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墨書 Inktalez
I fled the temple fair in a panic.
My heart raced like a drum, pounding against my chest, again and again, as if it might burst.
I ducked into a secluded alley, gasping for breath, trying to calm my frenzied thoughts.
The cold wind seeped into my collar, sending shivers down my spine. I huddled deeper into the shadows.
I never expected to encounter Gu Heng in Jiangnan, and I certainly didn't anticipate hearing those discussions about pilgrim. Their words pierced my ears like needles, stabbing into my heart.
I crouched down, covering my face with my hands as silent tears streamed down, soaking my palms and saturating my sleeves.
I could only blame myself for being foolish and impulsive, believing in his so-called promises. Now, having fallen to such depths, how could I face my family? How could I face myself?
I couldn't bear to imagine what it would be like if Gu Heng recognized me. I feared the disgust in his eyes even more than his indifferent turn away.
"Xie Wan?" Ruan Lang's voice suddenly rang out behind me, striking like thunder in my ears.
I turned around sharply. Ruan Lang stood at the alley entrance, looking astonished. He was backlit by the sun, and I couldn't see his expression clearly, but I could sense the confusion in his tone.
How could I run into him here? My heart sank further, as if plummeting into an endless abyss.
"Is it really you? What are you doing here?" Ruan Lang approached quickly, disbelief evident in his voice as he scrutinized me from head to toe with an inquisitive gaze.
I bit my lip, remaining silent. A thousand words were stuck in my throat, but I didn't know where to begin.
"Are you... looking for Gu Heng?" Ruan Lang asked tentatively. His voice was soft yet struck my heart like a heavy hammer.
I shook my head, weakly denying it, but I couldn't hide the turmoil within me.
"Not true? Then what are you doing in Jiangnan?" Ruan Lang continued to press, his gaze sharp as if trying to see through my facade.
I didn't answer, only lowered my head as tears streamed down my face once more, each hot droplet hitting the ground and shattering into glistening fragments.
Ruan Lang looked at me, his expression complex—filled with confusion, misunderstanding, and a hint of pity.
He seemed to grasp something, his brow furrowing tightly, lips slightly parted as if he wanted to speak but held back.
"You... you aren't here chasing after Gu Heng, are you?" Ruan Lang suddenly raised his voice. The unexpected sound startled me and made my embarrassment even more pronounced.
People around us began to gather, pointing and whispering about me; their gazes felt like knives, slicing through my dignity.
My cheeks burned with shame, and I wished I could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
At that moment, Gu Heng appeared.
He stood outside the crowd, his eyes filled with surprise and helplessness, along with deep disappointment.
"Ruan Lang, stop talking," Gu Heng's voice was calm yet carried an air of authority. His displeasure silenced Ruan Lang.
Ruan Lang seemed to want to say more but fell silent upon seeing Gu Heng's presence, casting a disgruntled glance at me instead.
"Xie Wan, you..." Gu Heng stepped closer to me, hesitating. His gaze was complicated—filled with reproach, compassion, and profound helplessness.
I kept my head down, unable to meet his eyes. I feared seeing the disappointment reflected in them and dreaded hearing his harsh reprimand.
A curious passerby broke the suffocating silence, asking, "Do you know each other?"
"She is..." Gu Heng paused, unable to continue. His silence was more painful than any words could convey.
Ruan Lang seemed to want to say more, but I quickly pleaded in a low voice, "Ruan Lang, please, don’t say anything else." My voice trembled, laced with a hint of tears.
Eventually, Ruan Lang left, his figure disappearing into the crowd, taking with him my last shred of hope.
The crowd gradually dispersed, their murmurs fading away until only Gu Heng and I remained, standing in the empty alley. We faced each other as if separated by mountains and rivers.
"You should go," Gu Heng said in a low voice. "Leave Jiangnan and don’t come back." His tone was cold, devoid of warmth, like a sharp blade piercing my heart.
I lifted my head to look at him; tears blurred my vision once more. I choked on my words but couldn’t utter a single one.
Silently, I turned away and left the alley, step by step, heading toward the unknown.
"Are you... really going?" Gu Heng's voice called out behind me, tinged with hesitation and reluctance.
I halted but didn’t turn back.
(End of chapter)
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