Chapter 73 Story Ends Forever…

Chapter 73: Conclusion — Forever...

Yu Kui had limited time off. After staying back home for two days and seeing that Xie Xingzhi had recovered, she prepared to return to class.

"I'll go with you," Xie Xingzhi said immediately. "It’s perfect timing to celebrate the Double Festival (Christmas and New Year's) with you."

"That's not necessary," Yu Kui glanced at his arm. "Rest well at home. We can talk about festivals later."

"My work has been handed off," Xie Xingzhi insisted. "If you don’t take me along, I’ll have nothing to do at home."

Yu Kui didn't entirely believe him, but since he genuinely wanted to go, she brought him back to school with her.

While she attended classes, Xie Xingzhi stayed in the hotel. Once her classes ended, they would go out to eat and take walks or go shopping.

After the Christmas Eve holiday, she even rented a car and took Xie Xingzhi to a forest hundreds of kilometers away from the school for a picnic. In the winter wind and snow, arriving at the pre-booked treehouse felt like stepping into a fairy-tale world far from civilization.

The two took out a grill from the treehouse, hurriedly lit charcoal in the open space, and eagerly began preparing dinner. As sizzling sounds filled the air, the aroma of steak and various meats spread around.

Xie Xingzhi was a good cook, so Yu Kui let him take charge while she took out a cast-iron pot, added fruits like apples and pears, and made tea over the fire.

Once the barbecue was ready, they sat outside, enjoying the snowy scenery as they ate.

"It’s so quiet here," Yu Kui remarked, watching the softly falling snowflakes. "Even more beautiful than I imagined."

Xie Xingzhi placed a peeled grilled shrimp on her plate. "It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this relaxed."

"Who told you to work so much?" Yu Kui said with a pout. "Every time you call me, it’s already nighttime."

Xie Xingzhi smiled. "Should I switch to calling during the day then?"

Yu Kui gave a light hum. "Night is fine. I’m busy during the day too."

She warmed her hands by the fire and poured a cup of tea for herself and Xie Xingzhi. "The fruit tea smells wonderful too."

Xie Xingzhi smiled as he watched her. Merely being by her side made him feel unusually at ease. "Be careful, it’s hot."

After eating and drinking for a while, Xie Xingzhi added more charcoal to the grill, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature until Yu Kui started to doze off. Then they returned to the treehouse to rest.

The next day, Yu Kui slept until the sun was high in the sky. After breakfast delivered by the host, she took Xie Xingzhi out to explore the forest.

Although there weren’t many green plants to see, adventuring in the heavy snow still felt really cool to Yu Kui.

In the afternoon, they went to a nearby ski resort and skied for two hours before reluctantly driving back to school.

Xie Xingzhi stayed for ten days. After celebrating New Year’s Day with Yu Kui, he had to return home amid Sun Zhaoyang’s repeated urging.

"Take good care of yourself here," he said as departure neared, finally unable to resist ruffling her hair. "If anything happens, be sure to call me. I can come anytime I'm needed."

"Got it."

"Also," Xie Xingzhi added worriedly, "I made some food and put it in the fridge. If you don’t want to eat at the cafeteria, don't go hungry. No matter how busy you are, make sure to eat properly."

Yu Kui had complained to him several times about the food there, so whenever Xie Xingzhi visited, he would prepare her favorite dishes and freeze them.

"Okay, okay," Yu Kui laughed, her eyes curving into crescents at his nagging. "You sound like a worried parent. I’m a grown adult—I can take care of myself."

"Mm." Xie Xingzhi gazed at her fair, clean face as if imprinting her image deeply in his mind. Almost without thinking, he said, "Yu Kui, can I..."

"Hmm?" The girl blinked, looking at him curiously. "What is it?"

Xie Xingzhi averted his gaze, quietly pulling back the urge to hug her tightly. "I mean, I’m really glad I could come with you this time. Let’s travel together again in the future."

"Sure." Yu Kui seemed oblivious to the emotion in his eyes. "You pick the place."

"Mm." Xie Xingzhi checked the time, then finally reached out and hugged her for just a few seconds before gently letting go. "I’m leaving."

The pleasant scent of the man enveloped Yu Kui momentarily, but as he turned to leave with his suitcase, the faint, comforting fragrance quickly dissipated in the winter wind.

She stood still, watching Xie Xingzhi drive away, a distinct feeling of sadness rising in her heart.

She too wished Xie Xingzhi could stay longer, but both of them had their own paths. Seeing each other occasionally was already a blessing.

She didn’t dwell on her reluctance. Instead, she looked up at the falling snowflakes, thinking to herself: timely snow promises a good harvest. As winter gives way to spring, everything begins anew.

With the novel nearing its end, both she and Xie Xingzhi had broken free from their predetermined fates and could finally live as their true selves.

After Xie Xingzhi returned to China, Yu Kui plunged back into her busy schedule.

But with the new year came not only warmer temperatures but also a highly dangerous flu outbreak.

Many students at the school were infected. At first, no one realized the severity until news spread that several students had developed lung issues, were hospitalized, and soon passed away.

The flu swiftly became a deadly scythe, casting a bloody veil over what should have been a vibrant spring.

Within just a few days, thousands had died nationwide.

The numbers sent chills down everyone’s spines.

Similar flu outbreaks occurred around the world, forcing the school to cancel classes and implement quarantine protocols.

Seeing the panic on campus, Yu Kui stocked up on supplies and hunkered down in her apartment, hoping the virus would soon be controlled.

However, some students posted online that the death toll was much higher than reported—not just thousands, but many more in unreported areas had suffocated to death due to lack of timely medical care. They urged everyone to protect themselves and avoid contact with others unless absolutely necessary.

Yu Kui browsed several posts, all describing how terrifying the flu was—hospitals were overcrowded, and infection could easily be fatal.

A chill ran down Yu Kui’s spine. This flu hadn’t appeared in the novel—or perhaps the novel had already ended, and events beyond it were no longer part of its record.

She first disinfected her apartment, then checked all ventilation openings, closing them off as much as possible.

After that, she started preparing breakfast.

She had bought eggs, vegetables, and various ready-made foods—enough to last over half a month if nothing went wrong.

A few days earlier, Yu Kui’s mother had called, saying the situation in China was also severe. Many flights were grounded, and residential areas were under quarantine. She urged Yu Kui to take care of herself abroad and avoid contact with others.

By the end of the call, her mother was on the verge of tears, terrified something might happen to her daughter.

Back home, she could still find ways to get her medical help, but abroad, she felt helpless.

"I’m fine," Yu Kui reassured her. "You and Dad should focus on protecting yourselves. Once the flu passes, I’ll take you traveling."

"Okay," her mother said, holding back tears. "If anything happens, call me immediately. Don’t try to tough it out alone."

"I know," Yu Kui said lightly. "I’m 25, not a child. Don’t worry."

After that, Yu Kui’s mother called at least three times a day, needing to confirm her safety to feel at ease.

During this period, Xie Xingzhi, Sun Shuya, and a few others also called one after another to ask about her situation abroad.

"I'm doing fine now," Yu Kui said cheerfully. "Don’t worry about me. I’m the only one in the entire apartment, so no one can infect me."

But things took an unexpected turn; that very night she started running a fever, with a dry throat and body aches.

These were the early symptoms of infection. Feeling hazy, Yu Kui realized she was sick and immediately picked up her phone to call the hospital, but the line was busy and she couldn’t get through.

After some searching, she learned that all hospitals were overcrowded and overwhelmed. Severe cases couldn’t be admitted, and those with mild symptoms were advised to monitor themselves at home.

She quickly found ways to take care of herself during early infection, took appropriate medication from the medicine cabinet, and used cool water to cool herself down, hoping she would feel better by the next day.

But that night, she spiked a high fever. In a haze, she got up and took her temperature—it was already over 38 degrees Celsius.

She took another dose of medicine and made herself cook despite the discomfort. The worse she felt, the more she knew she needed to keep her strength up, or she'd just be sick longer.

Once she'd eaten, she fell asleep again, this time until the next afternoon. There were dozens of missed calls on her phone—from her parents and several close friends.

Yu Kui’s throat was itchy, and coughing felt like knives cutting into her. She picked up her phone to let her family know she was okay. As soon as the call connected, she heard her mother’s anxious voice: "Kui Kui, how are you now? Are you sick?"

Yu Kui glanced at the thermometer—the reading hadn’t changed significantly—and replied hoarsely, "I’m fine. It’s just a mild infection. I’ve already taken medicine and should recover in a few days."

Hearing that she was infected, her mother was heartbroken. "You scared me to death. Do you have any idea how terrified I’ve been since yesterday?"

"I’m okay," Yu Kui said, her nose tingling with emotion. "You and Dad don’t need to worry. I’m young and have a strong immune system. I’ll recover soon."

"Can you go to the hospital?" her mother urged anxiously. "If the medicine isn’t working, you must go. I’ll find a way to get you an appointment right now."

Yu Kui didn’t tell her that the hospitals were overwhelmed. Even if she went, she wouldn’t be able to get timely treatment, and being around crowds might even worsen her condition.

"I’ll go," she said softly. "I’ve already taken medicine. If there’s no improvement by this afternoon, I’ll go straight to the hospital."

Even so, her mother remained worried. "If it weren't for the flight suspensions, I’d be on my way to you right now."

Yu Kui was her only beloved daughter. If anything happened to her, her mother didn’t know how she would go on living.

"If I feel unwell, I’ll definitely call home," Yu Kui reassured her. "Mom, you and Dad need to take precautions too. Remember to wear masks and sanitize when you go out for supplies."

"Don’t worry about us," her mother said. "The community comes by to check our temperatures daily. If we get infected, we’ll receive timely treatment. Your dad and I are healthy; we’ll be fine."

"But you," her mother choked up, "don’t push yourself too hard."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Yu Kui contacted friends back home to let them know she was safe, but she couldn’t get through to Xie Xingzhi.

This discovery gave Yu Kui a sense of foreboding, worrying that the novel’s fate might be repeating itself with him. She hurriedly contacted Sun Zhaoyang, but he also had no idea where Xie Xingzhi was.

"The office is empty now. All employees are working from home. I’m quarantined in my residential compound and can’t go out to look for him. I haven’t heard from him either."

"I see." Yu Kui then contacted the property management of Xie Xingzhi’s residential complex and learned that he hadn’t returned home. At a loss, she could only hope nothing had happened to him.

She sat on the sofa for a while, then got up and went to the kitchen to cook herself a bowl of egg noodles.

After forcing herself to eat, she began preparing for the worst. If her fever spiked again or her throat showed no sign of improvement, she would have to go to the hospital, no matter how difficult it was.

After drinking a lot of hot water, she collapsed onto the sofa and fell into a heavy sleep until urgent knocking startled her awake.

Yu Kui blinked, swayed to the door, and peered through the peephole to assess the situation outside. Warily, she asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s me." The all-too-familiar voice made her heart leap.

"Who?" she asked again, uncertain.

"Xie Xingzhi," the person outside replied. "I’ve come to take you back to China."

Yu Kui took a slow, sharp breath, but her throat stung even more. As if in a dream, she opened the door. When she saw the young man in a black overcoat standing there, her pupils contracted sharply. Disbelieving, she asked, "You… how did you get here? The flights are suspended, and it’s such a long way."

Seeing her pale complexion, Xie Xingzhi’s eyes darkened slightly. He explained softly, "I borrowed a private plane from Lu Cheng."

Lu Cheng was his business partner, and they had once shared a meal together.

Yu Kui never imagined Xie Xingzhi could borrow a private plane and, amid such severe circumstances, navigate layers of approval to reach her.

It must have involved unimaginable scrutiny.

She stared at him blankly, her usually sharp mind at a loss for how to react.

This was completely beyond her expectations.

At a time when people around the world were fearful for their safety, Xie Xingzhi had crossed thousands of kilometers to quietly appear before her.

He was right there, his presence so overwhelming that Yu Kui couldn’t deceive herself into thinking this was a dream.

Xie Xingzhi had really come.

He was truly standing before her.

This time, it was even more breathtaking than when he had driven to find her during the earthquake in City B.

Thousands of miles—on paper, it was just a short string of numbers, but to truly traverse it meant crossing mountains and seas, an immense distance.

Before this, Yu Kui could hardly imagine anyone appearing by her side amid such a severe pandemic.

But Xie Xingzhi had come.

Just like before, he surprised and amazed her, defying all expectations.

"It’s so dangerous. Why did you come?" she asked, snapping back to reality disapprovingly. "What if you get infected too? I simply…"

"Don’t overthink it," Xie Xingzhi said, taking off his coat at the door and carefully disinfecting himself with alcohol. He looked up at her. "I came prepared."

With that, he strode to the bathroom to wash his hands.

Yu Kui sat on the sofa, staring blankly at his retreating figure. Her accelerating heartbeat made her breath quicken. She wasn’t sure if it was the virus wreaking havoc or the pounding of her heart that she could no longer ignore.

She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling as though something had quietly shifted amid the chaos.

Xie Xingzhi soon returned and naturally touched Yu Kui’s forehead. Finding her still feverish, he immediately used a thermometer and a virus test kit to check her condition.

Yu Kui cooperated with his actions and asked in a muffled voice, "Did you suspect I was sick because you couldn’t reach me by phone?"

"Mm," Xie Xingzhi replied, glancing at the thermometer. The reading wasn’t extremely high, but it was still concerning.

He then checked the test card—it confirmed a viral infection.

He immediately asked what medication she had taken earlier.

Yu Kui avoided his concerned gaze and answered, "Just fever-reducing medication and cold medicine."

Xie Xingzhi asked her when she had taken them.

Yu Kui gave a time, "I took them according to the instructions."

Seeing her flushed face and listless appearance, Xie Xingzhi affectionately touched her hair, "You still need to take the specific medication."

He opened the first-aid kit he'd brought, portioning out the proper dosage, and fed it to her, asking, "How much stuff do you need to take back? I'll pack your suitcase for you."

Hearing his matter-of-fact tone, Yu Kui lowered her eyelashes and asked again, "Xie Xingzhi, why did you come for me? It's so dangerous right now. Aren't you afraid of getting infected?"

Her fingertips tightened subtly, but her gaze did not avoid his, "We're just friends. Why did you come for me?"

"Why?" Xie Xingzhi quirked his lips, deliberately teasing, "Of course, it's because there's only one Yu Kui in this world. Once she's in danger, even if it means crossing through fire and brimstone, her good friend Xie Xingzhi will come to her without hesitation."

He wore a mask, revealing only his narrow, penetrating eyes, gazing at her intently.

Though he seemed to be joking, his eyes held sincerity.

Yu Kui's eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, she said, "I need to take my computer and books back, as well as my clothes and the figurine on the bookshelf."

"What figurine?" Xie Xingzhi poured her a glass of warm water.

Yu Kui replied, "The one you gave me... the Little Prince. Have you forgotten?"

Xie Xingzhi's gaze shifted slightly, though his expression remained calm, "You've kept it with you all this time?"

Yu Kui retorted, "Is that not allowed?"

Xie Xingzhi came back to himself, his eyes visibly softening, "Of course, it's allowed."

After settling Yu Kui, he strode into the bedroom and quickly packed her luggage. Only after putting most of her things into the suitcase did he turn his attention to the figurine on the bookshelf.

The Little Prince was placed inside a transparent acrylic display case. Though its colors had dulled slightly over time, Yu Kui had kept it in perfect condition.

As he picked up the display case to place it in the suitcase, his peripheral vision caught a crack beneath the figurine's chest. Xie Xingzhi's breath caught, and his gaze froze.

Without changing his expression, he opened the display case and took out the figurine. With gentle pressure from his fingertip to its chest, the top piece of wood fell into his palm.

A familiar, delicately crafted ring box appeared before his eyes. Its right corner bore a noticeable dent, clearly having been opened at some point.

Xie Xingzhi's throat constricted. He could vaguely guess that, on some day in the past, the figurine had accidentally fallen from the bookshelf, cracking open upon impact, and the ring box had tumbled out along with it.

As this thought emerged, Xie Xingzhi felt as if his breath had stopped.

Clutching the figurine tightly, he had assumed Yu Kui had never discovered the long-hidden secret. Perhaps it would have been much later, on some casual afternoon, when the figurine’s body began to show signs of wear over time, that she would finally uncover his unspoken heart. Or perhaps she would never have known that hidden within the Little Prince’s chest was the humble, youthful bittersweet affection of his youth.

But now, she knew.

Xie Xingzhi opened the ring box. The diamond ring sparkled under the light, as if gathering the most brilliant rays in the world.

The note was also neatly placed at the bottom of the box, as if it had never been opened.

But Yu Kui had long been aware.

He wasn’t sure when it had happened, but she had chosen to keep his secret for him.

Xie Xingzhi stood still for a moment, the passing moments feeling like an entire century had frozen around him.

It wasn’t until he heard Yu Kui’s uncontrollable coughing that he placed the ring box back into the Little Prince’s heart.

Pretending he too hadn't discovered it.

Yet, when his gaze fell upon the note at the bottom, he couldn’t help but wonder how Yu Kui had felt when she read that line of poetry. Did she think he was too indecisive, not brave or direct enough?

He would never know her true thoughts.

Just as he had never been able to confess to her in person, to tell her he liked her and was willing to do anything for her.

Because he wasn’t worthy.

Even after all these years, he still felt unworthy.

A dim, fading star could never hope to possess the bright, radiant sun. Even if she shone gently upon him, he would still feel ashamed of his own inadequacy.

—I could have endured the darkness, if I had never seen the sun.

But he had already seen it.

The moment sunlight fell upon him, he could never return to the shadows again.

He could only scuttle like a rat in the sewers, desperately drawing near yet unable to fully emerge into the blazing sun.

Because he wasn’t worthy.

A rat should stay where it belongs.

All foolish, wishful thinking deserved to die a thousand deaths.

But then, what was this rising sense of secret hope and anticipation?

Yu Kui had discovered the ring yet had not distanced herself from him. Could he allow himself to hope that she might harbor a shred of pity for him?

Otherwise, why would she have returned to the country the moment he was in danger?

Had she, too, once felt something for him?

This thought made Xie Xingzhi’s heart race erratically.

He placed the figurine into the suitcase and hurried back to the living room. The moment he saw Yu Kui, a thousand things he wanted to say surged within him.

"What’s wrong?" Yu Kui looked up.

Xie Xingzhi knelt down, looking at her pale, sickly face, "I’ve packed all your luggage. Do you want to take a look?"

Yu Kui glanced at the suitcase he had produced. Noticing the figurine placed in the corner, she pressed her lips together, thinking he likely hadn't noticed she was already aware of the ring hidden inside.

But soon, she keenly sensed something was amiss. The figurine's orientation was different from what she remembered.

This meant that during Xie Xingzhi's packing, he had taken the figurine out of its case. Had he then discovered the crack on the figurine?

Had he discovered the ring box had been opened?

This thought made her heart skip a beat. She suddenly looked into Xie Xingzhi's eyes. Their gazes met, but Xie Xingzhi's expression remained unchanged, with no hint of anything unusual in his eyes.

Yu Kui pursed her lips, thinking that even if he discovered the figurine had a crack, he might not have opened it.

Was that really the case?

Her fingers curled inward. If there hadn't been a ring inside the puppet’s chest—one he had placed there himself—he might not have checked.

But that was where his secret lay.

How could he not open it?

How could he pretend not to see?

“That’s enough,” she lowered her eyelashes, feigning calm. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

With that, she rose from the sofa and walked to the bedroom without changing expression to change clothes. But the moment she closed the door, she took a deep breath, no longer able to face Xie Xingzhi naturally.

She knew this matter could no longer be brushed aside.

Before, she had been wary due to Xie Xingzhi’s fate in the novel and never thought of breaking the unspoken understanding between them. But now, neither of them was bound by the plot anymore—some things had to be clarified.

When Yu Kui came out of the bedroom, Xie Xingzhi handed her a clean face mask, then adjusted her hat before he crouched down in front of her. “Hop on, I’ll carry you.”

Yu Kui froze for a moment. Xie Xingzhi explained, “The private jet can’t stay parked long. We need to hurry.”

Yu Kui was still sick and weak all over—it’d be easier if I carried you.

Hearing this, Yu Kui didn’t hesitate any longer. She leaned forward, leaning against his back, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Xie Xingzhi stood up, one arm supporting her legs, the other holding the suitcase. “Hold tight. We’re heading out.”

Yu Kui let out a soft “Mm,” her breath frigid and labored, as if she might cough her lungs out at any moment.

Xie Xingzhi glanced back at the apartment. Seeing nothing left behind, he closed the door and left with Yu Kui.

They took the elevator to the first floor. The surroundings were eerily quiet—no pedestrians, no passing vehicles. The entire city seemed like an empty, deserted city.

Unable to hail a taxi, Xie Xingzhi carried her quickly toward the private airfield.

It was about three kilometers away. Even with Yu Kui on his back, he walked quickly.

Yu Kui listened to his hurried footsteps and looked around. It felt like the whole world had narrowed to just the two of them.

And the only thing she could perceive was Xie Xingzhi—his rushed breathing, his warm body temperature, and his indistinct heartbeat—all of it felt clearer than ever before.

She looked at the sweat-dampened temples. Though he seemed quite disheveled, something inside her quietly melted, making it impossible to hold back anymore.

“Xie Xingzhi,” she struggled to control her emotions, her voice hoarse as she spoke, “Actually, I found out a long time ago.”

“Huh?” He didn’t quite catch what she said and turned to look at her.

Yu Kui tightened her arms around his neck and spoke slowly but clearly, “I discovered the ring inside the puppet a long time ago.”

His steps faltered, and the arm holding her stiffened. His gaze fixed on Yu Kui’s face, his pupils dilating sharply.

As composed as he usually was, hearing those words still left him dazed.

He had thought Yu Kui would never bring it up, that they could keep hiding the truth from each other.

“Do you remember the earthquake five years ago?” Yu Kui said. “The Little Prince doll fell and broke. That’s when I found out it wasn’t just an ordinary gift—inside its heart was a secret I had never noticed.”

“I opened the ring box and saw the note inside, but I never told you.”

Xie Xingzhi could no longer force a smile. He closed his eyes, a wave of bitterness welled up in his heart. He never expected Yu Kui to have known his feelings for so long.

He lowered his head, not daring to look her in the eye, like a sinner condemned by fate.

Once, he lacked the courage to confess face to face and could only stay by her side under the guise of being “good friends.” After learning the truth, she neither exposed him nor made it awkward for him, yet he could no longer look at her as if nothing had happened.

“I…” Xie Xingzhi’s voice was hoarse, struggling to contain the overwhelming emotions. The veins in his neck bulged from tension. He wanted to defend himself, to say the ring wasn’t from him, the note wasn’t written by him—so they could continue maintaining their current relationship.

He wanted to say that no matter how Yu Kui saw him, he would stay by her side.

But the words wouldn’t come out, as if a rope were tightening around his throat. The endless bitterness and the fear of facing the light made it impossible for him to keep pretending to be her “good friend.”

They had to reach a conclusion—if not today, then tomorrow.

“Yes,” after a long silence, he mustered all his strength to say, “I like you.”

The moment he spoke, the corners of his eyes reddened, and his voice trembled. “I’ve liked you for so long, Yu Kui.”

“Back when you tutored me and helped me improve my grades, and I couldn’t do anything for you in return, I kept thinking that one day I would make something out of myself, polish myself until I was perfect, and only then would I deserve to stand by your side and tell you that my feelings for you aren’t just friendship. I never saw you as just a friend. What I feel for you is love—the determination to spend my life with you.”

“But I realized I couldn’t truly hide who I really am. Love didn’t make me brave—instead, it kept making me constantly question myself: Should I stay by your side as a friend forever, or risk losing you completely?”

“If all I can do is look up at the sun, then I’m willing to spend my whole life looking up. I didn’t dare to seek an answer that even I was afraid of.”

“Because I don’t want to lose you.”

He said, “I can’t lose you.”

So even though he knew Yu Kui had discovered the ring, he continued pretending nothing was wrong.

That way, he could keep fooling himself—that they were just friends, and no matter where Yu Kui went, he could come to her side as a friend, secretly stealing a glimpse of sunlight he yearned for.

That alone would be enough for him.

But even if love couldn’t be spoken aloud, it leaped from his eyes and heart. So many times he’d been unable to fully suppress his emotions when their eyes met.

He agonized over whether to confess or stay silent, until all his pretenses crumbled in that moment.

He could no longer pretend to be her “good friend” in front of her.

He laid bare every secret, as if ripping open his chest for her to see clearly, revealing his ordinary and gloomy true self.

So insecure and hesitant—it made even him feel ridiculous.

But he also knew their story had reached its end.

Those stolen time had never truly belonged to him.

Yet, looking into Yu Kui’s clear, bright eyes, he still couldn’t say he would distance himself from her.

He gazed almost hungrily at her face—perhaps this was the closest, and last, time they would be like this.

He wanted to remember her clearly, so that even years later, he could still recall her face vividly.

Seeing the redness in Xie Xingzhi’s eyes, Yu Kui finally truly felt the depth of his emotions. “If I hadn’t asked, would you have never told me?”

Xie Xingzhi opened his mouth. “I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, Yu Kui felt a suffocating sadness. Her heart ached over his insecurity and timidity, and she understood why he lacked courage.

Because his family background also bothered her; otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited until now to bring up the matter of the ring.

But she didn’t like how he put himself down so much.

This wasn’t the kind of relationship she wanted.

“Do you know why I’m only asking you now?” Yu Kui said. “Because I’m glad you came to find me, and I’m sure I’m ready for a new relationship now—not out of obligation or compromise, but to take responsibility for my own feelings.”

Xie Xingzhi’s eyes widened abruptly.

Although he had guessed that Yu Kui also had feelings for him, hearing her say it aloud flooded him with a joy he’d never felt before.

“But your answer makes me pull back,” Yu Kui continued, shifting the tone. “I don’t like this kind of relationship. When two people are together, it shouldn’t be about one person needing the other one-sidedly. It should be about holding hands because of mutual affection, growing together, and accepting each other—not making the other person your whole reason for living.”

“If you insist that I’m the light in your dark life, what I feel isn’t honor, but regret and sadness, because you don’t love yourself enough.”

Xie Xingzhi stood there stunned, his mind racing through countless possible responses from Yu Kui, but he never expected her to say something like this.

A faint unease rose in his chest.

Though her voice was hoarse, Yu Kui’s tone remained calm. “Xie Xingzhi, you must be yourself first before you can love someone else. If you don’t even love yourself, how long could a relationship like that last?”

“Even if I’m moved by your all-out devotion, what happens when that light burns out? Would we become what we despise most in each other?”

The city was empty and silent, and Xie Xingzhi could hear nothing but her voice.

“I’m sure I like you, and I’m glad you feel the same way about me,” Yu Kui admitted openly, not denying her feelings. “When I first saw the ring, I was shocked. I couldn’t even believe it was from you. But the timing wasn’t right back then—I wasn’t in a place to build a healthy relationship, so I chose to stay silent.”

“Later, we went through many things together, and our relationship grew closer. My feelings for you deepened, but we both had our own lives to live, so I still didn’t say anything.”

“Until today, when you came all this way to find me, I thought it was finally the right time to truly accept each other. But now I realize—it’s still not the right time.”

“Our timing is off,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. “It has quietly changed the distance between us.”

Hearing this, Xie Xingzhi immediately understood something, and his heart cramped sharply.

He wanted to beg Yu Kui not to continue, to promise that he would solve whatever issues stood between them, to give her everything she wanted if it made her happy.

But he couldn’t speak, his throat seemingly gripped by an invisible force, and a sense of dread grew stronger.

“Time that’s already passed is stealing you away from me,” she sobbed, her illness making it hard to control her emotions. “It wants to keep you in the past, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

“Xie Xingzhi,” her hot tears fell on his neck, “I’m sorry, I can’t convince myself.”

Yu Kui had imagined what their relationship would be like, but only after opening up to him did she realize how thin those daydreams were. Their feelings needed to be grounded in reality.

Watching Yu Kui’s eyes welling with tears, Xie Xingzhi felt a sharp pain in his ears and heart. “Don’t cry…”

His voice was strained. “Don’t cry.”

Yu Kui’s throat ached as if cut by a knife, and she clung to Xie Xingzhi, sobbing her heart out.

She thought how much better it would be if she were still the young Yu Kui, who wouldn’t overthink their future but would lose herself in the joy of mutual affection, freely savoring the sweetness of being in love.

But the older she grew, the clearer she saw—love wasn’t enough on its own.

Listening to her breathless crying, Xie Xingzhi’s heart felt as if it were tearing apart. He was filled with self-blame, hating himself for making her so sad and regretting how late he had realized what truly mattered to her.

If he had understood earlier, Yu Kui wouldn’t be crying.

Why had he been so foolish and slow to understand?

“Just give me a little more time,” he said after an intense internal struggle, closing his eyes with new resolve. “Let me catch up to you, okay?”

Yu Kui didn’t answer. She silently rested her head on his shoulder, not letting him see her cry.

She knew Xie Xingzhi wasn’t making empty promises, but her heart still ached for him.

That day, she cried until she fell asleep.

When she woke up, she was already on a plane.

Xie Xingzhi sat beside her, gazing at her calmly, unsure how long he had been watching.

During those long hours, he reflected on many things from the past and finally understood that the obstacles between them had nothing to do with whether they loved each other, but rather with the issues he had neglected to resolve, allowing them to entangle into thick cocoons that bound him tightly.

Yu Kui opened her suitcase and returned the Little Prince puppet to him.

“Give it to me again the next time we meet.”

Xie Xingzhi’s eyes reddened as he reached out to take it.

They both knew that this part of the journey was one Xie Xingzhi had to walk alone.

For a long time after that, they didn’t contact each other. It was as if what happened that day had been nothing but a dream.

After the pandemic situation improved, Yu Kui went abroad again and fell out of touch completely.

Xie Xingzhi no longer threw himself entirely into his company. He began balancing work and life, pursuing what he really wanted—like his food preferences, favorite outdoor activities, the kinds of movies he loved… and all the things he disliked doing.

He also visited his parents in the mental hospital. Seeing their fearful, resentful faces, he no longer maintained a facade of indifference. Instead, he told them plainly how much he had wanted to escape that suffocating family.

“I often thought about taking you down with me,” he said, his gaze fixed on his father’s face. “I wanted to take a knife and cut you into pieces so I wouldn’t wake up terrified in the middle of the night, afraid of being beaten to death. It would be better if we all died together—over for good.”

“And you,” he turned to his trembling mother, expressionless. “Did you think acting the devoted mother in front of me would make me obedient, helping you maintain this fake happiness? You didn’t stay in the marriage for me—you did it for yourself. You were too afraid to face your own incompetence and unwilling to change, so you pushed all the problems onto me. That way, you could keep pretending to be the perfect wife and mother. You’re no different from him.”

“But I won’t become like you,” Xie Xingzhi said, smiling bitterly at their fearful, hateful expressions. “You are you, and I am me. You’ll stay here rotting, while I keep moving forward.”

With that, he stood up and walked away without looking back.

“No—”

His mother wept, reaching out to stop him, but could only watch him leave, letting out an animal-like howl.

His father erupted in rage, pounding the bed frame with his fists until orderlies restrained him, tying him tightly to the bed.

That was the last time they saw Xie Xingzhi. No matter how much they cried, cursed, or begged, they never saw him again.

Time went by. One day, while working in his study, Xie Xingzhi’s eyes fell on the Little Prince puppet nearby.

He stood up instinctively, taking it out of the acrylic box. The colors on the Little Prince had faded further, but it remained fine and unbroken.

Knowing how it worked, he opened the wooden block on its chest, took out the ring box inside, and ran his fingers over its shape, retrieving a small note he had put away so long ago.

He wondered—if the Little Prince had faded, had the words on the note faded too?

He opened the note, expecting to see what he expected, but instead, behind that line of love poetry, he found another sentence—

"You don't necessarily have to chase the light; you are your own sun."

Xie Xingzhi's fingertips trembled as he stared intently at those words, his eyes slightly reddening.

So, he had already received a response long ago.

He traced the line of text showing its age, remaining motionless for a long while.

—

At the end of June, Yu Kui graduated and returned to China, joining a prestigious law firm in the city center to begin her professional career.

Every day, she was swamped with work at the office, eagerly gaining experience.

When Zhang Jing and her friends invited her out for a meal, she was only free on weekends.

To change her current situation, Yu Kui actively sought to participate in variety shows with her leaders, planning to restart her video channel, earn extra income, and bring her parents to live with her.

One day, as she returned to the company from filming, exhausted and going to buy coffee to wake up, she caught sight of a black car that looked familiar out of the corner of her eye.

Her phone chimed with a notification—the latest case file had just been updated with a lot of new documents, and she had to get back quickly. As she reached the company entrance with her coffee, Yu Kui suddenly stopped.

She turned around as if she felt something and saw Xie Xingzhi standing beside the car. He was dressed in a black suit, his hair slicked back neatly, his gaze calm and fixed on her.

He had grown thinner, with an air of mystery about him, making him even more handsome.

Yu Kui paused for a moment, then turned and walked toward him.

A gentle breeze blew as she stopped three steps away from him, asking in surprise, "What brings you here?"

Xie Xingzhi looked at her fair face and explained softly, "I'm here to discuss a partnership and happened to see you."

"What a coincidence." Yu Kui glanced at the time and apologized, "But I’ve been really busy lately—I have to get back to work. We’ll have to catch up another time."

"Alright." Xie Xingzhi didn't keep her, asking naturally, "Do you have time tonight? I can pick you up for dinner."

Yu Kui blinked, she looked at him again.

Xie Xingzhi smiled slightly and said, "If there's a chance, I’d like you to get to know me again."

Yu Kui’s eyes flickered, and under his slightly nervous gaze, she replied, "Sure, I finish work at seven."

Xie Xingzhi sighed inwardly with relief.

Their eyes met, both with a hint of a smile. They hadn’t returned to the beginning of their story, but they had found their way back to each other.

It might not have been the perfect reunion, but it was the right time.

On her way back to the office, Yu Kui walked with light steps, a faint smile on her face.

She knew the future held many unknowns, and loving someone meant risking heartbreak.

But she wouldn’t deny her feelings, nor would she give up trying because of hesitation.

Being brave in love wasn’t cheap—it was her way of taking responsibility for her choices and emotions.

Even if things didn't work out as she hoped, she would still remember this moment, remember the ring nestled in the Little Prince’s chest, remember Xie Xingzhi’s eyes, remember him carrying her through the quiet, empty city…

Those were her precious and beautiful moments.

Yu Kui felt she had grown up.

Those overcast, rainy days she thought would never end now felt surprisingly calm in her memory.

She was no longer afraid of loss, nor did she shy away from the stirrings in her heart.

With courage, she moved forward freely and firmly.

-----------------------

Author’s Note: Ps: The main story ends here. Thank you to all the dear readers who waited and supported this book. This is the story I’ve spent the longest time writing, on and off, and I’m truly, deeply sorry for making everyone wait so long.

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