ending
Jiang Yi took a breath and tentatively asked, "He Lin, I went to see him secretly without telling you, you... won't be angry, will you?"
He Lin smiled faintly, "No, I roughly know what you want to see him about."
"What?! They could even listen in on that? Is your Yu Ling Pavilion that powerful?"
"It wasn't eavesdropping, I... I guessed."
Jiang Yi nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
He Lin said, "I should still thank you, but you don't need to bow down to anyone for my sake. You should trust that I can handle everything."
Jiang Yi stuck out her tongue and smiled mischievously: "Okay!"
Qi Junxu looked the two of them back and forth and realized that they couldn't see anyone else but each other, treating him, a living person, as if he were invisible.
"Ahem, what are you doing? I'm warning you two, don't flirt in front of me, it disgusts me!"
Jiang Yi laughed and scolded, "Get lost! If you can't stand it, I suggest you gouge your eyes out!"
He Lin also chuckled quietly.
"Hey! How can you be so heartless? I even prepared a gift for you both, and you're both ungrateful. I'm leaving!"
After saying that, Qi Junxu stood up and pretended to leave, but Jiang Yi quickly grabbed him.
"No way! You've already brought it here. It would be so embarrassing to take it back untouched. Hurry up and take it out. Stop hiding it. Let me see what good stuff it is!"
Qi Junxu laughed in exasperation and pulled a palm-sized wooden box from his wide sleeve.
"Here, open it and take a look."
Jiang Yi took the wooden box, opened it, and took out the contents.
"A jade pendant? Why did you give me a jade pendant? Didn't you say it was for both of us? Why is there only one? Are we supposed to each wear half?"
Qi Junxu nearly fainted, rubbed his forehead, and gestured with his chin towards He Lin: "Ask him!"
When He Lin saw the jade pendant in Jiang Yi's hand, his eyes showed a subtle change. He couldn't help but put down his teacup, get up and walk towards Jiang Yi. He took the jade pendant and gently rubbed the warm and smooth jade pendant a few times with his thumb.
"This is a love charm, which can be worn by two people at the same time. And this one... belongs to my mother."
"Huh? Your...your mother's?"
He Lin pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on the jade pendant for a long time without shifting. He used both hands in coordination, his right hand gripping the carved phoenix pattern in the center, and then pushed forward. The jade phoenix in the center immediately fell off, leaving only a jade dragon on the outer edge.
Qi Junxu explained, "This love charm is called Dragon and Phoenix Tail. It was a token of love given by my father to Consort Su. When the Chang Le Palace burned down, my mother took this love charm that Consort Su always carried with her. Although I don't know what she wanted it for, it must have something to do with my father. However, after I found it, I secretly took it and hid it. Because we couldn't send people to search for it extensively, my mother had no choice but to let it go..."
Jiang Yi looked up at He Lin, who seemed to sense her thoughts and gave her a gentle smile.
Qi Junxu let out a long sigh: "He Lin, since it belongs to your mother, it has now been returned to its rightful owner. I hope that you two will be as inseparable as this love charm from now on. I sincerely wish you all the best."
He Lin nodded to him and said, "Thank you."
Whether it was secretly keeping his mother's only jade pendant back then, or his current well wishes for them, He Lin should thank him.
"Alright, she's lively and healthy, so she's probably alright. I've delivered the love charm to you, so I'm leaving now. You two stay here!"
Although Qi Junxi said that, He Lin and Jiang Yi still personally saw him off. In the dim light of the night, he turned back and grinned at the two of them: "Let's go."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure appeared on the rooftop, leaping and bounding towards the Zhen'an Prince's Mansion at an incredible speed, almost unnoticed unless one looked closely.
Only when the figure on the rooftop was no longer visible did He Lin lower his eyes slightly to look at the jade pendant in his hand. He then tied the jade phoenix in the middle to Jiang Yi's waist. After doing this, he tied the jade dragon to his own waist.
“My mother said that this is the ancestral treasure of Empress Feng of the previous dynasty. It was taken from a piece of jade from deep in Wangjing Mountain and was carefully polished by hundreds of craftsmen. It is cool in summer and warm in winter when held in the palm of your hand. It also has the effect of warding off poison and evil. She said that she would give this love pendant to my wife as a meeting gift in the future. Now, I guess it can be considered that her wish has been fulfilled.”
“He Lin…”
"Um?"
Jiang Yi curled her lips: "The moonlight is just right tonight, why don't we get drunk together?"
He Lin was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay."
"Wait me a moment."
Jiang Yi turned and ran into the room, carrying out two jars of wine. She tilted her head and smiled slyly, "I want to drink on the roof."
He Lin stepped forward and took the jar of wine from her arms, while putting his other arm around Jiang Yi's waist.
"hold me."
Jiang Yi nodded and reached out to grab He Lin's hand.
They heard the wind whistling past their ears for a moment, and when they opened their eyes again, they were already standing on the roof.
"Wow! The legendary lightness skill is real!"
He Lin supported her, saying, "Be careful."
The two sat side by side on the rooftop admiring the moon. Jiang Yi rested her head on He Lin's shoulder. The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional breeze brushing against her hair.
After a long silence, Jiang Yi said, "He Lin, I've almost finished arranging things here. Let's set off tomorrow."
He Lin silently took a big gulp of wine, and after a long while, he replied in a low voice, "Okay."
...
As we set off out of the capital, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the sun had just peeked out. Golden rays of light slanted through the branches and onto the earth, forming beams of light that were absolutely beautiful.
On this day, He Lin and Jiang Yi set off, and almost no one knew it.
This was Jiang Yi's idea. She didn't want to leave in a melancholic mood; she wanted to leave everyone with a bright and sunny impression of herself. So, she didn't need anyone to see her off; she could leave quietly. All the experiences and memories she had here were a unique gift from heaven, one she would remember forever, miss forever, and cherish forever.
Along the way, I saw flowers, grass, and the world; I saw places where the sun couldn't reach, watched the shadows of birds flying overhead, heard the howling wind, and observed the clamor of the people...
Although no trace of their existence can be found in history, for Jiang Yi, they were real because she experienced it firsthand. She couldn't convince others, and others couldn't understand her, but as long as she remembered, that was enough.
Upon reaching the lake, He Lin bought a small boat. He had originally hired a boatman, but Jiang Yi didn't want outsiders to disturb their time together, so He Lin had to row the boat himself.
The sun was shining brightly, warming my skin and making all my pores feel open and relaxed, so comfortable that I wanted to sleep.
Jiang Yi sat on the edge of the small boat, her chin resting on her hand. The oars rippled across the water, and she watched, mesmerized. She turned slightly to the side and gently touched the surface of the lake. Even the water was gentle and soft, like smooth silk, as if it had been comfortably warmed by the sun.
"He Lin, does this lake have a name?"
He Lin laughed: "There shouldn't be one. Why don't you give it a name?"
Jiang Yi frowned and thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up and she said, "Hey, I've got it! How about we call it Lehu?"
"Lehu? Why is it named like that?"
"Hehe, don't you think the sound of the wind rustling through the water is delicate and ethereal? The movement of water is also the movement of wind; it is only when the wind and water dance together that they produce such a beautiful and ethereal sound!"
He Lin nodded, tacitly agreeing.
"Alright, you've always been good at naming things, so let's call it Lehu (Happy Lake)."
Jiang Yi raised her head proudly: "Of course, don't forget that I named your Luoying Courtyard!"
After saying that, she shook the water off her hands, sat up straight, and looked up at the layered mountains. With mountains and water, it was a nice place.
Jiang Yi sighed silently in her heart. It was time to tell him; she had to tell him sooner or later.
"He Lin, that's enough for now."
These words were spoken so softly that they were blown away by the wind and fell into the lake. He Lin did not hear them.
"What?"
She cruelly repeated, "Let's stop here. I can't accompany you on the road ahead."
There was no movement behind them, and the ripples on the water had subsided. Only their small boat swayed in the wind, like a heavy hammer pounding on their hearts.
"You're lying to me."
Jiang Yi felt a sharp pain in her heart and didn't even dare to turn around and look at him.
"sorry……"
Hearing the "I'm sorry" from He Lin, he couldn't help but chuckle softly, the sound drifting into Jiang Yi's ear.
She promised He Lin that she would accompany him to see every corner of the world, to walk the paths they had walked together, or the paths they hadn't yet taken, and that they would stay in Furong Town for a while, drinking their own brewed Suihantang wine. Jiang Yi had also promised Zhuoma that she would return to Southern Xinjiang to see her and bring her all the delicious food and fun things from the capital... Unfortunately, she couldn't do any of it; she was going to break her promise...
After an unknown amount of time, He Lin's legs became numb and he could no longer feel them. Finally, he moved over to Jiang Yi's side, sat down with her, and enjoyed the scenery before them.
"When are you leaving?"
Jiang Yi honestly shook her head: "I don't know, maybe now, maybe in the next moment while I'm talking to you."
After saying this, she took out a brocade pouch from her sleeve and handed it to He Lin.
"...Here's the token His Majesty gave me. Keep it. Remember to use it to protect yourself. Don't let yourself get hurt again. You promised me that. Also, if you meet a girl you like in the future..."
Before she could finish speaking, He Lin reached out, grabbed the brocade pouch, and threw it into the lake.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear what you're saying!"
He didn't want to hear it, but Jiang Yi still said, "If you like someone in the future, just go ahead and like them. Just treat me as someone who's just passing through your life. Your life goes on. Because I'm the same way, it's fair."
He Lin was genuinely amused by these words: "Jiang Yi, I really hate you to death."
Just a moment ago we were joking and laughing together, but now I can't bear to say such heavy things to him.
He should have known long ago that Jiang Yi was a female liar, and that not a single word she said could be trusted. This time, he wouldn't listen, and he wouldn't be fooled again...
Jiang Yi smiled and sighed softly, as if she could do nothing about his words.
She reached out and touched the love charm at her waist, saying, "I was going to return the love charm to you, but seeing how angrily you threw the token down just now, I'll just leave it at that."
He Lin was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
Jiang Yi shifted closer to him, wrapped her arms around He Lin's arm, and rested her head lightly on his shoulder. She continued, "...When I die, you don't need to erect a tombstone for me. Just burn me. Scatter my ashes into the wind, scatter them into this Lehu Lake. Every time the wind brushes your cheek, it's me kissing you. Every time raindrops fall on your eaves, it's me coming to see you...He Lin, is that alright?"
He Lin gritted his teeth, tears streaming down his face without him even realizing it. This really was the last time. He would never see her again, never see her smile, never hear her voice again, never be able to touch her freely again. She would soon transform into the wind, into the rain, into the stars in the sky, silently accompanying him in a place where he could neither see nor hear her...
Even though He Lin knew Jiang Yi wasn't truly dead, that she had simply returned to the place she had changed, his heart still ached terribly. He had never felt such pain before, as if he had been gnawed by a thousand ants, leaving countless wounds that could never be healed...
He replied in a trembling voice, "Okay..."
Jiang Yi's eyebrows curved slightly, but she could no longer open her eyes. Her consciousness was gradually fading, and she would probably lose all her senses next. She had been through this before, so she wasn't afraid.
She smiled, just as beautiful as she had been back then.
"What do you want to do after I leave?"
He Lin's eyes were bloodshot, and his wet eyelashes trembled.
"I want to build a small courtyard in a secluded place, and name it Luoying Courtyard. I'll plant a love tree there, and watch it bloom with love flowers and bear love fruits as the seasons change..."
Jiang Yi raised her hand and touched He Lin's cheek, asking with a smile, "What's wrong? You don't really want to be a hermit and a widower for the rest of your life, do you?"
He Lin countered, "Is that not allowed?"
"Okay, but it will hurt me. He Lin, forget me. I'm not worth remembering for a lifetime. You have your own things to do. Don't live in seclusion. You should shine like the sun in the sky. Your talent and ability should be seen..."
As Jiang Yi spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, and the hand on He Lin's face suddenly slid down, lifeless.
I never expected the farewell to come so suddenly, before I even had a chance to finish my words.
Realizing this, He Lin hugged the person next to him tightly, and tears streamed down his face like a burst dam. The gentle breeze made the warm tears feel icy cold as they fell one after another.
Suddenly, the things in Jiang Yi's hands fell onto the cabin floor. He Lin looked in the direction they rolled and saw the token and the jade phoenix of the love charm.
She worried about his safety and happiness until her death.
Peace and joy were her wishes for him.
"This fool," He Lin closed his eyes, letting the tears fall.
Let him be reckless this once. His wife is gone forever; can't he even cry? If Jiang Yi sees him cry, will she feel sorry for him and not leave? If only that were true…
...
Jiang Yi went back.
She would never know anything about He Lin again. After completing the mission, the system completely disappeared from her world. It seemed like the time travel was something from a previous life. Her memories became increasingly blurry with the passage of time, and later she could only recall a general outline. She wondered if He Lin was the same way.
It seems this is the aftereffect of time travel—forgetting.
She will forget everything about that place, including He Lin.
However, Jiang Yi didn't want to forget He Lin, so she asked a classmate majoring in art to draw a picture. Since she couldn't describe his specific appearance, there was only a human outline. His clothes and hairstyle were very similar to the person in her memory, but his face was too blurry and indistinct, like in a dream.
Jiang Yi began to regret not having drawn He Lin's portrait sooner.
Fortunately, she kept a notebook, recording every little detail about her and He Lin, including that world. Although each time she looked at it, it was both strange and familiar. Thus, the person in the notebook became the most familiar stranger to him.
Later, Jiang Yi became an overnight sensation after filming and became a popular star on the street screens. However, her fans all know that Jiang Yi never accepts roles with a tragic ending; she only accepts happy endings.
A reporter once interviewed her, asking if accepting roles like this would limit her acting range, or if she should try more roles, since there are never happy endings in this world, and some regrets should be more unforgettable.
Jiang Yi said: "Although the regret is unforgettable, once is enough. I like every story to end with a happy reunion, and that's what I hope and expect. May all lovers in the world be united in marriage. Thank you."
This statement immediately went viral on various platforms, with many speculating whether Jiang Yi had been heartbroken in a previous relationship. After all, she had never acted in a drama with a tragic ending since her debut. So where did this regret she mentioned come from? It's obvious she was severely hurt in a relationship!
When her agent showed her the trending topics on social media in the van, Jiang Yi just smiled and let it go.
As she gazed at the skyscrapers rushing past the car window, her eyes, reflected in the glass, were deep and melancholic. After so many years of hard work in the entertainment industry, she was no longer the girl who had just graduated.
Fortunately, because of that person, she did not lose her true self and still held onto expectations and fantasies about love. It's just that she would never experience such a heart-wrenching love again, so much so that every time she thought of it, her heart ached.
I lie drunk, listening to the gentle breeze, and bask in the starlight until dawn.
I hope she and he will never have such a lonely day.
—The End—
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