Chapter 8 / Section 3: Fate

They share the same blood, yet they cannot be together. The same inability to feel pain has long been the reason for their separation, because their being together would only harm others.

Lu Xixue got into Haiyang's car and headed towards Chen Yao's cemetery. Her long hair was blown by the wind by the car window, and her face was no longer the innocent girl Haiyang remembered.

"Lu Xixue, thank you for coming back," Haiyang said softly.

"It's nothing. I just didn't expect things to change so much. Eighteen years later, I've returned to Yantai, Shandong, the very starting point of the story, and witnessed the ending I least wanted to face." Lu Xixue gazed out the window.

“Yes, it’s been eighteen years. I was only ten years old eighteen years ago. Chen Yao put so much effort into training me to be a housekeeper, but how could we ever repay her?” A faint sadness welled up in Haiyang’s heart.

He knew he could never stop the day she left. But he also knew that he would eventually shed tears, and no matter how hard he tried to hold back or how stubborn he was, he was still the same vulnerable person he always was.

“Haiyang, you did a great job. At least you’re not like me. You’ve always been by Chen Yao’s side, taking good care of Xiong Yingguang. You don’t need to blame yourself anymore, while I haven’t had a chance to repay you in any way…” Lu Xiyao said softly.

“Lu Xixue, you don’t need to blame yourself so much…” Haiyang comforted her.

"Yes, I will definitely take good care of her child, Xiong Yingguang. She will be fine under my care. I know she has a knot in her heart, and I know I can't untie it. But I will always be there for her," Lu Xixue said firmly.

"Mm," Haiyang replied.

He only saw Lu Xixue's tears, which she couldn't hold back, streaming down her face, appearing even more sorrowful in the gentle breeze. The person she cared about was already gone. If it weren't for Chen Yao, Lu Xiyao and Lu Xixue would never have made it this far. Therefore, Lu Xixue was extremely grateful, but this gratitude had long since turned into an unbearable sense of guilt.

Haiyang suddenly stopped the car and said, "Lu Xixue, we're here. Stop crying, wipe your tears! After all, Chen Yao wouldn't want to see you cry."

This is quite far from Yantai, Shandong; this is Rizhao, Shandong. Chen Yao once told Haiyang that she wanted to be buried in the sunniest place, so Haiyang chose a cemetery in Rizhao City.

Lu Xixue wore a black dress, devoid of any other color, making Haiyang look exactly like that "three-no" girl from years ago. Although eighteen years have passed, her stubbornness remains unchanged. She is always moved by the sights and sounds of the world, and she is still heartbroken by love. She can't let go of those who were good to her, and she is still as unforgettable as ever.

"Ocean, let's go!" Lu Xixue said with a smile.

"Oh, oh, oh..." the ocean responded sluggishly.

He had liked her for so long; did she really not know, or was she pretending not to know? Although they were four years apart, his feelings for her had long since evolved into the affection between a brother and sister.

Whenever Haiyang sees Lu Xixue, he has a fantasy. He seems to see Lu Xixue when she was six years old, crying because of Chen Yao, a sight that would soften anyone's heart.

As Lu Xixue walked up the cemetery stairs step by step, she could no longer contain her emotions.

"Lu Xixue... if I said I like you, would you believe me?" Haiyang suddenly asked.

"Don't joke around, we're too different." Lu Xixue gently shook her head.

“That’s true… but I still want to take care of you, because there’s no one behind you anymore. Please let me protect you, okay?” Haiyang pleaded softly.

“Haiyang, sure. I’ll let you protect me, because you’re my brother. Even though we have different surnames and weren’t born to the same parents, as long as it’s you, I’ll trust you.” Lu Xixue smiled.

The wind kept blowing through Lu Xixue's hair, and in Haiyang's eyes, she looked so special. Lu Xixue looked just like his sister Haiyuan, who had passed away many years ago.

If you like someone, you can imprison her, but that's selfish. Another way is to love her in various capacities, without harming your own interests; that way, the person you like can be kept by your side.

But Lu Xixue had already spotted Yan Xinyu standing silently before Chen Yao's grave, quite a distance away, seemingly lost in thought. Lu Xixue immediately ran over, grabbed her sleeve, and gave her a sharp look.

"What are you doing here?" Lu Xixue questioned.

"Can't I come?" Yan Xinyu asked back.

“You don’t deserve to be here. Don’t forget, you killed your sister.” Lu Xixue’s voice was low.

"My sister? My sister isn't dead. I am Yan Xinhe, and my sister should still be in Nanning! Don't mistake me for someone else," Yan Xinhe said coldly.

"If you are Yan Xinhe, then why are you still alive?" Lu Xixue pressed.

"You don't need to ask that. As long as I can live well, that's enough for me," Yan Xinhe said with a calm smile.

Yan Xinhe's appearance instantly instilled fear in Lu Xixue. The person she liked had their family broken apart because of her; her appearance could only mean trouble.

Eighteen years later, the nightmare I least wanted to face is still locked in by fate. There's no escaping it, because it will come eventually, so why bother running away?

Fate had bound them together, and all they could do in return was run away. When Lu Xixue saw Yan Xinhe appear, it was as if she sensed some nightmares about to awaken from their slumber. She knew she couldn't stop it, because Yan Xinhe was the root of the nightmares; wherever she was, the nightmares would return.