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墨書 Inktalez
Shu Ran shook her head violently, tears streaming down her face, unable to utter a single word through her choked sobs.
"Just let me hold you for a while longer, just a little bit," he held her tightly, as if trying to embed her into his very bones. "I'm afraid that after this hug, I won't see you again."
"I know you won't call, and I know you won't forgive me," he slowly released her, smiling as his long arm leisurely wrapped around her back. He gently pulled a gun from his pocket, deftly adjusting it and loading it. In an instant, under her shocked gaze, he turned the gun around and pointed the cold barrel at his own temple.
Shu Ran's heart raced in alarm, her pupils dilating as she incredulously watched his actions, almost frozen in place, murmuring, "Qin Xian..."
The corners of his lips curled slightly, his eyes filled with deep affection only for her. He seemed to smile softly, yet for some reason, his face was etched with bitterness.
"Shu Ran, I love you." He spoke those words with deep emotion, gently stirring her restless heart.
But in the next moment, his expression changed slightly as he gripped the gun tightly and prepared to pull the trigger.
"Don't!" Shu Ran suddenly realized what was happening and lunged forward with all her strength.
A gunshot rang out with a loud bang, drowned in the booming sounds of fireworks but clearly resonating in Shu Ran's ears.
She cried out in pain, sobbing loudly without daring to open her eyes. She shook her head vigorously, gripping that warm hand tightly, fearing that if she let go for even a second, she would never be able to hold on again.
"Woo... Qin Xian... Qin Xian... woo..." She couldn't bear to open her eyes, afraid that the sight would plunge her into despair or even cause her to faint. She suddenly regretted her weakness so much.
At that moment, it felt like all her senses had vanished; she could neither see nor hear anything and had no awareness—only the urge to cry.
The room was eerily quiet, leaving only the sound of her weeping.
In that moment, countless thoughts echoed in her mind.
She thought about what would happen if something really happened to him.
No, she couldn't bear to think about it.
She covered her eyes and buried her head in pain as she cried.
Just when she could no longer endure the endless darkness, the torment, and the fear, finally, a familiar voice gently echoed in her ear, "Alright, Shu Ran, don't cry."
Shu Ran immediately opened her eyes with a start. Through her tear-filled vision, she saw Qin Xian sitting in front of her, unharmed and smiling gently.
In that moment, it felt as if the entire world had come back to life. It was a feeling of surviving a catastrophe; how fortunate, how grateful she was that he was not dead and that he was still by her side.
Shu Ran cried again. This time, it was she who tightly embraced him, collapsing into his arms as she repeatedly murmured his name, "Qin Xian, Qin Xian, Qin Xian..."
"I'm here," Qin Xian said softly, one hand gently patting her back while the other quietly held her cold fingers, responding in a low and tender voice.
She cried for a long time before finally choking out words slowly and softly, "I once... I once watched a movie called Lust, Caution."
"The male lead, Mr. Yi, is an unforgivable traitor who deserves to be punished by everyone. The female lead approaches him to assassinate him but ultimately finds herself falling in love with him. She helps him escape a disaster but ends up being hunted down in the end."
"After watching the movie, everyone asked one question."
"If you were Wang Jiazhi, would you fall in love with Mr. Yi?"
She lifted her head, her eyes shimmering and clear as she gazed deeply at him. Her voice was low and gentle as she replied, "My answer is yes."
Because she would, after seeing that scene, she hurried back to her room with his phone number tightly clutched in her hand.
Because she would, when he fired the gun, Shu Ran rushed forward in panic to stop him.
Because she would, even after witnessing everything, she never once thought about leaving him.
She had become hopelessly devoted.
They say that women in this world generally treat love similarly; regardless of the man’s character, when a woman falls in love even for a moment, there is often an element of reckless abandon.
Shu Ran understood her own nature well; her mother always said she was stubborn. It wasn't just stubbornness; once she made up her mind, she would never turn back.
A woman like her loved fiercely; whether it was hell or darkness, she would dive right in without looking back.
She knew it; she knew that Qin Xian could understand.
Qin Xian could hardly believe it. He pushed her away slightly, his burning gaze carefully examining her calm face, lingering as if confirming something.
Shu Ran smiled gently, the tears in her eyes not yet dried. Her smile was tinged with sorrow, pitiful yet blooming like a pear blossom, beautiful as light clouds.
Qin Xian smiled, his expression soft, reflecting in her clear, spring-like eyes. He embraced her, closed his eyes, and placed a tender kiss by her ear.
Indeed.
She could not stop the rules of his dark world, nor could she suppress her surging love for him. The complexity and twists of it all could not be resolved in a single night.
No matter how clever she was, she could not make a perfect decision.
So, she might as well give up.
Give up making decisions.
He had his world, and she had hers.
They could not interfere with each other, nor could they merge.
Especially after she heard Old Qin's tearful words.
In fact, the old man had also galloped on the battlefield when he was young and had heard gunfire more than once. So when the gunfire erupted last night, he almost reflexively woke up. He put on his coat and walked to the staircase, gazing at the tightly shut door of the second floor where dim yellow light flickered, letting out a long sigh.
The next morning, naturally, someone reported to him about last night's situation.
The old man looked at the young couple and shook his head; they were still too young—some things needed to be tempered.
But seeing his grandson's state made him shake his head even more. It seemed he would have to step in after all.
Thus came the conversation he had with Shu Ran in the study while Qin Xian was away.
He sighed, standing by the window with his back to Shu Ran, his hunched figure bearing witness to the hardships of this old man's life.
His gaze was deep, staring far ahead as if he were lost in Old Times.
She heard his aged voice, low and reminiscent like an old record, replaying scenes from the past.
"His father and mother passed away in an accident when he was twenty. At that time, he was in America. After hearing the news, he was eager to rush back, but I wouldn't allow it."
"That was the most difficult time for the Qin Family. The Qin Family was large and prosperous, and many were eyeing it, wanting to take a piece of the pie. He was naive and ignorant back then, just a boy barely out of his teens. How could he withstand the schemes of those lurking in the shadows? If he returned, it would be like a wolf entering a tiger's den."
"So, he never got to see his parents one last time."
"At that time, he truly suffered. Alone in a foreign land at just over twenty, with a rash personality, learning skills while enduring hardship, unable to return no matter how tough it got. He bit down on his teeth and swallowed his tears without complaint, enduring bullying in silence. You can't imagine how he got through it."
"Later, when he came back, it was as if he had become a different person. Sharp and mature, cunning and resourceful, he handled matters with finesse. He single-handedly supported the crumbling Qin Family in just two years. Behind that success, there was no way it was smooth sailing; no matter how many knives were thrust into him or how serious the wounds were, he got used to it and never spoke of it."
"In such a world, if you are not ruthless and do not outdo others in ruthlessness, then death is your only path."
At this point, Old Qin's eyes were already wet with tears, while Shu Ran had long covered her mouth and silently wept, her heart aching.
"Look at how prosperous the Qin Family is now; you can imagine how much Qin Xian has sacrificed behind the scenes. He silently bore all the darkness alone so that the Qin Family could live in the light. How much grievance has he silently endured over the years?"
"He has no one by his side and never trusts anyone, not even me."
"No one can hurt him except for you."
"You are the only one by his side; he trusts only you. Only you can hurt him. He has given you everything he desires but cannot attain: warmth, protection, love."
"He needs companionship; that person is undoubtedly you."
Old Qin turned around, tears streaming down his deeply sunken eyes. He choked up and almost pleaded softly: "So Shu Ran, whether it's a request from grandpa or a plea from me, please treat him well and understand him, okay?"
Shu Ran was already sobbing uncontrollably; she almost ran out in tears, passing through the winding staircase, through the noisy living room, and through the garden filled with blooming flowers.
She rushed towards the White-Clad Man standing among the flowers, throwing herself into his embrace, holding him tightly, standing on her tiptoes, disregarding the hot tears streaming down her face, ignoring his momentary surprise, and using all her strength to kiss him deeply.
That kiss felt long, as if it lasted a century.
I'm sorry.
Qin Xian, from now on, I will protect you.
I will never hurt you again.
We are each other's only; you have only me, and I have only you.
Let's be like this, well and good, okay?
Qin Xian smiled, looking more enchanting than the flowers.
Okay.
Old Qin stood by the window, his expression kind, with what seemed to be un-dried tear stains at the corners of his eyes. He watched the two people embracing and kissing below the window and finally smiled faintly.
Ah, he suddenly thought of his old partner.
(THE END)
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