Carefully in Love!

She was afraid that Ye Jing would discover her feelings, and even more afraid that her love would become a burden to him.

Therefore, she could only bury this feeling deep in her heart, transforming it into even more meticulous care and silent support for him.

Sometimes, Xiao Li would secretly stand at a distance, watching Ye Jing's busy figure on the construction site, or stand in front of the library, gazing at the building that was about to be completed.

Her heart was filled with longing and hope for the future. She hoped that Ye Jing could find a way to break the Evil Power, that the town could be peaceful and harmonious forever, and that one day she could muster up the courage to express her love to Ye Jing.

The next morning, the sunlight still gently shone on the stone-paved streets of Misty Rain Town. Xiao Li, carrying a food box she had carefully prepared for Ye Jing, set off for the library construction site. Her steps were light, her heart filled with concern and anticipation for Ye Jing.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by a sudden sound.

"Xiao Li, wait a minute." A slightly hurried voice came from the roadside. Xiao Li stopped and turned around. It was Li Hao from the town, a young man who always expressed his affection for her.

He stood in the morning light, his eyes filled with complex emotions, as if he had something to say.

"Li Hao, is there something you need?" Xiao Li asked politely, but she already had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Li Hao took a few steps closer, his gaze lingering on the food box in Xiao Li's hands for a moment before he spoke, his tone tinged with a barely perceptible bitterness. "Xiao Li, I heard you've been bringing food to Ye Jing a lot lately, is that true?"

Xiao Li nodded gently, without hiding anything. "Yes, Brother Ye works very hard every day, I just want to do my part."

Upon hearing this, Li Hao's expression changed slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound more sincere, "Xiao Li, I know you are kind-hearted and care about everyone. But Ye Jing... he's different. Do you know about the power within him? People in town are saying he's a monster who could go out of control and hurt people at any moment."

Xiao Li frowned slightly; she didn't like hearing others talk about Ye Jing like that. "Li Hao, you can't just believe the rumors. Brother Ye has never hurt anyone; on the contrary, he's always protecting us. I believe he can control the power within him."

"Control? How do you know he can control himself?" Li Hao's voice rose slightly involuntarily, tinged with urgency. "Xiao Li, you can't blindly trust him like this. What if he loses control one day? The consequences would be unimaginable. Stay away from him, okay? For your safety, and for your future."

Xiao Li looked at Li Hao, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. But she also understood, "Li Hao, I understand you don't believe me, but I believe in Brother Ye, just as I believe in you. But you can't deny someone's entire being just because you're afraid. Brother Ye has his own difficulties, and he's been trying hard to find a solution."

"Trying hard? So what? Who knows if he'll succeed? Xiao Li, I don't want to see you get hurt." Li Hao's tone was full of worry, but even more so, resentment.

On what grounds?

How could Ye Jing, an outsider, win Xiao Rou's tenderness?

Xiao Li gently shook her head, her gaze resolute. "Li Hao, thank you for your concern. But I've made up my mind. I will support Brother Ye until he finds a solution. And I believe that as long as we sincerely try to understand and help each other, nothing is impossible."

After saying that, Xiao Li didn't linger and turned to continue walking towards the library construction site.

As Li Hao watched Xiao Li's departing figure, the jealousy in his heart burned like wildfire, uncontrollable.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain, for the agony in his heart far outweighed any physical discomfort.

He never imagined that his position in Xiao Li's heart would be so easily replaced by an outsider. What he found even harder to accept was that this outsider was burdened with such a terrifying "monster" title.

"Ye Jing... what makes you think you can do this?" Li Hao roared inwardly, his eyes gradually turning cold and ruthless, as if he wanted to condense all his resentment and anger into a sharp blade to stab at the object of his jealousy.

In the days that followed, Li Hao's behavior began to become abnormal.

He no longer wandered around town as usual, but often hid in the shadows, observing Ye Jing's every move.

Whenever he saw Xiao Li gently bringing food to Ye Jing, or the unspoken understanding between the two, his heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles.

The jealousy and anger in Li Hao's heart grew stronger and stronger like vines nourished by darkness, eventually driving him to take a decisive action. One cloudy evening, he mustered all his courage and found Ye Jing, who was quietly reading under a tree by the village.

Li Hao's footsteps sounded particularly heavy in the silent air. He tried his best to make his tone sound calm and firm, but his clenched fists betrayed his emotions. "Ye Jing, I have something I want to tell you."

Ye Jing looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before his gentle smile returned. "Oh, it's Li Hao. What's the matter?"

Li Hao approached, his gaze fixed on Ye Jing, his eyes filled with both anger and resentment. "Ye Jing, I know you and Xiao Li are getting along very well now, but I hope you can leave her."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jing frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Li Hao, I don't understand what you mean. Xiao Li and I are friends; things between us aren't as complicated as you think."

"Friends?" Li Hao sneered, his voice full of sarcasm. "Stop fooling yourself! Your so-called 'friendship' has made her ignore me, her childhood friend! Do you know how important I used to be to her? And all of that has changed because of you!"

Ye Jing remained silent for a moment, seemingly seriously considering Li Hao's words.

Then, he spoke slowly, his tone full of sincerity. "Li Hao, I understand how you feel, but matters of the heart cannot be forced, nor can they be resolved with jealousy and anger. There is indeed a special understanding and tacit agreement between Xiao Li and me, but that doesn't mean I want to replace you in her heart. Everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness, including you and me."

Hearing Ye Jing's words, Li Hao's anger not only did not subside, but surged even more fiercely.

He took a sudden step forward, almost touching Ye Jing's face. "I don't care about any of that! All I know is that if you don't leave Xiao Li, I won't let you get away with this!"

A hint of coldness flashed in Ye Jing's eyes, but he remained calm.

"Li Hao, threats and retaliation won't solve the problem; they'll only make things worse. If you truly cherish Xiao Li, you should learn to respect her choices instead of venting your emotions this way."