"Yes," Shen Nian admitted frankly.
Since she had to reject Xiao Mubai, the only way for him to move on was through Lu Lingchuan.
So Shen Nian directly brought up Lu Lingchuan: "Actually, I haven't told you this, but after returning from the hospital that day, I had an argument with Lu Lingchuan, and we're still in a cold war period."
"You know I don't want to hurt you, and I won't leave Lu Lingchuan. These past few days, I've thought about it over and over, and I still believe that keeping a distance from you is the best outcome for you, Lu Lingchuan, and myself."
Since she clearly knew that she couldn't give him what he wanted, shouldn't she refuse his kindness?
"..." Xiao Mubai's face turned pale, looking unsteady.
But in the end, he still spoke out that word.
"Okay."
He had known her for five years, liked her for five years, and protected her for five years. He would fulfill all her requests. As long as it was her asking, how could he refuse?
"As long as you're happy..." His voice was soft, gentle, with a hint of indulgence and compromise.
Even if it meant staying away from her, as long as this was what she wanted, he would oblige.
"..." Xiao Mubai's answer and expression made Shen Nian feel as if her chest had been struck violently, leaving her shaken.
"Can I hug you one more time?" he gazed at her, tentatively asking his final request.
Shen Nian glanced at his injured right arm: "Your hand hasn't healed yet."
"It doesn't matter, I just want to hug you again," Xiao Mubai stared at her seriously, with a trace of stubbornness in his eyes.
"Just let it be the last time, okay?" His tone even carried a touch of pleading.
"..." Shen Nian gazed into his eyes, the two making eye contact for nearly a minute before Shen Nian's resolve finally crumbled, and she rushed into Xiao Mubai's embrace.
She wasn't a heartless person; she saw Xiao Mubai's protection and dedication towards her over the years.
If she hadn't met Lu Lingchuan, she thought she might have ended up with Xiao Mubai.
But it was too late, their fate was too shallow.
By the time he met her, her heart already belonged to someone else.
Her heart already had Lu Lingchuan, leaving no room for a second person.
In the end, they were destined to be apart.
"..." Xiao Mubai was caught off guard, but steadied himself, stretching out his arms to tightly pull her into his embrace.
Clearly feeling the pain in his right arm from exerting force, Xiao Mubai seemed numb, gritting his teeth but still holding her.
This was her first time taking the initiative to enter his embrace, the first time, and the last time.
If possible, he truly wished this fleeting moment could last forever, without limits.
He loved her, but he couldn't force her. If she felt his existence would affect her life, then he would leave.
It was okay; obtaining this hug was enough for him to fondly reminisce about for the rest of his life.
This embrace lasted a full five minutes. Xiao Mubai was deeply satisfied and reluctantly let her go.
His eyebrows and eyes were still as handsome, his gaze still as gentle.
"It's getting late, let's get you a taxi back," he said.
"Mm," Shen Nian responded.
She called for a taxi, and during the short wait, the two stood side by side without speaking a word, yet still feeling the brief silence was blissful.
The taxi was nearby, arriving in less than a minute. After confirming the plate number, Xiao Mubai opened the rear door for Shen Nian and habitually gave her reminders.
"Take care of your health, drink some warm water every day, don't work yourself to the bone, and give yourself proper rest. Your health has never been great, so jog every day. If that's too much, you can jump rope at home. Don't just sit at your desk staring at the computer and burying yourself in work, okay?"
Knowing this was the last time, Xiao Mubai said a bit more.
Shen Nian patiently listened to the end and responded with one word.
"Okay."
Seeing the quiet Shen Nian, Xiao Mubai still had a lot more to say, but the words got caught in his throat, and he couldn't get them out.
In the end, he swallowed them all down and gave Shen Nian a big smile: "Alright, I have nothing more to remind you of. Be careful on the road."
"Mm."
Shen Nian got in the car, and Xiao Mubai personally closed the door for her.
As the car drove away, Xiao Mubai watched its receding silhouette, seeing it get farther and farther away until it turned a corner and... disappeared from sight.
"Boss, one bowl of plain congee, please," a passerby's voice came from nearby, at a congee stall not far away.
"Small or large bowl?"
"A small bowl, I can't finish a large one."
"Got it!"
The stall owner opened the lid, steam rising from the hot congee inside. With one hand holding a plastic bowl and the other gripping a large ladle, he swiftly scooped out a bowl of plain congee.
The customer glanced at the few congee containers on the stall before remarking, "Boss, why are there still just these few? Your dried tofu congee was especially delicious before, my son really liked it. But now every time I come, it's not available."
The owner covered the congee container with a disposable plastic lid while sighing an explanation.
"Can't be helped, it's summer now, and the weather's hot. Not many people eat congee; everyone's having cold noodles to beat the heat, who eats congee? If I made too much and couldn't sell it all, it'd go to waste. So every summer, we only make the three or four best-selling varieties, none of the others."
Hearing this, the customer nodded in understanding: "I see, that makes sense."
"..." Not far away, Xiao Mubai's gaze shifted back from the scene.
He had a hand in his pocket, wearing the jacket Shen Nian had bought for him.
Ever since he got this piece of clothing, the others in his wardrobe had been neglected. Even now, with the daytime heat enough to give anyone a headache, he still enjoyed wearing it.
Fortunately, the jacket Shen Nian bought him was thin; otherwise, he would have broken out in a rash from the warmth.
He turned around silently, following the road in the opposite direction from where Shen Nian had left.
...
Soon, the day of the court hearing arrived. Shen Nian came early and met with Lawyer Xu first.
Lawyer Xu briefed her on the situation and reminded her to be mindful of her words.
Sometimes, words were very important; saying too much or too little could potentially make a huge difference in the outcome.
Shen Nian listened attentively.
The Lu family's car also arrived. Lu Lingchen came out from the front passenger side and opened the rear door to help Li Mingshi out.
Over these five years, Li Mingshi had endured great hardship, no longer displaying the grace and elegance of the former matriarch. Now, her face was haggard, with some strands of white hair emerging on her head.
Shen Nian paused, her mind suddenly picturing the graceful and noble image of Mrs. Xiao.
Lu Lingchuan and his father, Lu Yanhua, got out from the other side of the rear seats. During these years, he had also aged significantly, only hints of his youthful handsomeness and charm remaining in his eyes and brows.
The Lu Lingxuan incident from back then didn't just ruin Lu Lingxuan, Shen Nian, and Lu Lingchuan.
