Chapter 37: I Forbid You to Die

He laid her flat on the deck.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her face deathly pale, and she showed no signs of breathing. With trembling hands, he reached out to check her pulse, but there was not the slightest flicker of life. He pressed his ear against her chest, listening for a heartbeat, but heard nothing.

Nalan Che’s expression turned ashen instantly. How could this be?

He reached out to gently pat her pale cheeks, his deep voice laced with desperation. "Tong Xiaoman, wake up! Tong Xiaoman, I forbid you to die! Do you hear me? I forbid you to die..."

An unprecedented terror, like invisible iron claws, gripped his heart tightly—a fear far more intense and unbearable than any he had felt when facing his own death.

"Tong Xiaoman, wake up! Are you listening? I forbid you to die! Wake up, wake up now..." Nalan Che had lost his composure. His handsome face, now disheveled, was etched with profound agony. He roared hoarsely, pressing his palms firmly against her abdomen and chest.

How could she just die like this? He wouldn't allow it. No one could take her from him—not even the Grim Reaper.

He pressed his hands against her chest and leaned down, preparing to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Suddenly, with a spray of water, a mouthful of seawater gushed from Tong Xiaoman’s lips, splattering directly onto Nalan Che’s face.

Nalan Che froze in his tracks.

Tong Xiaoman’s eyes flickered open. Seeing the dripping water on his face, she couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Hehe... sorry about that, I sprayed seawater all over your face." Her delicate face showed no trace of apology, only a mischievous, smug grin.

The infuriating little thing—she had definitely done it on purpose.

Yet, the moment he saw her eyes open, his anger vanished, replaced by an overwhelming wave of ecstasy.

Only one thought echoed in his mind: Thank goodness, she wasn't dead.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, clutching her to his chest with such intensity that it felt as if he wanted to merge her into his own body.

"Ouch, Nalan Che, take it easy! You’re hurting me."

His arms and palms were pressing so hard that it caused pain to her fragile body.

She frowned. Why was this man so emotional? He was acting as if they had just reunited after a life-and-death parting.

But that was impossible; they hadn't even known each other for two days. How could he possibly...

Realizing his reaction had been a bit excessive, Nalan Che quickly regained his composure and loosened his grip. Seeing that while her complexion remained pale, her eyes were exceptionally bright, he knew she had truly been reborn. The tension that had gripped his heart finally dissipated. It was good—everything was truly, wonderfully good.

He wiped the water from his face, stood up abruptly, turned, and walked away.

He knew she needed space to be alone, to find the courage to face her new life.

Tong Xiaoman clenched her fists, her breathing growing heavy. After a long moment of struggle, she closed her eyes and slowly turned to face the vast, boundless ocean.

She listened to the sound of the waves and the cries of the seagulls. With focused attention, she could even occasionally hear the sound of fish leaping out of the water.

This was the beauty of the sea, and its wonder.

It had no teeth and no claws; it was only composed of beautiful, flowing waters. What was she afraid of? What could it possibly do to make her afraid?

No, she was not afraid of it.

Tong Xiaoman suddenly opened her eyes, and before her lay nothing but the azure sea, the blue sky, and a horizon stretching out without a single cloud.