The light in the recording studio wasn’t particularly bright, with several areas backlit, making his figure seem hazy and indistinct, though his eyes remained bright. A yellowish light wove into a thin net, gently enveloping them.

Xie Ruhe opened the ring box, his feet planted firmly on the ground. Then slowly, he knelt on one knee before her. He met Shu Nian’s eyes and repeated once more.

“Will you marry me?”

Shu Nian’s gaze followed his movement downward. Her throat felt dry, and she could barely speak. As if by association, her eyes and nose also began to sting.

Perhaps it was a spontaneous thought, making this proposal seem simple and hasty.

Just a ring and two people.

Nothing else.

Xie Ruhe looked up at her, his neck stretched into a straight line, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down. He had always been calm, composed, and cool, but now his emotions involuntarily showed through—his lips pressed tight, his jaw tensed rigid.

Shu Nian’s mind seemed to have lost connection. She sat in the chair, her toes lightly touching the ground, nervously trying to find something to support herself, wanting to calmly give him an answer.

She didn’t know how the situation had turned into this.

She had only come in to find a reason for him to take a break, yet somehow received what amounted to a promise of forever together—something only he was willing to give her.

Still not knowing what the future would hold.

Still not knowing if the road ahead would be difficult.

Yet he had already taken her entire life into his embrace, making her an indispensable part of his existence. Without any overthinking, without needing a moment’s hesitation.

As long as it was her.

Shu Nian pressed her lips together firmly, and reached out her hand, trying to respond as if it were perfectly normal. Her lips moved, but she couldn’t control the trembling, her voice nasal: “Y-yes, of course.”

Hearing this answer, Xie Ruhe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his eyes and brows lowering. He took the ring out, reverently placed it on her ring finger, and slowly pushed it in.

At this moment, time seemed to slow down.

The occasional feelings of insecurity all seemed to settle with this gesture.

Shu Nian’s eyes reddened, and thinking of the phrase he had just taught her, she quietly and stiffly said “yes” in French: “oui.”

Xie Ruhe froze for a moment, still kneeling on one knee, and smiled with his chin tucked. Then, he lowered his head, placed a kiss on her finger, and softly said, “Sealing it with a stamp.”

The next second, Shu Nian called out to him: “Xie Ruhe.”

Xie Ruhe looked up at the sound: “Hmm?”

“Before, when I first met you. That is when I would talk to you, and you wouldn’t respond to me,” Shu Nian sniffled. “I didn’t like you much then.”

Hearing her words, Xie Ruhe’s eyelids lifted, also recalling his attitude at that time. He opened his mouth, but since these were actions he had truly taken, he didn’t know how to explain.

“I thought,” Shu Nian said quietly, “that once I apologized to you, we wouldn’t have any more interaction afterward. That feeling would be good; I wouldn’t have to keep finding you and then watch your expressions.”

Xie Ruhe rubbed her hand with his fingertips: “I won’t be like that anymore.”

“I just, suddenly remembered that thought just now,” Shu Nian also got down from the chair, nestling into his embrace like a cat. “It feels very strange.”

The Shu Nian of that time probably wouldn’t have imagined.

Ten years later, she would be together forever with the person she once hoped to never interact with again.

That gloomy and silent young man.

Who had transformed from the darkness without light into the sun of her long life?

Before the holiday ended, Xie Ruhe took Shu Nian to meet Ji Xinghuai.

When it came to meeting the family, Shu Nian couldn’t remain as calm and steady as Xie Ruhe. Although several years ago, she had spoken with Ji Xinghuai on the phone, her status was different now.

So her state of mind was also different.

Xie Ruhe had prepared gifts for Shu Nian to bring.

But Shu Nian still felt it wasn’t good enough and dragged him to the mall a day in advance to look around. In the end, she just bought a conventional box of tea and some health supplements.

She had also searched online for many tips about meeting the parents.

Feeling that she was well-prepared, she still couldn’t sleep when lying in bed at night.

Shu Nian tossed and turned for quite a while, and finally couldn’t help but run to Xie Ruhe’s room. Without waking him up, she just stumblingly counted beside him.

“One cow, two cows, three cows…”

Before she could count to the tenth cow, Xie Ruhe opened his eyes and said hoarsely, “Can’t sleep?”

Shu Nian nodded: “I’m counting sheep.”

Xie Ruhe thought he had just woken up and his mind wasn’t clear yet, so he hesitantly asked, “Didn’t you say cows?”

“Yes,” Shu Nian said earnestly. “I used to have insomnia often, so I would count sheep, but it never really worked. Later, I switched to cows, and it seemed to help me fall asleep more easily.”

Xie Ruhe: “…”

Seeing that he didn’t seem inclined to speak further, Shu Nian returned to her thoughts, trying to remember where she had left off, then continued counting absent-mindedly: “Eight cows, nine cows, ten…”

The next second, Xie Ruhe reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

Shu Nian had been lying flat. Because of his action, her posture changed, and she leaned back against him in his arms. His chin rested on the top of her head, his voice still carrying a hint of sleepiness: “Keep counting.”

Hearing this, Shu Nian looked back.

Xie Ruhe had already closed his eyes and added, “It’s fine just for tonight.”

“…”

“Come sleep here; I need to hold you.”

Whether it was the power of Xie Ruhe’s embrace or Shu Nian’s “cow” counting strategy that worked, before long, she who had been wide awake for half the night suddenly felt drowsy.

As soon as she closed her eyes, Shu Nian fell asleep.

She woke up at daybreak.

Shu Nian didn’t linger in bed but immediately got up to wash.

After being fed breakfast by Xie Ruhe, she returned to her room and, following the advice she’d found online, changed into a plain, warm-colored dress that fell just below the knee. Then she dawdled at the dressing table for a long time, reluctantly applying some makeup.

Xie Ruhe didn’t rush her and waited in the living room.

After a while, Shu Nian came out of the room.

Xie Ruhe sat on the sofa with a laptop in front of him, still working.

Shu Nian walked over and said, “Are we leaving?”

Hearing her voice, Xie Ruhe immediately closed his laptop, responded with a low sound, and then looked up. He suddenly noticed Shu Nian’s appearance, and his gaze fixed on her.

Shu Nian felt strange under his stare and asked, “What is it?”

Xie Ruhe said softly, “Come here.”

She hesitated for a moment where she stood, but then obediently walked over.

Just as she reached about half a meter away from him, Xie Ruhe grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. His eyes were pitch black, surging with unnamed emotions: “You’re very beautiful.”

Shu Nian hadn’t yet reacted.

His kiss had already fallen, accompanied by words that weren’t very clear.

“Let me kiss you.”

Ji Xinghuai’s place wasn’t far from Xie Ruhe’s home, about a half-hour drive.

On the way, Xie Ruhe drove while Shu Nian sat in the passenger seat, like a student cramming before an exam, continuing to look at her phone, reading tips for meeting parents.

Xie Ruhe occasionally glanced in her direction, unable to help but curve his lips into a smile.

After a long while.

Shu Nian looked up, gazing out the car window.

The scenery outside flew backward, blurring her vision. The sky was clear, without a single thick cloud. Sunlight fell, glittering on the seawater, and unidentified flocks of birds flew by.

Music played inside the car—one of Xie Ruhe’s songs.

Shu Nian’s mood suddenly calmed considerably, and she put her phone back in her pocket.

Noticing her movement from the corner of his eye, Xie Ruhe asked, “Not looking anymore?”

“I’ve finished looking,” Shu Nian said, as if self-hypnotizing, her voice very soft, her pace very slow, pronouncing each word distinctly, “I will perform very well; you don’t need to worry.”

Xie Ruhe couldn’t help but laugh: “Why are you so nervous?”

Shu Nian honestly said, “I’m afraid your grandfather won’t like me.”

Xie Ruhe said, “He won’t.”

Shu Nian muttered, “How do you know?”

“When you came to the house to record before,” Xie Ruhe said, “I originally told Fang Wencheng to find another music producer. But he listened to my grandfather and brought you to the house.”

Shu Nian was confused: “Why?”

“He hoped,” Xie Ruhe said calmly, “that you and I would see more of each other.”

“Huh?”

“So he won’t dislike you.”

Shu Nian looked at him awkwardly.

Before long, the car arrived at Ji Xinghuai’s residence.

It was in Ruchuan City’s wealthy neighborhood.

Like a scene from a TV drama, Shu Nian felt a bit lost when she got out of the car and immediately went over to hold Xie Ruhe’s hand, extremely dependent.

Xie Ruhe took the gift bags from the back seat and said softly, “Don’t be nervous.”

Shu Nian still couldn’t help asking, “What if I don’t perform well…”

Before she could finish speaking, the door of the villa in front of them suddenly opened, and a middle-aged man walked out. Seeing the two of them, he waved and smiled, “You’re here?”

Xie Ruhe nodded to him and called out, “Second Uncle.”

Shu Nian, nervous with sweaty palms, instinctively followed suit: “Second Uncle.”

The man looked at Shu Nian and also smiled: “You must be Nian Nian?”

Shu Nian hurriedly nodded: “Yes.”

“Come in quickly.”

The house was decorated in a Chinese style, spacious but not luxurious, looking dignified with a scholarly feel. At this time, there weren’t many people in the living room—besides a housekeeper, there was only Ji Xinghuai sitting on the sofa.

Xie Ruhe’s second uncle called out to Ji Xinghuai: “Dad, they’re here.”

The old man was nearly seventy, his hair already white, but his eyes were still bright, and he looked quite healthy. He looked over, his appearance kindly, and benevolently waved to Shu Nian: “Young lady.”

Shu Nian licked her lips, let go of Xie Ruhe’s hand, and walked over.

“Hello, Grandfather Ji.”

“We’ve met before, do you remember?” Ji Xinghuai’s face was covered with the traces brought by the years, his voice steady and solid after years of sedimentation. “In Shiyan Town.”

“I remember,” Shu Nian immediately nodded. “You helped me a lot afterward, and I never had the chance to thank you in person.”

Xie Ruhe stood to the side, not speaking, not actively greeting anyone.

Ji Xinghuai also acted as if he didn’t exist.

“No need for thanks. Please sit.” Noticing the gift bags in Xie Ruhe’s hand, Ji Xinghuai added, “Next time you come, just come directly, no need to bring anything.”

Shu Nian obediently replied, “Okay.”

In the spacious living room, four people sat on redwood chairs.

Ji Xinghuai sat in the main seat, with Xie Ruhe’s second uncle sitting on his other side. Shu Nian and Xie Ruhe sat side by side.

Mostly Ji Xinghuai spoke, asking Shu Nian about some of her circumstances, though not being difficult, just asking about ordinary matters. He asked about her work, how her parents were doing, and what she had been doing recently.

Occasionally, Xie Ruhe’s second uncle would also say a few words.

Xie Ruhe maintained silence throughout.

After some time, the topic suddenly shifted to Xie Ruhe’s mother, Ji Xiangning.

“When you were still in Shiyan Town, you must have met Ah He’s mother, right?” Ji Xinghuai took a sip of tea, and as he spoke about this, his entire being suddenly aged considerably. “I remember you and Ah He had a very good relationship before.”

Shu Nian made an affirmative sound: “Yes, I met her. Auntie was very kind.”

“I recently heard the news that Xie Ji, that fellow, has died.” Ji Xinghuai’s brow showed traces of anger. “If it weren’t for him! How would my daughter have…”

The second uncle picked up the teapot, added some tea for Ji Xinghuai, and reminded him: “Dad, let’s not talk about this.”

Shu Nian didn’t know what to say and glanced in Xie Ruhe’s direction.

He kept his eyes lowered, his thoughts unknown.

Realizing that speaking of these things in front of Shu Nian wasn’t appropriate, Ji Xinghuai calmed his emotions and sighed: “Young lady, it was thanks to you that we could catch that beast.”

Xie Ruhe finally spoke, frowning as he called out: “Grandfather.”

“Let me finish,” Ji Xinghuai said. “Young lady, my grandson has been angry with me all this time because I didn’t tell him about your situation. At that time, I was afraid it would trigger him, and as time passed, I couldn’t bring myself to speak of it.”

Shu Nian had long known about this matter and shook her head: “It’s alright.”

“This matter, indeed, I was wrong,” Ji Xinghuai held Shu Nian’s hand, gently patting the back of her hand. “I’m old, and I consider too many things.”

“…”

“I interfered too much.” Ji Xinghuai’s aged eyes reddened. “Always doing things that weren’t right. If I hadn’t repeatedly stopped Ah Ning back then, causing her to run to that small place…”

Hearing this, Xie Ruhe’s second uncle turned his head away, his mood worsening.

“If she had been in front of me, I could have watched over her, helped her, and wouldn’t have let her live like that,” Ji Xinghuai said. “And such things certainly wouldn’t have happened.”

“Grandfather,” Xie Ruhe suddenly said, “it wasn’t your fault.”

“…”

“If you think that way, then everyone was at fault. My mother never blamed you; she only felt guilty and didn’t return to see you for so many years. She only regretted not listening to you back then.”

“…”

“When she was going through her toughest times, her first thought was to go back to find you. She would often ask me if we should let you come and take me away, to give me a better life.”

“You were her support. She would always be grateful to you, respect you, and love you.”

“These were words she once told me.”

After having dinner at the Ji family home.

Afterward, the two of them stayed to chat with Ji Xinghuai for a while. Xie Ruhe was no longer angry with Ji Xinghuai, and his attitude toward him returned to how it was before. As it approached eight o’clock, the two left the Ji family home.

Shu Nian’s stomach was still a bit full.

Xie Ruhe was afraid she might get carsick, so he simply parked the car and decided to walk for a bit before catching a ride home. His mood wasn’t bad, and he didn’t seem to have been affected by Ji Xinghuai’s words.

Shu Nian secretly glanced at him and carefully asked, “Do you still think about your father now?”

“Rarely,” Xie Ruhe said casually. “My grandfather’s side hasn’t come around either.”

“Oh.”

“My father wasn’t always like that,” Xie Ruhe recalled. “But I can’t remember what he was like before; I can only remember him drunk.”

In a person’s life, there are always a few people who can never be forgiven.

When you think of them, the hatred is still there, but you don’t want to waste your energy on them anymore.

Shu Nian quietly spoke up for Xie Ruhe: “Anyway, he wasn’t good.”

Xie Ruhe laughed, then said, “But now, I often think of my mother.”

“Hmm?” Shu Nian blinked, then suddenly said, “Let’s go visit your mother tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“…”

“What about the day after tomorrow?”

“The day after…” Shu Nian said, “Visit my father?”

“Okay.”

Xie Ruhe asked again, “And the day after that?”

Shu Nian asked curiously, “The day after that? Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“Yes,” Xie Ruhe said deliberately, “The civil affairs bureau.”

“…”

“…”

They walked under the bright streetlights, their shadows stretching long. At the intersection, the two people—one tall, one shorter—held hands, their distance so close that nothing could shake them apart even a bit.

After a long while, Shu Nian spoke.

“Okay.”

The following spring.

Since that Weibo post last summer, Ah He’s Weibo account, which had turned into a dormant account again, finally posted another message after the release of the new album—

Ah He: Defeated by you. @Shu Nian

This album, released after a three-year hiatus, belonged completely to Ah He, who had been hiding behind the scenes, focusing on creation.

From composition, arrangement, lyrics, and singing, to recording, mixing, and post-production, it was all handled by him alone. It was the album that fans had been eagerly awaiting, an album that truly belonged to Ah He.

His voice hadn’t changed much from a few years ago.

Yet to his fans, it seemed to have become much warmer and brighter.

The album was titled: “Defeated by Love.”

It was an album where every title, every song name, every lyric, every melody expressed love to someone. Telling her all his thoughts.

From the initial liking to eternal love.

Everything, without reservation, was told to her.

In his youth, he had liked a girl.

That girl was straightforward, didn’t understand social niceties, and often offended people with her words. Kind-hearted, she couldn’t bear to see others doing wrong. She was the only person who entered his world during those dark, obscure days.

He liked her so much.

Later, they separated.

Xie Ruhe thought that this kind of liking could only be buried in his heart for a lifetime. He had thought that in the days to come, although he would never like anyone else, perhaps time could dilute these feelings.

But unexpectedly, there came a moment of reunion.

A reunion after so many years.

It was only when he saw her again that Xie Ruhe realized.

After so many years, after meeting so many different kinds of people, he had never met anyone more wonderful than her.

The liking from his youth, passionate and rich, once ignited, could never be extinguished.

He had thought he would spend his life alone, passing the rest of his days in solitude, not entering others’ lives, and not allowing anyone to step into his world.

But in the end.

He was defeated by love.

Defeated by you.

At the end of last year, Shu Nian voiced a character for a popular game and gradually began to gain some fame.

Two days after Xie Ruhe posted that on Weibo, for the game’s promotion, Shu Nian went to a sports arena in a neighboring city to participate in a live show for voice actors.

All the participants were voice actors for that game’s characters.

Xie Ruhe accompanied her, sitting in the front row VIP seats.

Shu Nian had never tried voicing in front of so many people before, and she was so nervous her palms were sweating. Later, as she gradually got into the state, she completed the live show.

After coming off stage, some of her fans ran up to her with paper and pens.

They were two young girls.

One of them, her eyes shining brightly, excitedly said, “Goddess, goddess! Can you sign for me? I’m super into you!”

Shu Nian smiled with pressed lips: “Sure.”

After signing and handing the notebook back to the two of them, just before the other girl said goodbye, she suddenly blurted out: “You’re so amazing. I want to become someone like you in the future.”

Hearing this, Shu Nian’s expression froze.

Some unknown emotions were fermenting in her heart, then rising, almost overflowing.

In the past, she had been so insecure and sensitive to the point of self-loathing, not even having the courage to face others’ gazes when going out, thinking that “death” was liberation, the only choice for a new beginning.

But now, someone was saying.

—I want to become someone like you.

Shu Nian suddenly raised her eyes, looking in Xie Ruhe’s direction.

He was still in the same place, but he had already stood up, his gaze on her, his demeanor gentle and reserved. In her eyes, he was a light that could not be ignored.

The next second.

Shu Nian suddenly ran in his direction, forcefully throwing herself into his arms.

Because of this impact, Xie Ruhe instinctively took two steps back and then embraced her in return.

They were embracing the sun of each other’s lives.

“When you’re at the bottom of the valley, entangled by thorny vines, using all your strength to cry out but with no one to save you. Surrounded by thorns, you can’t break free, can’t escape, spending long years in despair.”

“Occasionally looking up, seeing a world full of darkness, have you ever thought—”

“That one day, you too could see the light again.”