As night fell, the hustle and bustle of the city gradually calmed down. Jiang Zhi sat alone in front of the window, the moonlight shining on her, as if covering her with a layer of silver gauze, but her heart was like a surging sea, and she could not calm down for a long time.
Ever since Shen Qingchen had once again entered her life, her world had been like a stone thrown into it, sending ripples through it. It wasn't that she had no feelings about Shen Qingchen's changes, but the pain buried deep in her heart was like a wound that could not heal. Whenever she recalled his betrayal, the wound would be torn open again, like salt being sprinkled on it, bleeding profusely.
In those countless quiet nights, Jiang Zhi couldn't help but recall the wonderful times they had shared. She still remembered their first encounter, on a corner of a bustling city street. Distraught and searching for clues to Tang Junxi's murder, she accidentally bumped into Shen Qingchen, who was walking towards her. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, his posture erect, his eyes deep and captivating. In that moment, time seemed to freeze as their eyes met, and a subtle feeling of affection permeated the air.
In their subsequent interactions, Shen Qingchen always managed to bring her warmth without realizing it. Once, she had been busy all day at the hospital, exhausted, and her mood was low because of the interruption of her clues. When she walked out of the hospital gate, Shen Qingchen appeared before her like a guardian angel, holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers and looking at her tenderly. He took her to a quiet park, where they strolled along a tree-lined path. He listened patiently to her talk about her troubles without a trace of impatience. His eyes were full of love and concern, which made Jiang Zhi feel extremely at ease.
They had also watched the sunrise together at the beach. As the sun slowly rose from the horizon, golden sunlight shone on the sea, making the waves sparkle. Shen Qingchen gently held her hand and whispered sweet words in her ear. At that moment, Jiang Zhi felt as if she were the happiest person in the world, all her troubles forgotten. They ran and played together on the beach, leaving behind a trail of laughter and deep and shallow footprints.
Then there were the heartwarming moments of their daily lives, like cooking together at home. Shen Qingchen clumsily helped her wash and chop vegetables. Though his movements were a little awkward, his dedication made Jiang Zhi laugh. When the meal came out of the pot, they sat at the table, savoring the delicious food they had both created and sharing the day's joys. That simple and pure happiness remains deeply engraved in Jiang Zhi's mind.
However, all these beautiful memories came to an abrupt end the moment Shen Qingchen filed for divorce. The devastating blow, like a bolt from the blue, plunged Jiang Zhi's heart into a dark abyss. She couldn't understand why he, once so affectionate, had suddenly become so unfamiliar, and why their love had become so fragile overnight.
Now, Shen Qingchen has returned to her side, trying to salvage their relationship. His eyes are still deep and ardent, and his loving gestures seem the same as before. But Jiang Zhi is afraid. She's afraid this is just a fleeting dream, afraid of being hurt again, afraid that the wall of her heart, which she'd built up with great difficulty, will crumble under his gentle onslaught.
She didn't know whether she should give Shen Qingchen a chance, nor did she know if she could ever believe in love again. Every time she saw Shen Qingchen, she was in a fierce struggle. On the one hand, she still loved him deep in her heart, and those beautiful memories attracted her like a magic spell; on the other hand, the pain of the past was like an insurmountable chasm between them.
She often asked herself, if she accepted him again, would she make the same mistake again? If she rejected him, would she regret it for the rest of her life? This conflicting feeling kept her awake at night and made her lose her appetite. She tried to focus on her revenge plan, trying to mask her inner struggle with busyness, but Shen Qingchen's figure always lingered in her mind.
While working at the hospital, she would suddenly think of Shen Qingchen's smile in the middle of her busy schedule; when walking alone on the street, she would see a familiar scene and think of the days they spent together; in the dead of night, she would meet him in her dreams, only to wake up to find that it was all a false joy. This intertwined emotion of love and hate made her feel as if she was in an endless vortex, unable to extricate herself.
Jiang Zhi knew she couldn't go on like this; she had to make a decision. But it was a difficult decision, because no matter which path she chose, it would likely lead her back to pain. She didn't know what her future would hold, nor did she know where her relationship with Shen Qingchen would ultimately lead. She only knew that she was standing at a crossroads in her life, facing a difficult decision.
On this long night, Jiang Zhi gazed at the bright moon outside the window, her mind racing. Her eyes revealed a hint of confusion and helplessness, but deep within that bewilderment, there was also a glimmer of determination. She knew that no matter what, she had to bravely face her heart and find her own answers.
The author has something to say:
Dear readers, this chapter, describing Jiang Zhi's struggle, is also a reflection of the emotional struggles we all face in life. Love is often not always smooth sailing; it can be sweet but also painful. When we're torn between love and hate, the inner struggle is incredibly painful. Like Jiang Zhi, we all need time to reflect and confront our inner selves. I hope everyone will be able to bravely make choices in their own relationships and not regret them. Thank you for your continued support of this book; your companionship is the driving force behind my writing.
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