0090 Stealing Stars (2)

Lingling and I came to City B, and that's where our story began.

After our business recovered, my partner Eric asked me what I wanted to do most. I said, "A home, I want a home." I saw him looking at me with a bewildered expression, calling me a "strange Chinese" in a reproachful tone. I patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily, a laugh I hadn't heard in a long time.

This moment of relaxation didn't come easily for us. I think it's especially meaningful for me.

That year, I selected a plot of land in the west of the city, bought the surrounding area for several kilometers, and built Songhan Residence. I hoped that this could be a new beginning for Lingling and me.

The year Lingling graduated from university, I took her to the United States for a vacation. At that time, I had friends by my side and my lover by my side. I don't think there could be a more perfect moment than that.

However, during the trip, Lingling encountered an accident while trying to go diving. In the extreme panic of almost losing her, I proposed to her.

I was so bold and absurd back then that Qi Le laughed at me for a long time afterward. The diamond ring I used to propose wasn't some pre-arranged design by a Paris designer, but a key—an ordinary key.

I should have given Lingling an absolutely stunning, one-of-a-kind proposal surprise, but at that moment I didn't think about anything. I just futilely realized one fact—I could never lose her, not even for a moment.

So I proposed to her with the question of where I would spend my life, and also handed over the power to stay or leave to her.

After the key to Songhan Residence was handed to her, she tossed it into a drawer of a low table in our bedroom.

Later, in the very home I had built with such high hopes, I saw her hiding from me, staring forlornly at the "Chen Yan" on her phone.

Just seeing his injured back in the hospital brought tears to her eyes.

I thought she was going to leave, but she stopped, perhaps because she was reluctant to leave us for that time.

Later I finally understood that it was just a life of hardship she was willing to endure to protect Shen Yan.

I think perhaps I have committed too many sins in this life, and I need to atone for them with illness.

In our tenth year together, I was rushed to the hospital after suddenly collapsing from drinking. It seems people have a premonition about major life events; without waiting for a specific treatment plan from the doctor, I decisively decided to give up treatment.

That year, I took Lingling with me to attend my cousin's wedding with Lianbo.

Most of the elders in my family were busy with their own affairs, and the two newlyweds were quite easygoing, so I handled the wedding arrangements myself. During the banquet, "Little Monkey" Aria offered many suggestions, and I think this was truly the best wedding ever. Even Lingling was quite moved, and I even saw envy in her eyes.

I think that might be the time when I won't regret my decision anymore.

Let her go.

She should have had a happy and fulfilling life, but because of the mistakes of others, she is now stuck by my side.

It was then that I realized how perfect the ending would be if I could leave.

Lingling can return to the person she loves, her father can escape the vicious cycle of self-blame, and the Wan family can have fewer sins...

And just the little things from those ten years are enough for me to look back on for the rest of my short life... I can finally ask my mother and brother for forgiveness with a clear conscience, and in return, I can become a star in the sky to protect the people I love...

That dazzling brilliance that I stole and circled can return to where she wants to go.

I've spent half my life figuring this out: stars have wings, and stars have never loved me.

(The Star Stealing Ends)