As they were leaving the ancient town of the previous dynasty, the sunset had already painted the entire skyline in deep crimson. Such a breathtaking view was rarely seen amidst the towering modern skyscrapers.
“Today was truly wonderful. Thank you…” Qin Menglu gently brushed her delicate long hair aside, which had fallen loosely across her face. Her graceful and charming appearance drew glances from passersby.
“Why are you thanking me?” Xiao Yufan was taken aback. Observing the sudden quietness in Qin Menglu, a vague sense of unease stirred within him, though he couldn’t quite place its source.
“Because… because you’ve spent so much time with me. Aside from my father, no other man has ever stayed by my side this long!”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and in that moment, she looked as pure and innocent as when he first met her, radiating a fragile charm that would stir tenderness in any man’s heart. Unfortunately, Xiao Yufan only saw her as a younger sister.
“If you’re so touched, why don’t you offer yourself to me? Maybe I’d consider it…”
Xiao Yufan’s tone was teasing. The melancholy he’d felt upon leaving the ancient town gradually faded away, revealing his natural ability to let go of troubles. He never held onto worries—except when it came to Cheng Ying.
“Oh really? Just be careful you won’t be too scared to take me on…” She playfully stuck her tongue out, her sudden change in demeanor reminding Xiao Yufan once again of this girl’s carefree nature, someone who could live without burdens or pain.
…
In the following days, Xiao Yufan mostly spent time with Qin Menglu, and Yu Yihan eventually gave in. Though she disliked the idea of letting Xiao Yufan have such an easy time, she found it hard to refuse her cousin’s requests.
Most of the company affairs were handed over to Lin Pingle. This move naturally invited criticism from those who looked for faults, but Xiao Yufan, who rarely stayed at the office, simply ignored the rumors.
Yu Yihan became increasingly busy and had little time to monitor the two. As time passed, the bond between Xiao Yufan and Qin Menglu continued to deepen. Yet, the unspoken understanding between them remained strictly within the realm of pure friendship.
However, soon Xiao Yufan began to notice a significant change in Qin Menglu. A strange sadness often appeared in her expressions. Slowly, he realized that she, too, was not as calm and composed on the inside as she seemed outwardly.
Everyone carries a story from their past, buried deep in the memories of bygone days. Xiao Yufan believed that Qin Menglu would soon recover from this mood—but he soon realized he might have been mistaken.
“If one day I leave, will you miss me?”
The alleyway they stood in was unusually quiet. In just a few short days, Xiao Yufan had walked nearly every corner of the town with Qin Menglu. According to her, she wanted to etch every detail of this place into her memory forever.
“Of course I will. These past few days with such beautiful company have been the highlight of my life. I don’t think many men have had such a privilege…”
Xiao Yufan replied without hesitation. He wasn’t sure why Qin Menglu had become so sentimental lately, but what he said was the truth—his time with her had genuinely been joyful.
“Then no matter what happens, you must never forget me. That’s an order!”
Hearing his response, Qin Menglu’s face flushed again. Her voice turned slightly playful but carried a subtle tremble that betrayed her emotions.
“Why are you suddenly so emotional? It’s not just because we visited an old town together, is it? If you do have feelings for me, just say it! Don’t keep it bottled up inside…”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Yufan noticed the shift in her expression. Instantly, his body tensed. He quickly darted away—he had no desire to suffer her teasing again after days of her unpredictable antics.
Letting out a soft laugh, Qin Menglu watched Xiao Yufan flee in a flustered manner, her laughter sweet and enchanting. Yet only she knew the pain hidden deep within her heart.
“Why did I have to meet you? If I had never met you, perhaps I could have faced everything with calm detachment. But now…”
Qin Menglu’s heart was filled with confusion. She had come to this unfamiliar city seeking peace, but by chance, she had met Xiao Yufan—a man she found hard to let go. But what choice did she have?
She had never believed in fate, but from the moment their eyes met on that train, she did. Sometimes, chance encounters were indeed destined. Fortunately, for all this time, neither had truly left the other’s side.
“I hope you’ll live a better life. I’m sure many girls will come to love you.”
A bitter feeling welled up from deep within her. Glancing at Xiao Yufan, who still hadn’t grasped the depth of her feelings, Qin Menglu steadied her emotions and stepped forward. Even in parting, she would leave with a smile…
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