Toxic Love（二）

Over time, Jiang Chen and Lin Yue grew closer. Every day, Jiang Chen looked forward to the moment Lin Yue would walk into the café, and Lin Yue, too, began to cherish the time she spent with Jiang Chen.

One evening, as the café was about to close, a heavy rain suddenly poured down. Jiang Chen was preparing to lock up when he saw Lin Yue rushing in, completely drenched, her hair plastered to her face, looking utterly disheveled.

"Why are you so wet? Why did you come out in such heavy rain?" Jiang Chen quickly handed her a towel.

Lin Yue took the towel, wiping the rain from her face, her voice trembling. "We had another fight. I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran out."

Seeing Lin Yue in such a pitiful state, Jiang Chen's heart ached with sympathy. He let her sit in the café for a while and went to make her a hot coffee.

"Here, drink some hot coffee. Don't catch a cold," Jiang Chen placed the coffee in front of Lin Yue.

Lin Yue looked up into Jiang Chen's concerned eyes, feeling a warm surge in her heart. She reached out and held his hand. "Thank you, Jiang Chen. I don't know what I would do without you these past days."

Jiang Chen, flustered by her gesture, blushed. "Lin, don't say that. I'm just doing what I should."

Seeing Jiang Chen's shy reaction, Lin Yue couldn't help but laugh, her sorrowful face lighting up with a radiant smile.

Jiang Chen, looking at her smile, felt a strange sensation in his heart. He realized he had unknowingly fallen for this woman, who was more than a decade older than him.

The rain didn't stop until late at night. Worried about Lin Yue's safety, Jiang Chen decided to walk her home. They shared an umbrella, walking closely through the rainy streets.

The sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella was crisp. Jiang Chen could smell the faint scent of perfume from Lin Yue, which intoxicated him.

When they reached Lin Yue's doorstep, she turned to Jiang Chen, her eyes filled with reluctance. "Thank you for today, Jiang Chen. You should go back now, don't get wet."

Jiang Chen nodded. "Lin, go inside. If anything happens, call me anytime."

Lin Yue smiled slightly and turned to enter her home. Jiang Chen watched her back, his heart mixed with complex emotions. He knew his feelings for Lin Yue had become complicated, but he couldn't control his heart.

After that, Jiang Chen and Lin Yue's relationship quickly deepened. They began to date secretly, going to movies, walking, and dining together. In Jiang Chen's eyes, Lin Yue was the most beautiful and gentle woman in the world, and he was willing to do anything for her.

Lin Yue, too, found true love and happiness in Jiang Chen, feeling as if she had regained her youth. Although she knew their relationship was not accepted by society, she couldn't resist Jiang Chen's charm.

However, secrets don't stay hidden forever. Jiang Chen and Lin Yue's affair was eventually discovered by his schoolmates. Rumors spread like wildfire across the campus.

"Did you hear? That freshman Jiang Chen is actually with a married woman."

"It's ridiculous. That woman could be his mother."

"Maybe it's for money. Young people these days will do anything."

Every day, Jiang Chen faced strange looks and pointing fingers from his classmates, feeling extremely depressed and pained. Lin Yue, on the other hand, faced harsher accusations from her husband and opposition from her family because of this relationship.

Lin Yue began to hesitate. Seeing Jiang Chen in trouble because of her, she was filled with guilt. She knew that continuing this way would only bring more harm to Jiang Chen.

One night, Lin Yue arranged to meet Jiang Chen at the café. When Jiang Chen arrived, he saw Lin Yue sitting there, looking haggard.

"Lin, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Jiang Chen asked anxiously.

Lin Yue looked up at Jiang Chen, tears in her eyes. "Jiang Chen, we can't go on like this. Look, because of me, you're being pointed at and talked about at school. Your life is in disarray. I can't be so selfish as to ruin your future."

Jiang Chen quickly held Lin Yue's hand. "Lin, I don't care what others say. I only care about you. We can face these difficulties together."

Lin Yue shook her head. "No, Jiang Chen, the gap between us is too big—age, status... These are insurmountable chasms. And I don't want to cause conflicts between you and your family because of me."

Tears welled up in Jiang Chen's eyes. "Lin, is our love so fragile? Are you really going to give up on our love?"

Lin Yue cried and hugged Jiang Chen. "I don't want to either, Jiang Chen. I really love you, but reality is too cruel. We have no future. It's better to have a short pain than a long one. Let's part ways."

Jiang Chen held Lin Yue tightly. He didn't want to let go, but he knew what Lin Yue said was true. His heart felt as if it was torn into countless pieces, the pain unbearable.

To Be Continued