You Once Came Through the Light

3

In order to protect Brian, I specially rented a house near the repair shop.

Since he recovered from his injury, he had been going to school on time every day. He even took on some repair work at night to earn money. He often worked until midnight.

His body was weak now, and with the high intensity of studying and working, his body definitely wouldn't be able to hold up.

I advised him several times, but Brian didn't listen and continued to do things his own way.

I had to change my approach and focus on cooking, supplementing his nutrition to make him gain some weight.

At first, he resisted a bit, but under my shameless attack, he got used to me bringing him food every day.

On that day, as soon as I came back from buying groceries, I saw Brian leaning against the wall of the alley, with blood oozing from his arm and mouth.

Seeing this, I dropped the vegetables in my hand and rushed to him.

"Brian, what happened to you? Who beat you?!"

Seeing my anxious gaze, Brian smiled and took out a few green banknotes from his pocket and put them in my hand.

"Miss, this is the money I earned as a training partner. I'm giving you back 600 dollars."

Seeing the bloody banknotes, my anger reached its peak.

I stepped forward and grabbed his collar, speaking angrily, "Brian, remember. I don't want your money; I just want you to be safe!"

"Safe, do you understand?!"

This was the first time I got angry at him. Because I was so angry, I didn't even go to deliver dinner.

At night, I sat in the yard lost in thought, but my mind involuntarily recalled his cheek covered in bloodstains.

Rather than being angry that he didn't take care of himself, it was actually more about self-blame.

I blame myself for why I said gave me double.

Is it because I didn't say that sentence, he wouldn't go for the training and wouldn't get so seriously injured?

At this moment, I wished I could slap myself in the face twice.

Knock, knock, knock.

The knocking at the door outside interrupted my thoughts. I snapped out of it, got up and opened the door. Brian was standing outside, holding medicine in his hand.

"Celia, can you help me apply medicine on my back?"

Seeing his pleading eyes, my originally hard heart suddenly collapsed.

Okay.

No matter when it is, I can't refuse Brian.

I took a deep breath and slightly moved aside, saying softly, "Come in."

In the small room, I could see the scars on his back under the light, densely packed fist marks and bloodstains, which made my heart tighten.

Brian seemed to notice that I was in a bad mood and spoke softly, "Celia, I won't be the sparring partner anymore. I will take good care of myself. Please don't be angry, okay?"

I was surprised by his apology and compromise.

"Are you... really not going there?"

"Hmm, even though we haven't known each other for a long time. You are the first person who has been kind to me and cared about me. I don't want to disappoint you."

I heard these words in my ears and saw his pleasing smile through the window.

His appearance deeply touched my heart.

"Okay, I'm not angry. But you have to promise me that you will study hard, eat on time, and most importantly, take care of yourself, okay?"

"Your body is weak now; you can't get hurt anymore."

Upon hearing this, he slightly smirked and said, "Alright, I got it."

I took care of the scars on his back and helped me with cooking. Our days were leisurely and happy.

The moon that night was round and beautiful. I secretly wished for time to stop in that moment.