“Mu Shen, do you really love me?”
“Yes.”
“And if I don’t agree to your request?”
“I’ve witnessed Ming Huo’s death, I can’t go through something like that again.”
“Alright, I’ll fulfill your wish. You don’t need to wait half a year, you can be with her now.” Xu Ke hung up the phone, only then realizing that tears were streaming down her face. The phone rang again, Xu Ke stared blankly at it, letting it ring without answering. The person on the other end was now worlds apart from her. There was a gentle knock at the door, and Wan Cheng Yin pushed it open, asking in surprise, “Xiao Ke, why aren’t you answering your phone? I could hear it ringing from downstairs, mom asked me to check on you, thought you had gone out.” Not wanting him to see her tear-stained face, Xu Ke picked up the phone and answered it.
“Xiao Ke, could you give me half a year? I’ve never asked you for anything before, this is the only thing I’ll ever ask of you in my life.”
Xu Ke took a long breath, her voice choked with emotion, “Mu Shen, don’t say it like that. Love is a mutual feeling; no one forces anyone. Even marriages can end in divorce, let alone we are not married. You have the freedom and the right to choose, and I have the freedom and right to let go. How can I wait for half a year, knowing you’ll be with another woman? After half a year, you might be with her forever. Isn’t it too much for you to ask this of me?”
There was silence on the other end of the line, and Xu Ke hung up with a heavy heart. Wan Cheng stood quietly behind her.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Ke? Is there an issue with your marriage to Mu Shen? Does Aunt Li disagree?”
Xu Ke shook her head. Wan Cheng moved closer, sitting opposite her and asked, “What exactly happened?”
Xu Ke recounted the phone conversation with Shen Mu intermittently, and Wan Cheng’s expression changed. “What does he mean by this? Can love be like this? Giving one person some time, then another?”
Xu Ke gave a bitter smile, “He said, Rong Rong threatened him with her life.”
“Xiao Ke, what if Lin Ge threatened you with his life to marry him, would you?”
Xu Ke remained silent. Wan Cheng said angrily, “That’s completely different. Love isn’t something to be divided, given away, or shared. He’s always been smart, how could he do something so absurd?”
Xu Ke gave a wry smile, “She’s given a lot to him, accompanying him for nearly a decade; it’s a different kind of affection, one I can’t compete with.”
“Xiao Ke, don’t be like this. Call him, tell him either to come back immediately and marry you, or it’s over. What’s the point of dragging it out for half a year?”
Xu Ke shook her head weakly, her heart cold, “He’s made it clear he can’t ignore her life or death. What can I say? Should I play the villain while he plays the romantic hero?”
Wan Cheng looked at her silently, a hint of pain in his eyes. Xu Ke murmured, “Perhaps we are just not meant to be. Going through such ups and downs time and again. Six years ago, he went to Canada without a word, came back to say one sentence to my mom. Six years later, history repeats itself; he leaves again without a word, then tells me one sentence. How ironic, the situation is so similar. And every time, I fall from the peak of happiness, crashing down. The only difference is, last time there was no warning, this time I was somewhat prepared. After six years, I’ve made some progress.”
Xu Ke laughed at herself, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. Wan Cheng held her hand, sighed, “Xiao Ke, maybe he’ll regret it in a couple of days, figure it out.”
Xu Ke shook her head, “Even if he comes back immediately, I’ve already got reservations. Love is selfish, isn’t it? Wholeheartedness is the basic requirement, right?”
Wan Cheng sighed, gripping her shoulders firmly, “Since you’ve decided, then, like you advised Rong Rong, love isn’t everything in life. Six years ago you managed to move on, you can do it now.”
Xu Ke forced a smile, “Yes, I can.”
Wan Cheng pursed his lips, patted her shoulder, “Don’t think about anything, just like Scarlett, go to sleep, and tomorrow will be a new day.”
Xu Ke took a deep breath, smiling through tears, “Wan Cheng, don’t tell mom about this, don’t let her worry.”
Wan Cheng nodded, gently closed her door, and went downstairs. That night, Xu Ke couldn’t sleep, revisiting their first meeting nine years ago, their separation six years ago, and their recent reunion, piecing together memories. He had nearly occupied a decade of her life. She couldn’t forget him, her first love, first kiss, first time, everything started with him. And each time, he left at the sweetest moment, leaving her with loss, pain, and confusion. Time and again, she was exhausted, tired of such turmoil, it was time to let go. She took off the ring, removed the rose from the bedside, and placed them in a drawer. Closing the drawer, she told herself it was over, like a beautiful piece of writing, trying to continue after six years was merely adding an unnecessary sequel. Those promises and sweet moments were so fragile, indeed, after six years, the freshness had worn off, and upon returning, he realized the importance of that woman in his heart. At this moment, she had never felt so disheartened. She experienced the same despair she felt six years ago.
The next morning, Xu Ke got up looking pale and haggard, like a wilted flower. At breakfast, Shao Yiping asked with concern, “Xiao Ke, what’s wrong? Why are your eyes so swollen?”
Xu Ke touched her cheek and smiled, “Maybe it’s the hot weather, mosquitoes are out. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Shao Yiping immediately said, “Wan Cheng, go buy some mosquito nets today.”
Wan Cheng, with a mouthful of food, looked at Xu Ke and mumbled an agreement. After breakfast, Wan Cheng drove out to take Xu Ke to work. Xu Ke declined, “No need, I’ll take the bus.”
“I need to buy mosquito nets, might as well drop you off.”
