Yue Ling's heart sank with hers, and he guessed that he had put her in a bad mood.
Staying any longer would only make them both feel worse. Perhaps his presence here had been an eyesore to her from the start.
He slowly rose to his feet and spoke softly. "Senior Sister, then I shall not disturb you any longer. Farewell."
"?"
Before Zhang Lexuan could respond, Yue Ling turned and left the pavilion, his steps crisp and decisive.
Zhang Lexuan froze slightly. She instinctively raised a hand to call him back, but just as her fingertips reached into the air, she abruptly drew them back.
Watching his resolute retreating figure, she felt a faint, dense ache spread through her chest.
She knew perfectly well that the subtle affection between them could never be brought into the open.
She was the person Mu En had chosen to accompany Bei Bei as he grew up. It was a destiny decided long ago, one that could not be changed.
It was better to cut off these feelings that should never have taken root before they became too deeply entangled, lest they both fall further and further until only greater pain awaited them in the end.
Her fair, slender fingers trembled faintly beyond her control as she lifted her teacup and drained the remaining chrysanthemum tea in a single gulp.
The familiar clean bitterness entered her mouth, but this time it tasted especially salty and astringent as it slid down from the tip of her tongue into her throat.
Zhang Lexuan frowned lightly, deeply puzzled. This was clearly chrysanthemum tea she had specially prepared, and the flavor should have been just right. Why did it now taste so bitter and salty?
On the distant path, Yue Ling's figure had already completely vanished at