Peaceful Farm Life Chapter 2207 - 2208: Secretly Watching Her (5)

Angrily, Li Junlin exclaimed, "A die-hard woman-hater like you shouldn't lecture me about our Wutong! Don't you recall our past meetings with Wutong? You always made sure to keep your distance from her, which infuriated me!"

Ning Zihan responded with a cold laugh, "You speak of killing me? I could incapacitate you with a single blow."

Li Junlin immediately retorted, "My past life must have been filled with sins to have landed me with such a frail body in this existence!"

"If the body is so frail, then you ought to cherish it."

"The physicians have declared it beyond cure; what more can I do? Very well, I shall retire for the night. Should I not rest, this wretched body of mine might not see the dawn." With that, Li Junlin ended the call.

Ning Zihan was unfazed by Li Junlin's abrupt disconnection. He had been aware of Li Junlin's persistent ill health since their initial encounter, making it a familiar circumstance.

...

Subsequently, Ning Zihan received several paintings from An Baobei as rewards.

It was a consistent pattern: Ning Zihan never proactively requested anything. An Baobei was always the one to initiate contact, inquiring about any changes to his address before sending the paintings.

Through several exchanges, a degree of familiarity developed between them online, and An Baobei began addressing 'One Person' with less formality.

She even posed a curious question, "One Person, do you truly favor me this much, to the point of bestowing rewards daily?"

Ning Zihan gazed at An Baobei's message on his phone, contemplating whether to answer with a 'like' or 'dislike'.

Before he could formulate a response, another message arrived from An Baobei: "My uncle believes you reward me because you are fond of me; otherwise, you wouldn't."

Ning Zihan's reply was a single, concise word: "Hmm."

"However, we are not well-acquainted, and the internet creates a significant distance between us. How could you possibly harbor such strong feelings for me?"

Ning Zihan found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to proceed with this conversation.

Yet, before Ning Zihan could reply, An Baobei sent yet another message, accompanied by a tearful emoji: "You shouldn't like me; it incurs too great a cost. Your continuous rewards make me feel rather guilty. Furthermore, I do not hold feelings for you."

"...You should refrain from voicing such sentiments online; your followers might choose to unfollow you."

"Would you unfollow me?"

"My appreciation for you is independent of whether you reciprocate those feelings; I would not unfollow you."

"You appear indifferent...? Yet, when I find myself drawn to someone who doesn't feel the same, it causes me considerable internal pain."

Ning Zihan pondered the message for an extended period before finally typing and dispatching his reply: "If it causes pain, then cease to harbor those feelings."

"I wish to release them, but my heart remains unresponsive to my will. I used to reach out to him constantly, but now he prohibits it. Though nearly two months have passed, I still experience significant heartache."

Previously, Ning Zihan had been uncertain if An Baobei was referring to him. However, with this latest revelation, he became entirely convinced that An Baobei still harbored feelings for him—Ning Zihan.

Ning Zihan felt no elation, merely reiterating, "If it causes pain, then cease to harbor those feelings."

"Didn't I just mention it earlier? It's just... never mind, why am I burdening you with so much?" An Baobei then expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for listening to me express myself so freely."

Ning Zihan genuinely believed An Baobei displayed excessive trust, prompting him to send a cautionary message: "Whether in the digital realm or the tangible world, one must always exercise prudence."