Our Scooby Team is split up; Bo Jinyan takes his leave in a manner entirely in keeping with his personality (poor Jian Yao), while An Yan's moment with Gu Fangfang is much more hopeful, and provides some light-hearted humour. It's a sombre end to Volume 1, but Ding Mo also builds anticipation for the next story arc by possibly indicating who the 'Big Bad' might just be . . . .

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Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Anks

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A thin strip of white gauze covered Bo Jinyan's eyes.

Sitting by his side, Jian Yao stretched out her hand to touch him, but put it down again.

"Would you like some more porridge?" she asked softly.

"No need," he said in a mild tone.

Jian Yao nodded, then realised he could not see her. Gently, she eased him back so that he was lying down on the bed.

A sudden thought flashed into her head. If everything was as normal, at this time, he would be reading.

Would you like me to read to you? The words were on her lips, but she simply could not utter them.

Thus, the two of them sat like that, in silence. She could not see his eyes, so she did not know what he was thinking. The hands were only a foot apart, but it suddenly felt as if they were separated by a multitude of people.

"Jinyan . . . would you like to go outside for a walk?" she asked.

Bo Jinyan turned his head.

Outside the window of the ward, the sound of voices could be heard, as well as the chirping of small birds.

"No need," he said gently.

Jian Yao abruptly felt an immense weight of sadness. She did not want him to notice, so she hurriedly said, "I'm going to the washroom."

"Ok."

Silence once again filled the room.

Bo Jinyan raised his head slightly. Indeed, the sensation of darkness was marvellous. Because of the darkness, people's hearts would actually become flustered and helpless, because no matter which direction one looked, no matter which direction one walked, it was impossible to figure out whether the next step would lead to a bottomless abyss.

He lay very quietly, by himself, for five minutes.

He was finally unable to tolerate it any further. He grabbed the blanket by his side and threw it from him forcefully.

His pale face shone with a faint sheen of sweat, and also held a tinge of green.

This was the scene that Jian Yao beheld when she walked through the door holding a cup of tea. She immediately put it down, ran to his side and clutched his hands tightly. "Jinyan, everything's ok . . . take it easy."

The tension in Bo Jinyan's face eased momentarily. It was as if he was unable to lose his temper when she was around. He did not say anything, and only turned his head to face the window.

"Yeah," he said, in a very low voice.

Jian Yao held his hands wordlessly.

She did not realise she would have to face his pitiful and sorry condition.

Bo Jinyan, this person, was both pitiful and uncommunicative.

Later, when the meal arrived, Jian Yao patiently and meticulously fed him, spoonful by spoonful.