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墨書 Inktalez
A Long and Sad Dream.
In the town where The Grass Grows and the Warblers Fly in March, laughter echoed along the bluestone path. The faces of parents were sometimes stern, sometimes warm. From innocent childhood friends to mutually supportive lovers, their connection bridged two cities and two cozy rooms.
Memories fragmented like light and shadow, fading away.
Yu Hao and He Min waved goodbye to themselves before turning away, while Xu Hang continued forward with Xie Huai and Deng Yinyin without pause.
No one looked back, only adding to the fragments of memory.
She stood still, silently watching each person as they turned to leave. No one looked back, no one lingered. Alone, she stood at a distance, observing the retreating figures.
The silhouettes began in color but gradually faded to black and white, shifting from reality to illusion, becoming indistinct and unclear.
Finally, that person also turned their back to her, stepping forward without hesitation. All the light in the world shone upon that figure, while she remained in the shadow, watching as the brilliance moved ahead, taking away all focus and all hope.
In a world where no one looked back, darkness enveloped her, placing her at its center—alone and aware.
“…Ze, even you…”
Do you not want me anymore?
Xu Nuan awoke in a panic; her sudden movement caused the clothes draped over her to fall away. The heaviness on her shoulder indicated that someone was beside her.
Turning stiffly, Xu Nuan saw a familiar face.
Gu Ze.
No matter whether it was the past in her dreams or the events happening in broad daylight, Xu Nuan couldn't help but embrace Gu Ze.
As Xu Nuan turned, Gu Ze's head lost its point of support and suddenly sank down, colliding with Xu Nuan.
Without hesitation, she held onto Gu Ze. This person was still alive, this person had found her, and unlike in her dreams, he had not left her. Her world was not empty; her future might not be so bleak. If he was here, could she dare to hope for a brighter tomorrow?
"Ze."
Xu Nuan buried her head in Gu Ze's embrace, warm tears streaming down her face.
She believed in him, and that belief brought him back to her.
For the first time, she did not resent those who had designed the game that brought her here. It was through entering this game that she met Gu Ze, and it was because of all the twists and schemes that she finally understood his feelings.
She felt incredibly fortunate to have encountered Gu Ze.
Suddenly, Xu Nuan felt a surge of confidence. Together with Gu Ze, they would turn this game upside down.
"Ze."
"I'm here."
The responses she had longed for in her dreams were finally answered in reality. Reality was what truly mattered.
Gu Ze wrapped one arm around Xu Nuan while gently stroking her head with the other. They held each other tightly, drawing warmth from one another.
It was a cold night, but it was also a night when two hearts finally came together.
By the time Xu Nuan finally calmed her emotions, the night had deepened.
For the first time, Xu Nuan felt that the moonlight in the game was not so thin; it allowed her to see clearly the person in front of her and the tenderness in his eyes.
No matter what this person was planning or how multifaceted he was, as long as he was gentle with her, that was enough.
It was only when she noticed Gu Ze's backpack beside him that Xu Nuan caught his hand, which had been caressing her cheek.
"You came back before?"
Determined to trust Gu Ze wholeheartedly, Xu Nuan discarded the thought that he had left with the main group and instead acknowledged another guess she had made earlier: she and Gu Ze had missed each other.
"I did come back."
Gu Ze sighed softly and shifted to hold Xu Nuan's hand, his thumb gently rubbing her palm.
"When I returned, I only had one backpack. I chased after Hang and the others, only to find out you weren't in the group, so I turned back."
Gu Ze looked directly at Xu Nuan, and she did not shy away.
"You were foolishly waiting here. What if I hadn't come back?"
When Gu Ze realized Xu Nuan wasn't in the group, he couldn't fathom her feelings. Just as Xu Nuan couldn't imagine how Gu Ze felt when he discovered she was missing.
"You would definitely come back."
Xu Nuan pressed down on Gu Ze's thumb, holding his hand against her face earnestly.
"Ze, I believe you will come back."
She could finally say this with such calmness. She trusted Gu Ze; she had trusted him before, even if she hadn't realized it. And in the future, she would continue to trust Gu Ze.
The surprise that surged in Gu Ze's eyes warmed Xu Nuan's heart. She shouldn't have given up on the future so easily. She should firmly believe that there would be someone who would change their mood because of her joys and sorrows, and who would be happy because of her trust.
She had waited for this person, and even if the future was fraught with thorns, she had the confidence to move forward.
As Gu Ze held her tightly in his arms, she heard his voice.
"Nuan, I'm very happy, very happy."
Simple words, joyful feelings; they no longer needed sweet nothings between them. Love didn't require flowery language to flourish; what truly allowed love to endure was the effort of both individuals.
After a long embrace, Xu Nuan remembered to ask Gu Ze about what had happened earlier.
"You were ambushed by Ning Han's accomplices?"
Xu Nuan carefully examined him. Gu Ze had a cut on his right arm from a knife; the wound wasn't deep and had already been bandaged. Initially, she thought that since both Ning Han and Zhang Xiao were armed, anyone associated with them would also have guns, putting Gu Ze in a very dangerous situation. It seemed now that she had worried unnecessarily.
"Was it related to you?"
Gu Ze smiled slightly and patted Xu Nuan's hand.
"Fortunately, you weren't deceived."
Not noticing Xu Nuan's momentary stiffness, Gu Ze continued speaking.
"His companion was indeed hiding in the shadows, but I had known about that person's existence for a long time and was prepared. After taking down Ning Han, I went after him."
"His name is Yang Mingyue. He is likely a psychologist, just like Shen Shen, skilled in psychological suggestion. He first controlled Fan Beibei and then secretly plotted against you to steal your backpack."
Gu Ze pushed his own backpack aside, revealing Xu Nuan's backpack.
"The reason you were always feeling dazed was largely due to him. However, your willpower is strong, so you weren't easily affected. I've been grateful for that for a long time."
Gu Ze smiled as he handed Xu Nuan's backpack to the silent Xu Nuan.
"Check if anything is missing. I searched him and found none of your belongings."
Xu Nuan was momentarily speechless. Although her fingers were rummaging through the backpack, her thoughts drifted far away.
She could already piece together Gu Ze's actions from today. Gu Ze had set up an ambush for Ning Han using some tactics she was unaware of. After leaving Ning Han as a surprise for himself, he went after Yang Mingyue. It seemed that Yang Mingyue had run too far, causing Gu Ze to spend a lot of time chasing him. By the time Gu Ze returned to check on Ning Han, he found that Ning Han was already dead. He assumed he had left first and returned to the Temporary Resting Place, only to find his own backpack.
Afterward, Gu Ze caught up with the main group and, realizing he was still here, turned back again.
Gu Ze had been on the move all day and thought he had left her behind with the main group.
A sudden pang of bitterness welled up inside her, and just then Xu Nuan's fingers landed on Qin Yaojie's notebook. She abruptly stopped, tossed the notebook back, casually closed the backpack, and lowered her head to mumble.
"I'm sorry."
But if it weren't for her stubbornness, Gu Ze wouldn't have to be this exhausted, both physically and mentally. Gu Ze no longer made promises, yet his actions had far exceeded any commitments made.
This was Gu Ze's way of compensating for being taken away by Shen Shen back then, but it only made him feel increasingly indebted to her.
"Fool," a hand gently patted her head, the voice so melodious, like a spark that flew into her cold heart. "Don't you want to hear me say that again?"
Indeed, Gu Ze wouldn’t let her say 'sorry,' yet every time, she felt sorry for Gu Ze.
As the warm atmosphere between them began to shift towards sadness, Gu Ze quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, how did you like the surprise? What did you ask?"
Xu Nuan froze, not daring to lift her head, and this time Gu Ze noticed.
"Nuan, you..."
Gu Ze was taken aback. Given his understanding of Xu Nuan, she should have known his purpose in leaving Ning Han alive. He had been certain that Xu Nuan would seize the opportunity to clarify Zhang Xiao's whereabouts before sending Ning Han away.
But now it seemed that Xu Nuan, eager to find him and not wanting to let the tiger return to the mountain, had sent Ning Han away directly before seeking him out. Because of this, Xu Nuan hadn’t managed to regroup with the main force in time, and the main group had been pressured by the System to abandon Xu Nuan and leave.
"You..."
This was clearly a significant mistake on both their parts. He had gone to great lengths to ensure that Ning Han and that secret were handed over to Xu Nuan, only to have Xu Nuan give up on him. He should have felt regret, but what was this joy swelling within him?
It turned out he had already taken root in Xu Nuan's heart; her feelings were beginning to lean towards him. He had a chance to pull Xu Nuan away from this game, and even more so, he had an opportunity to create a future for the two of them.
"We will have our chance."
Gu Ze cradled Xu Nuan's face in his hands, looking seriously into her eyes.
"Don't worry; we will have the opportunity to uncover everything."
He would create this opportunity for Xu Nuan; he still had many tricks up his sleeve, and his pieces were still in play. He had that confidence.
"Mm."
Xu Nuan finally allowed herself to smile.
"I believe."
She believed that Gu Ze would guide her to a good ending, and she also believed that the future was not a dead end. She could cultivate it and then merge her future with Gu Ze's.
As long as they were alive, there was still hope.
The cold moonlight spilled over the two embracing figures, casting its glow on Xu Nuan's backpack as well.
At this moment, no one mentioned the notebook left by Qin Yaojie, nor did anyone bring up the medication Gu Ze had injected into Xu Nuan. Since they trusted each other, they chose to temporarily ignore these matters, knowing that the truth would eventually be revealed.
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