Chapter 223: Departure

Today, Lin Ziyan was extremely happy.

Actually, she’d never been this happy before!

Last night, Xu Ming suddenly received a call from the Liu family and told her about it. Now she knew that today, her big sister was coming back!

She didn’t know why she was coming back—had she suffered some injustice? Been bullied? Abandoned? Or had she finally decided to give her another chance? Regardless, she felt overjoyed.

She could barely even sleep.

She waited and waited, all the way until the afternoon. She kept watching her parents closely, afraid they might put on some unpleasant expression and make Ye Xingmian leave her again.

Fortunately, aside from a somewhat complicated look in her eyes, her mother didn’t say much about the matter. As for her father… he’d drowned his sorrows in alcohol last night and still hadn’t gotten out of bed.

But with her mother around, Lin Ziyan wasn’t worried about her father suddenly flying into a rage and hurting anyone. Though their relationship had been pretty strained lately, anyway.

She was the only one welcoming her “big sister” back. Even though both parents had the day off today, they didn’t seem to treat this as anything important.

And so, her mother went out to buy groceries, her father slept in his room, and she sat alone on the sofa, staring at the door with longing eyes, until she finally heard the knock.

Her heart leaped with joy. She quickly stood up and went to open the door for her “big sister.”

But when the door opened, the expression on the person before her made her feel somewhat disappointed.

She’d thought that when Ye Xingmian came back, she might change her attitude toward her, and that maybe they could still have a chance to grow closer.

And yet…

Since she’d decided to leave, there was no point in hesitating.

That morning, Mother Liu had secretly told her that she’d already called the Lin family, and that tomorrow she could pack her things and head over to the Lin household.

She’d also specifically instructed that if Ye Xingmian was ever bullied, she could come back to her at any time.

Ye Xingmian thanked her, but didn’t really take it to heart.

Since she was leaving, how could there be any reason to come back?

She’d already received kindness she couldn’t repay; she didn’t want to cause anyone any more trouble.

She naturally hadn’t told Liu Yinuo about the departure, afraid that she might do something rash.

Just like every other peaceful afternoon, crimson sunlight spilled through the window onto the floor—warm, with a hint of lazy color.

Returning to the Lin family—this made her somewhat anxious.

She didn’t know how her foster parents would treat her, whether it would be like before. Maybe they wouldn’t even let her through the door.

But since they’d agreed, at least food and lodging shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Yet the biggest concern was still Lin Ziyan.

She didn’t know if the things Lin Ziyan had said were true or false, or how much of those promises were false pretenses or deception.

Or maybe, when she went back, Lin Ziyan would continue what she’d left unfinished that day…

At the end of the day, this was a gamble—betting her own future.

She kept wondering whether she should really do this.

“It’s almost evening. I’m going out to buy groceries. Take another careful look at these problems. If there’s something you don’t understand, think it through yourself, or wait until I get back and ask me.”

Liu Yinuo pulled out her phone to check the time, then stood up.

She was afraid she’d back out.

“Mm, goodbye.”

Ye Xingmian didn’t dare lift her head to watch her retreating figure.

This is for Yinuo’s own good…

She convinced herself from the bottom of her heart.

The living room door opened and closed.

After about two more minutes, once she was sure Liu Yinuo wouldn’t come back, she stood up and got ready to pack.

Mother Liu had originally wanted to see her off, but she felt that would draw too much attention. She’d rather slip away quietly.

She just hoped Yinuo wouldn’t blame her when she came back…

There wasn’t much luggage to take.

Her schoolbag, and the clothes she’d brought from the Lin family—the one Lin Ziyan had bought for her. It was freezing to wear in winter, but now it was just right. Paired with an outer jacket, she wouldn’t feel cold at night.

The other clothes were ones Liu Yinuo had lent her, so she shouldn’t take them.

In the end, the things she’d packed amounted to only this much.

A black one-piece dress.

The jacket was Liu Yinuo’s, so she left it behind too. It would be a bit colder this way, but not by much—after all, night hadn’t fully fallen yet.

Other than that, her schoolbag and the stuffed bear. Nothing else.

The girl finished packing.

The schoolbag on her back was heavy; the little bear in her arms was soft and fluffy.

She looked at the windowsill bathed in sunset and suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.

Maybe after this departure, she’d never come back again…

Sure enough, there were still some regrets after all…

I’m sorry…

And… goodbye.

The door closed silently.

The girl left a letter on the desk where she’d been doing her homework.

She’d written it last night. The words were fragmented and lacked any real logic. She just hoped Liu Yinuo would forgive her for leaving without saying goodbye after reading it.

Thankfully, Mother Liu had given her some pocket money last night, so she could take a cab instead of walking back. That was pretty decent.

As soon as night fell, the temperature began to plummet. The air, which had been reasonably warm moments before, instantly turned bone-chilling.

It was already night by the time Liu Yinuo came home.

The lights were off.

Was she surprised?

No—honestly, she’d already had some expectation of this.

But at this moment, her heart still sank straight into the abyss.

Carrying large and small bags in her hands, she opened the door, set everything down on the floor beside her, and then turned on the light.

The house was empty, as if no one had ever been there.

Liu Yinuo looked at this home as if she were staring at a desolate wasteland.

She saw the farewell letter on the table.

Just as I thought…

She’d felt it vaguely since last night.

Pressing her lips tightly together, she walked over. Lines of tiny characters came into view.

What did it express?

Gratitude? Apologies?

Or a reckless decision made because she didn’t want to burden her?

Liu Yinuo didn’t even look at it. She snatched it up, crumpled it into a ball, and viciously tore it into shreds.

Leaving a mess scattered across the floor.

After doing that, she suddenly collapsed into the chair. Her long hair hung limply, and her chest rose and fell violently with each breath.

How did it come to this?

Why did it come to this?

I just wanted to keep you by my side.

I just wanted to protect you.

Why…

Why is this world so unfair to me?

After the anger faded, all that remained was a hollow emptiness.

Her amber eyes were vacant and lifeless.

Leaving me—is that your choice?

But is that choice really right?

I love you.

I like you.

You felt it, didn’t you?

You realized it, didn’t you?

Then why did you abandon me without a second thought?

But she quickly realized the truth—that terrifying, uncrossable chasm was what separated her from the one she adored.

Because it couldn’t be crossed, you chose to give up?

She tried her hardest to restrain herself, to suppress herself, but she still felt overwhelming sorrow.

If this is your choice.

I will respect it.

After all, that’s how I’ve always been.

Playing this role in your world.

Just… it’s best if you never appear in front of me again.

Because if you do…

I don’t know what I might do.