From Now On, We Are Strangers

The third day of the twelfth lunar month, an auspicious day, suitable for weddings and moving house.

South City was filled with joy today. From early morning, cranes danced in the sky, magpies circled the city, and fireworks bloomed incessantly, forming the character for "Double Happiness" above the city.

Today was the wedding of the son of the dean of South City Intermediate Academy. As the only intermediate academy in South City, the dean's only son getting married naturally meant a grand display; the most prominent figures in all of South City arrived one after another. The bride, however, was not from a prestigious family, and those who came for her side were merely old classmates.

Spring-Autumn King trailed behind Lin Huang, dragging his feet, and chose an inconspicuous spot to sit. He whispered, "What's the plan? Should I call some people over? If we end up snatching the bride later, we'll need some backup."

"Shut up. Be quiet," Lin Huang said faintly, his expression somewhat dazed.

Bright red candles, festive music—today, the hall was filled with distinguished guests, and joy had arrived at the doorstep. Once upon a time, he had imagined this day in his own heart.

Alas, once today passed, they would be strangers on different paths.

"Is that Lin Huang?"

"He actually came?"

"Didn't they say he got involved with an evil cult outside the borders and became a wanted criminal? How does he dare to show his face? Could it be that he's in the clear?"

"Forget about it. Heh, Lin Huang, Chen Ruo. Maybe we'll see a good show today."

The whispers, which they thought were secret, all reached Lin Huang's ears. Lin Huang lifted his eyes to look; they were a few former classmates. Listening to their words, his expression grew increasingly indifferent, and a trace of detachment began to flicker in and out of his aura.

Wu Cheng had actually noticed Lin Huang's arrival long ago. As the groom and a former classmate of Lin Huang, he was well aware of the history between Chen Ruo and Lin Huang. Although Chen Ruo had mentioned meeting Lin Huang yesterday and extending an invitation, Wu Cheng hadn't expected him to actually show up.

After a moment of hesitation, Wu Cheng walked over and whispered into Lin Huang's ear, "Today is my big day. Don't you dare cause any trouble."

"The City Guardian and others will be here shortly, along with several of my teachers from Yueshan Academy. They are all powerful figures at the Marquis Realm. Don't ruin yourself."

Having said that, a smile appeared on Wu Cheng's face. He patted Lin Huang on the shoulder, held his head high, and walked past him to join his parents in welcoming the arriving guests.

The old classmates watching from the side had expected Wu Cheng to give Lin Huang a hard time, so they were somewhat disappointed by this anticlimactic encounter. After hesitating for a while, no one else came up to greet Lin Huang.

"Your popularity is truly terrible," Spring-Autumn King muttered. "Just how bad must your reputation be for not even a single classmate to come over and say hello?"

"How can the sparrow know the ambition of the swan? This is normal," Lin Huang said.

Lin Huang, whose heart was firm and had never wavered, and who only wished to become a god, had always been difficult for these classmates to understand. They thought he was a lunatic, an idiot, a moron, a fool who didn't know his own limits. And he, in turn, found them mediocre and unworthy of mention.

"Others laugh at me for being too crazy; I laugh at them for failing to see through the world."

Lin Huang whispered to himself, and a smile suddenly bloomed on his face. "Thinking that I was almost like these people—mediocre, burying my dreams—I feel that coming to this wedding is truly good, truly good. The Mortal World is full of mundane people; there is truly no need to linger."

"Hey."

As the wedding was about to begin, someone finally came over to greet Lin Huang. The man was somewhat stout with a round face and big ears. Lin Huang identified him after a moment and nodded. "I remember you, Chen Xiang."

Chen Xiang froze for a moment, then gave a dry laugh. "Heh. Good that you remember, good that you remember. You rarely attend class reunions these past few years; I didn't expect you to actually come today."

"Chen Ruo and Wu Cheng, sigh. Actually, they are quite a good match. Look, Wu Cheng's old man is the dean of our academy, and Wu Cheng is working at the City Guardian Office now. He's much better off than the rest of us. Chen Ruo has found a good home; she might even become the wife of the City Guardian in the future."

"In the future, you and I might even have to beg them for favors. Look, the City Guardian is here too. And those people over there, they are all teachers from Yueshan Academy, powerful figures at the Marquis Realm."

Chen Xiang rattled off a long list, and seeing that Lin Huang remained calm and composed, he felt a bit annoyed, his tone turning stiff. "You and Chen Ruo broke up years ago. Today is a joyous occasion; don't you think it's a bit inappropriate for you to be here, reminding people of the past?"

"It's enough that you showed your face. There's no need to stay. Watching Chen Ruo marry someone else can't be easy on your heart."

"Take my advice and leave now to avoid the heartache. Let's go drink tonight; I'll keep you company until we're both wasted."

"You fat pig. Are you done yet?" Spring-Autumn King could tell that Chen Xiang was trying to chase them away.

"Go find somewhere cool to stay. Otherwise, I'll fry you into a puddle of grease."

Chen Xiang was displeased and glared at Spring-Autumn King sideways. "Heh, my temper is flaring. Lin Huang, is this your friend? If not, watch me beat him to a pulp today."

"The wedding is starting. Quiet," Lin Huang said slowly. Spring-Autumn King immediately shut his mouth, lowering his head and acting submissive. Chen Xiang still wanted to throw his weight around, but seeing Lin Huang's expressionless face, his heart tightened, and he dared not speak further.

"Time, second by second, counting down. The past, scene by scene, suddenly frozen. You hold his arm, she holds yours, walking toward me. The people at the table swarm forward, separating you and me..."

This song flashed through Spring-Autumn King's mind, and he suddenly looked at Lin Huang with worry, fearing that Lin Huang hadn't come today just to watch, but to bathe the wedding in blood.

As this thought crossed his mind, Spring-Autumn King grew nervous. Seeing the groom, Wu Cheng, specifically bringing Chen Ruo over to toast them, Spring-Autumn King felt as if he were already witnessing a scene of blood flowing like a river.

"That Chen Ruo and I could end up together... to be honest, I have to thank someone. Without his letting go, there wouldn't be today for Ruo-ruo and me. He's here at the wedding today, and I'm very happy."

The bride and groom were already the focus of everyone's attention, and since Wu Cheng had deliberately raised his voice, he immediately drew every eye in the room.

Those who knew the situation let out a soft gasp, anticipating a good show.

"Lin Huang, thank you. Without your letting go, I wouldn't know that Ruo-ruo is the best woman in this world. Thank you."

Wu Cheng pulled Chen Ruo tightly to his side and said this to Lin Huang.

Chen Ruo looked at Wu Cheng in surprise, then glanced at Lin Huang. She hesitated for a long time, but could only remain silent.

Lin Huang stood up and looked at Chen Ruo. "Have you ever regretted it?"

Wu Cheng's expression immediately turned gloomy, and he wanted to say something, but was stopped by Chen Ruo reaching out a hand.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Ruo looked into Lin Huang's eyes. "You said it yourself: the path one chooses must be walked to the end, even if one has to crawl. I truly loved you in the past, but it's over. I also thought I would regret it, but I haven't. The differences between us were too great. Wu Cheng is the one most suited for me. I love him very much, so I will not regret it."

Chen Ruo spoke very slowly at first, but gradually became calm and firm. Wu Cheng's expression turned from cloudy to clear, and he gave Lin Huang a triumphant look.

"Sure enough, if you don't court death, you won't die. Now it's time for a slaughter, blood flowing like a river," Spring-Autumn King's face twitched as he muttered under his breath.

"No regrets? That's good, truly good." Lin Huang's tone became ethereal. If anyone had been paying attention to his eyes, they would have noticed his pupils turning completely silver, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Everyone had expected Lin Huang to be humiliated into a rage and cause a scene, but to their surprise, after saying that one sentence, he seemed to fall into a daze.

Chen Ruo wanted to say more, wondering if her words had been too hurtful, but she was pulled away to another table by Wu Cheng.

"Once you enter the gates of the nobility, it's as deep as the sea; from now on, you are strangers on different paths. Sigh, brother, my condolences," Chen Xiang patted Lin Huang and sighed.