Li Tingmo looked at them indifferently and then coldly said, "If you want to mourn, then mourn. Once it’s done, leave quickly."
Bian Yue didn’t say anything, nodded towards Li Tingmo, and then walked towards the center of the mourning hall.
The atmosphere in the hall was bleak and icy, unlike the way Bian Yue remembered. With Li Sihe gone, her last bit of emotion towards the Li Family was also about to be stripped away.
This tribute marked the endpoint of all emotions; from now on, between her and the Li Family, there would only be unresolved hatred.
Bian Yue, holding incense candles, looked at the portrait of Li Sihe. Just one glance caused her heartache, and she hurriedly lowered her eyes.
She worshipped the portrait of Li Sihe with great solemnity.
Meanwhile, Li Tingmo, watching this scene, was reminded of some past events.
Although it was all an act of utilitarianism, perhaps the scene evoked feelings, invoking some indescribable emotions. His mood was complex as he harshly said, "Alright, since you’ve seen it, you can leave now, right?"
"I will leave now, don’t worry," Bian Yue inserted the incense candles properly and calmly turned around.
She walked towards Shen Jinci, hooking her arm in his, and said a final goodbye to Li Tingmo, "Please take care."
Shen Jinci, looking at Bian Yue’s pale, calm face, discreetly held her hand in his. His porcelain-like features carried a serene gentleness amidst the cold.
Suddenly, Li Tingmo sternly called out to her, "Wait a minute!"
"Do you need something?" Bian Yue said flatly.
"I have nothing in particular to say to you," Li Tingmo approached them, hesitantly lifting his eyes to look at Shen Jinci and easing his tone, "Mr. Shen, may I have a word with you in private?"
Shen Jinci looked at Bian Yue, and upon her nod, he coldly said, "Sure."
Li Tingmo showed a pleased expression and gestured invitingly to Shen Jinci. The two of them then proceeded to a side hall.
Bian Yue stood in place, redirecting her gaze towards Li Sihe. For some reason, the chill in her heart grew even colder.
"Li Sihe..." Bian Yue said softly, with a raspy voice, "Did you really die? Why do I still feel like none of this is real..."
As her words fell, the sound of high heels echoed from behind.
Bian Yue turned around and saw Su Youxue.
The two hadn’t met in a long time. Bian Yue heard that Su Youxue’s latest drama was a great success, but she hadn’t participated in any offline events, almost entirely withdrawing from the public eye.
All the lucrative opportunities that everyone desperately sought meant nothing to the current Su Youxue.
At this moment, she wore a white dress, walking in from outside, with sunlight casting a subtle halo around her.
Seeing Bian Yue, she smiled gently and said, "Hello, Miss Bian."
Bian Yue felt that Su Youxue had changed a lot, but such changes, for one person, were unbearably tragic.
Bian Yue frowned at her, unable to refrain from saying, "Miss Su, you should take care of your health."
Su Youxue still smiled, placing the flowers she’d prepared in front of Li Sihe’s portrait, sincerely lit the incense, then said, "Miss Bian, don’t worry, I won’t end my life. Li Sihe didn’t love me. For me to die for him would just show how presumptuous I am."
Bian Yue didn’t know what to say. At this moment, words of comfort seemed pale.
"Actually, I had guessed this day would come. When Mr. Li asked me to leave the Li Family, I knew his days were numbered."
Su Youxue turned around to look at Bian Yue, her eyes dark, "Miss Bian, I used to be very jealous of you. Because of my resentment and jealousy, I even caused you a lot of trouble, but now..."
Her smile faded a bit, her gaze becoming more complex, "Now that Shiheng is gone, I am actually glad that you are still alive. Because you are alive, it gives me something to think about."
Bian Yue was stunned for a moment, then softly repeated, "Something to think about?"
"You were the person Shiheng loved most in this world. I know it sounds ridiculous saying this, but it’s true. Shiheng seemed gentle, but he was actually cold-hearted, yet his love for you was the only true one."
Su Youxue’s eyes were slightly red, and she smiled, "He planned for your sake till his death. So now, I will protect you well in his place, this... is my consideration."
Reason told Bian Yue that she should firmly refuse Su Youxue and make clear boundaries between them, as many entanglements should never have started in the first place.
But a thought lingered in Bian Yue’s mind, clearly telling her that if she rejected Su Youxue, the latter might really not be able to go on living.
So Bian Yue said: "Don’t worry, I will be alright. Shen Jinci will protect me well, I am safe. So, you must also live safely."
But Su Youxue just smiled. Her gaze became more complex as she looked at Bian Yue, then she made a gesture of farewell and walked away.
Her figure disappeared in the sunlight, and Bian Yue found it piercing to watch.
She withdrew her gaze, but then saw Tang Yuwei at the railing on the second floor.
Since that slap, the two of them had not had a heart-to-heart.
But now, Tang Yuwei was looking at her, her face full of tears.
Bian Yue looked up, and their eyes met.
A moment later, Bian Yue still slowly said, "Condolences."
But Tang Yuwei burst into tears, paused, and suddenly came downstairs.
She rushed to Bian Yue, and before Bian Yue could react, she grabbed her hand.
The woman, who had been elegant and beautiful all her life, was infinitely ragged at this moment, crying, "Bian Yue, I have wronged you, I am sorry... Your aunt has not treated you well, I am sorry..."
"You never mistreated me before." Bian Yue looked at her , her brows deeply furrowed, and she slowly said, "Li Tingmo’s decision wasn’t something you and Shiheng could defy at the time. I know who started all this. I won’t blame you. We don’t owe each other anything."
Tang Yuwei stared blankly at Bian Yue, tears still streaming. She said, "I know. I don’t dare to ask you to see me as family, but hearing you say this, I’m already very happy, Bian Yue—I’m truly very happy..."
Bian Yue expressionlessly let go of Tang Yuwei’s hand, her sadness unmistakable. As for this sudden guilt, whether it was because of Li Sihe’s death or something else, Bian Yue did not intend to delve into it.
She took out a handkerchief from her bag, handed it to Tang Yuwei, and softly said, "Condolences."
When Li Tingmo and Shen Jinci came back, what they saw was this scene.
Shen Jinci’s face tightened, and he quickly walked toward Bian Yue, pulling her hand and frowning as if no one else was around, his voice cold, "Did you get hurt?"
"She didn’t hurt me." Bian Yue shook her head, looking at Shen Jinci’s worried expression, she couldn’t help but smile, "I’m not a little rabbit."
Shen Jinci didn’t say anything, the wrinkles between his eyebrows relaxed, he breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Bian Yue, and his tone softened, "Let’s go, let’s go home."