Reborn As A Doomsday Villainess-Chapter 97: Why did you leave?

Meng Nian crouched beside the bed, brushing a few strands of hair from Haoyu’s forehead. He hesitated for a moment before leaning down, pressing a light kiss to his temple.

"I’ll see you again when you’re older," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Meng Nian walking to the doorway, his gaze lingering on Tang Haoyu, who lay sprawled across the bed, tangled in the sheets. His bare shoulders rose and fell with deep, even breaths, his face slack with exhaustion.

The soft glow from the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room, highlighting the faint sheen of sweat still clinging to his skin.

Meng Nian exhaled slowly. He knew this was how it would end. Haoyu had made that clear from the start.

Just one night. Nothing more.

He had played along, knowing better than to expect anything different. And yet, standing there now, watching Haoyu sleep so peacefully, something gnawed at him.

A quiet, bitter ache that he refused to acknowledge.

Straightening, he grabbed his jacket from the chair, sparing one last glance at the bed before turning away. Without another sound, he slipped out, the quiet click of the door marking his departure.

The night air was crisp when he stepped outside, a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of the room. He shoved his hands into his pockets, tilting his head back slightly as he exhaled.

It was over. Just like Haoyu wanted.

So why did he feel so fucking terrible, he heart told him to go back but his rationality told him when Haoyu woke up, he would push him away.

"I’m so sorry, please don’t hate me..anything for that.."

Meng Nian exhaled sharply, pushing his frustration down as he continued walking. The neon lights of the city flickered around him, but he barely registered them.

His mind was still back in that room, replaying Haoyu’s quiet breathing, the way his fingers had clutched the sheets in his sleep, the soft heat lingering where their bodies had been pressed together just hours ago.

He rubbed a hand over his face.

How pathetic.

He should go home. Take a shower. Sleep it off.

But his feet carried him forward until he found himself in front of a 24-hour convenience store. The dull hum of the refrigerator units and the distant chatter of the cashier greeted him as he stepped inside.

He grabbed the first bottled drink he saw and brought it to the counter, barely paying attention as he handed over the cash.

As he turned to leave, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

A message. For a second, something in him hesitated. It’s not him. It wouldn’t be.

Still, he checked. But it wasn’t some casual text.

It was from Haoyu and it made his heart race.

[Where did you go?]

Meng Nian stared at the screen, his breath catching for a moment.

Another message popped up before he could even think of a reply.

[You left without saying anything.]

He swallowed. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.

What was he supposed to say? That he didn’t want to? That he almost stayed? That he wanted Haoyu to wake up and stop him?

Instead, he typed:

[You said it was just one night.]

Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then it appeared again.

Finally, Haoyu’s response came.

[I know. But that doesn’t mean you had to leave like that. It’s 2am in the morning for crying out loud]

Meng Nian let out a slow breath, tilting his head back. His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

[Then what should I have done?]

Seconds passed. Then a full minute.

No response.

Meng Nian exhaled through his nose, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

Meng Nian stood outside the convenience store, staring blankly at the reflection of city lights in a puddle by his feet. He had no idea how long he had been standing there, waiting for a response that never came.

Finally, with a quiet scoff, he turned on his heel and started walking again, this time with no real destination in mind. The cold air bit at his skin, but it did nothing to dull the warmth still lingering in his chest, the ghost of Haoyu’s touch refusing to fade.

His phone vibrated again.

He stopped in his tracks, his pulse spiking as he pulled it out.

[Where are you?]

Meng Nian’s grip on the device tightened.

Haoyu hadn’t asked him to come back. Hadn’t even hinted at wanting more than this aimless conversation.

But still—Still, he had asked.

Meng Nian tapped out a response before he could think too hard about it.

[Why?]

This time, the reply was instant.

[Just tell me where you are.]

His brows furrowed, his chest tightening with something uncomfortably close to hope.

[Not far. Do you need something?]

A pause. Then—

[Come back.]

Meng Nian’s breath hitched. His fingers twitched at his sides.

It was stupid how fast his feet moved, retracing his steps without a second thought.

By the time he reached the hotel again, his heart was hammering against his ribs. He hesitated for only a second before knocking lightly on the door.

The handle turned almost immediately.

Haoyu stood there, still in the oversized hotel robe, hair slightly damp like he had just taken a shower. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something quiet and hesitant.

Meng Nian swallowed. "You—"

Before he could finish, Haoyu reached out, grabbing the front of his jacket and tugging him inside.

The door clicking shut behind them.

The room was dimly lit, the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the sheets. The air smelled faintly of soap and something unmistakably Haoyu.

Meng Nian’s chest tightened as his hands clenched into fists.

"Why did you leave?" Haoyu’s voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it. He wasn’t angry. He just... didn’t understand.

Meng Nian let out a soft breath, tilting his head slightly. "I thought that’s what you wanted."

Haoyu flinched, his fingers twitching against Meng Nian’s jacket. "I—" He exhaled sharply, like the words were stuck in his throat. "I thought so too."