Chapter Forty-Nine: Veiled Mist and Honest Hearts, A Love Sealed for This Life

“If you ask me, Brother Huai Yi is still the most considerate. You bad men should all learn from him!” Lan Wu happily took the teacup, speaking as she did. In her eyes, Leng Huai Yi was always so understanding and attentive, treating them like children, patiently caring for them. No matter what happened, he would shoulder the burden for them; even if the king were to blame them, he would willingly take the punishment for their sake, gentle and kindly as a father.

“I only refrain from stealing his thunder. If I did everything myself, he’d be left with nothing to do, and that wouldn’t be good for him. Besides, who doesn’t know that I am a rare specimen of a good man? Why would I need to learn from anyone else?” What a pity—the mature and dependable elder brother image had lasted less than an hour before Xiao Yin personally shattered it, revealing once again his arrogant, eye-rolling bravado. One wonders which is his true self. Perhaps everyone has two or more sides; only thus can one protect the most genuine part of oneself from harm.

“How do you know I’m not as attentive? I just reserve my best for my woman; for others, I don’t bother. Isn’t that right, my Yan’er?” Yu Xiao Ran retorted, refusing to concede. Indeed, men are not creatures to be compared with others. See—just a casual joke, and they’ve all rushed to defend themselves.

“Yes, you’re the best!” Yan Xue Su smiled, coaxing her beloved like a child. She loved seeing Yu Xiao Ran’s youthful innocence, which was far more charming than his usual sharp-tongued, flirtatious manner. Perhaps only when he reverted to a childlike state did he truly show how much he needed her care.

“It’s only making a few cups of tea, nothing deserving the barrage of attacks! This is really too unjust for me!” Leng Huai Yi laughed at the stubborn men, caught up in their cheerful banter, their good mood infectious.

“Senior brother, I completely understand how you feel now!” Yin Bo Xuan sympathized, patting his shoulder. At this moment, he was no different from himself, beset by a crowd of mad women—so miserable and helpless.

Lan Bing Xian, on the other hand, remained silent, simply taking his teacup and sharing a quiet smile with Leng Huai Yi as they drank. Not far from him, Meng You Yuan watched these lively companions, smiled, then moved to the window, sipping fragrant tea and gazing at the scenery outside, lost in thought. Her expression was deeply melancholic, her eyes filled with sorrow, as if recalling some painful memory that disturbed her peace.

Yu Shang smiled, satisfied, at the bustling crowd, then went to join Meng You Yuan at the window and asked softly, “What are you thinking about so deeply? Judging by your expression, it’s not something happy. Honestly, you look prettier when you smile. Let me tell you a secret—when you sleep, your smile is so brilliant and beautiful!” Somehow, it seems that life in a dream is happier than in reality. Does the real world only bring pain and disaster?

“Have you ever felt a hollow emptiness inside, not knowing what’s missing? It’s like a cherished item that’s been with you for years suddenly vanishes without warning, never to be found again. Even if you only want a simple glance, not possession, it’s impossible. That feeling is awful—it can make a person a walking corpse: unable to think, smile, or cry, unable to do anything. It’s worse than death many times over!” Meng You Yuan, for reasons unknown, suddenly spoke these strange words, leaving Lan Bing Xian, always at her side, puzzled and thoughtful. “Wasn’t she fine just now? Why has she become like this?” He was about to step forward to comfort her, but instinct stopped him; he sensed Meng You Yuan had more to say, and if he interrupted now, those words buried in her heart might never be spoken.

“How could I not have? It’s like someone gouged a hole in your admiration—not fatal, but blood drips from the wound, the crimson reminding you how much it hurts, how deep it goes.” Yu Shang empathized, as if he too had experienced such feelings, so helpless and lost. No one else could help him; only his own tenacity could lead him out of the darkness, reborn like a phoenix from the ashes.

“It seems you truly understand. I’m so glad I met friends like you, who can enter my heart and understand my pain! Honestly, I don’t want to part from you—it would carve another wound into my already battered heart.” Meng You Yuan said sadly, then turned to look at her companions, still laughing and chatting. Her gaze was filled with deep reluctance and fondness. Though she hadn’t spent many days with them, nor faced hardships together, ever since they fearlessly rescued her from her so-called blood-related grandfather, she had decided, whether they regarded her as a friend or not, she would cling to them. She was determined to be their friend through life and death, to repay their saving grace. Perhaps she had little skill, but she still had her life, and if necessary, she would sacrifice it for them.

“Everyone has their own path to walk, their own days to live—no one can stay by another’s side forever. While alive, you can draw closer to each other, but what happens when one side disappears? Are you to die with them? Everyone separates eventually, but at the right time they gather again. Everything is arranged by fate; there’s no need to interfere. Rather than grieving each day lost, save your energy to cherish the present. If we can’t reunite again, at least we’ll have unforgettable, beautiful memories!” Yu Shang advised earnestly. Don’t be fooled by his calm, unconcerned manner—he too hated to part with these friends, and dreaded farewell. But such things are beyond their small characters' control; they can only let things take their course, and if fate allows, they will meet again.

“You are so open-minded. I’m not as carefree as you, but at least I’m lucky that, wherever I am, whatever happens, I believe my Brother Xian will always be by my side. I trust that with him, my days will be better and happier!” Mentioning Lan Bing Xian finally brought a smile to her face—a smile full of love and happiness. It seemed only he could help Meng You Yuan forget her troubles, soothing her heart, cold and incomplete as it was.

“Some things won’t go as you wish, no matter how you try. Besides letting go, there’s no other way.” Yu Shang smiled bitterly and said no more. Indeed, they are not the masters of their world; at best, they influence a small corner. If they wish to rule fate one day, they must now force themselves to accept what comes. Resisting what is beyond their power will only bring disaster; only patience and detachment can safeguard them to the end.

“Though you’re not guarding against anyone, I can’t help but eavesdrop. Would you mind if I say a word?” Lan Bing Xian, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke, moved by Meng You Yuan’s trust and affection. He couldn’t help but interrupt, wanting to tell his beloved something to reassure her and share the life they longed for.

“How could I mind? I never hide anything from you!” Meng You Yuan leaned closer to Lan Bing Xian, clinging to his arm, snuggling up to him affectionately. At this moment she was every bit the little woman, clearly deeply reliant on him. Though she’d once declared she would be independent, if she truly left him, Meng You Yuan would surely be unable to eat or sleep, unable to go on living. Those trapped in love are always so conflicted: speaking of letting go and freedom, yet unable to truly give up their beloved.

“With our relationship, there should be no secrets, especially when you’re proving yourself to your beloved!” Yu Shang’s words seemed lighthearted, but there was another meaning beneath. He wanted to see how Meng You Yuan would react, suspecting that even if she wasn’t that woman, she might still have some hidden connection. Yet her expression did not change at all—it seemed she didn’t catch the subtext.

“Though we are about to go our separate ways, perhaps never to meet again, at least we have this bond in our hearts. That’s already far happier than those who stay together every day yet scheme against each other, wishing to destroy one another forever. At least we have friends who are sincere. Don’t ask for too much, or you’ll lose everything you have. Yuan Yuan, I promise you: wherever, whenever, I will be with you. Even if you part from everyone, you’ll be with me for life.” Lan Bing Xian spoke with deep affection, his tone full of loving indulgence. He wanted her to know: this life, he is bound to her, and this life, she can never escape his sight or his heart.

“Anyway, after leaving the academy, you have nowhere to go. Why not come with us to settle in Youming City? Besides, Xiao Yin needs to come with us and answer to the king!” Yan Xue Su joked, though her suggestion was sincere. That way, they could avoid the pain of parting and take care of each other, enjoying happiness together—a wonderful prospect indeed.

“What answer? I don’t remember him asking me to do anything, so what answer is there?” Xiao Yin feigned confusion, looking like a clueless fool.

“You’ve taken Youming City’s beauty as your bride—shouldn’t you return with us and answer to the king? People from Youming City aren’t yours to take away as you please!” Yu Xiao Ran said, displeased. Xiao Yin was usually carefree and unconcerned, but this involved Lan Wu’s happiness, which couldn’t be handled so casually. If he didn’t formally propose in Youming City, Yu Xiao Ran would never entrust his sister to Xiao Yin! Who would have thought Yu Xiao Ran, usually indifferent to ceremony, would care so much—he truly cherished his sister, unwilling to let even his sworn brother take her away without proper rites. Perhaps this is the bond that has formed over so many years in Youming City. Even in front of a close brother, it must be respected.