Sometimes, he would glance at her unconsciously. She was leaning against the seatback, her eyes gently closed. Sleet began to fall, quickly coating the windshield with a thin layer of mist. The wipers were running, but the fog soon returned to obscure their view, and the car slowed down even further. The car was surprisingly quiet, so much so that he could even hear the THUMP-THUMP of her heart. Her motionless eyelashes were a stark contrast to its frantic beat, yet her breaths were gentle. The sweet fragrance filled the air around his nose, the scene before his eyes—it was all just as it had been years ago. Then, Huang Xiaojue suddenly had a strange wish: If only this road would never end, if only we could journey on , ceaselessly, even to the ends of the earth. However, even the longest road eventually reaches its end. The car stopped at her doorstep. She opened the door and rushed out without a word of goodbye. He caught up to her right at her door, gently taking her hand. She, however, dared not meet his gaze, keeping her head turned away. His voice was gentle yet exceedingly firm. "Xixi, you are not to resign. Don’t worry. I will never cause you any trouble. You only need to remember this: as long as you no longer love me, I absolutely will not pester you." She closed the door, leaning back against the frame, feeling as if every ounce of her strength had been depleted. That night, sleet fell thick and fast. Looking down from her window, she saw Huang Xiaojue still standing beneath the fig tree downstairs. The wind whipped his scarf upwards, and faintly, as if in a dream, she felt she could still sense the lingering warmth of his embrace. Her mother had said on her deathbed, "Xixi, go find Xiaojue. Xiaojue is a good boy; he will definitely understand and be considerate of you." Marrying Huang Xiaojue was also her mother’s greatest wish. Fresh chapters posted on nοvelfire.net But, Xiaojue, it’s impossible now. We’re truly impossible. How could I ever lay bare my past to someone who knows me inside and out? Not to mention Wan Donglin’s two hundred thousand to buy out our first love, and Huang Xiaojue’s mother’s gaze, sharper than any knife. Getting past his mother would likely be more difficult than Tang Seng crossing the Flame Mountain. Xiaojue, even if you love and cherish me now, and everything can be concealed, love and marriage both have expiration dates. When the novelty wears off, when the trivialities and the daily grind of life overpower affection, even the face of a loved one can slowly contort into something hideous. The moment Huang Xiaojue’s mother walked into the living room the next morning, she exclaimed, "Heavens, Old Man, come here quickly!" Her husband frowned. "What are you making such a fuss about?" "Look, our son’s shoes! When did our son get back?" "Last night, of course," her husband said dismissively. "You were asleep, so I didn’t wake you." "Why on earth didn’t you wake me? If I hadn’t gotten up early, our son might have already left again." "Relax, our son is on leave today..." As they were speaking, Huang Xiaojue opened his bedroom door and emerged, grinning. "Mom, weren’t you just complaining that I never spend time with you? Well, today I’ll be home for lunch and spend the whole day with you both." Huang Xiaojue’s mother was ecstatic. "Heavens, is this true? Son, what do you want to eat? Spicy Boiled Fish? Duck braised with tender ginger? Fresh Pot Rabbit? Mutton stewed with radish? Oh, yes, and your favorite deep-fried crispy pork! Quick, Old Man, go buy the groceries! Today, you absolutely must make all these signature dishes so our son can have a real feast. Hurry, go early to get the freshest ingredients! Remember, it must be a free-range duck and a grain-fed rabbit..."