Chapter 1040 The Unpredictability of Life
In the darkness, Shang Ruyi's eyes flickered.
Lei Yu frowned and slowly walked towards her, but after taking only two steps, Ashina Zhuxie immediately grabbed her arm: "What are you going to do!"
Lei Yu looked up at him, gently wiped his hand off her arm, and said calmly, "I just... have some things to say to her."
Ashina Zhuxie remained silent for a moment, then sighed and had no choice but to let her go.
Lei Yu walked over step by step, and Shang Ruyi also walked towards her, but after only two steps, she was gently stopped by Wo Xue behind her—although they had heavy cavalry protecting them, Shang Ruyi was still the most important person to them. If anything happened to her, none of them would want to live.
Shang Ruyi could only stand on the edge of the camp, while Lei Yu walked over and also stood on the edge of the camp.
There were four or five steps between the two people.
But it seems like we're already worlds apart.
Looking at Lei Yu, whose face had finally regained a sliver of life, yet whose eyes remained utterly devoid of warmth when he looked at her, Shang Ruyi felt a dull ache in her heart, accompanied by waves of heartbeats. Her throat tightened, and after a long while, she finally managed to say, "You... you won't come back with me, will you?"
Lei Yu looked at her coldly: "If the General of the Cavalry is killed by the Turks, will you come with me to the Turkic Khaganate?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi was speechless.
Lei Yu looked at her and said, word by word, clearly and heavily, "Some things, once they happen, they happen."
"..."
"Whether we like it or not, what has happened will inevitably have consequences."
"..."
"Some paths, once embarked upon, offer no turning back."
Shang Ruyi felt as if she had been punched hard in the chest by something invisible.
These were the very words she had said to Lei Yu on Mount Tianding, but she never expected that Lei Yu would now return them to her. Back then, Lei Yu couldn't utter a single word in response to her words; if she were in Lei Yu's shoes, she would be speechless as well.
Shang Ruyi felt something blocking her throat. After struggling for a long time, she could only hoarsely say, "Lei Yu..."
Lei Yu said, "I can't go back, and I won't go back."
"..."
"Not only will I not go back, I will also avenge my father!"
"..."
"So, think carefully about whether you want to let us go or not."
If hearing Lei Yu's words just now felt like being punched, hearing these words now felt like a knife had been plunged into Shang Ruyi's heart, leaving it bleeding.
Normally, if Lei Yu or anyone else used such words to "test" her, Shang Ruyi would be furious and would retort without hesitation. She has always been someone who refuses to suffer a loss; if someone makes her uncomfortable, she will make them uncomfortable in return—that's what she considers fair.
But now, she can't do it.
Looking into Lei Yu's eyes, which were as cold as if covered in frost, Shang Ruyi said with difficulty, "Don't say that..."
When she said the last few words, her voice was already choked and hoarse.
Upon hearing her words, a hint of shattering appeared in Lei Yu's cold eyes. She looked at Shang Ruyi, wanting to say something, but hesitated several times. After struggling for a long time, her eyes were filled with burning tears, as if they were about to overflow. She could only turn her head to hide it, but then she saw the heavy cavalry around her and sighed. Then she turned back to Shang Ruyi and said, "Are these your own men?"
"yes,"
Shang Ruyi nodded and looked at her: "You once told me that in chaotic times, the only thing that can protect you is the troops you have. I have always remembered that."
Lei Yu nodded.
At this moment, it was impossible to tell whether her expression was one of relief or disappointment, but a desolate sadness still filled Shang Ruyi's heart. She clearly felt that the sincerity and intimacy between the two of them in the past, the ability to talk about anything, had all disappeared, leaving only a dry awkwardness.
After all, neither Lei Yu, who said those words, nor she, who listened to them, ever imagined that one day this team would affect their relationship.
Life is unpredictable...
In this awkward and desolate atmosphere, Lei Yu finally took a deep breath, seemingly acknowledging that no matter how deep their feelings for each other had been, or how sincere they had been, it was now beyond repair. So she said, "Well then, I'm leaving."
As soon as she turned around, Shang Ruyi suddenly stepped forward: "Lei Yu!"
Lei Yu stopped walking, but did not turn around. He just stood there quietly, as if waiting for her to speak.
Shang Ruyi bit her lower lip and finally forced herself to say, "I don't want us to be enemies."
"..."
"There are no kind words when people insult each other, and no kind punches when they fight. In our current situation, if we really fight, neither side will be able to use good methods. In any case, I don't want us to get to that point."
Lei Yu turned around and gave her a sharp look.
She also realized the meaning behind those words. Shang Ruyi knew the truth about He Duyue. If it really came to that, would she—
Lei Yu said coldly, "How far things go is up to the injured person to decide."
After saying that, he left without looking back.
Soon, the Turkic camp disappeared into the night amidst their busy activity. Shang Ruyi stood at the edge of the camp until the very end, watching Ashina Zhuxie protect Lei Yu as she mounted her horse in the firelight. She didn't look back at her again, but instead whipped her horse and her figure quickly disappeared into the night.
Shang Ruyi knew that this might be the last time they would see each other.
Her heart was breaking, and what hurt even more was that she knew very well that no matter how much pain she felt, she couldn't undo what had already happened, and there was no going back.
Just as Shang Ruyi stood there, lost in thought, watching the Western Turkic troops disappear into the night, staring at the pitch-black night that left no trace of their backs, a fragrant breeze wafted by, and Green Silk's soft voice rang in her ears: "Are you sad?"
Shang Ruyi regained some composure. She took a deep breath, turned around, and said calmly, "I'm fine. Why aren't you resting yet?"
Green Silk said, "With this much noise, how can anyone rest?"
She couldn't have missed the commotion outside, but she didn't show up, clearly indicating that she didn't intend to get involved in their conflict with the Western Turks—a wise choice, of course, since at that time, a weak woman like her would only be a burden to others and harm herself, serving no purpose whatsoever.
Shang Ruyi said, "Everything's alright now. Go back and rest early; we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Green Silk's eyes narrowed slightly.
She asked, "Where to?"
Seeing her nervousness, as if awaiting a verdict, Shang Ruyi sighed inwardly and said, "Of course, Luoyang."
I'm taking leave today.
I have a fever today and really can't write, so I'm taking a day off. Also, just a heads up, I'm having minor surgery next week, so I'll be taking another day off then.
Don't stay in air-conditioned rooms all the time during the summer, I'm a prime example...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com