She sighed, "But if you keep pretending not to care all the time, won't you feel sad too?" Scarlett Li turned her head and quietly said, "Follow your heart, okay?"

Gu Xizhi looked at her, and suddenly tears welled up.

Scarlett Li smiled and patted her head, getting up from the stone steps, "Oh well, I don't care if you're brave or not."

She pulled her up from the stone steps, "Anyway, you have to go with me now."

"We still need to finish our—"

"Last scene."

The afternoon sunlight fell on the lake, quiet with colorful ripples.

Gu Xizhi and Qu Xizhi sat cuddled on the grass by the lake, looking beautifully eternal. The camera positions kept changing, and everything was perfectly captured on film. After a while, Scarlett Li looked at the camera and gently shouted.

"Cut," and for a moment, all the staff on the set made noises, either excited or sentimental.

This scene was officially completed, and the end of filming meant that no matter how reluctant they were before, the farewell would proceed as scheduled.

As soon as the final scene was filmed, Gu Xizhi looked up at Qu Xizhi. She had been cold and distant these past few days, with no sign of wanting to talk to her. Gu Xizhi opened her mouth, about to say something, but at this moment, her assistant rushed over. Gu Xizhi wanted to say something to her, but a group of people had already taken Qu Xizhi away from the set to the makeup room.

Gu Xizhi thought for a moment, then quickly approached Ling Xian, who was packing up.

"Miss Ling Xian," Gu Xizhi asked, "When will you be leaving?"

Ling Xian glanced at her, then at Qu Xizhi behind her, and replied, "Miss Qu will be leaving on an early morning flight tomorrow."

Gu Xizhi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, saying, "Okay, thank you, I understand."

After saying this, Gu Xizhi walked to the side and waved for Lili to come over. Lili approached and asked, "What's wrong?" 

Gu Xizhi said, "I'm going to change and remove my makeup now. Later, accompany me to buy a bouquet of flowers."

"Oh," Lili nodded, then suddenly raised her head, "What are you going to do?"

Gu Xizhi said, "I've made up my mind, I want to keep her."

Lili looked surprised, "Really?"

Gu Xizhi nodded and smiled, "Yes."

One hour later.

At the busiest intersection in the city, a flower shop was surrounded by layers of greenery. Outside the exquisite glass flower house, the lush greenery provided a refreshing atmosphere. Tourists stopped to rest by the European-style tables and chairs. Inside the flower shop, flowers were in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance.

The shop owner was tending to the flowers when she looked up and couldn't help but smile as she saw Gu Xizhi carefully selecting a bouquet.

"This flower shop has received orders from many celebrities, but usually, it's their assistants who come. It's rare to see the celebrities themselves come to pick flowers."

Gu Xizhi chose a bouquet of lilies and said, "It's for someone very important. I want to choose it personally."

The shop owner smiled and said, "Alright, I'll package it nicely for you."

Gu Xizhi politely replied, "Thank you." She then looked at the time and made a phone call.

She called Qu Xizhi. Calculating the time, she should have already left the film set, and Gu Xizhi didn't know where she was, so she decided to explain her intentions to her.

It had been a long time since she dialed this phone number. When Gu Xizhi made the call, her emotions were overwhelming, and her heart was beating faster.

She thought that if Qu Xizhi's voice appeared the next second, she would immediately tell her that she was buying her flowers.

She would tell her that she had a lot to say to her and ask to wait for her to come back, and she would slowly tell her.

But reality was far from her imagination.

Unexpectedly, the phone rang a few times, and no one answered it.

Gu Xizhi thought for a moment, feeling that her phone might not be with her at this time, or she might have changed her phone. So she hung up the phone and told the shopkeeper, "I'll trouble you to make it fast, I have to go back." 

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Okay."

As the sun gradually set, the world gained a gentle filter. Gu Xizhi returned to the hotel holding the flowers in the fading light of the day. When she opened the door, she felt a little anxious.

In fact, when she was in the flower shop just now, she thought about what would happen once she came back.

It didn't matter that she didn't answer the phone, she wanted to give her a surprise.

In the long and tasteless years, the name Qu Xizhi seemed like a starlight in her life. Regardless of how long it had been, her name was engraved in the deepest part of her heart. She didn't want anyone to touch it, and she didn't want to be discovered.

She was her most precious treasure.

Even if there were endless thorns ahead, with such a gentle person by her side, she wouldn't be depressed again.

She wanted to keep the most important person in her life.

Gu Xizhi took a deep breath and knocked on Qu Xizhi's door.

After a few knocks, there was no response from the room. Gu Xizhi waited for a while and knocked on the door again.

The knocking on the door echoed again, but the room remained silent.

Gu Xizhi hesitated for a moment and seemed to realize that the door was ajar from the start, and it was never locked.

She instinctively pushed the door open, but her gaze froze when she entered. The entire room was empty, looking neat, with no signs of anyone living there.

Gu Xizhi took a few steps forward and found that the spot where the luggage was placed in the bedroom was now completely empty. She opened the wardrobe, but only empty hangers remained.

Gu Xizhi was completely stunned.

She stood in the room, bewildered, and then seemed to remember something. She hurriedly left the flowers on the floor and ran to the living room to grab her phone.

With trembling hands, she dialed Qu Xizhi's number, but after waiting for a few seconds, she heard the sound of Qu Xizhi's phone turned off.

She calmed down and thought for a moment, then dialed Ling Xian's number. However, all she heard was the same sound of the phone being turned off.

Gu Xizhi looked outside the window in confusion. At this moment, a call came in. Gu Xizhi hurriedly answered it, but she heard Lili's anxious voice in her ear.

"I heard that Qu Xizhi has already left on the afternoon flight. Didn't you say she was leaving tomorrow?"

Gu Xizhi glanced at the empty room that Qu Xizhi had left behind. "She..."

Gu Xizhi's voice choked up a bit. "She might have wanted to leave here early, not wanting to see me again."

Lili fell silent for a moment. "What should we do? All the preparations you made might have gone to waste."

Gu Xizhi seemed not to hear her words. She sat on the couch, feeling helpless, and muttered, "She doesn't want to see me."

"She won't see me again."

****

The pure tones resonated in the golden concert hall. The man, dressed in a British tailcoat, slightly tilted his chin, his left hand gently resting on the strings, and his right hand moving the bow slowly. His straight posture and dignified attire commanded respect.

The lyrical and solemn melody was like the elusive moonlight in the night. The powerful tremolo of the violin and the elegant piano accompaniment blended harmoniously, exuding elegance within its serene undulations.

The bow and the piano keys express the poet's words of love. The virtuoso's double-stopping felt like an invisible hand grasping the audience's hearts as if such music should never be tainted by the mundane world.

The piano's pizzicato suddenly ended, plunging the concert hall into a sudden silence, followed by enthusiastic applause erupting from the audience.

"Mr. Shen Ya's performance is truly breathtaking."

"He's undoubtedly a violin genius. No one in the country can compare to him."

Praises from the audience continued to pour in, but Qu Xizhi simply stared at her wristwatch, her expression somewhat vacant.

"Thinking about her?"

Yin Jun's voice brought Qu Xizhi back to reality. She glanced at Yin Jun's expression and then looked back at the stage.

"No."

Yin Jun chuckled lightly. "Do you know why I suddenly took you away?"

Qu Xizhi's expression remained calm. "You don't like her."

"No," Yin Jun smiled. "On the contrary, I quite like her."

She seemed to recall something amusing. "You probably don't know that after my car accident, she used to sneak into my hospital room every night after you left. At first, I completely ignored her, but she stood by my hospital bed and whispered confessions. Every time before leaving, she would ask if I could forgive her. Every time, I said I couldn't. But later, she became more cunning. She told me directly that if I didn't forgive her, she wouldn't get up after kneeling. I may be tough, but I can't bear to see a girl kneel in front of me all night, right?"

Qu Xizhi looked somewhat surprised and glanced at her.

Yin Jun smiled and then changed the subject. "But one thing is clear: the feelings between you two are completely uneven. If she were to marry someone else and have children, you would probably go crazy. In your situation, I can't just hand you over to her, watching you have heart problems from time to time. Besides, surviving one car accident doesn't mean I'll be that lucky every time, right?"

Qu Xizhi fell silent.

Yin Jun's voice remained composed and calm. "Let's make a bet. This time, if she remains resolute, I won't interfere in your affairs with her anymore. I don't expect her to be too steadfast or brave any more than you do, in a hundred-item answer sheet, she needs to at least give a passing grade, maybe a sixty, so that everything will be easier. After all, two girls together require a stronger bond to last. Since you're also a girl, I only hope that you don't have to work so hard."

Yin Jun patted her shoulder, stood up from her seat, and said, "Stay here. If she satisfies me, I will bring her to pick you up, and I'll also have Director Ma investigate Lin Mingling's matters and present them as a gift to you. If she doesn't meet my expectations, you can go back on your own."

On the other side of the ocean.

Just after an awards ceremony, Gu Xizhi met Tang Yu, who was also left with an array of awards. They decided to leave the venue together and head to the airport. It was a rainy night, and road traffic was typically congested. After Gu Xizhi got into the car, she received a phone call in the back seat. She immediately sat up straight and said, "Hello? Do you have any news about Qu Xizhi?"

"No," someone on the other end of the phone replied. "Based on our leads, she's very likely not in the country."

Gu Xizhi immediately asked, "Could you please continue looking for her? I'm willing to increase the payment."

The other person seemed to hesitate for a moment and responded, "If you double the payment, we'll consider it."

Gu Xizhi immediately agreed, saying, "Okay, please continue to search for me."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Xizhi absentmindedly looked out at the rain beyond the window.

Since Qu Xizhi left the film set, Gu Xizhi had been trying to find her in every possible way, but it seemed that Qu Xizhi had made up her mind not to be found. In this entire month, she hadn't received the slightest bit of information about her.

Tang Yu glanced at her through the rearview mirror and casually asked as he turned the steering wheel, "Are you looking for Qu Xizhi?"

Gu Xizhi looked at him and didn't evade the question. "Mm."

The emergency brakes screeched, and Gu Xizhi held herself steady against the forward inertia. When she looked up, Tang Yu had already pulled the car over to the side of the road.

She asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Tang Yu looked at her and said, "Do you want to reconcile with her?"

Gu Xizhi nodded. "Yes."

Tang Yu seemed a little incomprehensible. He took out a cigarette from his pack, and remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you still like her?"

Gu Xizhi said, "Of course."

Tang Yu lit the cigarette, looked at the sparking tip, and then asked, "Are you sure she likes you?"

This question sounded a bit odd and Gu Xizhi was stunned for a moment, looking a bit puzzled by his intention. "What do you mean by asking like this?"

Tang Yu did not speak, but slowly picked up the cigarette.

Smoke filled the car, and he looked at her through the swirling smoke, appearing somewhat hesitant, but he still said, "Do you know she's about to get engaged to Shen Ya?"

The air fell silent for a moment, and Gu Xizhi looked up at him. Although she didn't say anything, her expression clearly showed surprise.

"Maybe I don't have the right to say all of this, but I just wanted to remind you," Tang Yu set down the cigarette and looked at her with a calm expression. "Maybe you were deeply in love at the beginning, but that doesn't mean that after so many years, she still loves you just as deeply. Love is like that. Faced with a love that has passed, some people stay in the same place, while others move on gracefully. She should have decided to move on a long time ago. Has she mentioned anything about Shen Ya to you?"

The smell of cigarettes filled the car, and Gu Xizhi looked at him motionless as if she were thinking about his words.

Tang Yu continued, "Three years have passed. Everyone changes, just like you, you've become more mature. But today's Qu Xizhi even seems vacant in her gaze. You don't even know what she's thinking. Since she has already decided to give up on you, why do you still want to hold on?"

Gu Xizhi remained silent for a moment and then asked, "Why do you say she gave up on me?"

Tang Yu looked at her and took his phone out of his pocket, handing it to her.

"Perhaps Shen Ya was right about two things," Tang Yu watched her flipping through the phone from the mirror. "Love always requires compatibility, and no matter how strong a woman is, she ultimately returns to marriage."

In the first text message that Gu Xizhi opened, Shen Ya's name appeared at the top of the conversation window. The text was clear in its simplicity:

Xiao Qu has agreed to the proposal.

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=1849307

This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

Raindrops rapidly tapped on the car window, and the world outside the car became blurred. Gu Xizhi lowered the hand holding the phone and slowly looked out of the window.

The next morning at 9 o'clock, the news of Qu Xizhi and Shen Ya's engagement on New Year's Day swept through the internet and print media like a sandstorm. Even though one of the parties involved wasn't from the entertainment industry, Qu Xizhi's fame quickly turned this news into the headline of various major news outlets.

While people were busy congratulating Qu Xizhi, Gu Xizhi was recording the final song for her new album. However, the recording had lasted a full day and the studio was in a chaotic state, leaving her feeling exhausted.

During her break time, Gu Xizhi had no focus on her work. She continuously took out her phone and made calls.

"Do you know where Qu Xizhi has been recently?"

"Do you know where Qu Xizhi and Shen Ya got engaged?"

"Has Qu Xizhi been in touch with you recently?"

One question, same wishes, same answers.

….

Finally, when there were no more numbers to dial from her contacts, Gu Xizhi just looked out the window, lost in thought while gazing at the beautiful scenery.

The night in Florence was adorned with stars, and the magnificent cathedral shone brilliantly amidst the bustling streets. The black and white keys played beautiful melodies, and the C minor tune traveled through narrow alleys and the quiet Arno River, drifting towards distant flower fields.

"When I was young, I had a crush on a female classmate. She was very pretty, just like you, a star that stood out in the crowd."

Shen Ya's voice blended with the piano's sound, creating a poetic blessing on this Christmas Eve.

He stood behind Qu Xizhi, his gaze falling on the beautiful lilies in front of the window. Dressed in a black tuxedo, full of a dignified gentleman atmosphere.

"I pursued her for a whole year and dated her for one year. During those two years, no matter whether we were together or not, I never stopped giving her love letters every week."

"It was she who broke up with me after a year, and the reason was simple. There was a guy who bought her breakfast every morning, prepared an umbrella for her in rain or snow, and reminded her to dress warmly in cold weather. He persisted for two years and finally won her over."

"When we broke up, that guy told me a sentence that has stuck with me to this day."

"He told me that beautiful women are meant to be cherished and pampered, not just because they have a natural fragility and sensitivity as women, but also because they've enjoyed the feeling of being pursued by admirers since they were young. If someone treats her better than you, you will part ways, because a princess is still a princess. She won't compromise like an ordinary girl. So, after that, I put all my effort into treating my girlfriends well. It has become a pattern for me, and I will never argue with any woman. I always apologize first if she's angry, and I can get up at 3 a.m. to buy her what she wants to eat. I could fill a notebook with everything she dislikes."

The notes flowed through his fingers, and the slow movement of the music was like a mournful and lingering thread. Under the spotlight, Qu Xizhi's back was straight, like an ancient tree reaching toward the sky.

"Of course," Shen Ya took out a golden box and placed it on the piano frame. "I will never forget any special day."

The piano suddenly stopped playing, and Qu Xizhi turned to look at him in silence.

Shen Ya looked at her and said, "You will be my princess, while she will only make you more and more exhausted."

Qu Xizhi gazed at him for a while, then turned and left.

****

September.

In the early morning, the city was bustling as usual. The television in the room played the latest news. Opening the window, you could see the city bathed in sunlight, with all the hurried pedestrians appearing as tiny as ants from this vantage point.

The phone had been ringing incessantly, and Gu Xizhi, who had just finished her makeup, hurriedly answered the call. As she put on her coat, she said, "Is the flight ticket booked?"

"Yes, I'm on my way."

After heading downstairs, a black sedan drove straight toward her. She had expected her assistant to pick her up, but to her surprise, when the car window rolled down, Tang Yu was in the driver's seat.

"Why is it you? Where's Cindy?" Gu Xizhi opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

"It turns out everyone knows except you." Tang Yu started the engine. "She just found out she's pregnant and took two days off due to severe morning sickness."

Gu Xizhi was surprised. "Pregnant? That's good."

Tang Yu smiled and said, "Let's go."

As the car drove on, Tang Yu casually asked, "Why are you in a hurry, you suddenly decided to go abroad?"

Gu Xizhi nodded. "I've received some clues through contacts, so I want to see for myself."

Tang Yu asked, "Are these clues about Qu Xizhi?"

Gu Xizhi nodded.

Tang Yu said, "You haven't given up yet, have you?"

Gu Xizhi was a bit puzzled. "Give up? Why should I give up? I haven't found her yet, and she hasn't personally clarified things with me."

This time, Tang Yu didn't even nod his head, lost in thought.

The car sped along the road, and after a while, Tang Yu suddenly slowed down the car and said slowly, "There's something I haven't told you."

Gu Xizhi looked up at him.

Tang Yu continued, "Originally, they were planning to get engaged in April, but their wedding date was postponed because of you."

Gu Xizhi thought for a moment and still didn't understand his meaning. "Because of me?"

Tang Yu said, "Originally, it was supposed to be a Fengzi* wedding."

*shotgun/marry while pregnant.

Gu Xizhi blinked and stared at him, looking somewhat dazed.

Tang Yu simply stated, "Even if you don't want to admit it, she was already with Shen Ya before April."

He paused for a moment and said, "So, let them be happy."

The joints between her fingers ached as they intertwined. Gu Xizhi collected her thoughts, touched some neglected memories, and then slowly looked up at Tang Yu.

Tang Yu only said, "Focus on your career."

The morning sun penetrated the glass window, casting a strong light. Gu Xizhi covered her eyes, feeling them sore and tired, then used her hand to shield her face.

Tang Yu quietly slowed the car to a stop and didn't say another word.

….

The faint morning light filtered through the ancient city like rays of light from the fingers of God.

The white doves and the pious carols of the believers in Piazza della Signoria decorate the beautiful morning in Florence. The ancient bell tower and red roofs linger quietly in the sunshine.

The car's wheels slowly stop by the riverside. Rong Jia who was sitting in the car said to Yin Jun, "I don't know what Miss Qu is thinking. She stayed here overnight last night."

Without any expressions, Yin Jun picked up her bag and opened the car door, "Wait for me here."

The water's surface reflects the ancient monuments, shimmering with a golden glow in the sunlight. The quiet river seems to have collected thousands of years of history. When the big clock chimes, you can faintly hear the echoes of the Renaissance era.

Yin Jun arrives at the riverside, next to Qu Xizhi. She takes out her phone from her bag and places it beside her, "She's not coming. You probably understand better than me."

Qu Xizhi looks across the river at the endless red and white buildings, her gloomy expression revealing no hope.

"The engagement is on New Year's Day. Do you have any objections?"

Qu Xizhi said nothing.

****

Falling in love, breakup, marriage, divorce.

What we see in entertainment news often appears as a simple outcome. Due to the complex twists and turns involved, many results seem bizarre.

In the latest edition of the entertainment newspaper's headlines, the image of Bo Yiqing and Lin Zongyao, the eldest son of the Hong Kong catering tycoon Lin Yiyang, getting married took up a large portion of the page. As their marriage happened suddenly, the public was quite surprised by this news. Even though people didn't understand the full story, the photos of the couple looked perfectly matched, and their sweet appearance made everyone eager to wish them well in their relationship.

Before this news was published, the engagement of Qu Xizhi had been widely discussed for almost a month.

Warm sunlight shone down, and the snow on the treetops gradually melted as the temperature rose.

The Qu family was busy with preparations for Qu Xizhi's engagement. The foreign makeup artist, who was preparing Qu Xizhi for the event, was amazed when she saw Qu Xizhi in her white dress.

"Miss Qu, you look stunning in the white dress. You look like the fairytale princess you mentioned. You'll be breathtaking in a wedding gown in the future."

Qu Xizhi only had a forced smile on her face as she faced the makeup mirror. However, as soon as the makeup artist turned away, the smile on her face, which had been overly polite, faded like snow in the sunshine, completely disappearing.

Two hours later at the airport.

The wait for the plane felt particularly boring. Despite having many colleagues around, Gu Xizhi sat in the departure lounge, simply flipping through her phone.

Weibo is preparing to livestream Qu Xizhi and Shen Ya's engagement. Because the media found out that the two were getting married abroad, this engagement ceremony became the focus of the media.

With few invited celebrity friends, Gu Xizhi checked several Weibo accounts but couldn't find much information. However, the grand sail-shaped music hall appeared repeatedly on Weibo, making everyone aware that it was the place where love began.

At 12:20, the engagement ceremony should have started a while ago, but Gu Xizhi's flight for her overseas work was delayed, and she had to wait for another forty minutes.

She closed her phone and prepared to go to the restroom. However, when she looked up, she saw Zhong Linshan, standing before her, wearing a red and white checkered trench coat, red high heels, and a cap. She took off her sunglasses, revealing her flawless face with red lips and fair skin, enhancing her delicate features.

"Can I talk to you?" Zhong Linshan tilted her head as she looked at Gu Xizhi.

Gu Xizhi looked at her for a while and nodded gently.

Outside the south gate of the airport, there was a vast green area with few people. Gu Xizhi followed Zhong Linshan as they walked. The sunlight cast their long shadows. Zhong Linshan kept talking, and Gu Xizhi kept listening.

"Because of me and my sister's affairs, Qu Xizhi has been helping out, but to be honest, we've never been together. Even though I'm often with her, I've never really understood what she's thinking. Many people have pursued her, but she doesn't seem interested in anyone."

Gu Xizhi listened quietly as Zhong Linshan continued, "Maybe she hadn't met someone she truly liked back then."

"She really likes you," Zhong Linshan stopped walking, turned around, and looked at her. "Even though you're quite beautiful, I can't understand why she likes you so much. Honestly, I don't think you're brave enough."

Gu Xizhi accepted these words calmly and sighed slightly. "It's all in the past. She's in love with Shen Ya now and getting married."

"That's also why I came here today," Zhong Linshan checked the time. "I have something very important to attend to shortly, so I can't participate in their engagement ceremony. But I haven't contacted her for several months, her phone isn't working, and I still can't figure out why she's getting married." She looked at Gu Xizhi seriously. "If she's really getting married, I feel sorry for both of you. I want to know if this marriage is her own choice."

Gu Xizhi thought for a long time and finally said, "It should be."

"That's what you think," Zhong Linshan shrugged, "The engagement ceremony started a long time ago. We can only regret."

Gu Xizhi lowered her eyes, her expression became erratic.

After seeing off Zhong Linshan, there were still twenty minutes left before her boarding time. The airport waiting area was bustling with people. Gu Xizhi just stood by the greenery outside the south gate, quietly watching the passersby. Occasionally, people would glance at her multiple times due to her unusual behavior.

It was already 12:40, and Qu Xizhi's engagement ceremony should have been like fireworks, full of splendor. However, Gu Xizhi was about to embark on the next step of her career, and it seemed as if the two of them had never met on the same path.

The sunlight fell on her, but there was no warmth. Her heart felt like a dull, lifeless branch in the gray winter. Gu Xizhi didn't appear sad at all; she seemed somewhat like a wooden figure with no emotions, even tears had become a luxury. After some time, a shadow blocked the sunlight in front of her. Gu Xizhi raised her head and saw Tang Yu holding her wrist and handing a car key to her.

"I originally wanted to listen to Miss Lin one more time," Tang Yu took back his hand and stepped back to a suitable distance, facing Gu Xizhi. "But suddenly I felt that all I could gain from this wouldn't make up for what I've lost."

Gu Xizhi lowered her head to look at the key and then looked up at him, not entirely understanding. "Miss Lin? What do you mean?"

Tang Yu didn't speak, just looked at her quietly, until Gu Xizhi's eyes suddenly filled with tears, he said, "I approached you back then, not because I liked you, but because of Miss Lin Mingling.

Gu Xizhi looked at him motionlessly, as if she had been molded into a statue by the sunlight. Only the trembling around the corners of her eyes could prove that she was still alive.

"That charity event was just the first step in getting close to you. Back then, I wasn't as well-off as you might think. The grace you saw was all supported by Miss Lin. But what she wanted to achieve, you probably understood but didn't quite understand."

Seeing her eyes soaked with tears, Tang Yu continued, "I have no better reason to explain my behavior to you, and I never expected that you would forgive me one day once you know the truth. When I left Huayu International, I faced a better situation. It was a choice, that happened to be you."

Looking at her in the eyes, he said, "During 'The Truth' show, everything I said was the truth, but I'm sorry, I still fed back what I've learned about you to Miss Lin." He smiled at this point, "Don't pay too much attention to my apologies, it's just a joke."

Tears had already welled up in her eyes, and Gu Xizhi remained silent, looking at him, her expression subtly tinged with anger.

Tang Yu took a step back to avoid the dazzling light in her tears, "I won't hand you a handkerchief this time. We don't need such tender things between us. I only hope you forget the distorted image of Qu Xizhi that appeared in my mouth, as it's not the real image."

He smiled at her teary eyes. "I feel ashamed for making you cry because of me. Now, there's only one thing I want to tell you. Qu Xizhi suffered from depression in the past. In April and May of this year, her doctor treated her frequently, and vomiting was one of the symptoms. It had nothing to do with pregnancy, so there's no such thing as a Fengzi wedding." He glanced at his wristwatch. "Shen Ya truly loves Qu Xizhi. The key is already in your hand. I hope you make good use of your time." He raised his head, bowed, and said, "I wish you happiness."

The tall figure's back, blurred by the sunlight, had its edges softened. The tall man in a black suit bowed, turned, and then walked farther away in the brightness, even his footsteps growing fainter.

Tears seemed frozen by the cold wind, and a trembling female voice mixed with the sound of the wind, "I never want to see you again."

The black figure paused in the play of light and shadow for just a moment, or even what one might call a moment was merely an illusion.

Completely disappearing on the other side of the world.

At 1:10 in the afternoon, the city's roads were still crowded with traffic. Gu Xizhi drove through the bustling streets, and her speeding often earned her curses from the drivers left behind.

Being late often drove people to be fearless and crazy, but unfortunately, time was never forgiving.

The road leading to the music hall was not as crowded with media reporters as expected. A glimpse from the elevated road revealed the grand and elegant sail-shaped music hall situated on the water, surrounded on three sides by water. Trimmed green lawns extended for hundreds of meters at the entrance of the building. The modern white porcelain enamel exuded elegance and romance in the pure architectural space.

After getting off the elevated road, and driving on the long granite road, the desolate road only made Gu Xizhi even more uneasy.

When she approached a row of white fences, Gu Xizhi parked her car by the side of the road. When she intended to approach the fence, a black figure sitting on a tree branch startled her for a moment. Upon closer inspection, she found a person indeed perched on the treetop.

The upper body of the person wore a crisp white thin shirt with a French square collar, looking dignified. The collar and the contrasting color on the folded cuffs were particularly eye-catching. The silk necktie with exquisite printing and the finely crafted black onyx-plated white gold cufflinks added a touch of luxury and nobility. The whole person appeared exceptionally elegant.

Gu Xizhi was hesitant for a while, mainly because of the person's relaxed posture. She wanted to say something but hesitated due to the man's closed eyes. In this state, she remained unsure for about half a minute when Shen Ya's voice unexpectedly emerged.

"She's inside."

Gu Xizhi looked at him more closely, but he still leaned against the tree trunk, closing his eyes. His side profile was shrouded in shadow, making it hard to discern his expression.

"...Thank you." Gu Xizhi thought for a while and replied with only this, then quickly ran towards the music square.

Walking past the music square and entering the music hall, the 10-meter-long art corridor left Gu Xizhi disoriented. Following the signs, she arrived on the second floor. The terraced golden hall was empty, and sunlight streamed in through triangular windows, making the rows of seats look like vast golden waves of wheat.

Unable to find Qu Xizhi, Gu Xizhi felt a bit anxious. She walked down the corridor towards the auxiliary building. When she was close to the western restaurant, the sound of a piano drifted faintly. Gu Xizhi followed the sound and looked out of the glass window, and she was momentarily captivated. The winter sunlight was thin, and wispy layers of clouds stretched for miles. Dark blue mountains surrounded the water, and in the landscaped area behind the music hall, the trees were sparse, and the large dry branches made the winter appear gloomy. Only clusters of plum blossoms added a touch of peach-like color to the desolate space.

A beautiful woman sat facing the lake under the flower arbor at the black piano, her long white dress trailing like a blooming hibiscus. The slow and melancholic C minor melody tore cracks in the sunlight. She had her back to the music hall, and her posture was still graceful, even more so than any previous time.

Even without seeing her face, her forever-straight posture seemed to carry special significance. Gu Xizhi went down the escalator, treading alongside the cool sound of water towards the landscaped area. When she was about to approach her, she suddenly couldn't take another step.

The sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the dignified white, mixing up the petals and the blooming skirt. The mournful sonata under her fingers almost lost its dissonance. It was just the repetition of the first movement that filled the air with oppression and heaviness.

Gu Xizhi stood silently behind her, with a two-meter distance that felt like an insurmountable gap.

The sound from Qu Xizhi's fingers became increasingly restrained and sorrowful.

"When I was young, my mom told me that my ancestors and my father were all very successful people. They had a certain influence in society, and any small mistake in their words or actions could be seized upon by the media, criticized by the public, or even condemned."

The piano music accompanied the clear flowing water, and the pale pink plum petals drooped and swayed with the wind.

Her voice was gentle and melodious. "When I was five, my mom made me learn painting, musical instruments, calligraphy, and etiquette. She said my environment was perfect, and she could provide me with the best in terms of clothing, food, education, and manners. She also said my environment was cruel because it required me to become a well-mannered and elegant lady, just like my peers."

"At that time, most of the girls around me came from similar backgrounds. Their average age was only seven or eight, but when they ate in a Western restaurant, they would elegantly place the napkins on their laps. They never made a sound while eating, and they would offer a polite smile to friends and strangers alike. Each of them was like a little princess, but they never spoke loudly or got angry because one of the signs of refinement is the ability to control one's emotions, and they needed to be labeled as such."

"My mother, Yin Jun, is a very strong-willed person. Because my older sister was naturally rebellious, she had been scolded by our grandmother for her misconduct. She was even stricter with me during my early years."

"I have been learning ballet from a young age, not to master the dance but to become more elegant and beautiful in posture. In her eyes, a well-dressed lady should always wear high heels, no matter whether it hurts her feet or not. No matter what happens, she should remain calm and graceful."

"She was strict, never careless about posture when walking or standing, and had high expectations for etiquette and speech. At her table, as long as there were elders present, I couldn't leave the table early, no matter how long their conversation went on. I should understand art, fashion, economics, and even politics to be ready for any social event. Different types of alcohol had to be poured into different glasses, and the way to hold a wine glass and pour it should never be wrong."

"Although I didn't like her education, the environment around me was such that, even if it was painful at times, I gradually got used to these standardized manners that had nothing to do with my true nature."

"Under her various strong teachings, I learned how to strike more elegant poses, how to produce a polite and yet friendly smile, how to control my emotions, and how to leave a comfortable impression in the first conversation. Sometimes, when facing a lady praised by everyone, I felt like I was dealing with someone full of superficiality as if I couldn't touch her soul."

"For a long time, I believed that girls should be dignified and proper like that until I changed schools and encountered more diverse girls, only to realize that they had their own postures and emotions when they smiled."

Her voice remained gentle and melodious, "When I was ten, my mother had a school reunion, and the school invited many alumni and prominent figures. Your mother and mine were both invited. Later, I found out that they were former schoolmates. When my mom returned that day, she brought back many photos. There were pictures of her while giving a speech, talking to others, and also group photos with old classmates. But what made me sad was one picture of her with you and your mother."

"Your mom dotes on you, so despite the long and inconvenient journey, she brought you there to play according to your wishes. In that photo, your mom and mine stood under a tree, and you stood in front of them, with a wide, carefree smile, as if you knew nothing but happiness. Growing up to be pretty and smiling so freely is something to envy. When my mom saw me staring at that photo, she told me that the girl in the picture was also named Xizhi, but the difference was that you had the surname Gu."

"Maybe you can't understand, but my initial feeling at the time was, why are our names so similar, yet the difference is so significant? You smiled so brightly, while I was full of ugly pretense. Others could be cheerful, but why did you have to be so cheerful with the same name, Xizhi?"

"Your name was truly a terrifying thing for me. That entire summer when I was ten, I studied various musical instruments in the music room, but every time I looked up and saw that photo, saw you, I would cry and cry continuously. But even after crying, I had to continue learning. I think I was envious of you at that time."

"Perhaps because my mentality gradually twisted, I began to envy people like you. Later, I noticed the only person around me who could switch between two different appearances, Lin Mingling. Naively, I thought that apart from the appearance required by the elders, she was actually brave and spontaneous. So, during the years from fourteen to fifteen, I made the biggest mistake I've ever made so far, I learned to protect her.

"Unfortunately, growth makes people understand more truths, and it also makes the more mature me realize the benefits of my upbringing. At sixteen, I gradually distanced myself from her. She unexpectedly didn't give up and even had several hysterical outbursts. It wasn't until my birthday that she brought me a gift, and I refused to accept it. She stayed in front of my house all night. The next morning, when I was getting ready for school, I found her sitting on my front lawn with disheveled hair, crying."

"My living environment was already oppressive, and an incident like this worsened my mental state. When I faced her, I was always filled with guilt. She remained relentless, and no matter how I apologized, she couldn't forgive me. As time went on, I became exhausted and couldn't accept her emotions. Eventually, it ignited her anger."

"Time is indeed a great medicine. After a long period of psychological adjustment, our conditions improved significantly. At twenty, seeing you in the media added more colors to my life. I was amazed by the fate between us. I started paying attention to your every move and tried to get to know you proactively. You are extremely lovable and delightful, and I wanted to protect your nature and fulfill all your expectations for the world. But due to misunderstandings in our careers, you had an extremely negative impression of me."

"Still, I continued to see you as another version of myself. I gathered all the information about you, watched you grow, watched you fall in love with others, and urgently wanted to pull you out of a bad situation when you met the wrong person. At that time, I thought I liked another version of myself in this world, someone like you. I wanted to protect, someone I wanted to sacrifice for, someone I wanted to have forever. It was still me."

"At that time, I only thought that getting close to you, being good to you, and wanting to preserve your nature were all pathological ways to compensate for myself, unrelated to you."

"The more morbid the emotions, the less I dared to mention them. I never even dared to tell you how much I liked you. The longer it went on, the more I realized that you and I have always been two lonely individuals. I couldn't control your thoughts and actions, make you like me as I wished, or keep you from leaving me. But I still wanted to protect you, to the extent that I couldn't even imagine you disappearing from my side."

"The matter with Bo Yiqing was my misguided hope. When I sought her out, I vaguely considered the consequences, but whether it was wishful thinking or numbness, I was willing to go to hell for it. I did it hoping that you would get closer to me, but unfortunately, it didn't bring us closer; it pushed you further away."

"Later, I carefully considered the reason for your departure. I understand that you would make the same choice a hundred times if you looked back, and I also understand your reluctance to be compared to me."

"I just found that I understand you less and less."

"You were willing to kneel to seek forgiveness from my mom, but you could heartlessly avoid looking at me. You clearly wore the ring I gave you but decisively walked away for over 800 days and nights. I don't understand why I feel restless when I see you talking to Tang Yu, and you remain unresponsive even when you know I'm with Zhong Linshan. I don't understand why your feelings for me are always hesitant, why you're tolerant of everything except me. I often feel that you still like me, yet I often think it's just my sickly imagination."

"Over the long period, I gradually realized that simple waiting is endless. So, I tried every means to connect the dots, hoping that the movie 'Black and White Feathers' would give you and us a chance. I watched as your location got closer and closer to me because of that necklace with a tracker, and one day you appeared by my side, but not to find me. At Zhong Linshan's birthday party, I didn't drink too much, I knew you weren't there to see me, yet I didn't want to admit it. Unfortunately, in the end, I could only get you upstairs through Scarlett Li as the bait."

"Those words, some true, some false, were mostly meant for you to hear. I waited for over 800 days, not wanting to lose even a single hug easily."

"Perhaps it was the intense unease that made me become so anxious. I couldn't imagine you leaving my side again. So on the day 'Black and White Feathers' finished filming, I chose to leave early."

"Almost four years have passed, and whether it's Zhong Linshan's birthday or every day of filming, I've been anxious and restless while waiting. I thought this time I could finally break free, but in the end, I fell into the cycle again. Do you know? Before this engagement ceremony, Lin Mingling came to me. She said you would come but only after the wedding. Then she told me all the reasons for you coming or not."

"She's terrifying, but I still wanted to wait, to wait for the brave back of the Gu Xizhi I love to treasure."

But in the end, she was right. Our relationship was so fragile and easily shattered. Looking back, it seems like a joke. This is my biggest failure, and it will be your regret."

"Perhaps it's for the best, at least it made me realize that giving up is our happiest way out."

"Perhaps this relationship has been wrong and twisted since the first time I saw you. I have liked you for so long, chased you for so long, and waited for so long. Now, I am finally willing to end this failed mistake."

The sound of the piano had stopped long ago, Qu Xizhi's straight back gradually relaxed, and her voice was so soft that she could no longer hear it.

"Gu Xizhi, we..."

The sunlight pierced through the blossoms, casting dappled shadows on the pristine skirt. The plum blossoms on the branches thrived, opening vigorously in the wind. However, such exuberance also marked the swift decline of life.

Gu Xizhi watched as the blurry figure slowly collapsed, as if afraid, her entire body trembling, not daring to take a single step forward.

In the distance, like the green mountains shrouded in thin mist, water vapor rose, and warm smoke wafted, and spiraled to envelop.

The blurry figure lay among the petals, her features peacefully closed. Faint floral shadows fell on her fair face, casting a bright hue, yet the damp lashes added a sense of tranquility and serenity.

Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her striking red lips made her complexion almost eerie.

She is still beautiful.

***

"In the tropical rainforests of South America, there is a butterfly with transparent wings called the Glasswing Butterfly. Its wings have no color or scales, giving it a dreamy appearance. I like animals that can fly, especially those that are both beautiful and can fly. If I can get first place in the mid-term English exam this year, my dad said he'd take me to South America. But there's a girl in my class who seems to have some sort of cheat code for learning English; there's no way I can come first."

Flipping through Qu Xizhi's notebook, the pages were filled with graceful and adorable handwriting. After scanning a few pages, she heard footsteps approaching. Gu Xizhi quickly put the notebook down and looked up to see a cup of coffee in front of her. She hurriedly took it.

"Thank you, Aunt Yin."

"No one stopped you when you came in?" Yin Jun sat down opposite her. "

"Yes." Gu Xizhi put down her coffee and said uneasily, "Actually, I called Mr. Chen, and he said I wouldn't be stopped."

"I remember when you left, I told you that if you had any difficulties, you could ask Xiao Chen for help, but he can only help you three times."

Sipping her coffee lightly and leaning back on the sofa, "How many times is this?"

"The third time." Looking at Yin Jun, she added, "The first time was when I had a conflict with a singer in Japan, the second time was when I met a reliable private investigator through him, and this is the third time."

"It seems like you really want to see me." Yin Jun held a cup of coffee and looked at her with a half-smile, "Tell me what's going on?"

Gu Xizhi pondered for a while before facing her with firm eyes, "I want to see Qu Xizhi.

"She has a bad heart. If you go, you will only make her condition worse. Besides, Shen Ya is taking care of her. What are you going to accomplish by going?"

Gu Xizhi said: "She doesn't like Shen Ya, you shouldn't let them be together, otherwise she will only become more and more unhappy."

"It wasn't me who made them be together." Yin Jun smiled and looked at her. "It was her own choice not to have any objections to this marriage. With her personality, do you think I could force her into marriage?"

Gu Xizhi suddenly seemed unable to refute and stared at her blankly without speaking.

Yin Jun added, "I have always known about Lin Mingling and Tang Yu. Frankly speaking, I don't think those two people are an obstacle at all, but they have become an obstacle to you."

Yin Jun smiled helplessly, "Gu Xizhi, to be honest, I don't want Qu Xizhi to see you again."