Li Shiyan looked at the quilt neatly arranged on the bed, understanding that Zhu Yao’s intentions were good, but his heart twisted into a knot.

All the words that came to his lips became just: “Thank you.”

Zhu Yao said, “Between you and me, there’s no need for thanks.”

“Miss Zhu…”

Zhu Yao interrupted him: “Call me Yao’er.”

She had said this several times!

But Li Shiyan was always in the habit of calling her Miss Zhu.

He looked at the woman standing before him with tears in her eyes. His heart ultimately couldn’t bear it, but he still persistently called out: “Miss Zhu, I have something to tell you.”

This “Miss Zhu” pierced Zhu Yao’s heart fiercely, as if someone had gouged it out. She forced herself to endure her trembling body and the emotions on the verge of breaking down, gazing at Li Shiyan’s earnest yet emotionless eyes. Finally, she stepped back, seemingly deliberately avoiding him!

Because she had already understood everything from Li Shiyan’s gaze. She knew that what Li Shiyan was about to say would definitely not be something she’d like to hear, or it would be like swords piercing viciously into her chest, stabbing until she was covered in blood.

Finally, her eyes lowered. She took a deep breath, forced a smile at the corners of her mouth, and said, “Shiyan, let’s talk about anything after you safely get out.”

To put it plainly, she didn’t dare face it!

“Sooner or later it must be said!” Li Shiyan had made up his mind to tell her everything in his heart. But because Cai’er was still in the room, he instructed Cai’er, “You go out first.”

Hm?

Cai’er froze for a moment, glanced at her young lady with an inquiring look seeking permission.

Zhu Yao moved to block Cai’er, raised her eyes to look at Li Shiyan, and said, “Shiyan, let’s talk after you safely get out, alright?”

Her tone carried pleading.

At this moment, an inexplicably heavy atmosphere permeated the air.

Li Shiyan was like a block of ice, while Zhu Yao was like snow gradually melting under the sun, little by little pushing herself to the brink of desperation.

Cai’er sensed that the current situation was not good and tugged at her young lady’s clothing: “Miss?”

Li Shiyan’s tone became slightly heavier, carrying a commanding note as he said, “Get out.”

No longer polite as he had been just now.

This frightened Cai’er, and she stepped back.

Zhu Yao’s heart immediately tightened: “Don’t you want me to leave? I’ll go out now.” Having said this, she pulled Cai’er to leave.

However—

Li Shiyan grabbed her hand, his gaze darkening somewhat as he said with determination, “Let’s talk it through now.”

“Shiyan…”

“Don’t avoid it anymore!”

Zhu Yao’s eyes immediately reddened, her heart feeling as if pricked by needles.

The two gazed at each other for a long time, one completely cold and resolute, the other full of tears.

Finally, Zhu Yao yielded. She turned her head and instructed Cai’er, “You go out first.”

Cai’er felt as if she were standing before a pile of burning quicksand, slowly sinking down… Although she worried about her young lady, the current situation meant she probably couldn’t continue staying here. She could only leave first.

Even the elite soldiers outside the door sensed something was amiss and silently moved to stand in the courtyard.

Inside the room, Li Shiyan still held her hand without letting go, and gripped it increasingly tighter.

Zhu Yao didn’t struggle, only her brow furrowed more and more tightly.

The two looked at each other this way until… Zhu Yao shed tears, and only then did Li Shiyan release her.

“Miss Zhu, I’m sorry!”

Six words, each one striking Zhu Yao’s ears.

Her body trembled slightly, stiffened, then she shook her head: “You haven’t wronged me. Everything is my own choice.”

Hearing her words, Li Shiyan felt helpless and guilty. He sighed, “Miss Zhu, can you please not be like this every time? I don’t want you to repeatedly tell me you’re willing, that you’re doing this of your own free will. The more you’re like this, the less I can give you anything you want, and I don’t want to give you any more hope. Do you… understand?”

Zhu Yao only said one sentence: “I’m willing to wait!”

“You still don’t understand what I mean! This isn’t a question of waiting or not waiting, nor is it a question of time.”

“Then tell me, exactly what must I do for you to have me in your heart?”

“I’ve told you… we’re impossible, just impossible!” Li Shiyan’s attitude was extremely resolute.

“Is this what you wanted to tell me?” Zhu Yao asked him.

Li Shiyan: “Yes!”

Zhu Yao had long been mentally prepared. She smiled slightly and said, “The world is unpredictable. Perhaps… you’ll change your mind. Besides, there’s still a long time ahead, isn’t there?”

She firmly believed!

Li Shiyan wasn’t good at persuading people, much less did he know how to deal with such a stubborn woman. The current Zhu Yao was like someone pretending to sleep—clearly able to hear every word, but just unwilling to wake up. She clearly heard every single word, but just refused to understand.

“Miss Zhu, take a good look at me. I’m locked up here now. Whether I can ultimately clear my name is still unknown. Why must you, a respectable young lady, get involved with me? You could marry a better person and have a better future. But if you follow me, it will cause you great trouble. Miss Zhu, I beg you, don’t be foolish!” He earnestly tried to persuade her.

The smile at Zhu Yao’s lips became increasingly bitter and bleak, her eyes filled with tears. But she tightened her neck, swallowed back the tears, and said, “I’m not being foolish, nor do I not understand. I’m just following my own heart. Two years ago, I determined it was you, and it is you! No one can change my mind. Even if you truly cannot clear your name, I’m willing to follow you. Life or death doesn’t matter. In short, if you live, I’ll live. If you die, I’ll accompany you in death!”

To follow in life and death—this must be love!

She spoke each word with great force, clearly and distinctly.

Li Shiyan had to admit that women truly were creatures impossible to fathom. Not only were their thoughts changeable, but they were also stubbornly unreasonable.

He also had to admit that Zhu Yao was even more stubborn than Ji Yunshu!

He truly had no other way. Helplessly, he sat down by the table, lightly pounded his fist on it, heavily sighed, and said, “I’ve told you, there’s always been a woman in my heart. No one can replace her in my heart. I couldn’t forget her before, and I can’t forget her now! No matter how much you sacrifice for me, no matter what you do for me, you have no way to replace her!”

Zhu Yao’s heart ached as if pricked by needles.

But—

Her tears quietly fell, but were immediately wiped away as she said, “I know. I know you hold someone else in your heart, but it’s alright. I’ll say it again—I can wait, wait forever, until the day you’re willing to accept me. And my feelings will never change.”

“What if I tell you…” Li Shiyan suddenly raised his head to look at her and said, “The woman in my heart has already appeared? I’ve already seen her!”

“Where is she? Who is she?”

“Who she is doesn’t matter. What matters is… my heart only has room for her, no space for anyone else. Do you understand?”

Zhu Yao smiled miserably and shook her head: “So, you’re using her to put me off?”

“I have no need to deceive you,” Li Shiyan said.

“I don’t believe you!” Inside Zhu Yao’s clothing, her hands twisted tightly together. Previously, she had firmly believed that Li Shiyan was just using such an excuse to deceive her.

She believed that woman didn’t exist!

Li Shiyan stood up and told her earnestly, “Miss Zhu, you’re a very good person. You deserve to have someone who loves you more. I don’t want to waste you, nor do I want to waste your feelings! I’m not very good with words, and I don’t know how to explain grand principles. But once I, Li Shiyan, have determined someone, I’ll never change for my whole life. Consider it as fulfilling me and fulfilling yourself as well. Don’t be with someone who doesn’t love you. Otherwise, you’ll be tired, and I’ll be tired too!”

Zhu Yao’s body trembled, her lips pressed together for a long time… She could no longer pretend, because she heard every word and every sentence clearly.

Finally, her tears fell uselessly.

In the end—

She said chokingly, “I’ve noted your words.”

Li Shiyan breathed a sigh of relief: “So you agree to cancel the engagement?”

“After you get out… let’s talk about it then.” Her tone was weak. She silently wiped away her tears, turned, and left.

That retreating figure—lonely, disappointed, grief-stricken…

But prolonged pain was worse than short pain!

Speaking clearly was also good!

“Alas!” Li Shiyan heavily sighed.