At the Wang residence, Long Junhao had not yet returned. She lay on the bed, contemplating the conversation she had overheard at the teahouse, deciding to wait for his return for clarification. With misunderstandings brewing between them, she feared things might truly be over. Feelings were fragile, needing delicate care.
Despite the turmoil, her great-grandfather remained silent, adding to her sense of isolation. It felt as if everyone around her had vanished, leaving her without support, save for the quiet presence of her maid, Xiaoyue.
Tears welled up again as she reflected on her melancholic state, longing for her former cheerfulness and bravery, trapped in an unsettling distraction.
In the evening, Long Junhao returned, exhausted. He looked at his delicate wife lying on the bed, prepared to compromise for her sake but unsure of how to explain.
Lan Lan turned to him, meeting his eyes, which were now filled with complex emotions of apology, guilt, and reluctance. She sensed his unspoken words.
Her heart desperately pleaded: Please, don’t say what I don’t want to hear.
Long Junhao looked helplessly at her face, which was trying to appear strong. Closing his eyes and suppressing his emotions, he spoke the cruelest words.
“Mother said that as long as I marry her, she won’t interfere with our lives anymore. This way, you won’t be blamed, and we can still live our lives. Just consider it as having one more person in the house.”
Lan Lan could no longer hold back her tears. He thought it would be simple. Would a woman’s war end so easily? The battlefields without smoke are the cruelest. Long Junhao, you’ve disappointed me! For you, I could face all accusations, but you chose to compromise.
“Stop crying. Your tears are breaking my heart!” Long Junhao realized he had become the source of her pain and felt he deserved to die.
He gently kissed her face, absorbing each of her tears with his lips. His tenderness only made Lan Lan cry more intensely.
She began to kiss him back, choking with emotion. Since the decision was made, she would indulge herself this once, cherishing these few days. Perhaps when remembering later, the days wouldn’t be so painful.
Her lips gradually approached him, igniting the fire in his heart.
