The train was still speeding through the rain towards Suzhou when I finally opened my eyes. I stared painfully and numbly at the blurred world outside the window, distorted by the speed. I saw the hills and lakes reduced to mere symbols in this rainy weather. How many lives were thriving and continuing ceaselessly within them, yet I had ignored them all due to my mental anguish…
My mind briefly regained clarity at the edge of collapse. Was I once again falling into old patterns—fixating on the surface appearance of things and feeling only pain, while neglecting the need to think more deeply?
I thought again of Mi Cai and recalled my behavior at the wedding… Why hadn’t I been focused enough at the moment we exchanged rings, and instead noticed Qinyan’s reaction in the crowd?
Was this merely a coincidence?
Absolutely not. It was because of the external disturbances I had been receiving recently that I had constantly been under tension, psychologically suggesting to myself that something might go wrong. Combined with Mi Cai’s pre-wedding anxiety, I had instinctively doubted whether the wedding could proceed smoothly. Therefore, at the most crucial moment of exchanging rings, I had been overly alert, fearing unexpected situations, and subconsciously paying attention to every detail around me, which was why I noticed Qinyan’s strange behavior.
And what about Mi Cai? What must she be feeling at this moment? I tried to put myself in her shoes…
She must be deeply sad and desperate! She was grieving for me and despairing for herself. Yes, otherwise, how could she have said the word “plead” which she had never uttered in her life? She pleaded with me to believe that Yan Zhuo was not a cruel person, and begged me not to let this incident harm the affection we had painstakingly built.
Her image in the white wedding dress, pale-faced, reappeared in my mind. A voice awakened me: stop hurting this poor, innocent woman with my impulsiveness and extremes. Moreover, I still loved her deeply…
I closed my eyes again, and once more envisioned that Sky City whose door Mi Cai had already opened, waiting for me to walk in. It turned out that it had quietly returned into my heart at some unnoticed moment. My love and life had once again found the noblest faith because I had met her…
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket, pulling me back to reality. My scalp prickled again. I feared it might be Yan Yan calling, afraid to hear the unbearable news.
Thankfully, it was Leyao calling…
I repeatedly calmed my breathing, waiting until I was slightly composed before answering. Leyao’s voice was not filled with blame. She softly said, “Zhaoyang, we’re all very sorry to hear this, and we understand your breakdown in the face of life and death… But you must regain clarity, think clearly, and face this situation, understand? Also, all of us close friends will stand by your side and face it together with you!”
I remained silent for a long time before replying, “Thank you… thank you for understanding my breakdown in the face of life and death. I…”
“You don’t need to explain anything further. What we need to do now is to find out the real situation on Jian Wei’s side… I just had someone check, and the situation is indeed not very optimistic. She is currently undergoing emergency treatment, but there is still a chance of survival. I know you’re very anxious, but I hope you can relax a bit and think about how Mi Cai must be feeling at this moment!”
“How is she…?”
“She?… If she had acted as nervously and recklessly as you did, would she still be Mi Cai?… After you left, she immediately contacted the best neurosurgeons in Shanghai and invited them to Suzhou for assistance. If Jian Wei survives this emergency, she will have the best medical team helping her recover. Even if domestic treatment isn’t sufficient, there are excellent foreign doctors. She will definitely be able to live a normal life again! You must firmly believe this!”
Leyao’s words left me overwhelmed with emotions I could hardly express. Yet I could truly see the strength and kindness within Mi Cai’s heart. It was only after returning to Xuzhou that she had been accommodating me with a passive and go-with-the-flow attitude, creating an illusion of fragility. But when it came to facing real challenges, she could immediately assume her former role as CEO, giving me the strongest sense of security.
Leyao continued, “Zhaoyang, everyone is very worried about Jian Wei… and they’re already heading to Suzhou. They might arrive before you because Jinfei and I chartered a private jet still waiting in Xuzhou, so we’re flying directly there.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Right now, besides worrying about Jian Wei’s safety, you should also consider how to face Mi Cai afterward. Your reactions during this event must have deeply affected her. You need to understand what she is thinking and how she sees you.”
I remained silent…
“I believe your silence means you’ve taken my words to heart… Also, this incident might not be as simple as it seems. Time will reveal the truth. Please, don’t have any extreme thoughts anymore. We’ll talk more when we meet… The plane is about to take off!”
…
Moments after ending the call with Leyao, the high-speed train carried me into the next city. Although the sky remained overcast, the rain had already left this city. The grass and trees, still wet from the rain, exuded a breath of life while waiting for the sun. I knew that spring had truly arrived. Although it still carried the sorrow of winter, it would surely bring vibrant vitality to the world that had withered through the season… Thus, I silently prayed, praying that Jian Wei could safely pass through this trial of life.
About half an hour later, the train finally crossed the Yangtze River and arrived at the first city of southern Jiangnan on this journey. Amid extreme anxiety, I caught a glimpse of sunlight breaking through the clouds, fluctuating constantly on my right side, easing some of my anxiety. I deeply contemplated the ongoing event and the impact it might have on my relationship with Mi Cai.
If it was truly Yan Zhuo who orchestrated this behind the scenes, how should I face my relationship with Mi Cai? And what choice would she make?
If it wasn’t Yan Zhuo, then who was the person pulling the strings behind this, creating such serious consequences? Who, with such deep scheming, had used my human weaknesses at this critical moment, and framed Yan Zhuo?
I took a deep breath, as if standing on the Sky City Mi Cai had reclaimed for me, silently watching whether there were indeed shifting clouds behind human nature…
Perhaps there were, perhaps not. Because aside from the darkness in people’s hearts, I also saw Leyao and Mi Cai, who had set aside their past prejudices against Jian Wei, striving their hardest for her survival. Wasn’t this a shining example of humanity emerging in the face of life and death?
Within the crystalline city, I watched myself again and again, warning and awakening… I must become an excellent man like Mi Cai. If she also had a Sky City, I hoped to be the man in her city!… I must face this incident and the chain reaction of the future with calmness!
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