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Chapitre 146

Holding the frightened dog in her arms, Rongyue hurriedly left Lihualuo without looking back.

This trip wasn't a waste; at least he learned that Gouwa's father wasn't Dongfang Lie, nor Chu Xuyao...

Watching Rongyue's departing figure, a flicker of doubt crossed Chu Xuyao's hawk-like eyes. Why, in that fleeting moment when her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, did he catch a long-lost sense of familiarity...?

Volume Three: Looking Back to Where My Heart Once Belonged, Chapter Three: Turning Around

As Rongyue emerged from the pear blossoms, her steps were no longer as firm as when she arrived. Now, as she approached the palace, her steps were more hesitant and heavy.

She had come in a moment of impulsiveness, solely focused on seeing Tuoba Chen, and hadn't considered much else. But now, having calmed down and thought things through, her resolute heart wavered, she hesitated, and fear crept in…

If Gouwa wasn't his daughter...

Even if she wasn't the one who betrayed Chen, how could she still have the face to stay by his side?

Of course not. Even if Chen doesn't mind, she will.

If the dog really is his daughter...

Was she to compromise herself and remain within the high walls of the palace, becoming a caged bird forever?

The answer remains no. Call her selfish or cold-blooded, but unless absolutely necessary, she won't let anyone take away her wings that yearn to fly...

Since Gouwa is no longer his daughter, whether she is or not, she can no longer stay by his side, so what difference does it make whether she sees him or not?

Once we meet, it's hard to refuse, and I can't decide whether to go or not. Perhaps, meeting is truly as if we never met at all.

But if she doesn't see him, can she really be so heartless as to sever this relationship and become strangers with him from now on?

Should we see the person, or not...?

Is it about letting go of feelings, or holding on to them...?

Her pace gradually slowed, her mind wandering as she stared absently at the patterns on the bluestone slabs in front of her. Rongyue's eyes were unfocused, and she seemed like a wandering soul drifting through the seasons, ethereal and directionless...

"You brat, you're so big and you still need your mother to carry you? Aren't you ashamed! Get down now, can't you see your mother is sweating from exhaustion?"

"No! Mom, aren't you tired... Ah--it hurts so much!"

"It seems that unless I repeatedly tell you, you won't understand what it means to be filial to the greatest of all virtues!"

"Mom, Dad pulled my ears so hard they hurt!"

"Forget it, Hao'er isn't heavy... Ah!"

"What's the matter?!"

Following her astonished gaze, in the distance, bathed in the soft golden sunlight, a woman holding a child stood frozen in place, like a clay sculpture, staring blankly at the three of them on the bustling street.

Xing Tong's warm smile was gone, replaced by boundless indifference.

The two were only a foot apart, but in that instant, Rongyue felt as if an insurmountable chasm existed between them. No matter how she jumped, she could not reach the other side. She could only watch helplessly from the other side, just like now, as she quietly observed that harmonious yet glaring scene...

Father? Mother? Child? A family of three—what a heartwarming scene, so heartwarming that it evoked envy and touched her heart...

If that gentle woman were anyone else, she would have immediately stepped in, pointed her finger at Tuoba Chen, and berated him mercilessly. After venting her anger, she would have picked up the puppy, waved her sleeve, and strode away with a flourish. But this woman was the rare person in her life who was wholeheartedly devoted to her, even willing to go through fire and water for her—the person she owed the most in her life. She couldn't, wouldn't, wouldn't, and couldn't bear to embarrass her in the slightest. If she could be happy, besides offering her blessings in her heart, she could only stand silently by, watching their happy figures as they did now…

Whether intentional or not, Tuoba Chen placed his hand on Yu Yan's back, patting her gently as if with affection and comfort. However, his cold gaze did not leave Rong Yue, and within that chilling indifference lay a warning that Rong Yue could not understand.

Blinked hard twice, forcing himself to suppress the almost violent emotions surging in his eyes. He took a deep breath and, holding the puppy, walked step by step toward the three people not far ahead.

Tuoba Chen swiftly stepped in front of Yu Yan and her son, watching Rong Yue approach. He gripped the sword at his waist, ready to strike. His cold gaze was sharp, and the fierce aura emanating from him made Rong Yue wonder if taking another step forward would result in bloodshed.

In that instant, she suddenly had an absurd and crazy idea: she wanted to test whether he would raise his sword against her if she continued to walk forward. If he did raise his sword against her, she would not resist in the slightest, but would remain motionless and let him cut her, to see if he would kill her.

But this crazy idea only flashed through my mind.

She gave herself a small, indignant laugh, then pulled her outstretched foot back, standing a few steps away from them. She knew perfectly well that his actions weren't directed at her, but at "that other 'her,'" so why did she still feel so bothered? Did she really want to see him greet her with a smile and tender affection? Ha, it seems she really is a stubborn person.

"I have said, do not appear before me again!"

"What's your relationship?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Rongyue mocked herself inwardly once more. So, he still wouldn't give up unless she got it to him say it himself.

Tuoba Chen's expression suddenly changed, his handsome face contorted with hatred, and his gaze towards Rong Yue flashed with a bloodthirsty coldness: "You're courting death!"

The gleaming iron sword, accompanied by a sharp, deathly roar, was drawn from its sheath and aimed directly at Rongyue's throat!

"Stop your tricks! I will not be fooled by you again! Liu Rongyue, you wicked woman, if you dare to imitate her speech again, even half a word, I will personally shave your head!"

He bit down hard on his lower lip, and a few drops of hot, metallic liquid slid down his dry throat.

She understood perfectly well who he meant by "she".

What had 'she' done to him that made Tuoba Chen want to scrape her with a knife...?

"Don't copy her actions!!"

A loud shout startled Rongyue, and she only understood what he meant when the cold sword tip pointed at her lower lip.

Her pearly teeth parted her lower lip, and Rongyue suddenly felt like laughing. Since he couldn't mimic her speech or movements, was she just supposed to stand there like an idiot? Oh, perhaps later, he'd forbid her from mimicking her breathing?

He took a step back, away from the sword tip. His eyes swept indifferently over the white figure behind Tuoba Chen. At that moment, a sharp pain shot through him, and he made a resolute decision.

Seeing them happy, what regrets could she possibly have in this life? She couldn't give Yu Yan happiness, and perhaps she couldn't give Tuoba Chen happiness either; she owed both of them so much. Now, the two most important people in her life have found happiness. Shouldn't she be happy?

There will only be Liu Rongyue in this world, and there will only be Liu Rongyue!

Chen, consider Jian Xiaosan just a fleeting illusion in your dream! The dream is over, and everything between us has come to an end. You deserve a fresh start in life…