Chapter 43: The Cruelest Parting is Farewell

As the two embraced, Qin Wan happened to be making her way up the mountain with a box of pastries, catching the scene by chance.

The pastry box slipped from her hands and shattered, just like her heart.

Qin Wan had noticed before how much Gu Qingyi enjoyed these sweets. Wanting to cheer him up, she’d gone into the kitchen herself to make them, hoping he’d taste her handiwork.

She imagined the smile on Gu Qingyi’s face, picturing his happiness, letting that warmth fill her own heart.

Yet when she finally made it up the mountain, the sight before her broke her completely.

She saw them locked in a close embrace, and in a single moment her entire world collapsed.

Hiding behind a tree, she clamped her hands over her ears, desperate to block out the world. She ran blindly down the mountain, nearly losing her footing.

Only now, at this agonizing moment, did she finally realize why all her efforts over the past six months could never reach Gu Qingyi’s heart.

There had always been someone else living in his heart—she was the outsider, the unnecessary one.

Qin Wan sank silently to the foot of the mountain, tears streaming down her face.

The spring breeze caressed her again and again. Raindrops soaked her clothes. The setting sun cast a crimson glow over her hair.

Qin Wan had always known one day this would come. She knew Gu Qingyi would regain his memories and leave her behind.

But when it finally happened, she was struck by a pain deeper than she’d ever imagined.

Kneeling on the ground, she covered her face with both hands and sobbed helplessly, tears spilling through her fingers.

Despair and endless sorrow filled her heart, as if the whole world had collapsed around her.

In her daze, Qin Wan murmured softly, “Brother Mu is never coming back, is he?” Her knees bled from the rocks, yet she felt nothing. She just sat there, letting the wind whip against her lifeless body.

No one knew how long she sat like that, dazed, before she finally dragged herself back to the courtyard.

Her gaze drifted to the parasol tree in the yard, and memories of every moment spent with Gu Qingyi rushed back to her.

Over these past six months, Gu Qingyi had become the most important person in her world.

But now, her Brother Mu was about to walk away, leaving her alone once again.

Maybe letting go was its own kind of love. With that thought, Qin Wan curled up on the ground, clamped her hand over her mouth, and tried not to make another sound.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingyi and Nangong Lin still held each other tightly.

After a long while, Nangong Lin looked at Gu Qingyi, hope shimmering in her eyes.

She whispered, “Brother Gu, let’s go back.”

Gu Qingyi looked at her, something flickering in his expression as old memories surfaced.

He nodded and said, “Lin’er, will you come somewhere with me first?”

Blush touched Nangong Lin’s cheeks. She answered softly, “I’ll follow wherever you lead, Brother Gu.” The two exchanged a look and nodded gently.

Bathed in the fading sunlight, their figures slowly disappeared down the mountain path.

Taking in the prettiness of the crisp mountains and clear water along the way, Nangong Lin marveled, “Brother Gu, just look at how beautiful it is here—the air is so clean and the evening sky is prettier than anywhere else I’ve ever been!”

Gu Qingyi nodded, his heart full of emotion, though he wasn’t sure how to put it into words.

Together, they headed back toward the courtyard.

………………

Qin Wan sat lost in thought in her room, when suddenly two figures appeared outside, growing clearer as they approached.

Realizing who it was, she hurriedly wiped her tears and forced herself to calm down.

Moments later, the two reached the courtyard gate.

Forcing a smile, Qin Wan greeted them, acting as if nothing was wrong.

She glanced at the pair and quietly said, “Brother Mu, you’re back! May I ask who this young lady is?”

Nangong Lin, meeting Qin Wan face to face, offered her hand with a friendly and genuine smile. “Miss, hello, my name is Nangong Lin.”

Qin Wan took her hand and responded with a faint, polite smile. “Miss Nangong, nice to meet you. I’m Qin Wan.”

Gu Qingyi scanned Qin Wan up and down, concern edged in his voice. “Wan’er, what happened? Why are your knees all scraped up?”

“I just slipped, it’s nothing worth worrying about. Just some scrapes—they’ll heal in no time,” Qin Wan answered, eyes darting away, unable to meet Gu Qingyi’s gaze.

“Wan’er, the real reason I’m here today is to say goodbye. I was actually a cultivator, but I lost my memory for a while, and that’s how we met.” Gu Qingyi looked at her, wrestling with his words and finally taking a deep breath.

He couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Qin Wan alone. “Wan’er, your parents are both gone. Why don’t you come with me?”

Nangong Lin chimed in as well, her voice gentle. “Miss Qin, why not come along with us? We can look out for each other—what do you think?”

Qin Wan’s smile faded. She looked at them, shook her head after a moment, and replied softly, “Thank you both for your kindness, but this place holds all my memories. I want to stay here with my mother and father, so I can’t leave. I hope you both understand.”

Nangong Lin and Gu Qingyi exchanged a look, realizing they couldn’t change her mind. They could only sigh and nod.

Gu Qingyi handed Qin Wan a brocade pouch.

Locking eyes with her, Gu Qingyi said in a gentle, solemn voice, “Wan’er, then I won’t force you. Keep this—if you’re ever in danger, you can use this brocade pouch to find me.”

“Wan’er, we’ll see each other again, right?” Gu Qingyi pressed, his eyes fixed on hers as if searching for a promise.

Under his gaze, Qin Wan shrank back, her voice faltering. “We will, we’ll meet again someday!”

Gu Qingyi and Nangong Lin exchanged a strange look before turning back to her.

Together they said, “Miss Qin, take care of yourself. We’ll be leaving now.”

Qin Wan waved a quiet farewell. “You too. Safe travels, and take care on the road.”

The two looked back at her once, then walked away without another word.

……………..

Qin Wan watched their silhouettes shrink into the distance until they vanished. Only then did she clutch tightly to the statuette Gu Qingyi had given her, whispering to herself, “Brother Mu, I hope you find happiness. I lied to you earlier because I didn’t want you to worry, I had no choice.”

“My time is running out. Ever since my mother passed, every night I dream of my parents coming to take me away.”

“When I was little, I met an old man up in the mountains who looked like an immortal. He told my fortune and predicted I wouldn’t live past eighteen. He said my fate was cursed—a lone star doomed to bring disaster to those I loved, leaving only tragedy behind.”

“At first, I didn’t believe him. But after everything that happened, I realized he was right. My parents died because of me.”

“Now, more than ever, I can feel the end of my life approaching.” Turning her back to the wind, she whispered, “Brother Mu, meeting you has been the happiest time of my life. I just didn’t want you to be sad over me, so I had to deceive you.”

“Miss Nangong is a wonderful girl. I wish you both happiness, Brother Mu. Please, forget about me.” Hot tears slipped down Qin Wan’s face.

The parasol tree they’d both once carefully tended withered in an instant, as if it couldn’t bear the weight any longer.

“Things are no longer as they were—who controls fate’s twists?”

“If only every meeting could stay as sweet as the first… why must the autumn wind bring such sorrow?”