Sorry for not being able to control his feelings and for snatching Gu Zixuan before understanding the situation. Sorry for not revealing his identity from the start, letting misunderstandings escalate beyond repair due to fate. Even more sorry for lacking confidence and allowing misunderstandings to sideline his departure just when Gu Zixuan loved him the most. Such a simple phrase, yet it holds so much regret and emotion. Gu Zixuan understood the significant effort it took for him to utter those words. Yet, he said it—unable to let go of her... With red-rimmed eyes, she asked, "Then why did you eventually give up?" Recalling the issues in the country at the time, Feng Chengjin bitterly smiled, "Because something happened to my company..." ****** Feng Chengjin never expected to be tricked by a woman. Faced with Song Ximing’s severe criticism and with the mistake already made, Feng Chengjin knew it was wrong yet could neither give up liking Gu Zixuan nor their relationship. The only consolation was that these events occurred before marriage; both were unmarried, keeping the matter from escalating morally. She still possessed the freedom to choose, and he could compensate her... However, when negotiations initially failed, and Song Ximing insisted on bringing Gu Zixuan back regardless of anything said. He hardened his demeanor and asserted firmly for the first time, "If she could fall for me so quickly, it only indicates He Qimo wasn’t good to her. Given that, whether I appear or not, their breakup is inevitable. Chinese culture values lovers being together. Song desires them to be well due to their long interaction together, hoping I would step back. But Gu Zixuan is now mine; therefore, their future happiness is impossible. Why doesn’t Song observe how I treat her? Regarding He Qimo... I’ll compensate him." Song Ximing’s expression was quite shocked at that moment. Perhaps he never imagined seizing another’s girlfriend so righteously, nor expected someone as privileged as Feng Chengjin from showcase families would suddenly earnestly care for a girl. Song Ximing stunned, "You mean this seriously? You’re sure you’re not stepping back?" Feng Chengjin pondered for a moment, then slowly uttered, "Being responsible to a woman is a basic duty for any man." Then he turned away and left. Afterward, Song Ximing didn’t seek him out again. Whether intentional or not, Feng Chengjin was unsure. Only once, did he coincidentally see Song Ximing at the Columbia campus, standing in front of Gu Zixuan’s dormitory. The vacation period left the campus quite desolate. He was bringing Gu Zixuan out for some fresh air under the tree shade. Song Ximing watched him for a moment, then glanced at Gu Zixuan as she cuddled onto Feng’s arms, playfully. With brows furrowed, Song turned away carrying a bag of bread. Feng Chengjin felt a bit surprised. Yet, he lacked the mental space to ponder Song Ximing’s thoughts. Because confronted with Gu Zixuan’s intensifying warmth... He grew uncertain; did she truly hold any affection towards him? Do her feelings belong to him now, or was He Qimo the one she loved deeply within her heart? Was he merely a substitution, a shade? The story’s beginning, marked by mistakes fueling his insecurity, tormenting his heart madly. He wished to express, frightened that emotions hadn’t rooted deeply enough, rendering Gu Zixuan not entirely enveloped in his affection. Breaking the truth risked her departure. To remain silent, hearing Gu Zixuan repeatedly whisper "Qi Mo," along with her cranial blood clot slowly dissolving, vaguely shaping visible outlines brought diminishing time for explanations. For the first time, Feng Chengjin distinctly felt as though his heart was ripped into halves. Because of "He Qimo," he harbored intense discord... Until... the night before separation. Faced with Gu Zixuan’s elation as she mentioned seeing his shirt appear white... His heart instantly turned cold. He relentlessly rode Gu Zixuan, draining her every ounce of strength till she fell deeply asleep on his arms. Watching over her for a while, he decided to reveal everything by dawn. He gathered pen and paper, clearly outlining the entire story’s unfolding, also... his pledge to her, finally placing the ring purchased amidst busy schedules within the last few days into her bag. Despite her inability to see, her sharpness would eventually grasp reality, should initial acceptance foil, lastly touching the ring and letter within her bag, understanding would follow, she would stay... Upon passing initial fury, when clarity returned steadier, gaining back sight would afford reasoning her choice... Deeply unrestful, he refused imposing upon her. Love’s practice hinges upon mutual fondness, and shared joy. If after baring herself and understanding his intentions... She chooses to return to He Qimo, solely loving He Qimo. Because he fell in love with this girl eight years younger than him, who dismissed him the first time they met. No one in this world could make him give up. But, what really set things in motion was the midnight call he received from abroad after he finished everything. The moment he connected, he felt the urgency from the other end, "Cheng Jin, come back to the country! The financing contract you just signed has been bought by ’Chengya Real Estate’ through high inducement from your driver’s hand; your driver has now fled out of guilt, we’ve reported to the police for arrest, but how do we explain to the financing party? Plus, how do we continue with the bidding over here in Rong City?" Looking at her, sleeping soundly beside him, dressed in white like jade, even as she slept, she clung around his neck with a sticky waist, his eyes welled up with endless reluctance. Further, a melancholy beyond words. Destiny played him a joke once, and then again. If he leaves, what about her? If he stays, what about the company? In the end, there was that more anxious sentence in the call, "Cheng Jin? You’re not really planning to give up your real estate business in China for that girl, and go on to establish territory anew in the United States, doing logistics retail for the subsidiary company, are you?" It was during those days when Feng Chengjin was playing around with Gu Zixuan, suddenly on impulse, he registered a company at light speed in the United States, recruited employees, and established a subsidiary. Just small operations, purely out of convenience to accompany her. The subsidiary in the United States naturally couldn’t be his main business. The bidding contract valued at 4 billion, and the breach compensation of three times, should it fail, he couldn’t afford to ignore. Leaving, he booked a ticket to return to China overnight. Before leaving, he couldn’t help but dial Gu Zixuan’s dorm mate Maria, asking her to come over at dawn and look after Gu Zixuan. By the way... find someone who understands Chinese to relay the contents of the letter in the bag to her... That must have been the most restless, darkest, and busiest period of time in his life. He left his phone number and explained the reason for his departure, asking that if Gu Zixuan understood, she should give him a call. However, he never received a call from Gu Zixuan. Whenever he tried to call her, it was always turned off... then later, her number was changed... Until his business became hectic, coupled with physical discomfort, emotional anxiety and a full sense of ominous premonition. An acute appendicitis attack led to a stay in the hospital, in the chill of his heart, he heard of Gu Zixuan for the second time. It was a call from Song Ximing. What Song Ximing was thinking, he still didn’t know. Only, what made him despair was Song Ximing’s sentence, "She’s getting married..." At that moment, his heart turned to ash... Talking to this point, it was thoroughly explaining the past events. Gu Zixuan couldn’t suppress her emotions at this moment. Her eyelashes trembled, tears cascaded down the corners of her eyes, choked, she said, "So, you think it was because I didn’t forgive you, so I ended up with He Qimo?" Feng Chengjin sadly tugged his lips corner, moisture gathered in his eye sockets, "Yes, I’ve always thought that the person you loved was him. Moreover..." Feng Chengjin paused. He said, "You got married, Zixuan. After you returned to Rong City every day, I wanted to find you and ask once face to face. But... I also understand no matter who you love, I can’t do it..." "That’s adultery. I can’t let you bear such a disgrace..." After saying the last line softly. Gu Zixuan’s tears overflowed uncontrollably, she raised her head, hugged his neck, and pressed onto his lips. Mixed with the hardships of an eight-year-long chase, Feng Chengjin, moved by emotions, couldn’t help but strongly respond to that kiss. Find the newest release on novel-fire.net For a moment, whether it was passion, or being moved, or the truth of finally being together after eight years apart. Only knowing, at this very moment, they clung desperately. After exhaustion passed, Feng Chengjin got up to wash in the bathroom. Gu Zixuan looked at his not so young back. Her fingertips trembled a bit. Paused for a while, then pulled two pillows, slowly placed them under her waist...