Su Ruanruan couldn't resist her persistent pleading and finally had no choice but to stay.

He told the driver to drive away first, while he himself was left at the village head's house.

Through inquiry, Su Ruanruan learned that the lively, cheerful, and hospitable Lady Mu was named Wan'er. This time, she and Mu Bai came alone, without any servants or maids.

Their lives are simple and unpretentious, just like those of an ordinary farming couple. Sometimes they would go up the mountain together to pick fresh mushrooms and sweet, delicious wild fruits.

Sometimes she would also proactively help the village head with some trivial household chores. Su Ruanruan envied this kind of ordinary yet warm life.

She thought of the small courtyard in Qingshan County, and the time she spent with Mu Bai and Bai Ruan.

If only time could turn back.

During the meal, the couple chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves immensely. Mu Bai was especially attentive and considerate, serving food to Wan'er with great care.

In contrast, Su Ruanruan kept her head down and focused on eating the white rice in her bowl.

Memories of the past kept flashing through her mind. She thought she could let go of Mu Bai, but it turned out she simply couldn't.

Night fell, and all was quiet.

Su Ruanruan sat alone in the house, listening to the whispers of the two people in the courtyard, cuddling and reminiscing about the past.

Su Ruanruan covered her face with her hands, but tears welled up like a burst dam, flowing silently.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one.

These days, Wan'er has taken Su Ruanruan on a tour of almost every corner of Caixia Village. Together, they have enjoyed the magnificent sunsets and evening glows.

Together we have witnessed the beautiful scenery of wildflowers blooming all over the mountains, and we have also stopped to watch children playing carefree in the clear river.

Mu Bai always quietly followed Wan'er, silently using his tall body to shield her from the scorching sun and thoughtfully helping her drive away annoying mosquitoes.

......

That evening, Su Ruanruan climbed a small hill that was rarely visited by anyone.

She sat quietly on the soft grass, gazing at the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys at the foot of the mountain. At that moment, everything in the world seemed to be veiled in a warm and tranquil filter.

"You look somewhat like an old friend of mine." Suddenly, a deep and clear male voice entered Su Ruanruan's ears, sounding incredibly familiar.

Su Ruanruan turned her head slightly, glanced at the person speaking beside her, and then quickly looked away, replying softly, "There are many people in the world who look alike. Young master must have mistaken you for someone else."

The man stared intently at Su Ruanruan, and after a moment of silence, slowly sat down near her.

Su Ruanruan's gaze inadvertently fell on the string of Buddhist prayer beads he wore on his wrist. It was the same string of beads he had prepared to give her when they parted.

She looked away, gazing up at the ever-changing clouds on the distant horizon, and asked calmly, "I wonder who this old friend you speak of is?"

He sighed deeply, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "It's been so long since I've seen her. I wonder how she is doing now..."

His gaze shifted to Su Ruanruan, and he asked with concern, "Madam seems somewhat troubled. What could be the reason?"

Su Ruanruan smiled slightly, but her smile carried an undisguised bitterness. "I lied. In fact, my husband disappeared a year ago."

"I set out this time to find him. But the world is vast, and I still can't find him..."

She slowly stood up, the mountain breeze brushing against her hair, bringing a slight chill.

Suddenly, a drop of water slid down her cheek. Su Ruanruan looked up and saw that it had started to drizzle.

Whether it was tears or rain, at this moment, she could no longer tell.

Her throat tightened, her voice hoarse, "The world is vast, but I can't find him..." Tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, blurring her vision.

Her red eyes were fixed on the man beside her. He slowly stood up, his posture upright, exuding the refined elegance unique to a scholar.

"I'm sorry, I reminded you of those sad memories," the man said softly, expressing his apology.

However, at that moment, a pistol appeared in Su Ruanruan's hand. She gripped it tightly, her fingers trembling slightly with tension, and demanded sharply, "Who are you?!"

Faced with this sudden turn of events, the man was clearly taken aback. He frowned and replied, puzzled, "My name is Mu Bai..."

"Bang!" With a deafening gunshot, Su Ruanruan pulled the trigger without hesitation.

In an instant, a bullet shot out like lightning and struck the man's calf with perfect accuracy.

The man let out a deep growl, staring in astonishment at the pistol clutched tightly in Su Ruanruan's hand. However, in the next instant, the man swiftly flicked his wrist, and an extremely sharp dagger flew out with astonishing speed.

Seeing that the dagger was about to pierce her chest, Su Ruanruan did not dodge.

But something inexplicable happened. In an instant, the figure in front of her vanished into thin air, and the dagger that should have hit her was stuck alone in a large tree not far away.

This bizarre scene left him speechless. "This is truly unbelievable!"

He had no time to think about the reasons behind it when Su Ruanruan's cold, angry roar came from behind him again, "Who are you?! What have you done to Mu Bai?"

When confronted with the questioning, the man's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sinister and cunning smile, as if he was quite surprised that his disguise had been exposed.

He said coldly, "When did you realize that I wasn't the real Mu Bai? I had already disguised myself perfectly..."

Su Ruanruan took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil. "At first, I was almost fooled by you, but I am with Mu Bai day and night, inseparable from him, and I am very familiar with his every move."

"Therefore, no matter how you imitate, you cannot hide those habits and actions."

"Who are you? Where did Mu Bai go?!" Su Ruanruan roared.

She looked at the unfamiliar yet familiar face before her, and her voice trembled involuntarily.

Upon hearing this, the man suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the air and sending chills down one's spine.

The laughter stopped, and he slowly spoke in his original voice, "Sister, I really underestimated you."

LOL! There's only one chapter left until the finale, please don't give me a bad review!