Chapter 1640

"No way!" Xiao Qingqing retorted without a second thought. Even though she had teased him first, she never imagined Samuel would make such an outrageous demand. If she didn’t already know he had feelings for someone else, she might have even thought he was interested in her! Xiao Qingqing refused to back down. After what had happened between them that night, she had already resolved never to marry in this lifetime. But to convince Samuel, she had no choice but to say, "Uncle, it’s already inappropriate for us—a man and a woman—to be living alone in the same house. If we share a room on top of that, I’ll never be able to marry anyone." Samuel’s expression had been calm, but the moment she finished speaking, Xiao Qingqing could clearly sense the air around him turn sharp and icy. His gaze bore into her, heavy and unreadable, as he remained silent. Her heart pounded, but on this matter, she wouldn’t yield an inch. Finally, Samuel looked away and got up from the bed. Seeing this, Xiao Qingqing immediately took several steps back. Noticing her reaction, he paused mid-step but quickly composed himself and continued toward the desk by the balcony. He pulled open a drawer, retrieved a document, and held it out to her. Xiao Qingqing was puzzled. "What’s this...?" "My medical records," Samuel replied calmly. Her heart skipped a beat—was he sick? Seeing that he had no intention of withdrawing his hand, she stepped forward, took the file, and lowered her eyes to read. This was the medical record Samuel left after his visit to the psychologist today. She had never imagined that Samuel suffered from such severe psychological issues... Samuel sat down at the desk and spoke calmly, "I went through some things in the past that left me with lingering trauma. Because of that, I often suffer from sleepless nights, sudden bouts of agitation, or deep depression. Sometimes... it escalates to what happened last night." Xiao Qingqing looked up at him, her eyes unconsciously softening with a tenderness she didn’t even realize she felt. Samuel pulled out a cigarette, lit it, but didn’t take a drag. Instead, he gazed at Xiao Qingqing through the curling smoke. "Aside from two close friends, I’ve never told anyone about the worsening of my condition. Do you know why I’m telling you?" Xiao Qingqing could still sense the helplessness and pain he had endured the night before—and the heaviness in his voice now. She shook her head gently and asked in a soft voice, "Why?" Samuel didn’t beat around the bush. "Because last night, you appeared during one of my episodes. Instead of losing control or hurting you, I managed to restrain my emotions because of you. For once, I even slept soundly. The doctor said… you might be the one who can save me." That… was a thing? Samuel stood and walked slowly toward her. This time, Xiao Qingqing didn’t retreat. There was something heartbreaking about the sorrow in his demeanor. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Qingqing, I want to be a person again—someone normal, who doesn’t worry his family or suffer from this torment. Will you help me?" Stunned and at a loss, Xiao Qingqing hesitated. She was just an ordinary woman—how could she possibly be anyone’s savior? And how was she supposed to help? She had no idea. "Uncle Samuel, of course I want to help, but… what should I do?" His gaze was solemn, unwavering. "Qingqing, marry me." Xiao Qingqing froze in place, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Samuel. Marry him? That was impossible! Yet the look on Samuel's face was deadly serious—so much so that she couldn't detect even a hint of jest. Her gaze quickly dropped away, her hands fidgeting nervously in front of her. Samuel sensed her silent refusal and pressed on, "Do you know why I asked you to stand by the bed earlier?" Xiao Qingqing blinked in confusion. Why was he circling back to that? "The doctor suggested I test whether being near you helps me relax," he explained. "And just now, I actually fell asleep. Qingqing, it's been years since I've been able to drift off so easily." Her eyes lifted to meet his again. She knew all too well the torment of sleepless nights. Back at the Su household, because of Su Changping's... During that time, she had barely slept at all. Even with her door securely locked, she would huddle in the corner, staring fearfully at the entrance, unable to close her eyes until dawn. If she hadn't eventually stood up for herself and left, refusing to endure it any longer for her mother's sake, she might have ended up just as broken as Samuel. He reached out, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. "I shouldn't have been so selfish—keeping you in my room just to save myself, ruining your reputation, making it impossible for you to marry anyone else. So, Qingqing, let me make it right. Marry me." She recoiled instantly, shaking her head. "No! Uncle... I can help you, but marriage is out of the question!" A wounded expression flickered across his face. "Is it because of my illness? Do you despise me for it?" Horrified that she had hurt him, she rushed to explain, "No, no! Uncle, marriage should be between people who love each other!" Samuel's heart turned cold. "Do you still love Ding You?" Xiao Qingqing shook her head. Her feelings for Ding You had never been something that could be measured by love. He had simply been good to her, persistently pursuing her with unwavering devotion. She thought being loved was better than loving someone else, so she took that step forward with hopeful anticipation. To put it bluntly, it was selfishness—she had wanted to use Ding You to drag herself out of the darkness and into the light. Yet she never expected... her first relationship to end in utter failure. "Third Uncle, I don’t love him. But... I don’t love you either." A faint relief settled in Samuel’s heart. He would make her fall for him. And soon. His expression twisted into exaggerated 'misery,' his voice laced with 'heartbreak.' "I understand. I was asking too much, forcing my own suffering onto you. Qingqing, go back to your room and rest. Though this illness torments me to the point of wishing for death, I’ll find a way to endure it." Seeing the usually proud and untouchable Samuel reduced to such a pitiful state, Xiao Qingqing felt a pang of guilt. If she could truly help him but chose to stand by and do nothing, only for something terrible to happen—wouldn’t she regret it for the rest of her life? After a moment of hesitation, she met his gaze firmly. "Third Uncle, if I stay with you, will it really help you sleep?" Samuel nodded helplessly, his eyes filled with silent resignation. Without another word, she turned and pointed to the sofa beside the bed. "Then starting tonight, I’ll sleep here."