30

"There's no reason why, I just want to go home." Li Muqing was really angry that Xiao Jian could still ask "why," but how could she tell Xiao Jian what it was about?

"How could you do this? You promised to come to my house this weekend, and now you're just leaving like this. Don't you have any integrity?" Xiao Jian was also a little annoyed. He had originally wanted to have a happy weekend with Li Muqing, but Li Muqing's current attitude and insistence left him at a loss.

"What did I do wrong? Who's more unreasonable between us? Why did you bring me to your house? To let me watch your family choose a wife, or to watch you and Wang Ting whisper sweet nothings to each other? You went to drop Wang Ting off, leaving me alone at your house, and I had to listen to your mother talk about how she plans to get you two married right after graduation. Do you think my heart is made of iron, that I can just throw it away like that?" Li Muqing stared unblinkingly into Xiao Jian's eyes, her voice trembling.

"Come back with me first, okay? We can talk when we get back." Xiao Jian looked at Li Muqing's sad face and couldn't say anything. All he wanted to do now was stay by Li Muqing's side and not let him out of his sight, so that he could protect him and prevent him from getting hurt again.

He reached out and grabbed Li Muqing's wrist, saying, "Let's go, stop fooling around."

Li Muqing shook off Xiao Jian's hand, turned around, and with her back to him, her tone was no longer as agitated as before. She took a deep breath and said coldly, "I'm not going back. I want to go home."

Xiao Jian grabbed Li Muqing's hand again, his voice filled with anxiety: "What do you want me to do? Do you want me to go and tell Aunt Zhang, who's lying in the hospital bed, that I can't give you a grandson and that I'll never have children? How am I supposed to face the person who's loved me like family since I was little? You're only thinking about your own feelings; can't you think about me too?"

After hearing this, Li Muqing actually laughed: "Xiao Jian, I never forced you. Yes, I did say I liked you, but I didn't ask you to like me back. I know you're filial, I know you're considerate and know how to take care of others' feelings, so go ahead and take care of them. I'm not stopping you. You can consider everyone's feelings and understand everyone's difficulties, but you can ignore my feelings and my difficulties? Then what am I to you? Even if we're just friends, you wouldn't treat me like this. Go back and take good care of the people you care about. I'm someone you've only known for less than a year, not worth your worry, don't you think?"

"You...you...I can't argue with you, anyway, I won't let you go!" Xiao Jian gripped Li Muqing's wrist tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.

“Xiao Jian, if you’re still a man, you should know what it means to let go,” Li Muqing said, turning her head and choking back tears.

Upon closer inspection, Xiao Jian noticed that Li Muqing's eyes were already somewhat moist. He knew that Li Muqing was the kind of person who appeared strong on the surface, but was actually quite different inside. He was terrified of seeing Li Muqing get hurt. He still vividly remembered the last time he witnessed it firsthand. He had even made a vow not to let Li Muqing get hurt again, because seeing the tears in her eyes made him feel that his heart was even more bitter and astringent than hers.

Xiao Jian hugged Li Muqing tightly, and as if talking to himself, he said, "Li Muqing, don't go, I won't let go, I will never let go, I like you, I really like you, please stay, okay?"

“Xiao Jian…your mother is here,” Li Muqing said suddenly, somewhat awkwardly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jian immediately shoved Li Muqing aside and turned to look at the long road behind him, but he couldn't see anyone. Xiao Jian turned back again, looking at Li Muqing who he had pushed to the ground. He knew he had gotten himself into trouble this time.

Li Muqing, who had been pushed down by Xiao Jian, sat on the ground, patted her hands covered in dirt, looked at the uneven ground, and without looking up, just laughed and said, "Never let go, is that what you mean by never letting go? Haha!"

Xiao Jian tried to help Li Muqing up, but Li Muqing stopped him, saying, "Don't come any closer."

Li Muqing stood up, acting as if nothing had happened, and said to Xiao Jian, "You've already made your choice, haven't you?"

After saying this, Li Muqing turned her head and continued walking towards the station. But this time, Xiao Jian simply didn't have the courage to stop her again. Watching Li Muqing walk further and further away, his heart shattered. He felt that Li Muqing had not only left his side, but might also gradually fade from his world. Then, the two of them would be like passersby on a sidewalk, brushing past each other, and never to meet again.

He didn't want this. He had promised Qiu Jie that no matter what, he wouldn't give up on Li Muqing. He was determined to hold onto her no matter what! Xiao Jian didn't have time to think anymore. He shouted, "Li Muqing, I love you!"

Li Muqing, who had already walked quite far, heard Xiao Jian shout those words behind him because the night was very quiet. He thought he would never cry in front of Xiao Jian again, but tears and love are always inseparable. Where there is love, there will be tears. Li Muqing stopped and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. Listening to the approaching footsteps behind him, he knew that he could not let go in the end, even if he would suffer more and deeper hurt in the end.

In fact, Li Muqing knew that although Wang Ting's visit was unexpected and Xiao Jian had not expected Wang Ting to appear at his home, he still made a scene. He couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand seeing Xiao Jian's mother's affection for Wang Ting, he couldn't stand watching Xiao Jian and Wang Ting leave, he couldn't stand hearing Xiao Jian's mother's praise for Wang Ting, and he couldn't stand hearing Xiao Jian's mother's plans for Xiao Jian and Wang Ting to get married. So, he chose to leave. Only when he couldn't see or hear it would his heart feel a little better.

But that's not the case.

He had never tasted such pain before. He wasn't someone to be bullied; if he was suffering, those who caused him pain shouldn't get away with it either! He knew Xiao Jian was a filial son, very considerate of his elders, and that Aunt Zhang was truly pitiful. However, he still forced Xiao Jian to make a choice. He wanted to watch Xiao Jian struggle in agony, to let him taste the bitterness of sorrow. He wasn't surprised at all that Xiao Jian would choose his family. He knew that Xiao Jian was that kind of person; if he weren't, he wouldn't love him so much. But now, after agonizing over this, Li Muqing was confused. He realized he had become foolish. Knowing Xiao Jian's choice, why did he still force him to say it, compelling him to give up on him? What was the point? Thinking of this, Xiao Jian had already run up behind him, panting heavily, and without hesitation, he pulled Li Muqing into his arms.

"Li...Li Muqing, I...I apologize, I repent! I was really too much just now. I shouldn't have treated you like that. Please listen to me, okay? I'm not good at expressing my feelings, but I really like you so much. I love seeing you smile, I love seeing your smugness when you tease me. I don't know how to keep you. You're better than me in every way, yet you fell for this idiot. I know I should be content. I...I broke up with Wang Ting when I took her home. I don't like her, not at all. I don't care if it hurts others or not. I only like you, so please don't leave. Stay, stay with me, okay?"