"Yes, everything will be alright."

Meeting Chen Nian's broken gaze, Fu Yuxing felt a pang in his heart and gently comforted her.

His cool and aloof face remained unchanged, as if nothing could cause him to panic. His calm demeanor struck Shen Nian's flustered and listless heart, and he slowly released his grip, allowing Yongxuan to take Ertai from him.

"When he wakes up, tell him to come back to me after he recovers from his injuries."

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Chen Nian finally spoke, though he remained silent.

...

"Little princess... I... I have some desserts you like... I made them especially for you... Shall we have some together?"

Ertai's tone was very uneasy; he had never been so anxious before, but he was mostly happy because he could finally see his little princess.

He didn't believe them; he only believed her.

After receiving news of Nengjian Chennian, he began preparations well in advance.

"Thank you, but no need. I don't need it here. You can take it back. You've seen it, so if there's nothing else, you may leave."

She spoke indifferently, her eyes filled with estrangement and disgust; this was the first time she had looked at Ertai with such eyes.

"Little Princess..."

Ertai subconsciously raised his hand, but then stopped himself. He didn't dare touch Chen Nian; the little princess would get angry.

He couldn't stand it if his little princess got angry; he'd finally managed to see her after all...

"This is your favorite food... If you hate it, fine, you can hate it too... but please eat a little bit..."

Ertai lowered his hand, a hint of sadness flashing across his face. He lowered his head, looking hurt.

"No need, Ertai. To make a long story short, let's break up. We're not a good match."

Looking at Ertai, who was being so cautious in front of him, Chen Nian spoke coldly, feeling a pang of pain in his heart.

"How could it not be suitable! Is there something I did wrong? Tell me, and I'll change, okay? Or do you not want to get married? We can not be together, okay? Let's not break up, okay?"

Hearing Shen Nian say the same thing they had told him, Ertai froze, staring at Shen Nian in disbelief. She said they wanted to separate?

"Why...don't you like me anymore? You said you would never leave me..."

Chen Nian's words were like a merciless knife, piercing through the truth that Ertai had been avoiding without hesitation, causing Ertai a sharp pain. Ertai cautiously took a few steps forward and tentatively and gently took Chen Nian's hand.

At this moment, they are like people standing on the edge of a cliff; if they let go, they will be smashed to pieces.

Seeing that Chen Nian did not resist, Ertai felt a glimmer of hope.

"Ertai, we're really not a good match."

Looking at the deep affection in Ertai's eyes, Shen Nian's eyes immediately reddened.

She also wanted to be with Ertai forever, but she was just a burden. He deserved better and shouldn't waste his time on her. Chen Nian brushed away Ertai's hand that was holding hers.

"Tell me, what did I do that made you angry? I'll change, okay? We won't break up."

No, you're fine, it's my fault.

Chen Nian raised her eyes, blinked lightly, and tears dripped from her eyes, landing on the back of Ertai's hand, which was still not withdrawn. The burning sensation made Ertai's heart ache.

"Don't cry. What's wrong? We'll figure it out together, okay? You're a good person. Tell me what happened, okay?"

Ertai raised his hand again to wipe away Chen Nian's tears, his voice hoarse but still carrying a coaxing tone, even though his own heart was shattered.

But he still took care of Chen Nian's emotions.

Something must have happened for her to act like this.

"It's alright, Ertai, let's leave it at that and go our separate ways. Consider this a thank you gift for taking care of me during this time."

Seeing this, Chen Nian's heart ached even more, as if it were being pricked by needles, causing him great pain.

Chen Nian raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her face, forced a smile, took out her get-out-of-jail-free card, and handed it over.

"You're using this to measure our relationship?"

Chen Nian's actions caused Ertai to take a few steps back in disbelief, his body swaying as he didn't take what Chen Nian offered.

...

"Chen Nian, if you're going to refuse, can you at least give me a reason?"

Ertai's eyes were filled with resentment. He could sense that Shen Nian liked him, but she rejected him without any mercy.

He still couldn't bring himself to use a harsh tone with her, even though her cold attitude was hurting him deeply.

I was reluctant to let go when I first realized my feelings, let alone now that he's so deeply in love, I'm even more reluctant to let go.

"Ertai, I'll say it again, I don't like you anymore."

He spoke in a cold, indifferent tone.

Her time was running out. If she continued to entangle herself with Ertai, how could she not know Ertai's feelings for her? It was precisely because she knew that she had to break up with him. She couldn't ruin him because of her.

————

(Those who think Niannian did something wrong, that she was selfish, imagine if you had a very serious illness and had a boyfriend who loved you very much, what would you do? Would you let him die with you? Could you bear to do that? Or would you let him live on with resentment and bitterness, letting him forget himself over time and start a new life?)

Yes, Niannian is selfish; she selfishly wants Ertai to live.

If we could avoid breaking up, would I still miss him so much?