End and Beginning

Zhou Yi and Xia Qiuzhi stayed until evening before finally leaving.

The Dean insisted on seeing them off all the way to the street corner.

"Come back often when you have time, and take good care of yourselves."

Facing the Dean's complex gaze, filled with reluctance to part, both Zhou Yi and Xia Qiuzhi were deeply moved.

Xia Qiuzhi waved at the Dean. "We know. You should go back inside, Dean. It's cold out. We're leaving now."

Zhou Yi stepped onto his bicycle, and Xia Qiuzhi sat on the back seat. They were heading toward the school.

Since Xia Qiuzhi lived in the school dormitory, naturally, Zhou Yi had to escort her back.

The Dean had been very happy today, and Xia Qiuzhi was equally happy. It felt as if she and Zhou Yi had returned to the way things used to be; consequently, her affection level for him had risen to the maximum point.

And just like that, Zhou Yi's mission was complete.

"Ah Zhi, I'm leaving for City A in two days."

Xia Qiuzhi was stunned. She remembered Zhou Yi mentioning this before, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

She frowned, her face filled with reluctance. "So soon? Can't you wait until after winter? Anyway... anyway, this semester is almost over. Why not go after spring starts?"

She gripped the hem of Zhou Yi's shirt, holding on tightly.

But Zhou Yi was like the wind—bound to blow away sooner or later—and she couldn't hold onto him.

"I can't. They need me over there early. I can't delay it any longer."

After dropping Xia Qiuzhi off at the school gate, Zhou Yi had nothing more to say to her.

After all, the task was completed, and he held no lingering feelings for Xia Qiuzhi.

As Zhou Yi prepared to leave, Xia Qiuzhi called out to him, her voice thick with reluctance. "Brother Yi."

Zhou Yi turned his head to look at her, his eyes reverting to that slightly cold, indifferent look he had adopted recently.

"Will you come back in the future?"

"—Come back to see me."

Xia Qiuzhi pursed her lips, the rims of her eyes turning red.

She felt that once Zhou Yi left this time, the chances of them meeting again would be slim to none.

Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "I will."

Even though he was smiling, the detachment in his eyes was painfully obvious.

As if sensing something, Xia Qiuzhi revealed a smile as brilliant as the morning sun, just like she used to.

It was the proud, radiant Xia Qiuzhi from the original host's memories.

She smiled and said to Zhou Yi:

"Brother Yi, I wish you... a bright and splendid future."

Perhaps this was what Brother Yi wanted now, so wishing him a bright future was all she could do.

The Zhou Yi that belonged to her must have ceased to exist a long time ago.

She was the one who had killed him with her own hands.

"You must be happy every day too, Ah Zhi."

After saying this, Zhou Yi left without looking back.

Only after Zhou Yi had walked away without a backward glance did Xia Qiuzhi squat on the ground, crying her heart out.

"Without you, how can I be happy..."

She murmured, looking in the direction Zhou Yi had gone.

Tears smashed against the ground one by one, like a kite with a broken string. She didn't know who to cry to; the only person who would have listened to her was long gone.

The story of Xia Qiuzhi and Zhou Yi had finally drawn to a close.

.

Two days later, Zhou Yi embarked on his journey to City A, starting a new life that belonged solely to him.

The Qu family had already prepared accommodations for Zhou Yi—the courtyard house that Qu Yin had gifted him.

However, Zhou Yi did not go to the courtyard house immediately. Instead, he took You Man to a villa district.

You Man looked at the luxurious residential area, hardly daring to look around too much. She whispered, "Xiao Yi, is the house you bought here?"

Zhou Yi smiled without answering directly, simply saying, "You'll see in a moment."

After getting out of the car, Zhou Yi entered the password and walked in.

It was a small three-story villa. His and You Man's room was on the second floor, while the third floor was designed for leisure and recreation.

aside from the large yard in front of the villa, there was also a spacious balcony suitable for gardening.

You Man's eyes went wide as she looked at the villa, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "What a big house."

Zhou Yi smiled at her adorable reaction and pulled her down to sit on the sofa.

"Do you like it, Sister Man?"

You Man smiled gently. "As long as you like it, that's enough."

Zhou Yi held her hand and placed a key in her palm.

"Sister Man, this is my birthday present to you. So, naturally, you have to like it."

You Man's eyes widened in disbelief, and her first instinct was to refuse.

"I can't, Xiao Yi. This gift is too expensive. I... I can't accept it."

Her reaction was a bit flustered, but her helpless demeanor only looked cute in Zhou Yi's eyes.

He put his arm around You Man, holding her hand as he spoke warmly. "Just like the lyrics say, 'I remember who accompanied me when I was a nobody.' Being good to you is something I should do. If you won't even accept a house, how can you accept my love?"

Since Zhou Yi put it that way, You Man had no choice but to swallow her remaining protests.

She looked up at Zhou Yi and said, "Actually, I feel that what I gave is far less than what you're giving back. It makes me feel uneasy."

Zhou Yi pinched her nose. "You, you're just too silly. Think about it: back then, you didn't earn much money each month, yet you insisted on supporting my studies. Wasn't that sacrifice greater than me taking a little bit from my current assets to buy you a house?"

You Man only earned a few thousand a month running that shop, yet she had kindly kept Zhou Yi on, paying him a wage that didn't match the light workload, arranging a place for him to stay, and caring for him like a younger brother.

Zhou Yi felt she was completely worthy of this kindness.

Zhou Yi had ten billion. Spending a few tens of millions to buy a house for her was, in comparison to You Man earning five or six thousand a month but spending over a thousand to support him, clearly a case where You Man had been more generous.

After all, spending a hundred when you have ten thousand is completely different from spending a hundred when you only have five hundred.

What's more, the Zhou Yi of that time was just a poor boy fresh out of the orphanage. Aside from being diligent, he had no notable merits.

You Man was neither his relative nor his old friend. To go to such lengths for him—what other reason could there be but her kindness?

"Sister Man, I only feel that I haven't been good enough to you yet. In my heart, you deserve the best of everything."

Hearing Zhou Yi say this, You Man was moved once again.

She leaned into Zhou Yi's embrace, weeping tears of joy. "Actually, just hearing you say that makes it all worth it. It makes no difference to me how big the house is, as long as you are here."

Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes, lifting her chin. "Bigger is still better; there's more room to maneuver, don't you think?"

You Man instantly realized Zhou Yi was teasing her again. She glared at him, blushing. "I'm trying to say sweet things to you, and you start talking nonsense again."

"I'm ignoring you. I'm going to clean up. This house is so big; I don't know how long it will take to tidy."

You Man tried to get up from his embrace, but Zhou Yi pulled her right back.

"I already had someone clean it. Everywhere is spotless. If you don't believe me, we can test it out—I guarantee your clothes won't get dirty."

With that, Zhou Yi carried her up the stairs.

In the master bedroom lay a large two-meter bed. The woman sank into the soft silk duvet, her eyes filled with infinite tenderness.

She wrapped her arms around Zhou Yi's neck and initiated a kiss.

Gradually, the room filled with the sounds of breathless passion.

......