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墨書 Inktalez
A bright moon illuminated the inn, with countless silver threads scattered across the sky.
Cheng Mo gently swirled the goblet in her hand, the red liquid inside shimmering brilliantly. The delicate tableware before her was arranged neatly, filled with various sweet treats. Xiao Zuowei noticed her distraction and waved his hand in front of her, bringing her back to reality as she slowly sipped the red wine.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing much," Cheng Mo replied with a faint smile. "My dad talked to me a lot yesterday. He said he wants to retire in America and asked if I would like to go with him."
Xiao Zuowei's heart sank. Cheng Mo's expression was calm and gentle, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as her gaze lowered. He couldn't discern her thoughts and grew increasingly anxious. "What about you? What do you think?"
Cheng Mo took another sip of red wine, her delicate white hand holding the transparent goblet, clear eyes reflecting light. "I haven't decided yet; I probably will go with him. But speaking of which, transitioning my work won't be easy, so it might take a while."
"If you leave, does that mean you've really given up on Shaoyi? You two have no obstacles now; the people are no longer causing trouble..."
"No." Cheng Mo quietly interrupted him, a hint of bitterness at the corners of her lips. "I've been through too much lately—the harsh realities of life and the fear of public opinion have all been experienced. Although Shaoyi has treated me well, I've felt very tired and unhappy in Feng Province. During that time, my dad severed ties with me; what was once a crowd of supporters turned into indifference, and even the maid behind me pointed fingers and gossiped freely. Various schemes followed one after another, almost separating me from him again. After finally mustering the courage to stay together, public opinion erupted against me overnight in Feng Province. The power struggles turned me into a scapegoat; I felt helpless and powerless within it all. I don't want to live like this anymore."
"Xiao Su..." He called out to her with concern, his gaze resting on her elegant profile. Her face was calm, devoid of any expression; only her rose-colored lips formed a quiet line, revealing a hint of helpless sadness upon closer inspection. "Don't be too upset, just focus on living your own life; let others say what they will. In this world, people's perspectives are tinted; they judge your life without knowing your story and label you for their convenience. You really don't need to care about them; if you want to be with Shaoyi, no one can stop you."
Her delicate hand trembled slightly as she took a deep breath, forcing a smile that seemed bittersweet. "It seems my courage has been exhausted; life's uncertainties weigh heavily on me." She smiled softly, "How nice it would be if I didn't have these worries."
"Xiao Su, during this time I've been working as an editor for a newspaper and have seen various aspects of society. It made me realize how different people's lives can be. You can enjoy red wine and Western cuisine here while some people struggle just to make ends meet. You're troubled by love while others worry about what they'll eat tomorrow. As long as people are alive, there will always be troubles." He poured Cheng Mo another glass of red wine. "So don't overthink it; just follow your heart."
The hand holding the goblet softened slightly—what were her true thoughts? She felt too chaotic inside to sort them out. Raising her eyes, she spoke softly, "Brother Zuowei, I've always admired you; you shared many profound insights when we were young and still do now. But... do you remember what you told me on the train before? I don't mean anything by it; I just want to know how you can be so..."
"Are you really that relieved?" Xiao Zuo asked as he took her words, glancing at her slightly embarrassed red face. He smiled and said, "I told you before that I have always been standing behind you, and if you turn around, you will see me. But after being rejected twice by you, I feel like I might as well jump off a building."
Although she knew he was joking, a wave of panic surged within her. She couldn't help but think of Rong Yuqiao, who had gone mad after being rejected by Shaoyi. Her face suddenly turned pale. "Brother Zuo, it's better not to make such jokes."
"Alright, if you say so, I won't joke anymore." Xiao Zuo cut a piece of steak for her and placed it in front of her, speaking gently, "Hurry and eat. You've been talking for so long without eating anything."
She slightly raised her gaze, her long black hair cascading down to her waist, her eyes sparkling and clear. "Brother Zuo, you really don't need to wait for me like this. Right now, I can't accept anyone else. You're not young anymore; you shouldn't be dragged along by me like this, so..."
"Xiao Su." He interrupted her somewhat sternly. "You don't need to worry about these things. I’ve said before that everyone has their own way of living. I'm willing to continue like this."
She felt too weary to say anything more. Her hands holding the knife and fork grew softer, and her voice was tired. "I'm full; I'm leaving now." She stepped away without looking back at Xiao Zuo.
At that moment, all she wanted was to escape the whirlpool of emotions, but she didn't realize she was about to plunge into another abyss. Her pace quickened until she was almost running.
Suddenly, a force pulled her into an embrace.
The gentle voice of Xiao Zuo came from above her head, reminiscent of those peaceful times in her memories.
She struggled out of his embrace, her clear eyes clouded with a misty hue under the moonlight, making her even more enchanting. "Brother Zuo, please don’t do this. Your persistence puts too much pressure on me. I can't walk through life with you; you need someone better than me."
"Yes. But she hasn't appeared yet. Until she does, all I see is you," Xiao Zuo's eyes sparkled brightly even in the night. "I'm sorry, Xiao Su. I didn't mean to cause you trouble. If you don't want to accept it, just pretend I'm not here. Is that okay?"
"Brother Zuo..." Cheng Mo Su didn't know what else to say. The two stood quietly together, their hearts lost somewhere else; the fragmented memories intertwined created a sense of exhaustion and sorrow. After a long while, Xiao Zuo finally spoke softly, "Xiao Su, do you still love Shaoyi?"
She raised her Eyes, her gaze clear and her tone firm, "I still love him."
"Will you be together with him again?"
"...No, I won't." She forced herself to say these three definitive words.
"Do you still remember him? Every word he said, every expression he had, every action he took?"
She closed her eyes, and the Corners of her Lips finally curled into a light smile, a sweetness that had been absent for a long time. "I remember, I remember it all clearly."
"If those memories bring you more than just sweetness, then I will stay with you, helping you forget him."
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