The moment she finished speaking, she suddenly looked up, meeting his gaze directly, her eyes misty with tears, yet incredibly stubborn.

Gong Ning's strength has always been accompanied by tears.

She no longer knew how to cope with her pain, and could only silently vent through uncontrollable physiological reactions.

The air between the two seemed to be filled with the tension of drawn swords, so sharp it felt like they were cutting into each other and drawing blood.

In her original world, which was closed off and lonely, others could not enter and she did not come out. Like a hedgehog with a strong sense of defensiveness, she always cautiously tested the kindness and help from the outside world.

Opening her heart to Yan Jingzhou was an irresistible step she couldn't resist taking after enduring the trials of two lifetimes.

To her, he was the salvation of her life, a ray of light in the lonely darkness, a light she desperately wanted to preserve.

But her love for him was both humble and noble; her inherent pride wouldn't allow that light to shine on her shameful past, which she despised.

Yan Jingzhou's phone suddenly rang. He held it to his ear and listened quietly to what the person on the other end said. After a long while, he sighed and hung up.

His voice held a hint of seriousness as he spoke to her, "Tuanzi is in the hospital, should we go see her first?"

Gong Ning's spirits lifted. "At the hospital? What happened to Tuanzi?"

"On his way back to Xingzhan Garden, he was hit by a car. When he got back to Xingzhan Garden, he was covered in blood and barely alive!"

Gong Ning's legs went weak for a moment, but she steadied herself by leaning against the wall. "I want to see it..."

**

When they arrived at the veterinary hospital, Gong Ning was too weak to say a word. Fine sweat from her forehead dampened her hair, which clumped against her skin, making her look as if she were dehydrated.

Bai Yi and the others stood to the side and greeted the newcomers respectfully.

Behind the transparent isolation window was the fluffy figure of Tuanzi, its snow-white body stained red with blood, a sight that stung like needles.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the doctor opened the door, shook his head, and sighed, "Its old wounds haven't healed yet, and the injuries from this car accident are almost fatal. Go inside and keep it company!"

Gong Ning blinked, looked at him blankly, seemingly not having reacted yet, until the doctor left.

She looked at the operating room as if she had just come to her senses, and walked straight in.

The fluffy little dumpling leaned limply against the bed. Its usually round, dark eyes were now veiled with a dull veil, and it seemed somewhat unfocused and silent. It was as if the scent of Gong Ning had alerted it to something, because it slightly lifted its drooping eyelids, saw that it was her, and whimpered softly a few times.

It rubbed against her outstretched hand obediently, lacking its usual lively energy, looking listless and heartbreaking.

"Ah Lin, is there any hope for Tuanzi?"

Ah Lin spoke dejectedly, "Your Highness, I'm sorry..."

She didn't notice anything unusual in Ah Lin's tone!

Gong Ning reached out and hugged Tuanzi, kissed it on the head, and whispered, "Tuanzi... I'm sorry!"

On the day of Tuanzi's funeral, Gong Ning got completely drunk and sat on the sofa on the rooftop, weeping uncontrollably.

In her life, it seems that she can never escape a certain rule.

Life and death were separated at a very young age, never giving her a chance to adapt or get used to it; it was always so sudden and unexpected.

She killed Tuanzi; yet another vibrant life was lost because of her…

Gong Ning, what is the meaning of your life?

**

After waking up from that drunken night, Gong Ning began to strongly resist Yan Jingzhou's approach, refusing to let him touch her and always shrinking into a corner, just like when she first arrived at the Ling family.

It seemed she had closed the door to her heart again, pushing him out with her.

She withered away at a visible rate, like a flower in full bloom that suddenly lost the nutrients and water it relied on for survival, and withered away uncontrollably.

In her endless dreams, Gong Ning gradually lost the ability to distinguish between reality and virtuality. She began to lose her appetite and suffer from insomnia.

This series of physiological reactions indicates that she has developed a strong sense of self-loathing...

Yan Jingzhou became increasingly silent, standing for a long time in front of Gong Ning's bedroom door every day.

Sometimes, I stand there all day long.

With a helpless heartache, he questioned his own heart, almost to the point of madness every day, every hour, every moment.

He was obsessed with keeping her, but he lacked the courage and couldn't bear to watch her give up...

Liangcheng entered late autumn and was about to welcome early winter. The cold air seemed to have swept through the entire Xingzhan Garden overnight, causing the sorrow in Yan Jingzhou's eyes to condense into water droplets and fall to the ground.

He finally knocked on her door, looked at the frail figure by the window, and said in a hoarse voice, "The flight to Los Angeles has been arranged. Pack your things and go have dinner. Get a good night's sleep tonight, and I'll take you to the airport tomorrow morning!"

The huddled figure remained motionless. Yan Jingzhou knew she was listening. "I'll only say this once. I want to see you at the restaurant in half an hour. Otherwise, I won't let you leave!"

...

The next day, Gong Ning boarded Yan Jingzhou's private jet. As the plane took off, a tear slid down her cheek, hidden behind her blindfold.

She tilted her head back and let out a quiet sob.

Gong Xiangru, is this the goal you're willing to achieve by any means necessary?

As you wish!

**

Gong Ning arrived in Los Angeles at 9:00 AM local time. Yan Jingzhou had arranged for someone to pick her up. The bustling metropolis began its busy day in the early morning.

She leaned her head back in the chair, watching the scenery flash by outside the window, a hint of fierceness seemingly creeping into her beautiful eyes.

This city, which encompassed all the misfortunes of her childhood and adolescence, made her feel oppressed and weary even from a single glance.

How much does a person's childhood experience affect them, so much so that even after going through so much hardship, she still can't let go of it?

Lucky people are healed by their childhood throughout their lives, while unlucky people have to spend their whole lives healing from their childhood.

So was she fortunate or unfortunate?

Time may fade the pain of those unbearable experiences, but it cannot erase the fear and disgust deeply etched in memory.

Despite finding it hard to accept this city, she still came.

Gong Ning looked down at the deep blue jade bracelet on her wrist, its tiny pink diamonds sparkling like the bright stars in the night sky.

She took a breath, raised her hand to pat her face, and smiled a soft yet firm smile.

Now that you've made up your mind, Gong Ning, you can't lose, and you won't lose!

Los Angeles has a mild and pleasant climate, typical of a temperate Mediterranean climate. In this late autumn season, there is no obvious chill in the air, just a cool breeze.

The green vegetation on the iron fence of Moonlit Garden meandered and intertwined, lush and verdant. A few wistful thoughts, like memories, flashed in Gong Ning's eyes, but they were quickly concealed in a few moments.