Chapter 58: Holding Your Hand, Refusing to Let You Go

"Hurry! Go check on her!" Ye Yaoren shouted.

The receptionist instantly rushed forward, scooping up the collapsed Hailan Whale from the floor.

Hailan Whale lay limply against the receptionist, her whole body like soft clay.

"I can't do it, someone help me lift her, I don't have the strength!" the receptionist cried.

Lin Shenlu sighed helplessly. This was indeed not something anyone else could easily handle.

Ye Yaoren was not suitable—after all, Hailan Whale was only wearing a thin camisole nightdress, with far too much exposed skin.

An Muxi and the receptionist, both girls, simply lacked the strength.

At this moment, Lin Shenlu had no choice but to step in.

Taking the unconscious Hailan Whale from the receptionist's arms, Lin Shenlu noticed even the air around her breath carried the scent of whiskey.

How much had she drunk?

Was she suffering from alcohol poisoning?

Hailan Whale was light.

Judging by the feel, she probably weighed less than a hundred pounds.

Gently, Lin Shenlu placed her on the bed and brushed the hair that had fallen across her face to the side.

Her face remained pale, devoid of any color.

"Open the windows for ventilation, this room needs fresh air," Lin Shenlu instructed.

"You stay here and watch her, she should be fine. If not, we’ll have to take her to the hospital for a stomach pump," Lin Shenlu continued.

He stood, preparing to leave.

The responsibility for caring for Hailan Whale could be left to the receptionist.

Unexpectedly, Lin Shenlu suddenly felt his arm grabbed.

Soft and weak.

It was as if a gentle hand rested upon him.

Yet despite the feeble force, Lin Shenlu found himself unable to pull away.

He turned slightly and saw that the still sleeping Hailan Whale had reached out and was holding onto him.

When she grabs your hand and refuses to let you go.

That instant was truly one of difficult choice.

Hailan Whale was still asleep.

Lin Shenlu’s brows furrowed deeply.

Ye Yaoren and Xiao Ai looked at Lin Shenlu, both awkward.

The receptionist went to the bathroom to fetch water.

An Muxi was the first to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Stay and take care of her. She needs you now."

Pausing, An Muxi added softly, "It’s alright, I’ll stay here with you."

...

All afternoon, Lin Shenlu remained by Hailan Whale’s bedside.

An Muxi quietly sat in a chair on the balcony, absorbed in a book.

With everyone's care, Hailan Whale slowly regained consciousness.

Or perhaps, sobered up.

All the empty bottles scattered about were cleared away.

Hailan Whale continued to hold Lin Shenlu’s hand until she was fully awake.

"Sister Whale, you’re finally awake?" the receptionist exclaimed with delight.

Hailan Whale’s physical and mental state was clearly poor.

Her head throbbed, her body felt weak and sore, even the slightest movement caused unbearable discomfort.

Yet she realized she was holding Lin Shenlu’s arm...

In that instant, it seemed all memories returned.

The fragmented recollections pieced themselves back together.

Hailan Whale furrowed her brows and instinctively let go of Lin Shenlu’s arm.

"Sorry… for worrying everyone… Tongtong, tell Xiao Ai to handle today’s livestream… Just say I’m sick…" As she spoke, a wave of nausea and burning pain swept through her stomach.

Hailan Whale squeezed her eyes shut, having just released Lin Shenlu’s hand, now clutching the white blanket tightly.

"Her stomach is empty, ask the kitchen to prepare some warm, light porridge for her to eat," Lin Shenlu said, recognizing the familiar expression.

The receptionist nodded gently and took out her phone to contact the kitchen.

Even while suffering, Hailan Whale reached out with her other hand to grab the receptionist.

Clearly, she had something to say.

The receptionist hurriedly leaned in to listen.

...

"Alright… Mr. Lin, you’ve been busy all afternoon, please go rest now…" the receptionist said.

Lin Shenlu glanced once more at Hailan Whale, who was now covered with the blanket, and nodded with resignation.

He knew Hailan Whale had instructed the receptionist to ask him to leave.

With An Muxi, Lin Shenlu left the room.

Hailan Whale adjusted herself and finally felt a little better.

She lowered her head in silence.

An Muxi, passing from the balcony, glanced at the quiet Hailan Whale.

She nodded in acknowledgment.

Then left with Lin Shenlu.

Once everyone had gone,

Hailan Whale sobbed quietly, feeling deeply aggrieved.

"So humiliating…"

She covered her face with the blanket.

...

That night, everyone’s spirits were troubled.

Lin Shenlu, heavy-hearted, sat with An Muxi on a step somewhere in the Santorini Ideal City.

The end of the steps met the shore of Erhai Lake, where waves rolled.

"Tonight is our last night together," Lin Shenlu said softly.

"How could it be? I can always go to the places you travel, and you can visit me in Chengdu," An Muxi replied gently.

Both savored this rare moment of tenderness.

"Where will you go next?" An Muxi asked curiously.

"Next… At first, I thought you would travel with me. Back then, I wanted to take you along the 315 Highway, to see Chaka Salt Lake, to experience the real Mirror of the Sky… But now you don’t have the time, leaving only me. To be honest, I haven’t decided where I’ll go next," Lin Shenlu said earnestly.

"You mean, the real Mirror of the Sky is at Chaka Salt Lake?" An Muxi asked.

"Of course. It’s the most beautiful Mirror of the Sky, a true paradise bestowed upon us. At least, that’s what I believed before I went," Lin Shenlu replied with a smile.

"Then don’t go yet, alright? Wait for me… Wait until I can go with you," An Muxi said, just as seriously.

"You mean you want to go to Chaka Salt Lake with me, travel the 315 Highway?" Lin Shenlu was taken aback.

"Yes." An Muxi nodded.

"But not now. Wait for me—when I can accompany you… we’ll go together," she added.

"So this is a new promise between us?"

"Of course, a promise just for the two of us."

Lin Shenlu nodded and drew An Muxi into his arms.

"Will you agree to be my girlfriend then?" Lin Shenlu asked.

"If you’re still waiting for me by then…"

...

"Alright, get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow I have to get up early for the airport…"

...

Three thirty in the morning.

Still awake, Lin Shenlu climbed out of bed and took a shower.

He would soon drive An Muxi to the airport; it was good to freshen up before setting out.

An Muxi, just awake, soaked in the bathtub, gently washing her smooth skin.

Today, she would finish her week-long journey in Dali.

Meanwhile, Hailan Whale lay in bed, coughing incessantly.

In the depths of night, her forehead burning hot, Hailan Whale’s mouth was parched.

She longed for a glass of water, but her whole body was weak, and there was no one around in the dark room.