Shen Qingchen stood alone in front of the house that was once filled with laughter and joy. Every step he took seemed to step on the strings of memories, emitting waves of trembling sounds that pierced his heart. He slowly pushed open the familiar door, and the old creaking sound echoed in the silent space, as if the past was whispering.
Everything in the room remained the same, as if time had stopped here. The pillows on the sofa were the ones Jiang Zhi had chosen, and they seemed to still retain her warmth and scent. He walked over gently and sat down. The touch of her hand instantly brought his thoughts back to the nights when they had cuddled together on the sofa to watch a movie. The lights were dimmed, and the light and shadow of the screen flickered on their faces. Jiang Zhi leaned on his shoulder, occasionally laughing or crying at the plot of the movie, while he was intoxicated by the gentle touch of her hair brushing against his cheek. They would share the popcorn in each other's hands, and the sweetness spread between their lips and teeth. It was a simple and pure happiness, but now it was as fragile as foam.
His gaze drifted towards the kitchen, where even more heartwarming memories lay. He remembered the first time they cooked together, both of them frantic yet full of fun. Jiang Zhi, apron on, spatula in hand, directed him like a little adult. They argued endlessly over the seasoning of a dish, only to smile at each other as they tasted the result. The grease splattered on the wall and the somewhat messy tableware were all traces of their love. Now, the kitchen seemed unusually deserted. Without Jiang Zhi's busy figure, without the aroma of food filling the air, only a dead silence remained.
He stood up and walked towards the bedroom. The quilt on the bed still retained the shape of their last sleep in each other's arms. He seemed to see Jiang Zhi's slightly frowning face as the morning sun shone on her face, so cute, so charming. In the photo frame on the bedside was their photo. The two people in the photo were smiling brightly, with only each other in their eyes. He picked up the photo frame and gently stroked the glass with his fingers. It was a beautiful moment they had once had, forever frozen in this small world. However, now they were so distant, and he broke this beauty with his own hands, as if shattering the most precious treasure in the world.
Chen Qingchen arrived at the study, where the shelves were filled with books they had read together. Each book held their memories, some pages still bearing Jiang Zhi's casual annotations. He pulled out a book, flipped it open, and seeing the familiar handwriting, a pang of pain pierced his heart. They had spent many quiet afternoons in this study, each immersed in a world of books, occasionally looking up, their eyes meeting, and without words, they understood each other's feelings. It was a connection of souls, a love that ran deep. But now, these memories can only be found in these silent objects.
He walked to the window. The view outside remained the same, but his mood was completely different. He had once thought they would live happily here forever, with a complete family and children playing in the yard. However, everything changed because of his wrong decision. His selfishness and helplessness pushed Jiang Zhi away from him, and also pushed this beautiful love to the brink of collapse.
He wandered the room, searching every corner like he was searching for a lost treasure. The decorations they had chosen together, the paintings they had hung on the walls together, were a cruel reminder of what he had once possessed and what he had lost. He knew his mistakes could not be easily undone, but he could not accept a life without Jiang Zhi. These memories were both a source of sweetness and pain, each one like salt in a wound, yet he could not stop, for they were the only connection he had left with Jiang Zhi.
He sat on the ground, his back against the wall, surrounded by objects filled with memories. He felt as if he were drowning in the past, unable to breathe. His heart was filled with regret, regretting why he had been so foolish, why he had let Jiang Zhi get hurt. He knew he had to fight to save the relationship, even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he would hold on tightly. Because Jiang Zhi was the most important person in his life, his everything. He was willing to give everything he had in exchange for her forgiveness, to rediscover their lost love.
In this house full of memories, Shen Qingchen endured the sting of memories alone. He knew that the road ahead was still long, full of hardships and challenges, but he was ready. He wanted to start from here again, to prove his love with his own actions, to make up for his past mistakes, and to make Jiang Zhi return to his side.
The author has something to say:
Dear readers, this chapter takes us deep into Shen Qingchen's inner world, where he struggles with memories and reflects on his pain. Love is sometimes like this: once lost, we learn to cherish it. Yet, it is precisely this unforgettable emotion that makes their story so moving. I hope you can feel Shen Qingchen's regret and his deep love for Jiang Zhi, and I hope you will continue to look forward to their future developments, to see if they can overcome numerous obstacles and come together again.
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