"Why... why, didn't we agree before? You told me to find everything I like about you slowly... you said it..."
Leaning on the railing, Yao Mingyue's last hope seemed to be extinguished at that moment.
"I've also told you before not to waste your time on me. You're really good, but now I prefer to live my own life. Maybe I'm not suited to be anyone else."
Xu Musen said softly.
"But I've been trying so hard to change!"
Yao Mingyue's voice squeezed out, her eyes brimming with tears, her limbs trembling: "I've really been trying so hard, I endure not thinking about you, not seeing you, not disturbing you, not bothering you…
Clearly, we've been getting along so much better lately, haven't we? Why... why won't you wait for me just a little longer..."
Yao Mingyue's tears rolled down her cheeks, her heartbreak carrying a shattered pain, like desolate leaves falling in this season, breaking at the slightest touch.
Xu Musen had actually been telling her all along not to waste her time on him.
But looking at Yao Mingyue at this moment, Xu Musen felt his own chest tightening.
"I'm sorry, but at this point, saying these things is meaningless. Ming Yue, you should also have your own life, not let the past constantly hinder your future."
Xu Musen's tone was complicated as he looked at Yao Mingyue now, feeling none of the pleasure he once had when reborn that he could finally get rid of her.
Instead, some inexplicable emotions were bumping around in his heart like headless flies.
"But you are my future!"
Yao Mingyue bit her lip, suddenly supporting herself, she staggered in front of Xu Musen, stretched out her hand, and clutched his clothes tightly.
She looked up, those already tired eyes now filled with bloodshot, she opened her lips.
"Xu Musen… won't you please not be with her… I can continue to change, I can become even better, won't you please wait for me, let's pretend what we just said never happened… can't we go back to how we were before?"
Yao Mingyue's words seemed to lack logic, her tone carrying a rare plea, she clutched Xu Musen's sleeve tightly, using the most humble tone.
She now dared not ask for the two of them to be together, she would even settle for going back to when Xu Musen treated her indifferently, because at least then, she always had some chance.
Xu Musen looked at Yao Mingyue now, just like that night six years ago, her entire body trembling, hoping for an answer.
Unfortunately, there are no do-overs in this world.
Xu Musen shook his head, he knew Yao Mingyue had changed a lot, and for this proud and sensitive girl, these changes required a great deal of determination.
But some things aren't about right or wrong, and not all efforts necessarily lead to results.
In this time, An Nuannuan's appearance gave Xu Musen many things he lacked.
The freedom from the soul confirmed his choice.
Yao Mingyue's body shuddered, the last flicker of light in her eyes seemed about to fade away, the hopeful and meek look on her face turning dark.
Clenching her fists, she pounded on Xu Musen's chest: "You can't be with her! Xu Musen, break up with her now, and I'll pretend nothing happened, I'll still be good and stay with you!"
She growled, her throat hoarse as she hit Xu Musen, but after a couple punches, she suddenly withdrew her hand, her angry expression again becoming somewhat helpless.
She gently touched the spot she had just pounded, deflating like a popped balloon.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… Xu Musen I really can't be without you, please don't leave me, you promised me before, you said you would be with me for a lifetime…"
Yao Mingyue's emotions seemed out of control, like duckweed on water.
Her former willfulness was because Xu Musen would always silently endure her caprices behind her.
But now, it was as if she had nothing, the feeling of powerlessness made her like a person drowning, unable to grasp the last straw.
To her, Xu Musen was a beam of light in the darkness, giving her hope to continue living.
But now, he was about to take that light away.
How can someone who has seen the light continue to endure the darkness?
"I did promise you I would always look after you, but Ming Yue, even if I always stay with you, will your heart feel at peace?"
Xu Musen slowly began to speak, actually, he had discussed this topic with Yao Mingyue several times before.
Yao Mingyue bit her lip, she knew, of course, but she truly couldn't leave Xu Musen.
She understood her own heartache, but Xu Musen was the only cure she had at the moment, without him, Yao Mingyue wasn't sure she could even endure until tomorrow.
Xu Musen sighed, stretched out his hand, and placed it on her head, comforting her just like he did six years ago.
"Ming Yue, I won't break my word, I will help you as much as I can in the future, after all, we grew up together, and our families are like relatives, no matter what our statuses are, if you face troubles, I won't stand idly by, but I hope we both have the ability to solve our problems, the issues in your heart, you'll eventually need to face them yourself."