Fog Returns to the Capital

Chapter 116 The End of Love
……

That day, Li Wu accompanied him for a long time.

Only when they reached a dead end did Li Wu finally stop and say blankly, "Let's go back, there's no road ahead."

Zhou Jinghuai turned to look at her, and just quietly looked at her.

That kind of look in his eyes.

Li Wu couldn't help but look away, no longer daring to meet his gaze.

As she gazed at the endless expanse of dazzling lights in the distance, her eyes gradually blurred.

After a moment of silence, Li Wu finally spoke, "Take care of your health in the future. Don't travel so often for work, and don't work so late. Remember to eat on time, and don't just eat whatever you feel like because you're busy..."

In the end, Li Wu's voice inevitably tinged with a sob.

But she immediately stopped talking and refused to speak again.

Hear the words.

Zhou Jinghuai smiled instead, "It sounds like he's making his final arrangements."

"Don't talk about yourself like that." Li Wu smiled, but her voice trembled slightly.

Zhou Jinghuai looked at her, and then fell silent again.

Before leaving.

Zhou Jinghuai handed Li Wu a pocket watch that looked quite old, instructing her that if she encountered any difficulties abroad in the future, she should take the watch to the highest-ranking official at the embassy. He assured her that he would help her resolve any issue.

He still couldn't let go of her.

It was as if she were a helpless little girl. She wouldn't be able to live well without him.

Li Wu finally accepted it.

But after she got back, she locked the watch in a box and had no intention of taking it out again.

She didn't see Zhou Jinghuai again until Li Wu was about to leave the country.

We were never from the same world to begin with.

Once the connection is lost, it's difficult to meet again.

At the end of the month, Li Wu's departure date for the United States was set. Before leaving, she wanted to visit Jietai Temple to offer incense.

However, after Li Wu finally made it up, he was told that the temple was closed for the day and would not receive anyone.

Li Wu stood at the temple entrance, looking at the ancient temple with a history of over a thousand years.

Majestic and magnificent, ancient and elegant. Every brick and tile carries the weight of a thousand years of history. After last night's heavy snow, it appears even more solemn and sacred.

Li Wu stood on the steps for a while, then clasped her hands together and bowed devoutly.

This trip will not have been in vain.

After finishing her prayers, Li Wu was about to turn back when she saw a figure walking towards her from inside.

It's Lin Nan.

"Sir, you have come here to offer incense today."

Lin Nan nodded slightly to Li Wu and said cautiously, "Please go in."

After hearing Lin Nan's words.

Li Wu paused, taken aback.

She didn't expect that Zhou Jinghuai would be here too.

But Li Wu did not agree immediately.

Things are different now.

Seeing Li Wu hesitate, Lin Nan seemed to know her concerns and said softly, "Go see him, maybe in the future..."

Lin Nan didn't finish his sentence, but Li Wu knew what he was going to say.

Perhaps we'll never see each other again.

……

Burn incense, kneel and pray.

A golden Buddha statue stands atop the high hall, while incense smoke billows from the censer.

After burning incense and offering prayers, Li Wu inserted the three incense sticks in her hand into the incense burner, the wisps of smoke blurring her face.

A gentle breeze blows, making the copper bells in the courtyard ring.

As if sensing something, Li Wu turned around inside the hall and saw Zhou Jinghuai.

He stood there, tall and elegant, untouched by worldly glitz.

It snowed heavily all night last night, and the snow inside the temple has not yet melted. The snow stretches for miles, turning the entire mountain forest white.

The ancient bluestone steps were covered with a thick layer of snow, and each step made a crunching sound.

No one spoke along the way.

Zhou Jinghuai accompanied Li Wu on foot all the way to the other side of the mountain.

But every road eventually comes to an end.

Finally, Li Wu stopped under the towering Bodhi tree in front of the courtyard.

"What date is it set?"

Zhou Jinghuai asked again.

Li Wu didn't give a direct answer, and vaguely stated the timeframe, "A few days later."

Zhou Jinghuai looked at her pure, snow-white face and smiled faintly, "Afraid I'll stop you?"

"I promised to let you go, and I will not go back on my word."

Li Wu felt a little sad.

He's such a proud person, he shouldn't do this.

After a few seconds of silence, Li Wu still told him the time, "Three days later."

Zhou Jinghuai did not respond immediately.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "I won't see you off on the day you leave."

Li Wuxin trembled slightly, then nodded, "Okay."

Just then, the distant sound of the mountain bell rang out, its echo reverberating throughout the entire temple.

"I have to go now……"

"Is there anything else you want?" Zhou Jinghuai asked in a deep voice, his eyes fixed on her.

The two voices sounded almost at the same time.

Li Wu smiled and said no.

But after she finished speaking, Li Wu paused again.

Zhou Jinghuai wore a long black coat that day, his figure was tall and imposing, and he looked elegant and noble amidst the fine snow.

He was originally exceptionally handsome, with deep-set eyes and an outstanding demeanor. Just standing there, he inspired awe and reverence.

There was a few seconds of silence.

Li Wu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and said, "Zhou Jinghuai, I want to hug you..."

Perhaps they will never see each other again.

Before Li Wu could finish speaking, she was enveloped in a familiar, broad embrace.

Just like the initial warmth.

Li Wu's slender and frail body trembled slightly involuntarily.

This may be the last time she crosses the line.

Zhou Jinghuai hugged her tighter and tighter, as if he wanted to embed the girl in his arms into the depths of his bones.

Lights gradually illuminated the mountain path, stretching for miles in the distance. They parted ways under the Bodhi tree, and Li Wu moved forward slowly, his footprints in the snow varying in depth.

But she never looked back.

Even though she knew that a gaze was following her from behind.

The snow fell heavier and heavier. Li Wu kept walking and walking, not knowing how long she had walked. The road ahead became increasingly blurry, and as tears welled up uncontrollably from her reddened eyes, Li Wu quickly reached out to wipe them away. But she didn't pay attention to her footing, stepped on a rock, and stumbled, falling to the ground.

In the end, Li Wu, like a desperate little beast, whimpered in the vast snowfield.

Behind.

The hall was brightly lit, as Zhou Jinghuai lit eternal lamps to pray for Li Wu's well-being.

Li Wu didn't know how long the ever-burning lamp had been lit, and she never dared to turn around.

Many years later, when people recalled the incident, they couldn't remember how many days and nights it had been burning.

All I know is—

That ever-burning lamp never went out, day or night.