Chapter 51: Irreparable Rift

Gu Qingyi stayed in Qin Wan’s room for a full hour as if lingering there could bring back the feeling of her presence.

Qin Wan—she was that woman who had briefly passed through Gu Qingyi’s life, leaving behind a deep and lasting mark. Her departure wounded him to the core. That day, Gu Qingyi came to her room alone and just stood there quietly, as if by doing so, he could pretend she was still by his side.

Grief and longing filled his eyes. During that time, Gu Qingyi had already begun to treat Qin Wan like his own sister, caring for her with unwavering attention.

But fate was cruel. Qin Wan’s sudden departure left him gutted, like the ground beneath his feet had vanished overnight.

During those days, Gu Qingyi already thought of Qin Wan as his own sister.

From Nangong Lin’s point of view, watching Gu Qingyi change like this pained her deeply.

She waited outside Qin Wan’s room, quietly hoping she could somehow give Gu Qingyi a little comfort.

But as the minutes dragged on, worry gnawed at her—what if Gu Qingyi did something reckless?

Biting her lip, she debated whether to knock, but in the end she just sighed and lowered her hand.

She paced in front of the door, torn by conflicting feelings and growing anxiety.

By the time Nangong Lin was almost drifting off, the door to the room creaked open.

…………….

With a long creak, the door swung open at last.

Half-asleep, Nangong Lin looked up and saw Gu Qingyi stumbling out, messy-haired and hollow-eyed.

He moved forward, unseeing, like she wasn’t even there crouched at the side. He just staggered off toward some unknown place.

Nangong Lin slowly got to her feet, rubbing at her numb legs that had fallen asleep from squatting so long.

She watched Gu Qingyi’s lonely figure recede and quickly called out, “Brother Gu, where are you going? Wait for me!”

She scrambled to her feet and hurried after him.

After about half a cup of tea’s time, no one knew where Gu Qingyi had managed to find a jug of wine and two boxes of pastries, along with some incense offerings.

Nangong Lin followed Gu Qingyi as he made his way up the back hill behind Xiaoxi Village. The air was fresh here, scented faintly with wildflowers, the mountains lush with life.

Dozens of gravemounds rose up on this hillside—it was where the villagers of Xiaoxi were laid to rest.

Gu Qingyi wandered up to a newly set grave.

Beside it, two mounds stood side by side.

Carved plainly into the tombstones were the names: Zhang Yuerong and Qin Yingjun—Qin Wan’s parents’ graves.

Gu Qingyi set three sticks of incense upright in the earth.

He placed the two boxes of pastries before the headstones and, after taking a deep swig from the wine jug, poured the rest over the graves. When everything was done, he fell silent.

Staring at the headstones, Gu Qingyi’s dazed gaze lingered. Under his breath, he murmured, “Aunt, I’ve avenged you.”

“I came in a hurry today so I didn’t know what you both liked. I just brought some pastries and a jug of wine—please make do with what I have.”

“And… Wan’er left us just a few days ago. Please, look after her, would you? I have something urgent to attend to, so I can’t stay long—but I’ll come visit again another day.”

He bowed three times and turned to go.

Nangong Lin, who’d been waiting at the side, quietly joined Gu Qingyi as he left.

They returned to the door of the little wooden cabin. Gu Qingyi stood in the courtyard, gazing at the old parasol tree the two of them had planted together. Memories crashed through his mind in an instant.

It was like every moment they’d shared was just yesterday.

But now, with Qin Wan gone, the parasol tree was withered and nearly dead—one more storm and it would surely fall. It had witnessed their meeting; now it bore silent witness to the end.

Gu Qingyi still clutched that statuette, his face lost and wistful, unable to let go of the past.

Nangong Lin kept quiet at his side, simply staying near.

A long time passed.

Eventually, Gu Qingyi seemed to forget everything and walked away without another word.

Watching him—empty and broken—Nangong Lin’s anger flared. She couldn’t hold it in, scoffing, “Qin Wan, if you could see the mess he’s become, what would you think? Gu Qingyi, can you even pull yourself together?”

With a sharp smack, Nangong Lin slapped Gu Qingyi across the face, leaving a bright red mark.

He took the full force of the slap but didn’t react at all. It was like he hadn’t even felt it, like her hand had passed right through him. He just stood there, empty-eyed and unmoved.

Nangong Lin stood frozen by what she’d done, her own hand stinging and swollen, but Gu Qingyi didn’t snap out of it. Tears spilled helplessly down her cheeks.

She couldn’t understand how she’d let herself become this humiliated. Her tears fell, one after another, soaking the ground beneath her.

Choking on sorrow, Nangong Lin said, “I never should’ve ignored everyone’s advice and snuck off to find you.”

“Now it’s clear—I did this to myself. I was the one who cared too much. From now on, you’re on your own!” Turning away, Nangong Lin wiped her tears and ran, desperate to escape the heartache of this place.