Jiang Ze Xi sat in silence, smoking dejectedly, his eyes vacant as he gazed at the glittering expanse before him.
The stars twinkled brightly, yet offered no light to his own dim eyes.
Five years.
He had drifted through five years in a daze.
But his heart still could not find peace.
The gentle breeze that brushed against him ruffled his brown hair and stirred his troubled soul.
Xia Wan Fu stood a short distance away, her gaze fixed on the two men.
As soon as Ling Yu Chen left, she returned to Jiang Ze Xi's side.
For some reason, she felt an unprecedented unease.
His back was to the light, and in the hazy night, Xia Wan Fu could not make out his expression.
She walked forward and gently took the hand hanging at his side. It was surprisingly cold to the touch.
Xia Wan Fu softly called out, "Brother Ze Xi..."
Jiang Ze Xi’s gaze remained fixed ahead, unmoving, without any reaction. He said faintly, "I want to be alone for a while."
Xia Wan Fu froze instantly, her smile faltering.
The hand she held hung limply, unresponsive to her closeness.
The coldness of his touch seemed impossible to warm.
A sudden, inexplicable panic seized her. Xia Wan Fu tightened her grip on his hand, her voice tinged with pleading.
"I don't want to leave..." Xia Wan Fu was exceptionally vulnerable at this moment.
Jiang Ze Xi experienced a moment of disorientation.
His memories drifted back, to an afternoon.
In the abandoned factory, Su Jin Ning was bound tightly to an iron pillar.
Flames raged, consuming the entire factory, thick black smoke soaring into the sky, staining half of it black.
Gasoline had been poured inside the building; the fire was beyond control.
He had tried to rush in countless times, but was held back by others.
Entering meant only one outcome: death.
In the final seconds before the factory collapsed, he heard Su Jin Ning’s heart-wrenching screams.
She cried, "I don't want to die, Brother Ze Xi, you live well, you must live well..."
As her words faded, there was a deafening roar.
The factory collapsed, and he was dragged away.
Then came a thunderous explosion behind him, and a ringing in his ears.
The factory had exploded. No body was found, alive or dead.
...
A tear traced a path down his cheek. Jiang Ze Xi's dark, deep eyes overflowed with sorrow.
Xia Wan Fu lowered her head, oblivious to his pain.
Jiang Ze Xi suddenly gripped her hand and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.
Xia Wan Fu stiffened for a moment, then soon rested her face against his chest.
...
"Pah, shameless."
Wen Xuan Xuan found it unbearable to watch. She crunched on potato chips, chewing with a force that vented her frustration.
She knew the character of everyone in the Xia family, her disgust stemming from the very depths of her heart.
Situ Jun, sitting opposite, leaned in and asked curiously, "Sister Xuan Xuan, can you tell me why you dislike her so much?"
"Hmph." Wen Xuan Xuan snorted, unwilling to engage with Situ Jun.
She turned her body to face Xia Wan Tang beside her.
But Xia Wan Tang was currently whispering something to Ling Yu Chen, her head bent.
Wen Xuan Xuan felt utterly superfluous.
She rolled her eyes and turned her direction again.
To her side sat Li Bo Wen, gently swirling a glass of red wine.
He had a refined face, with a faint smile on his lips, exuding a gentle, jade-like aura.
His fringe covered a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and his narrow eyes held a mildness that, upon closer inspection, was surprisingly striking.
Wen Xuan Xuan's gaze abruptly met his, and she felt an inexplicable blush and heat, instinctively looking away.
Li Bo Wen's seemingly gentle eyes, however, held a hint of indifference. His deep gaze swept over the slightly shy young girl, his eyes betraying no emotion.
He raised his wine glass and tilted his head, draining the wine in one gulp.
As he swallowed, his prominent Adam's apple bobbed, incredibly alluring and sensual.
Wen Xuan Xuan only dared to steal a glance before her face flushed crimson, and she looked away, afraid to look again.
How had she not noticed before that this handsome guy was no less attractive than Ling Yu Chen!
Oh dear, oh dear, this felt like the stirrings of affection!
Li Bo Wen casually placed his wine glass on the table, then stood up and walked alone to a spot, gazing at the distant, brilliant starlight.
The image of Situ Jing's smiling face appeared in his mind.
She had loved Yu Chen since childhood, her obsession a terrifying depth. He was worried; what if she couldn't cope?
Regardless, she was like a sister to him, and Jin Ning was gone. He didn't want to see anything happen to Situ Jing.
As he was thinking, a hand patted his shoulder.
He assumed it was Situ Jun and, without turning around, said with a sigh, "Stop messing around."
A woman's light chuckle reached his ears.
He immediately turned his head to look, and his eyes fell upon a delicate, pretty face – it was Wen Xuan Xuan.
Li Bo Wen was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Wen Xuan Xuan to approach.
"Your name is... Li Bo Wen, right?"
Wen Xuan Xuan stood beside him, looking up at him.
A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying a faint woody scent mixed with a hint of wine.
Li Bo Wen smiled slightly and simply replied, "Mm."
The woman beside him wore a floral dress, exuding a palpable girlish charm. Her slender waist, easily graspable, accentuated her delicate figure.
Her skirt ended above her knees, exposing a pair of fair, shapely legs.
Just then, a gust of wind blew, lifting the hem of her skirt. Wen Xuan Xuan quickly reached down to press it down.
Her face burned, and she felt an urge to disappear into the ground out of embarrassment.
This wind was rather ill-timed!
Li Bo Wen looked at her flustered state, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
He took off his jacket and tied it around her waist.
The man's proximity made Wen Xuan Xuan stiffen, unable to move.
Li Bo Wen said softly, "There are many insects on the mountain, don't wander around aimlessly."
With that, he turned and left.
Wen Xuan Xuan stood there alone, the breeze ruffling her hair, her thoughts in a mess.
She had followed him here inexplicably, and within just a few sentences, her heart seemed to be beating faster and faster.
In the distance, Jiang Ze Xi and Xia Wan Fu leaned against each other, gazing into the distance.
Li Bo Wen had returned to the table and sat down. The barbecue had been served, and they were all feasting with wine.
Xia Wan Tang waved, "Xuan Xuan, come quickly! The skewers are delicious."
Wen Xuan Xuan rolled her eyes, scoffing, "You finally remembered me. I thought your eyes could only see your husband!"
Having been teased a few times, Xia Wan Tang was no longer shy.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, "Yes, I advise you to find a boyfriend soon, then you can experience having eyes only for your husband too."
"I won't find one."
Wen Xuan Xuan muttered softly and strode to the table to sit down.
The savory aroma of spices filled her nostrils, and her appetite was immediately whetted.
As soon as she picked up a skewer of grilled pork belly, Xia Wan Tang handed her a small dish of chili powder.
Xia Wan Tang couldn't use too much, as Ling Yu Chen didn't allow it.
Wen Xuan Xuan, like her, loved spicy food. Xia Wan Tang always remembered this, so she pushed the chili powder towards her.