After leaving the President Mansion, Su Zixi returned to Wanhe Qianfeng Garden.
The consecutive sunny days had completely melted the recent heavy snow.
As the sunlight was just right, Su Zixi sat under the eaves of the front courtyard, staring blankly at the high-rises in the distance.
Ever since she had learned about He Jingyao’s illness, she found herself spacing out uncontrollably when alone, as if her whole being had been emptied.
Sometimes, she felt she was truly selfish, not just selfish, but also malicious.
Knowing that Jingyao wouldn’t live long if he stayed with her, yet she could pretend as if nothing was wrong and, whenever possible, she clung to him even more desperately than before.
He Jingyao had already made his choice, but what about her?
Could she really continue in good conscience, doing nothing but hoping his illness could be cured?
But... she could no longer imagine what her life would be like without He Jingyao.
Fate had played a tremendous joke on her.
Because she could be near him, she could be with him.
However, her closeness would also hurt him, so they were doomed not to last.
At that thought, Su Zixi suddenly shut her eyes tightly. The sadness and reluctance nearly overwhelmed her.
When she opened them again, there was already a tall figure before her.
The man had just gotten out of the car and was walking toward her. His dark, deep-set eyes were as they had always been, and beneath his handsome nose, his thin lips held a slight smile that wasn’t quite a smile, but Su Zixi knew that most of the time, those smiles were warm and affectionate, dazzling to behold.
Even the brilliant sunset could not detract from his natural grace; he was born to be admired.
Thus, he should have had a more unrestrained and enriched life.
Thinking this, Su Zixi suddenly laughed.
He Jingyao had already approached her, bending down to grasp her hand, "What are you doing sitting here? Your hands are freezing."
Jumping down from the bench, Su Zixi hugged his arm, her eyes squinting with a smile, "Because I wanted to see you sooner."
"Su Zixi," he suddenly stopped, giving her a meaningful look, "I’ve noticed you’ve been quite clingy lately."
Su Zixi suddenly became nervous, her eyes widening as she said, "Could it be that you are tired of me?"
He hooked her chin, smiling as he surveyed her for a moment before slowly saying, "Good, keep it up."
Su Zixi immediately beamed with joy, "I tried making a new dessert, do you want to try it?"
"Another dessert? Can’t you try something different?" the man’s voice carried a slight hint of disdain.
"Uh... everything else is too hard... I’ll learn in the future," Su Zixi cooed.
While they were halfway through eating the desserts, Ning Yichen suddenly paid a visit.
He Jingyao frowned in displeasure and said to Mr. Li, "What is he doing here?"
"He said he has something to discuss with the Young Mistress," Mr. Li responded helplessly.
Su Zixi suddenly remembered something and told Mr. Li, "Yes, let him in."
After saying that, she glanced at He Jingyao appeasingly, "I’ll go and entertain him."
He Jingyao gave her a deep look, his smile tinged with irony, "Since when do you have matters to discuss with him? I had no idea."
"Jingyao, isn’t the ceremony in a few days? The President and his wife need to attend, and I have to make a public appearance too," Su Zixi explained, "Ning Yichen must be here for that."