Chapter 179: Love Is A Luxury

His expression grew increasingly troubled.

He had already been worried about his brother’s safety.

Now, the possibility of another extreme weather disaster made him even more anxious.

Ye Jun noticed the change in his expression and quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, there’s no point worrying about that right now.”

He glanced at the thick branches surrounding them.

“Let’s prepare somewhere to sleep. We still have a long journey ahead of us.”

Ji Henghua nodded and took out a sleeping bag designed to be suspended from a tree.

Before securing it, he carefully tested the branch beneath him.

He pressed his foot against the wood several times, applying considerable force to make sure it could support his weight.

The branch barely moved. Satisfied, he fastened the sleeping bag securely and climbed inside.

The fabric formed a narrow suspended shelter, allowing him to rest without worrying about falling from the tree.

Meanwhile, Ye Jun took out his own sleeping equipment.

Unlike Ji Henghua’s ordinary sleeping bag, his was a blue cocoon-shaped model that enclosed most of his body.

He secured it to another sturdy branch before climbing inside. For a while, the two men rested quietly.

Then Ye Jun suddenly spoke. “Hey, Ji Henghua.”

Ji Henghua didn’t answer.

“Are you asleep?”

Still no response.

Ye Jun shifted slightly inside his sleeping bag. “Ji Henghua, are you interested in knowing about my life?”

This time, Ji Henghua finally replied. “No.”

Ye Jun couldn’t help mumbling, “From what I’ve seen, you’re actually a very kind person. So why do you always act so cold toward me?”

Ji Henghua was silent for a moment before giving a faint smile. “I’m just like that.”

Ever since he was young, Ji Henghua had been rather reserved around other people.

Rather than calling himself cold, he preferred to think of himself as an introvert.

Unfortunately, most people misunderstood his quiet personality and assumed he was arrogant.

In the past, Ji Henghua had never bothered explaining himself.

He had always believed that people were free to think whatever they wanted.

However, after losing his wealth and status, he gradually realized that such misunderstandings could make his life unnecessarily difficult.

He knew he should learn to explain himself. Unfortunately, he still found it uncomfortable.

Ye Jun sighed like an old man worried about his kid. “Sometimes, I seriously wonder why I decided to partner with you.”

Ji Henghua didn’t respond. He simply closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Ye Jun shook his head helplessly.

After a while, he looked toward the night sky.

The moon was hanging high above the forest, casting a pale silver glow across the enormous tree branches.

Ye Jun stared at it for a moment before speaking softly. “The moon is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”

Ji Henghua opened his eyes. “You’re not trying to tell me you love me through some hidden meaning, are you?”

(Note: In Japanese, the moon is beautiful tonight, in a poetic sense means I love you.)

Ye Jun was speechless. Then he immediately shouted, “You’re seriously too full of yourself!”

He glared at Ji Henghua. “I only said that because the moon reminded me of my wife!”

Ji Henghua fell silent again.

Ye Jun took his silence as permission to continue. His expression gradually softened.

“I met my wife during college.”

He looked toward the distant moon.

“She was the campus belle. She was beautiful, gentle, and incredibly popular. Back then, countless men were pursuing her. At that time, I was just a poor orphan, while she came from a wealthy family.”

He relished those memories as a trace of longing flashed in his eyes. “But despite everything, she chose me.”

Ji Henghua listened quietly.

Ye Jun continued, “She stayed by my side for three years. We even promised that after graduation, we would apply to the same company.”

His smile widened slightly. “Do you know how happy I was back then?”

Ji Henghua didn’t answer.

Ye Jun glanced at him and laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

Ji Henghua let out a short laugh. “You’re thinking too highly of yourself.”

Ye Jun chuckled and shook his head, “Fine, fine. I won’t tease you. Her name is Wu Jinyu.”

His expression became gentle. “She was one of the most beautiful things that ever happened to me.”

However, the smile on his face gradually faded. “Unfortunately, shortly before the apocalypse began, she left the city to visit her parents.”

He lowered his gaze, and regret filled his expression.

“After the apocalypse broke out, I tried contacting her countless times, but I never received a response.”

The forest fell quiet.

Ye Jun continued softly, “Before we separated, she promised that she wouldn’t take more than five husbands, provided I married her when I turned twenty-three.”

He gave a bitter laugh. “But I’m already twenty-five and still haven’t married her. Sometimes, I wonder whether she’s still waiting for me.”

He looked toward the moon again. “Or perhaps she already has more than five husbands. I wonder if she even remembers me.”

Ji Henghua spoke almost subconsciously. “She might have forgotten you.”

Ye Jun immediately turned toward him. “Can’t you at least comfort me?”

He looked offended. “Couldn’t you say something like, ‘Maybe she’s still waiting for you’?”

Ji Henghua remained calm. “Most women aren’t like that.”

He continued, “They’re practical. They won’t necessarily remain unmarried for years just because of a promise.”

He glanced toward Ye Jun.

“She might have said those words because she was deeply in love with you at the time. That doesn’t mean her feelings couldn’t have changed.”

Ye Jun fell silent, his face crumpled with anger.

Ji Henghua added, “I’ve known several women who made similar promises.”

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then Ye Jun suddenly asked, “Brother, did someone break your heart?”

Ji Henghua paused. A bitter smile appeared on his face. “No.”

He looked toward the distant forest. “More precisely, I’ve come to understand that love is a luxury. And it’s a luxury I don’t deserve.”

As he said those words, memories of his past began surfacing.