“Mom, Xihuang said that after we get married, I can continue staying in Hong Kong with you. He’ll work hard, flying between New York and Hong Kong,” the girl smiled sweetly, comforting her parents.
Tong Baichuan praised his son-in-law and was glad his daughter had found such a husband. “Heard that? Our daughter isn’t leaving. It’s late, let Xuan rest. You’ll have plenty of time to chat later.”
Liu Qiusi, somewhat calmer, held her daughter’s hand. “Well, then dad and mom won’t say more. Get some rest.”
“Goodnight, Dad and Mom.”
“Goodnight.”
After seeing her parents out, she took a deep breath and turned to the pure white palace-style wedding dress on the bed.
A soft smile spread across her eyes. Tomorrow, she would be married, another turning point in her life. But why did she feel hesitant and uneasy? Wasn’t marrying him what she had always anticipated?
The room’s lights went out, darkness filling the luxurious space. Embraced by the darkness, she dragged her tired body to the window, curling up in the window seat.
Looking out at the deep blue night sky, thin wisps of clouds drifted above, with stars twinkling brilliantly like scattered pearls. The moon floated serenely in the Milky Way, casting gentle light that created a soft interplay of illumination and shadow in the room.
This quiet and gentle night was her favorite, with moonlight soft and less domineering than sunlight, unlike the clamor of daytime.
She hated daytime, especially those with blazing sunshine, and even more despised crowded bustling scenes that reminded her of that moment sixteen years ago. Though she could no longer remember that woman’s appearance, she clearly recalled the piercing and scorching white light, everywhere like fire…
That day, she didn’t dare look up at the sky, feeling everything was blindingly bright—windows, rooftops, the ground, even the air was white, like a massive fire mirror, each ray slowly burning everything around her.
The crowded streets were noisy and bustling, yet no one noticed her tiny figure standing beneath the flames. On that clear day, the woman abandoned her amidst the prosperity and dizzying white light, never looking back.
“Manman, stay here and don’t run around. Mommy will come back to pick you up soon.”
