The smoke of battle hadn't yet completely dissipated, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and the faint scent of blood. Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen stood quietly in this chaotic atmosphere, their eyes meeting, their gazes filled with a thousand words. Memories of the past surged in like a tide, instantly drowning them.
Jiang Zhi's eyes were still tinged with initial surprise and wariness, a self-preservation instinct cultivated over years of facing hardships alone. Deep within her gaze, a deep resentment shone like a cold star in the night sky, cold and piercing. For years, she had endured the pain of losing Tang Junxi alone, trudged along the path of revenge, and endured the trauma of Shen Qingchen's divorce. Each wound had left an indelible mark on her heart. The sweetness and trust that had once existed shattered like broken glass the moment Shen Qingchen filed for divorce, leaving only a heartbroken wound and endless loneliness.
Shen Qingchen's eyes, however, were filled with regret and deep affection, like a deep lake, bottomless yet surging with undercurrents. Ever since being forced to divorce Jiang Zhi, his heart felt as if it had been ripped into countless pieces, each day and night consumed by pain and longing. He countless times internally blamed himself for his inability to act, hating the fact that he had to hurt Jiang Zhi in order to protect her. Now, upon seeing Jiang Zhi again, his past love surged forth like a flood, threatening to drown him. He longed to be near Jiang Zhi, to embrace her, to confess his inner struggles and pain over the years, and to beg for her forgiveness.
The two of them stared at each other quietly. The world around them seemed to have stopped, and the passage of time became slow and heavy. After a long time, Shen Qingchen opened his mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but his throat seemed to be choked by something, and only a faint sigh came out. He took a step forward, his steps slightly heavy, as if each step carried a thousand pounds of weight.
"Jiang Zhi..." Shen Qingchen's voice was hoarse and low, with a hint of trembling, breaking the silence around them, "I know that the mistakes I made are unforgivable. But everything I did was to protect you. When I learned that my father might be murdered by Jiang Lingchuan and Gu Manqi, I was afraid that they would do something to you, and I couldn't let you fall into danger." His eyes were full of sincerity and pain, staring at Jiang Zhi tightly, hoping that she could see the deep love and helplessness in his eyes.
Jiang Zhi pursed her lips slightly, frowning slightly, the resentment in her eyes not diminished by Shen Qingchen's words. "Protect me?" Her voice was cold and sour. "Have you ever thought about how much your leaving hurt me? I faced all this alone, fleeing everywhere with my child, living in fear and despair every day. And you, when I needed you most, chose to leave and brought Jiang Yao back..." At this point, Jiang Zhi's eyes reddened slightly, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly raised her head, not letting the tears fall.
Shen Qingchen felt a sharp pain in his heart. He reached out his hand, wanting to touch Jiang Zhi's cheek, but stopped mid-air, his hand falling down helplessly. "I know I've made you suffer." His voice was filled with self-blame, "But I have never stopped loving you, not even for a moment. Every night, I think of the time we spent together. Those beautiful memories are the only motivation I have to persevere in the darkness."
Jiang Zhi's heart rippled, but years of pain and resentment couldn't be erased with a few words. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "What's the point of saying this now? There's no going back between us." Her voice remained cold, but a subtle sadness lingered.
At this moment, Lin Ze stood quietly by, silently watching the former lovers. His eyes revealed a complex emotion, a mixture of sympathy and admiration for Jiang Zhi, and understanding and regret for Shen Qingchen. He knew that at this moment, Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen needed some alone time to sort out the complex emotions between them. So, he coughed lightly, breaking the slightly awkward silence between the two.
"I'll go over there and see if there are any enemies left." Lin Ze said in a low voice, then turned and slowly left, his figure gradually disappearing in the smoke-filled ruins.
As Lin Ze left, the atmosphere between Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen became more solemn. Shen Qingchen took another step forward, and this time he did not stop, and gently held Jiang Zhi's hand. Jiang Zhi subconsciously wanted to pull his hand back, but Shen Qingchen's hand held tightly, his eyes full of determination and persistence.
"Jiang Zhi, give me a chance to make up for the mistakes I made." Shen Qingchen's voice was gentle and sincere. "I know that we still have many difficulties to face, and the mysterious organization has not been completely eliminated, but I believe that as long as we are together, there is nothing we can't overcome."
Jiang Zhi's heart began to waver. The warmth of Shen Qingchen's hand brought her a long-lost sense of security. She looked at Shen Qingchen's familiar yet unfamiliar face, and sweet memories of the past flooded back to her. The days they had spent together, the laughter and tears they had shared, were the most precious treasures in her heart. But the hurt of the past was also deeply engraved, making her hesitant to open her heart again easily.
"Chen Qingchen, I need time." Jiang Zhi's voice trembled slightly, "So many things have happened over the years, I can't forgive you so easily." Her eyes revealed a hint of confusion and struggle, and the emotions in her heart were pulled back and forth between love and hate.
Shen Qingchen nodded slightly. He knew that it would not be easy to win Jiang Zhi's heart again, but he was willing to pay any price to try. "I will wait, no matter how long it takes, I will wait for you." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was making an eternal promise to Jiang Zhi.
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