Fu Ling's condition got so serious that even the classmates around noticed there was something wrong. This didn't look like normal exam jitters. Fu Ling had a good relationship with these people on weekdays and they couldn't help but say a few more words of concern but he turned them away with a smile and reassurance that he was fine. Everyone was worried but the person involved was extremely calm.
Fu Ling naturally noticed the good intentions of the people around him and he was quite touched but he didn't intend to stop. If he hadn't been taken enough care of himself, he might have collapsed already but now, he was just mentality strained and that was taking a toll on his body. But that was exactly what Fu Ling wanted. He would push this body to the limit to ensure the binding shackles are broken off if not, it will become a troublesome problem in the future.
Wei Hong Yi was especially worried but he couldn't go to Fu Ling anymore because he knew he would be turned away with the usual perfunctory words so he pushed Gu Lian to do it. Because of Fu Ling's intervention, he wasn't so afraid of people and could say a few more words on weekdays but he realized being alone was more comfortable. He did maintain a fairly good relationship with Gu Lian there was no problem in being casual with him. And although he didn't believe all those things posted on the internet, for some reason he believed Fu Ling had a higher tolerance for Gu Lian compared to everyone else.
Gu Lian didn't reject it when the somewhat cowardly kid came to urgent him to check up on Fu Ling. He would have done that on his own. Also, he seemed to notice the kid was a bit braver than before? That wasn't any of his problem though.
He walked to the young man sitting by the window. The golden sunlight fell on his pale cheeks forming a contrast and making him look even more fragile.
"You are overworking yourself."
The boy didn't even raise his head from the book
"I know."
Gu Lian was stumped and didn't know how to continue the conversation for a while. Fortunately he didn't have to. The young man closed the book and faced him squarely. Gu Lian looked straight at him and his adams apple rolled.
Fu Ling didn't pay any attention to that. He sighed and rubbed his temple.
"You don't have to be worried. I have my own considerations. I won't die."
Gu Lian frowned. His words seemed like a concession but in fact he was making it clear that he knew exactly what was wrong with him but he wasn't willing to put an end to it.
"You're hurting yourself."
Fu Ling maintained a smile
"Short term— maybe. But in the long run, this is for the best"
Gu Lian clenched his fists
"This isn't just about the exams is it?"
Fu Ling turned his head to look out the window showing off his beautiful side profile
"It's a family problem."
Gu Lian raised his arm to touch Fu Ling's face but caught himself in time. Thankfully the young man was too absorbed to notice his gaffe.
"Is there anyway I can help?"
Before the young man could answer, Gu Lian had already begun to regret the question. He wasn't strong enough, naturally the young man wouldn't need him help. Unsurprising, the young man shook his head in rejection.
Gu Lian ignored the sense of loss and stood up
"Well. Take care of yourself."
"Mnnn. I'll do the best I can."
Fu Ling didn't come back to his senses until minutes after Gu Lian was gone. He knew Gu Lian was worried, panicked and even afraid. He didn't understand why but he could feel the other person's good will and has already classified him as a close confidant. But for this particular affair, he had to handle it himself. It's not something a normal high school student like Gu Lian should get in contact with.
He didn't lie to Gu Lian, he would try his best to take care of this body but as for how useful this would be, he couldn't tell. For now, this body was like a broken shell, hollowed out. He would fill it up again but by bit but not now. It wasn't time yet.
He continued to play the part of the serious student and had his head stuffed in books all day which did nothing to help his condition. Fu Ling was indifferent to everything and only knew how to keep pushing.
The days passed by quickly and soon it was time for the entrance exams to start. Fu Ling went to the exam hall and took his seat. He made an appointment with Gu Lian and Wei Hong Yi to have hotpot after the exams were over but he wasn't too sure if that'll be possible.
He took the exam paper and read over it before he began answering the questions. He didn't rush himself and wrote at an even pace. To some, it looked like he didn't know the answers and was writing sluggishly but he would always finish the papers before time was up and even had extra time to spare to go over his answers.
In that way, Fu Ling got through the three day examination and estimated it would be nothing for him to become a top scholar as long as nothing unexpected happened.
He walked out of the exam hall and stretched slightly. His body seemed like a taut string and would break if pulled too hard.
He heard someone call his name and looked over. There were a bunch of parents and family members there for their children and it was very crowded but Fu Ling saw the person at a glance. He smiled unconsciously and moved his legs when a wave of dizziness washed over him.
Fu Ling's last thoughts while going down were 'ah I pushed too hard'.