It was already late May. Spring had passed and summer was approaching. The apricot blossoms had long since faded, leaving only lush green leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

Gu Qinghuai followed her gaze, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, and said softly, "I bought this house more than ten years ago. This tree was planted in the same year as the one in your house. I was thinking that if you ever wanted to come out for a walk in the future, you could eat apricots in your own yard."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe's heart stirred slightly, but she still calmly withdrew her gaze and did not respond to Gu Qinghuai's heartfelt confession.

During this time, she has been deliberately keeping her distance from Gu Qinghuai.

How could Gu Qinghuai not notice such estrangement?

Having traveled a long and tiring journey, he couldn't bear to add any more pressure to Lin Xihe, so he could only pretend to be nonchalant.

For now, they can stay in this house in peace for the time being. For at least half a month, they don't need to worry about the outside world's disturbances. They can just quietly wait for letters from the capital.

Gu Qinghuai reached out and tried to take Lin Xihe's hand, but Lin Xihe subconsciously avoided it.

Gu Qinghuai hesitated for a moment, then walked up to Lin Xihe, stopped, and gazed earnestly into her eyes, his gaze full of pleading: "Xihe, we're back. Forget about Nanzhao, okay?"

"I didn't do anything..."

Lin Xihe bit her lower lip guiltily, her voice unconsciously lowering, and her eyes becoming somewhat evasive.

"Then, once I've settled down, I'll marry you, okay?"

Gu Qinghuai brought up the matter of their marriage again, his tone filled with unwavering determination.

Lin Xihe was stunned by these sudden words and stood there, her mind blank for a moment.

Gu Qinghuai gently held her arms, leaned down slightly to meet her gaze, and said affectionately again, "Xihe, let's get married."

Looking into Gu Qinghuai's burning eyes, Lin Xihe felt an immense pressure in her heart.

"Qinghuai, I asked you to help me find my brother in Nanzhao. I've suffered so much for you, and I'm the one who owes you this."

Gu Qinghuai hurriedly interrupted her: "Xiao Yugan wants to get rid of me, which has nothing to do with you. If it weren't for his interference, I wouldn't be in such a situation in Nanzhao. You don't need to feel indebted to me."

His eyes were full of heartache, and he only wanted Lin Xihe to understand that he had never blamed her for these hardships.

Lin Xihe took a deep breath, deciding to stop beating around the bush and face her true feelings: "I...I won't marry you..."

A sharp pain flashed in Gu Qinghuai's eyes. He had considered giving such an answer, but he was also determined not to give up.

"No. We should have gotten married long ago. If I give in even a little, I'll lose you. Whether we talk it out or force each other, we will get married."

In his view, he had already missed too much time, and he absolutely could not lose Lin Xihe as well.

Seeing the domineering look in Gu Qinghuai's eyes, Lin Xihe felt even more exhausted.

"Why have you become like this too?" Lin Xihe's eyes were full of disappointment.

"Then what do you want me to do? Teach me. What should I do?"

Gu Qinghuai's voice was filled with pain; he truly didn't know how to win back Lin Xihe's heart.

"You don't have me in your heart anymore? Who is in your heart now?"

Gu Qinghuai's emotions, which he had suppressed for a long time, finally became somewhat out of control. Even though he believed in his heart that Lin Xihe might have feelings for Mu Ruoyan, he could only swallow his bitterness and could not express it.

After all, if it weren't for saving her, Lin Xihe would never have had any interaction with Mu Ruoyan.

"In Nanzhao, it's Mu Ruoyan? In Dahao, it's Ji Zhuo? And what about me?" Gu Qinghuai's voice was choked with sobs as he looked at Lin Xihe, his eyes filled with pain and resentment.

These days, he watched helplessly as Lin Xihe's heart drifted further and further away.

Lin Xihe forcefully broke free from Gu Qinghuai's hands, her eyes reddening, and shouted, "Can you please stop forcing me?"

Lin Xihe's eyes reddened with frustration, and she finally couldn't hold back anymore, crying out in a hoarse voice, "Then don't choose me! Don't choose me! I hate every single one of you! I don't like any of you! Why are you forcing me!"

Looking back on her time in Nanzhao, she had to compromise and cater to others in order to survive and save Gu Qinghuai. That feeling of being unable to control her own destiny still haunts her.

Throughout this journey, she never truly had a choice.

All the grievances and helplessness that had been building up in my heart over the past few days surged out like a flood bursting its banks at this moment.

No one felt good about how things had turned out this way, and Gu Qinghuai felt extremely guilty when he saw Lin Xihe crying because of him.

Gu Qinghuai frantically wiped away Lin Xihe's tears, blaming himself as he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pressured you. You gave birth to Tangbao for me and traveled so far to save me, you love me, I shouldn't have pressured you..."

"I was too hasty. I shouldn't have pressured you." He gently embraced Lin Xihe, as if to comfort her, or perhaps to console himself.