On your wedding night, stay with your godbrother; the Empress is practically throwing herself at you

This moment.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the bamboo grove.

It landed on the person who came not far behind.

The person who came was dressed in simple black clothes, but his figure was as upright as a pine tree.

His eyebrows and eyes are still the same as they were a few years ago, only now they have a more mature and weathered look.

It's him.

Lu Chuan.

For an instant.

Liu Ruyan's heart felt as if it had been clenched tightly, and then suddenly released.

She tried to stand up.

But his legs wouldn't obey him at all.

She wanted to speak, but it felt like something was blocking her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

What is he here for?

Are you here to see yourself?

Or was he accompanying Fuyao to offer incense?

Are you asking for a child?

Yes, they've been married for several years!

Where is Ke Fuyao?

Why didn't Fuyao come over?

Yes, Fuyao must be visiting her parents at the temple.

In an instant, countless thoughts collided in her mind, making her eyes well up with tears.

And on the other side.

Seeing her flustered and bewildered expression, Lu Chuan said nothing.

He simply walked forward slowly.

Then he squatted down next to Liu Ruyan.

He reached into the stream, scooped the stick up, and handed it to her.

Liu Ruyan lowered her head and took the wooden stick.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, her fingers touched the back of Lu Chuan's hand, feeling its warmth, the same temperature as back then.

"Thanks."

She said softly.

His voice was low and hoarse.

Lu Chuan sat down on a blue stone nearby.

"I'm leaving."

He says,

"I came here specifically to say goodbye."

Saying goodbye?

Liu Ruyan's body trembled violently again, and she subconsciously gripped the wooden stick in her hand.

Where are you going?

She asked.

His voice was full of tension and worry.

Lu Chuan turned his head to watch the stream flow through the cracks in the rocks.

"A very far place."

"It will probably be many years before he comes back."

"Ten years, or twenty years, or even longer."

Swish.

For an instant.

Liu Ruyan's face turned pale.

She turned her head again and stared intently at Lu Chuan's profile.

The sunlight fell directly on his face, outlining his sharply defined jawline, yet it also made her heart skip a beat.

ten years.

Twenty years.

Or even longer.

These words were like tiny knives, stabbing into her heart again and again.

She suddenly realized that after this, they might really never see each other again.

"I came to tell you something."

Lu Chuan continued, his tone utterly calm.

"I just met with your abbot, and he told me that your worldly ties are not yet severed."

"You should go back."

"Fuyao is waiting for you at home."

"After all, Mom and Dad aren't suited to live here forever, are they?"

He paused again at this point.

"Besides, if I leave, we won't see each other again, so there won't be any awkwardness, right?"

Liu Ruyan stopped speaking.

She simply looked at Lu Chuan's face and nodded slightly.

It wasn't that she didn't want to talk; it was that she was afraid she would burst into tears if she opened her mouth.

They never see each other again.

It won't be awkward.

He spoke so casually, yet every word he uttered caused her excruciating pain.

But she had no right to refute it.

All of this was her own choice.

The two of them sat there by the river.

No one spoke again.

The stream gurgled and flowed, and the bamboo leaves rustled.

Occasionally, birds would fly overhead, chirping softly.

After a short while, Liu Ruyan gently broke the silence, and the two began to chat again, talking about their days in the South City, the monkeys and lions in the zoo, and the breakfast stall on the street corner.

As the conversation progressed...

Liu Ruyan finally smiled.

The smile was faint, but at least it was genuine.

As the sun began to set, sunlight slanted in through the gaps in the bamboo grove, casting long shadows on the ground.

Lu Chuan then stood up and looked at the woman opposite him.

"I'm leaving."

"I left a lot of things with Fuyao."

"You can ask her for it when you get back; it might help your health."

Liu Ruyan also stood up.

Watching Lu Chuan turn around, watching his back about to leave again, she finally couldn't help but call out again.

"Wait a moment."

Lu Chuan stopped and turned around.

Liu Ruyan stood there, her hands clasped in front of her, her lips moving several times before she finally uttered her words.

"Can I hug you?"

Lu Chuan remained silent.

He stepped forward and gently embraced Liu Ruyan with open arms.

But Liu Ruyan clung to his waist tightly as if grasping at a lifeline, burying her face in his chest.

She sniffed hard at his familiar scent.

It has a faint scent, with a hint of grass and wood.

It's still the same as it was back then.

It's been a long, long time.

She then let go.

"You can leave now."

Liu Ruyan took a step back, her eyes red, but she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

"Thank you for coming to see me before you leave."

"I will go back."

"Come back soon too."

She spoke.

She couldn't help but reach out to straighten Lu Chuan's clothes.

I smoothed out the wrinkles on his shoulder and turned up his collar.

Her movements were slow.

Very meticulous.

At this moment, it was as if time had flowed backward.

Go back to a long, long time ago.

They weren't married at the time; they were just living together.

Every morning when Lu Chuan leaves for work, she stands at the door and helps him tidy his clothes.

While tidying up, he kept talking incessantly.

Wear more clothes when it's cold.

Remember to eat lunch.

Come home early after get off work and cook for me.

Back then, Lu Chuan would always kiss her before leaving, then smile and say, "I'll bring you something delicious tonight."

It's just a pity.

There is no going back.

Liu Ruyan's fingers paused briefly on Lu Chuan's chest.

His lips moved forcefully.

I want to say something.

She wanted to say that everyone should be careful when they are out.

She wanted to say, "I... no, it's Fuyao who will be waiting for you at home."

But before he could say those words, they all died in his throat.

"Yes, I will."

Lu Chuan took a step back, his gaze lingering on Liu Ruyan's face for a moment before turning away.

Crimson true energy surged into the sky.

call out!

He transformed into a streak of light, piercing the sky above the bamboo forest, and vanished into the distant horizon in the blink of an eye.

Liu Ruyan stood there, looking up.

Until that light completely disappeared from her sight.

Then she rushed into the bamboo forest like a madwoman, desperately chasing after the light that had already disappeared, stumbling and running through the bamboo forest.

A bamboo stick struck her face.

The bamboo leaves on the ground tripped her.

She fell to the ground, her knee hitting a stone, and the pain made her tremble all over.

But she couldn't care less about the pain.

He simply pushed himself up from the ground and continued the chase.

She knelt down on the ground with a thud when she could no longer see him or run any further.

He gripped the bamboo leaves on the ground tightly with both hands.

then.

Finally, she cried.

"Waaaaah..."

"husband……"

The sobs were hoarse and low, as if trying to pour out all the regret and reluctance in their hearts.

far away.

At the end of the bamboo forest.

Liu's father and mother stood there, quietly watching their daughter.

They did not approach.

He didn't say anything.

I just watched from afar.

Some obstacles are beyond the help of others.

Some tribulations can only be overcome by oneself.

After a long, long time, Liu Ruyan slowly stood up from the ground, wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, and took a deep breath.

She turned around and walked towards her parents in the distance.

"Dad, Mom."

Her voice was still a little hoarse, but her tone was very calm.

"Let's go back to the south of the city."

……

Return to Nancheng.

Go back to the place where he lived.

His presence lingers there, along with their shared memories.

She knew that in this life, there was a river between her and Lu Chuan that they could never cross.

But she still wanted to go back.

Return to the place that once belonged to them.

Even if it's just watching from afar.

Yeah.

……