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Rong Yuqiao brought a glass of red wine to Xiao Zuowei's side, wearing a playful smile. From his eyes, she read the same emotions she felt; both of them had fallen for their childhood sweethearts. She smirked, as if finding a kindred spirit in their shared plight. "Mr. Xiao, we truly are two of a kind."
Xiao Zuowei slightly curled his lips. Although he understood what she meant, he chose not to respond, maintaining a gentle pride.
Seeing him silent, she immediately lost her composure, her charming voice turning sharp. "You know that I have an engagement with Lin Gege. What does that Cheng Mo woman mean by standing openly beside Lin Gege? I should be the one standing there, not her!"
Xiao Zuowei smiled lightly. "Miss Rong, do you know what Shaoyi has been through with Xiao Su? He sees Xiao Su as a spiritual companion; his feelings for you are merely brotherly. Besides, your engagement is just a one-sided wish from the adults. Shaoyi thinks of it as a child's game."
Rong Yuqiao bit her lip and leaned closer to him. Only then did he catch the sweet scent of her perfume and appropriately distanced himself, noticing her smile becoming even more charming. "It seems I still have some charm; otherwise, why would Mr. Xiao keep his distance? And deep down, Mr. Xiao considers me as Lin Gege's fiancée, doesn't he..."
Xiao Zuowei slowly took a sip of red wine, noncommittal.
Rong Yuqiao laughed heartily, her delicate fingers gripping the tall wine glass. "Miss Cheng knows nothing. I’ve been with Lin Gege through all his hardships and bloodshed. Just because I wasn’t there for part of his journey doesn’t mean he’ll turn to someone else! Even if he likes Miss Cheng now, it won’t be long before he returns to my side. Our memories together are enough for us to cherish for a lifetime."
Xiao Zuowei paused; he had indeed heard Shaoyi mention Rong Yuqiao several times. Given Shaoyi's taciturn nature, that was quite remarkable. He quietly observed the charming girl before him and smiled slightly. "I believe in Shaoyi, and I believe in Xiao Su. Until Xiao Su says she is unhappy, I won’t interfere in their relationship."
"Is that how much you like her? Just enough to wish her happiness from afar?" Rong Yuqiao scoffed.
"Not quite," Xiao Zuowei replied with a quiet smile, his warm gaze carrying an undertone of sadness. "I hope they both find happiness."
As their gazes shifted from distant to close and back again, new connections began to form.
As the music ended, Rong Yuqiao rushed over without hesitation and beamed at Shangguan Shaoyi. "Lin Gege, I was wrong just now. I didn’t greet Sister Mo Su properly. I heard Sister say that Mo Su is Lin Gege's lifesaver; naturally, I must thank Sister Mo Su on behalf of Lin Gege."
She smiled at Cheng Mo Su, a hint of pride and a touch of provocation in her voice. "Thank you for saving my fiancé."
"Fiancé?" Cheng Mo Su was taken aback; the weight of those three words struck her hard. The beautiful memories that had flickered through her mind were instantly buried. Fingertips struggled in vain, and her heart sank with undeniable disappointment. She calmed herself and looked at Shangguan Shaoyi beside her. "Shaoyi, she said..."
Shangguan Shaoyi frowned. Although his gaze was cold, Cheng Mo Su clearly saw the softness that crept into his eyes when he looked at Rong Yuqiao. "Yuqiao, that was just a playful remark made by our parents when we were children."
"That's not true." Rong Yuqiao stubbornly lifted her chin, her delicate fingers clinging to Shangguan Shaoyi's arm. "Brother Lin, you said you would marry me, and you’ve said it more than once. Have you forgotten everything from before?"
Cheng Mo Su watched Shangguan Shaoyi's silent handsome face and suddenly felt foolish for hoping he would come to propose to her; it had all been a dream.
She rubbed her forehead and spoke lightly, "I'm going back to rest now. You all carry on."
"Mo Su..." Shangguan Shaoyi murmured, momentarily unsure how to explain.
"Brother Lin!" Rong Yuqiao clung to Shangguan Shaoyi's sleeve, preventing him from pursuing Mo Su. He could only helplessly look at Rong Yuqiao. "Yuqiao, you know I see you as a brother sees a sister. I never took that engagement seriously; I thought of it as a joke between our families. We never made any real commitments; you know that."
Rong Yuqiao lowered her eyes, leaning against him as usual, her thick black curls cascading over his arm. "Then... what about what you said about marrying me?"
"Yuqiao." He gently pulled her away from his embrace, his dark eyes looking at her earnestly. "Before, I didn't understand what love was. I thought liking each other was enough. I was afraid of complications and didn't want to meet other girls, which is why I made those promises."
"So now that you understand what love is, you don't want me anymore?" Rong Yuqiao's eyes brimmed with tears, looking pitiful.
He sighed, realizing he was in the wrong. When he didn’t understand love, he thought he could just get by like his parents did in their political marriage that lasted so many years. But ever since he met Mo Su...
"Lin Gege." Rong Yuqiao stopped crying and stared at him in a daze. "Are the things we experienced before all fake? Cheng Mo only saved you once, but how many times did I save you? Every time General Shangguan nearly killed you, who was the one kneeling and pleading for you? Who worried about you every time you went to battle? Do you remember that time when we lost contact for a month? How did I run to the battlefield to find you?"
Those memories were suddenly pulled out. On that day, Rong Yuqiao didn't look like a young lady at all; she wore tattered military attire, and her fair face was mixed with smudges of dirt, looking disheveled yet hauntingly beautiful.
"At that time, I hadn't eaten for five days. The only thing keeping me going was the thought of seeing you." Her smile was sorrowful, yet beautiful amidst the sadness. "The moment I saw you safe and sound, I felt content and thought I had no regrets in dying. I fainted as if deflated, and when I woke up, you were holding my hand, telling me how much you liked me. At that moment, General Shangguan decided on the spot that you would marry me. You didn't say anything, but you didn't oppose it either; everyone took it as your silent agreement. Are you trying to overturn that now?"
Shangguan Shaoyi gazed into her eyes. "Yuqiao, I really like you, but it's all the affection of an older brother for his younger sister. You know that."
"I know." Rong Yuqiao's delicate cheeks were stained with tears. "I know you don't understand romantic feelings between men and women, but back then, it didn't matter to me. Anyway, sooner or later, you would marry me; no one understands you better than I do. But who knew such a big incident would happen? When I insisted on finding you, my father locked me up. I threatened him with a hunger strike, but he still wouldn't let me out. If I had found you then, would everything have been different? Would the person you love now be me?"
Shangguan Shaoyi paused, unsure how to respond or how to avoid hurting her. She stood on her tiptoes and shyly kissed his lips, her breath fragrant between her pearly teeth. The evening breeze lifted the curtains, and the light shone on the two of them as her tears slid down her cheeks, leaving a salty imprint on his lips.
"Lin Gege, don't leave me... Without you, I can't go on living."
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