The wind had risen, and the clouds in the sky constantly shifted into every kind of shape.
The affairs of the world were like white clouds and blue dogs—ever-changing and unpredictable.
The villa's study.
The muzzle was still trailing a faint wisp of smoke.
There was a bullet hole in the wall.
A streak of blood had been grazed across Chen Rui's scalp, and several strands of hair had fallen loose, but that was all.
Chen Rui stared at Athena in shock. Her hand was raised high, holding up the hand in which he gripped the gun. It was precisely that sudden movement that had caused the shot to miss at the most critical moment.
Eluxier seemed stunned as well. No one had expected this outcome.
The shot that would decide their fates had effectively been fired into empty air—the only bullet.
There had originally been a one-in-three chance of success. Now, all hope of success had been completely lost.
Chen Rui's mind went blank. Only after a long while did he react, his hand loosening as the gun fell to the floor.
"Why?" Chen Rui gave a lost, bitter laugh as he looked at Athena.
Tears slowly slid from Athena's eyes. "I don't know who you really are, or what exactly happened. But life is so precious. Why must anyone die? Why can't everyone live on with strength?"
Chen Rui sighed. "Even trash like me—you don't want me to die?"
"Though I don't know what happened to you, my eyes and my heart tell me that you aren't trash. I don't want anyone to die, you included."
Brave, kind, even somewhat impulsive—she was still vaguely the Athena he remembered. Chen Rui shuddered slightly and gazed at her, then slowly clasped the hand she had been holding aloft with his