The ancient town, originally a place of great beauty, was highlighted by the hundreds-of-meters-long Suoxin Bridge, which left visitors reluctant to leave. Whenever people arrived here, they would stop to admire the scenery…
Though the locks were physically fastened onto the Suoxin Bridge, they had truly locked onto the hearts of devoted lovers.
Each lock bore different inscriptions, though some had rusted so much that the characters were blurred. No one could tell how long ago it was when pairs of lovers once left their vows of love here.
These tarnished, yellowed locks had witnessed countless days of joy and sorrow, sunshine and storms, and had observed the endless stream of people passing by.
Of those men and women who once passionately believed in love, how many still remember their promises made on this bridge? How many will return here one day, even if only in their dreams?
Or perhaps, how many of those once-fervent promises will fade like the engraved characters on these locks, corroded by time, becoming nothing more than rusted memories.
“Locking the oath of love, witnessed by heaven and earth; wandering through this charming ancient town, morning and night. Vows as firm as mountains and seas solidify into golden locks; poetry and art reveal a wise heart…”
Looking at the elegant four-line inscription on the stone tablet at the edge of Suoxin Bridge, Xiao Yufan’s heart churned, unable to calm. This was the first time he had come here since Cheng Ying had left him.
“Let’s walk across…” Qin Menglu’s voice was gentle. She could sense Xiao Yufan’s sudden emotional shift. Watching couples pass hand-in-hand across the bridge, she seemed to understand something…
“Aren’t you afraid others might mistake us for a couple?” Xiao Yufan smiled, though his expression seemed forced. Pain isn’t always written on one’s face.
“So what if they do? Am I not good enough to be your girlfriend?” Qin Mengru’s lips curled upward, carrying the same aloof and cold demeanor as when they first met. Yet her words were indeed hard to decipher.
The two stepped onto Suoxin Bridge, just like other couples, gazing at the rusted locks that time had worn away. Their eyes softened, not with youth, but with lingering hope for love deep in their hearts…
“Yufan, have you ever loved someone?”
Standing quietly at one side of the bridge, gazing distantly at the other end, Qin Menglu’s eyes turned hazy. She wasn’t indifferent—she simply buried all emotions deep inside.
“I once did, but we’ve parted ways. I wasn’t good enough. Sometimes, water slips through your fingers; perhaps it’s better to return it to the ocean and sky.”
Thinking of Cheng Ying again, Xiao Yufan felt no ripple in his heart. He had grown used to being alone. Looking back, he realized that his past love had merely been comfort in loneliness. Perhaps he hadn’t truly longed for it after all.
“Can you tell me why you broke up? I’m curious. At least from my perspective, Yufan, you’re truly an outstanding person…”
Qin Menglu wasn’t flattering him. Whether it was Xiao Yufan’s appearance or character, he was certainly no ordinary man. If there was any flaw, perhaps it was his seemingly impoverished appearance. Yet, through her cousin’s tone, Qin Menglu knew that this poverty was only skin-deep.
“Outstanding?” Xiao Yufan was momentarily stunned, then a faint bitter smile flickered across his lips. Perhaps now he had many things he once only dreamed of, so he was no longer pitiful. But who could imagine his life two or three years ago?
“Do breakups even need reasons? Sometimes people just stop loving, and then they part. Not everyone is as pure and guileless as you. The world isn’t as simple as you think…”
The same sigh, but with a different heart. He believed that if he stood before Cheng Ying now, he could fully reclaim his dignity. But would it still matter?
“Is that so? At least you had a love that carved deeply into your heart. But what about me? I didn’t even get the chance to choose…”
Qin Menglu murmured to herself, her eyes filled with a strange sadness. Xiao Yufan, lost in thought, didn’t notice that this girl had a world of her own inside…
Slowly crouching down, she tilted her head, trying to keep tears from spilling over. She didn’t want anyone to know her suppressed emotions. Sometimes, carrying burdens alone was tiring, but at least it wouldn’t sadden those around her.
“She must have lost out by leaving Yufan. I’m sure she’ll regret it someday. Come on, why does a man have to be so sentimental? You’d better spend more time having fun with me!”
Finally, Qin Menglu adjusted her mood. Throughout this, Xiao Yufan hadn’t noticed her change, but she had begun consoling him instead…
“I hope so…”
Xiao Yufan finally drew his gaze back, slowly exhaling. Ever since his master handed him that golden card, he had known that he carried a background that many would envy…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage