Asaka Akie ignored Mizuma Atsushi's words.
She believed Fang Cheng.
But after all these years, the guilt she felt over her father and younger brother's deaths, along with her mother's expectations and brainwashing, had taken deep root in her heart, like shackles that couldn't be broken with just a few words.
Even if it hadn't been her fault, what if sacrificing her life really could bring her father and younger brother back?
One sacrifice to revive two people was absolutely worth it.
The ideas her mother had drilled into her day and night were affecting her judgment.
Seeing Asaka Akie's expression, Fang Cheng knew the Ultimate Bliss Cult's years of brainwashing and oppression had taken a clear toll on her, though her resolve had begun to weaken.
At a time like this, he had to use a stronger medicine and force her to break the shackles in her heart herself, stirring up the emotions and will to live she'd kept bottled up.
He wanted to save Asaka Akie, but she had to save herself too. There was no point rescuing her if she was determined to die.
"If you know the truth and still choose to sacrifice yourself, or would rather run away than leave with me, then just pretend I never came."
Fang Cheng looked directly into Asaka Akie's eyes. "But I hope that before I walk out that door, I can hear what you truly feel deep down. I want to hear you tell me that you want to live, not some excuse someone else has forced on you."
With that, he slowly turned and headed toward the basketball court's exit.
Asaka Akie watched Fang Cheng's lonely figure walking away, and her heart gave a jolt.
He's right.
Ye Yuqing's agitated shriek rang out in her heart. "You're