And Also Lost You

Seated on the wooden chair, Xie Yuyan scanned every corner of the cabin with an expressionless face. As her eyes took in the lived-in warmth of the small space, her heart churned with indescribable emotions.

Even under such modest living conditions, Ye Feng had chosen to stay here without hesitation. It was clear he harbored no resentment toward this place.

Was it because of her?

Though the thought crossed Xie Yuyan’s mind, she didn’t dare voice it aloud. After finally reuniting with Ye Feng, she couldn’t risk ruining things again with her own mistakes.

Suddenly, as if struck by a realization, she turned her attention to the bed nearby. The sight of a single blanket and two pillows sent a sharp pang through her heart, and a suffocating gloom settled over her like storm clouds.

"......"

Just as the icy blue of her eyes darkened, Ye Feng’s voice called from outside, pulling her back to reality.

"The soup’s ready. Drink it while it’s hot."

"Mm..."

Xie Yuyan turned and accepted the bowl of corn soup from him. The simplicity of the dish didn’t surprise her. She took a small sip.

"Aren’t you afraid I might’ve drugged it?"

Ye Feng crossed his arms, watching as she drank without hesitation. His tone was light, almost teasing.

"......"

Xie Yuyan’s hands trembled slightly at his words, but she quickly steadied herself.

"You wouldn’t."

"And what about you?"

Ye Feng cut her off. His remark was nothing more than a jest—perhaps Xie Yuyan’s arrival had been within his expectations all along.

"Aren’t you going to tie me up and drag me back?"

"No... I won’t do that again..."

She understood the disappointment laced in his words, but the stubbornness she once clung to had long since faded. Too much had happened.

"Is this another lie?"

"I won’t lie to you again, Ye Feng. I mean it..."

"Doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. Staying here might just be the best ending for me."

Ye Feng pulled out a chair and sat down unceremoniously, then fixed her with a questioning look.

"Did you figure something out? To track me down so quickly..."

"Mm... The three of us talked it over."

"Three?"

Ye Feng blinked in disbelief. It wasn’t that he doubted her words—he was just stunned that Xie Yuyan had teamed up with Li Mucheng and Su Yuxin.

He knew her too well. Someone like her would never collaborate unless it was purely transactional. Yet from the way she spoke now, it seemed the three had reconciled.

"Mm."

Xie Yuyan took another sip of soup, as if savoring the taste to feel closer to him.

"It was Li Mucheng who brought us together. She was certain there was a reason for what you did that day at the cliff."

"Mucheng, huh..."

At the mention of her name, Ye Feng’s expression wavered. When he’d plunged into the river, he’d seen the sheer terror on Li Mucheng’s face. He’d wanted to reassure her that it was his choice, but he knew the scars his actions would leave.

"...Is Mucheng doing alright?"

"She is. They have another plan in motion."

"Let me guess—they’re after Shen Mengli?"

Xie Yuyan nodded again, the faint sweetness of corn lingering on her tongue.

"Yes. I only found you through my own deductions. But don’t worry, we won’t harm Shen Mengli."

"Good. As long as she’s safe."

Relieved, Ye Feng exhaled, then held out his wrists, palms pressed together.

"Alright. You can arrest me now. I’ve got nothing left to ask."

"I won’t do that... Ye Feng, can we just talk? Please."

"What’s left to say?"

"I... I’m sorry..."

"Sorry..."

Ye Feng shrugged helplessly at her apology.

"I’ve heard that one too many times."

"Please... Forgive me. I’m begging you, Ye Feng."

"Forgive? Just like that? Like I said, it’s in the past. More importantly, I don’t blame any of you. I just want to live the way I choose."

Xie Yuyan’s fingers dug into her palms, her knuckles turning white.

"If I hadn’t done those things... would things be different now?"

"Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not."

Noticing her empty bowl, Ye Feng gestured toward it.

"Want more? It’s good for warming you up."

"No, thank you."

In their brief exchange, Xie Yuyan could sense it clearly—Ye Feng wasn’t the same person who’d once cherished her. She was the one who’d pushed him away.

"If you came here hoping to take me back, give it up. I’ve decided to stay."

"No... Please don’t say that."

His words felt like a final verdict, sealing her fate—he wanted no part of the past that had tormented him.

"I hope you understand. You’re much more level-headed now."

"Because I want to make it up to you... To give you everything I owe you..."

"Xie Yuyan, you don’t have to do this. Let the past stay in the past. We can both move on peacefully, alright?"

"No... Ye Feng, I don’t want to lose you... Not when I’ve finally found you again. I want us to go back to how we were."

Her voice softened, the usual coldness replaced by a fragile tremor. Even her sharp edges seemed to blur behind a sheen of unshed tears.

"I’ve thought about it so much... Everything was my fault. Even when you trusted me the most, I kept causing trouble. I was wrong from the start, and yet you were patient with me, over and over... But I lost every chance... and in the end, I lost you too..."