SWNOVELXO Chapter 116 - I got here late
Liu Meng remained silent, unsure how to respond to her question.
Perhaps it was confusion, or maybe panic.
Regardless, WuYue’s words struck straight at her heart, making it impossible for her to say anything that would go against her true feelings.
“…So, just step aside for now.”
Seeing her like this, WuYue did her best to suppress the joy bubbling in her heart. She reached out and gently pulled the silent, hesitant Liu Meng to the side.
And with that… nothing stood between her and YouYu anymore.
“……”
Looking at the complex emotions on his face, WuYue didn’t overthink it. Instead, her tone softened as she spoke.
“YouYu~”
Her blue eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of her lips lifted into an involuntary smile.
“It’s all right now, YouYu….”
“Even though you’ve lost your memories… and that is unfortunate, we still have the future ahead of us to create new ones, don’t we?”
“So now, just come with me——”
However, just as WuYue extended her hand, about to grasp YouYu’s—
Snap!
Suddenly, another hand shot out from beside her, grabbing her wrist.
“Ah!”
Though the grip wasn’t particularly strong, it was firm enough that WuYue couldn’t break free, even when she reflexively tried to pull away.
“……”
Her recently uplifted mood was once again disrupted. WuYue let out a sigh, turned her head, and frowned at Liu Meng.
“Do you still have something to say,Liu Meng?”
“You heard everything I just said, didn’t you?”
“Even now, you’re still doing this?”
“……”
Liu Meng didn’t answer her directly. Instead, she spoke with unwavering determination.
“You’re not in the right state for this.”
“…I think I’ve more or less figured out what’s going on with you, WuYue. To put it simply, you just want YouYu by your side so you can talk to him, right?”
“But… to take care of someone properly, you need to take care of yourself first.”
“And from what I see right now——”
Liu Meng fell silent for a moment, staring at the emotions still burning in WuYue’s eyes, then spoke firmly.
“You’re not capable of that.”
“If you lose control of your emotions and end up doing something extreme to YouYu, there will be serious consequences.”
“Right now, you’re only thinking about taking YouYu back with you. But what about after that? You haven’t thought that far ahead. You’re just acting on impulse!”
“Rushing into things without any sort of plan—how do you expect me to trust you?”
“So for now, it’s better if YouYu stays with me.”
“If you want to see him, just contact me. I’ll bring him to meet you.”
“……”
“Are you making excuses now? And who are you trying to convince—me, or yourself?”
Hearing Liu Meng’s words, WuYue found it almost laughable. At the same time, the emotions she had been holding back seemed to be reaching a breaking point.
“……”
She couldn’t keep dragging this out.
If she delayed any longer—if she failed to bring YouYu back—she might truly lose control of herself.
She refused to let these chaotic emotions push her into doing something she would regret.
So, she would give it one last try.
And if that didn’t work…
Then she would have to act preemptively.
Taking a deep breath, WuYue quickly spoke.
“You don’t need to worry about that. YouYu and I have spent a long time together—I know him well. I know what I should and shouldn’t do.”
“And if we want YouYu to recover his memories as soon as possible, then staying with me is the best choice.”
“If you truly care about him, if you really want what’s best for him and want him to regain his memories——”
“Then you shouldn’t be letting your own selfish desires get in the way.”
“…No. This isn’t about my selfish desires.”
Shaking her head, Liu Meng recalled what YouYu had said to her earlier—before he helped her tie her hair.
There was no longer any hesitation in her voice.
“It’s because YouYu himself told me this——”
“Between me and ‘WuYue’… the one he wants by his side the most is me.”
“He also wants me to help him recover his memories in a way that won’t hurt anyone….”
As she spoke, Liu Meng’s tone grew more intense.
“So, I will never hand him over to you!”
“……”
The answer remained the same.
But this didn’t surprise WuYue.
Because if she were in Liu Meng’s position—if she felt the same way…
She, too, would find any excuse to refuse.
Which meant, at this point——
She had to make a decision.
Even if it meant betraying YouYu’s trust…
She had no other choice.
With that in mind, WuYue turned her gaze to YouYu.
But just as she was about to act—she saw him move first.
The next moment, both of them watched as YouYu stepped between them, easily prying apart their deadlocked arms. He let out a sigh and said:
“Uh… to be honest, I really don’t want to listen to you two argue anymore.”
“And I definitely don’t want you fighting over me here….”
“So, I’ll decide soon. Really soon! I’ll give you an answer!”
“An answer?”
Liu Meng seemed to pick up on something and asked cautiously.
“My answer is——who I’ll go with when I leave here. I need to think this through carefully.”
“……”
“Then take your time, YouYu.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
No matter what the answer was, WuYue had already made up her mind.
She would take YouYu back with her.
And Liu Meng…
“Make up your mind soon.”
She believed YouYu would definitely choose her.
“Mm. But for now, both of you should sit down. This spot is a bit tucked away, but people might still notice if we make a scene.”
Once he saw the two of them agree, YouYu let out a breath of relief.
“I’m going to think things through now and give you an answer.”
Then, his expression turned serious, as if he were struggling with a painful decision.
But in reality…
He had already started counting down in his head.
The situation was bad—very bad. But he had planned ahead for an escape route.
And the key to that escape…
Was the presence lurking in the shadows, someone who had never revealed themselves but had been quietly watching him—and the two girls—this entire time.
“……”
“I’ve made my decision.”
Taking a deep breath, YouYu looked up at them.
“My choice is——”
Boom!
“! YouYu!”
“What’s with this water?!”
But just as he was about to say his “answer,” a massive column of water suddenly surged up between them! The force was overwhelming, and both WuYue and Liu Meng instinctively shut their eyes.
And when they opened them again…
YouYu was gone.
——
On the other side.
After being “carried” by the water current for what felt like a long time, YouYu finally “landed”—his head resting against something soft.
He opened his eyes.
And the first thing he saw was—
A face extremely close to his, strands of silver hair falling over his own.
Bai Yu.
“…I’m sorry, YouYu.”
“I got here late.”