“Lily, I’m so sorry!”
It was Jake!
How could it be him?!
She never expected him to be the only one to visit her!
But really, who else would come to see her?
Did she think those people would suddenly have a change of heart?
This fool, apologizing to her—she was the one who should be saying sorry!
“Lily, why are you so foolish?”
Yes, she was the biggest fool in the world!
Blind to the truth!
Time and again, she pushed away those who truly loved her, mistaking the wolves for family!
How else could she have ended up in this situation?!
But what about him?
Wasn’t he foolish too?
She had misunderstood him repeatedly, hurt him, yet he still silently gave so much for her!
She didn’t deserve it!
Lily stepped closer to Jake, wanting to see him one last time.
After this, she would have to leave, no matter how reluctant she felt.
“Lily…”
“Jake!”
Lily stared at Jake in shock!
His face was streaked with tears!
Jake… he was crying?!
She hadn’t seen him cry since he was five!
In her memories, he always wore a cold expression, distant from everyone.
She had always thought he was heartless, that nothing mattered to him!
Instinctively, Lily raised her hand to wipe away Jake’s tears.
Just then, Jake lowered his gaze, and in that moment, their eyes met. Lily froze!
Jake’s eyes were filled with deep regret and… love!
Love?!
He loved her?!
Yes, if he didn’t love her deeply, how could he tolerate her? How could he do so much for her?
“Lily, you’re such a big fool! A silly pig! Come back to me! Come back, do you hear me?”
Jake pounded on the gravestone in front of him, shouting angrily, yet his fingers brushed over the black-and-white photo with such tenderness.
“Come back! Please, Lily! Lily…”
He gradually quieted down, sliding down to sit in front of the gravestone, curling up like a helpless child, calling her name in a heart-wrenching manner!
Lily watched all of this, tears streaming down her face.
“Yes, I’m the big fool! The silly pig!”
Wiping her tears away, Lily slowly crouched down, reaching out to embrace Jake, but her arms passed right through him!
She had no regrets about jumping from the thirty-fourth floor!
But now, she truly regretted it!
If she could start over, she would treat Jake well! She would never let those who truly loved her feel hurt again!
She wouldn’t be insecure or stubborn anymore!
But it was too late!
Everything was beyond repair!
Jake’s figure began to blur before her eyes…
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, “Lily! Lily!”
Lily slowly opened her eyes, and Jake’s face was right in front of her, filled with worry and concern. “Lily, are you okay?”
“Jake?!”
“It’s me.” Jake asked again, “Lily, how do you feel? What’s wrong?”
“Jake, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” Lily suddenly sat up and tightly hugged Jake.
She didn’t hear what he said.
At that moment, all she could think about was him!
She wanted to say “I’m sorry” and wanted to hold him just once more!
“Lily…?” Jake stammered, “What… what’s wrong?”
Lily?
Suddenly, Lily realized something was off!
She straightened up and saw Jake looking just like he did in high school!
Looking around, everything felt so familiar!
This was her old home!
“Jake, you said I fainted?”
Fainted?
Lily turned back to Jake, her hand slowly reaching up to touch his face…
She could feel him!
She could still feel warmth!
In disbelief, she tugged at him!
There was definitely a sensation!
So soft! So smooth! Just like a peeled egg!
“Lily?” Jake frowned at her.
Lily touched herself.
Warm!
“Can you see me?” Lily asked Jake.
Jake nodded.
“Can you hear me?”
Jake’s frown deepened, but he nodded again.
“Lily, what’s wrong with you?”
Lily pointed at herself and asked Jake uncertainly, “You… called me… Lily?”
“Yes.”
Lily frowned.
Lily was her name before she turned eighteen, after which she had changed it to “Lily” after her mother.
A bold guess formed in her mind!
Pushing Jake away, she rushed to the calendar hanging on the wall.
August 7, 2000!
2000?!
Sixteen years old!
Hiss!
She pinched her cheek hard; it hurt like hell!
It was real!
She had truly returned to being sixteen, to the summer of her sophomore year!
“Jake!” Lily turned back to Jake, pointing at herself, grinning like a fool. “I’m sixteen! I’m really sixteen! Haha…”
“Lily, you…?”
Jake frowned, still trying to finish his sentence, but Lily excitedly stood on her toes and hugged him tightly. “Jake! Jake!…”
She called his name over and over, just like he had called her name in front of the gravestone.
“Jake, I’m so happy! Do you know? I’m so happy I could go crazy!”
“Lily, you…?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong?”
Lily noticed Jake stiffen, and when she let go, she saw his face was flushed, his ears red as if they would bleed!
No wonder he reacted this way.
At this moment, they should be in a cold war.
He wouldn’t talk to her, and she wouldn’t speak to him.
She would laugh and joke with everyone else, but her relationship with Jake had only worsened.
Let alone hugging him suddenly, even speaking to him would be with a particularly impatient attitude.
Moreover, she felt hot in just a thin tank top, with nothing underneath!
Oh no, she got too excited and forgot that Jake was only sixteen too!
How would she explain this?
“Jake, I…”
As Lily began to speak, Jake immediately pushed her away. “I think you’re really sick. I’ll go get you some medicine!”
He hurriedly left the room, his back looking like he was escaping.
How had she never noticed how adorable Jake was before?
But he was still as sharp-tongued as ever!
“Stupid Jake, you’re the one who’s sick! I’m perfectly fine!” Lily shouted after his retreating figure.
The room fell silent, and Lily opened her arms, tilting her head back to take a deep breath of the warm air.
It felt so good to be back!
Hearing footsteps, Lily looked toward the door, and there was Jake again, holding a box of medicine and two bottles of juice as he walked toward her.
At six feet tall, he was lean and strong.
With thick eyebrows and bright eyes, a high nose, and a face full of youthful vitality.
Even in that oversized old man’s T-shirt and baggy shorts, his handsomeness was undeniable…