Gu Zhixi let out a deep sigh, reminding herself to stay calm.
"Since that’s the case, why does Mr. He always appear in front of me?" she asked with a provocative lift to her face, "Can’t you see that I don’t want to see you?"
The man suddenly chuckled and shook his head gently, "I think Miss Gu really wants to see me."
"I don’t!" she retorted, her nose suddenly stinging.
The man looked down at her for a moment then suddenly walked to the side cabinet, took out a bottle of liquor, poured two glasses, and carried them over to her, offering her one.
Gu Zhixi hesitated but didn’t reach out to take it, "Mr. He... what do you mean by this?"
"Miss Gu has reminded me many times that you are not my wife," his voice grew huskier, "but seeing you, I still can’t help but be reminded of her."
Zhixi bit her lip, desperately holding back tears, and continued, "So what?"
"So, have this drink with me, as a... tribute to her," said He Jingyao in a faintly melancholic voice. "She’s been gone for four years, and I’ve always hoped she was still alive. But now, I think... perhaps she’s truly gone."
Gu Zhixi couldn’t help but shiver, feeling a surge of grief in her heart.
She looked up at him, meeting his somewhat sorrowful smile, her throat choking up.
"From now on, I will forget her completely and start a new life," he said word by word, "If Miss Gu agrees with this decision, then... have this last drink with me."
From now on, I will forget her.
Gu Zhixi was momentarily dazed, her mind buzzing.
Yes, she agreed, of course. Forget her, let go completely... and start his life anew.
Wasn’t that what she had been hoping for initially?
With this thought, she reached out to take one of the glasses, "Of course I agree. I think, if Mr. He’s wife has a spirit in heaven, she would also want you to do this."
He laughed hoarsely, "She’d probably say that, but she was a woman whose words did not match her true feelings. In her heart, she would definitely want me to remember her forever."
Gu Zhixi’s face suddenly flushed red.
"No, she would truly feel this way this time!" she declared decisively, as if to prove her own resolution, raised her glass, and downed it in one gulp.
After she finished, she suddenly felt a rush of warmth surge to her head.
What... what kind of drink is this? Why is it so strong?
She shook her head and gave the glass back to him, "I’ve finished it..."
"Hmm," he responded in a deep voice that sounded somewhat ethereal.
"I... I should go back now." She turned to walk towards the door.
A hand suddenly circled her waist and his voice rose beside her ear, carrying a familiar and comforting breath, "Miss Gu, the door is this way."
She felt dizzy and slightly annoyed, she thumped her head, "I’m sorry."
"It’s okay," he chuckled softly, guiding her in a different direction, "Let me take you out."
Everything before her eyes was blurred.
Zhixi nodded blankly, "Okay, thank you... you’re really a good person."
His laughter carried a hint of ambiguous huskiness, "You’re right."
Soon, Zhixi felt herself being placed on a soft, large bed.
"...Have I arrived home?" she asked vaguely.
The man leaned down close, his fingertips touching her soft cheek, his voice deep, "Yes, you’re home now."