“Need a new identity?” My brother asked worriedly. “Not that dramatic. Qi Yufeng isn’t that powerful yet; he’s just taken over that business, he’s just a fledgling. Once abroad, he’s just another rich guy. Just clean up and switch my account for me, I’ll handle the rest.” “Aren’t you afraid he’ll come after you for the money?” “What scam! That money was earned through my hard work! Besides, he won’t come looking for me… I’m just asking for your help as a precaution.” “Good. If you need anything, use this number, it’s safe and reliable.” “Alright, I’ll hang up now, early flight tomorrow.” “Safe travels, and remember, be careful on your own.” On my own? You’re wrong. This afternoon, I signed an authorization with Baba; he’ll help sell that apartment for a good price. Then, hehe, I’ll be a little rich woman, wahahaha~ However, to live abroad, I can’t settle for less, so, Gao Miao, I’m calling you out! Although there was a slight rift between us because of that incident, I broke through it ages ago, and he has nothing to mind. With a golden friend like him, how could I not make use of it? My work must go on, my life must go on! Er Yu, don’t be scared, mom will take care of you! Listening to music in the car, the sign read, “Airport 7KM,” 7KM to go. Looking out the window, I saw the sea; this road is the only way to the airport. “Miss, is that the car in front?” the driver asked, looking in the rearview mirror. I turned to look ahead; a black sports car was parked by the roadside, a figure leaning against the rail. It was him. “Ignore him, keep going.” “Yes.” We had already passed a bend; I looked back, and he was still indifferent! It infuriated me! “Driver, could you back up?” “Sure, miss.” The driver smiled helplessly and turned the steering wheel. I got out of the car, fuming. That guy was casually leaning against the railing in a crisp suit, enjoying his breakfast. Hearing my footsteps, he turned, a gentle smile on his face, “You came?” I glared at him, snatched his soy milk, and drank it, “Aren’t you going to chase me? Didn’t you consider the possibility that I might not see you?” I took another sip, “What if I decided to just leave cooly?” He patted my head, watching me bite into his breakfast, “Look, you came back, didn’t you?” I nearly choked! “You always look out the window when you’re in a car, and you guessed I’d be here today, didn’t you?” Of course, I’m that smart. “Are your injuries healed?” “Yeah, and your two months with him are over.” “Yes, finally over.” “So, can you come back to me?” His fingers combed through my wind-blown hair, still so gentle… But… “I can’t.” I felt his hand stiffen, “Tell me why.” “It was you who let me go.” “But my mission is over, that life can end!” “But you won’t give up your family, that life hasn’t ended! You’ve checked my background, you should know how much I hate it.” “Things can change, you said so.” “Then why didn’t you change it back then?” “You’re still blaming me.” “What can I blame you for? Lack of courage? Or your background?” Yes, that’s what I blame you for! He looked pale and powerless; I took his hand and placed it on my belly, “Do you know? There’s a life growing inside here, day by day, and I want to give him the simplest home, to teach him all your good qualities, to let him be free…” To replace you, to pour my love into a real entity, not just an illusion… But I couldn’t say these words. He withdrew his hand, pained, “But that’s Qi Yufeng’s child! Not mine! How can I balance this? Get rid of it! Let me take you to get rid of it, okay? I can give you a child, we’ll have our own, give it a happy home, okay?” Get rid of it? “No!” He grabbed my shoulders, pulling me into his embrace, ignoring my resistance, “I can protect both of you, just leave it to me.” “I don’t want that!” “Or have you fallen in love with Qi Yufeng? How could you bear his child!” His words were like poison, numbing all my senses, making me lean into his embrace obediently. How sad, men, lacking confidence in themselves, no wonder in your eyes, I seem so worthless. This was destined to be hurtful. “Ke Xuan, I’ve never deceived you, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved. I’m not sure if I can love someone else in the days to come. Do I still owe you something?” “I’m keeping this child, please don’t say anything hurtful to it, it’s what keeps me going. And I can’t bear your child, I can’t forget, I’ll never forget the sight of you with another woman, the promises you broke yourself! I can’t forget, my body has been given to another man! We’re both so dirty! Too dirty!”
“Such a touch would erase all the purity I’ve been guarding, all the beauty we once had. Do you understand? It’s time to let go…” He cried again, secretly so I couldn’t see, but his tears fell on my shoulders, you fool. Once you’re free, you should leave, but I can’t pretend to be at ease anymore. I can’t even face his back, so I ran away again. He must have been helpless against me, which is why he sat motionless in the car. Just now, I sent him a song via Bluetooth. Perhaps one day he’ll discover it unexpectedly, or perhaps, at this very moment, he’s listening to it repeatedly, just like me… No longer the seventeen-year-old me and you, it’s best to remember each other fondly and not meet again. I will always remember that love, even when we grow old and think of each other with a smile. One day, if I mention you again, whether as a memory or a past love, I will treasure it in my heart, remembering the me and you of that time, my love, our love, that teenage romance.
On the windowsill, there’s a Rosemary, under the night sky, as beautiful as a fairy tale, but not as enduring as the Nightingale who gave her life for love. The branches delve into the heart, drawing all its blood to color a Rosemary with such allure. Unfortunately, fate plays its tricks. A story of deep love is a hopeless romance, only to empathize with each other’s suffering. Loving someone for a lifetime shouldn’t be hard, especially for me, loving someone who has become the past. Looking at that dazzling red, I couldn’t help but ask again, “Is it natural?” How could there be an answer? This afternoon, on the damp street, I asked the same, holding it, with hostility? The florist looked puzzled, and I quickly put on a smile, “I want it.” Yes, it should be hostility; I felt the hate. The princess wants it, and the boy must bring it to invite the princess to dance. But where to find a blooming, vibrant Rosemary in this season? Such trouble, the boy frowns in worry… Unconsciously, I started plucking its petals one by one. When I looked at the bare tip, a fleeting sense of satisfaction crossed my mind, and I smiled inexplicably. When will this real world allow me to take revenge? My hand lightly caresses my belly. When will I feel your mischief, Er Yu? Er Yu, what a good name, colorless. When you grow up, you can decide for yourself. Not like me, Liu Yixia, green. But I adore green. My family once locked me in a room, hypnotized me, and subjected me to psychological tests and treatments because they said I was abnormal. How amusing. The doctor said everyone belongs to a color spectrum, and I, to green. Longing for peace, tranquility, contradiction, and also intensity and madness. I indulge in my own world, free from worldly strife. Unwilling to accept change, forever living in past memories and fantasies. Mostly, it’s the artist’s ending. I asked, “Is it very poor?” The doctor laughed, “It varies from person to person. When you grow up, come find me.” I agreed. But as I grew up, I decided not to seek him out. Er Yu, you must, must be free.
