CHAPTER 285: CHAPTER 266: GOODBYE MY LOVE

Gu Qili sat in the car, gazing at the villa nearby. A light was on in a room on the second floor, with the curtains drawn. A delicate shadow flitted by the window for a moment before vanishing.

Soon, the light went out, and the villa fell silent.

...Are they asleep already?

When they are sleeping, does he hold her close in his arms, whispering sweet shy nothings to her?

Perhaps they are truly the matched pair destined by heaven, with old flames rekindled after so many years, lovers finally united. She should be magnanimous enough to bless him, shouldn’t she?

But she couldn’t do it. In love, she became so narrow-minded and selfish, so fragile and pitiful.

Now, what she had just witnessed had slapped her face harshly; it must be painful enough to awaken her. Their journey together ended here.

Even if she doesn’t want to let go, what can she do? After all, the one he loves most isn’t her.

From a window on the second floor, Mu Shuoqian stood behind the curtain, peering outside through a thin gap, seeing the car parked not far below and the girl slumped over the steering wheel; even his breath bore the tinge of pain.

The heavy rain poured down, and he couldn’t help but wipe away the moisture on the glass to see her more clearly. But the rain was too heavy, and as soon as he wiped the moisture away, new condensation formed again.

She must have completely despaired over him by now. This way, she can return to her pure world. Even if heartbreak brings pain, this pain will eventually pass; it won’t take long for her to forget this hurt he caused, to completely forget him. She will start a new romance, have someone she admires, get married, have children... and continue on in an ordinary life.

He never asked to possess her in this life, only wishing her peace for the rest of her life.

Red rimmed Mu Shuoqian’s eyes, even though this ending was his own design, every time he thought of her spending her days with another man, his chest throbbed with unbearable pain.

Through the curtain of rain, he watched her, guarding her, standing by the window as long as she sat in the car.

Until the dawn’s early light colored the sky, and thin morning light enveloped the rain-soaked earth.

The rain had stopped, the air filled with a fresh scent, and the immaculately clean Maybach remained parked there, a bird’s chirp piercing through the quietness of Nanyuan Mansion.

Gu Qili straightened her aching back, realizing it was the next morning; she had unexpectedly stayed here all night.

Vehicles continually passed by, with people curiously peering through their car windows at her.

She thought her appearance must be truly bedraggled, having barely slept in two days and two nights,

Gu Qili simply tied her hair up and took one last look at the villa, twisted the keys, and maneuvered the steering wheel to reverse the car.

As she passed the security gate, the young guard from yesterday still opened the door for her with a grin, but his gaze held a hint of ’I know everything,

He probably thought she spent the night at Mr. Mu’s house, huh, how ironic.

It wasn’t until Gu Qili had left Nanyuan Mansion that Mu Shuoqian standing by the window discarded the last cigarette from his pack, grabbed his car keys and walked outside, the place he stood last night littered with cigarette butts.

As soon as Gu Qili returned to Jing Mountain, she started packing up her things. Despite her reluctance, she didn’t have the shamelessness to continue living here and causing others disturbance.

It probably wouldn’t be long before his most beloved moved here, after all, this house was Mu Shuoqian’s favorite.

When Gu Qili first arrived here, she really didn’t bring much, just a few clothes and daily necessities, but now as she gathered her things, she realized how, at some point, this place had become filled with her belongings, so many that the original owner’s presence was pushed into a corner.

She packed two large suitcases in her bedroom, then went to Mu Shuoqian’s bedroom to start sorting through things.

It was all right until she stepped in; then, memories flooded her like a tide. She stood in front of the wardrobe, staring blankly at the clothes inside.

After their complete separation, she rarely stayed in her bedroom, so many of her clothes were kept with his. In the large wardrobe, her clothes were on the right side, his on the left. Every morning, they would stand there together choosing clothes. He would always ask if his tie looked nice, and she would ask if her skirt was pretty.

Her hand touched the red dress she wore at a wedding, the scenes from that day still vivid in her mind. If she could choose to start over, she would definitely not attend that wedding,

Gu Qili did not take that dress. Somewhat flustered, she took several other pieces of clothing from the rack and went to the bathroom to pack up the cosmetic bottles into a paper bag.

As she was almost done packing, she suddenly heard the sound of the door opening from outside the room. Her hands paused, a flicker of hope igniting in her heart.

Soon after, Mu Shuoqian walked in. Seeing her, he seemed to freeze for a moment, though his face remained indifferent.

Gu Qili turned her head to meet his gaze, quickly averting it again. She continued folding the clothes, "I’ll leave as soon as I’ve finished packing."

He stood there quietly, without saying a word.

When he saw her put some small trinkets she usually bought into the box, he finally spoke, "It’s good to pack neatly, I’m afraid Xiaoyu would misunderstand if she sees it."

Gu Qili, with her back to him, clenched the doll in her hands tightly and took a deep breath before calming down.

"Don’t worry, even if I see her in the future, I won’t say anything inappropriate."

Listening to her slightly trembling words, Mu Shuoqian felt as if someone had splashed a bowl of boiling water over his heart, causing it to shrink.

Even though his heart ached, his words were so merciless: "Qiqi, I’m sorry for what happened. You can still keep that card, in case you run out of money..."

"No need, I can earn my own money now." Gu Qili scoffed coldly. What is this, treating her feelings like a transaction? She truly didn’t need it.

Who hasn’t been in love? Who hasn’t broken up? Let’s part on good terms; you don’t owe me, I don’t owe you. This way, there won’t be any lingering connections, dragging on and on.

Due to Mu Shuoqian’s sudden visit, Gu Qili sped up packing her things, carelessly throwing together a few bags and even sorting out some unwanted items, placing them by the door.

And he just stood there watching her pack without saying another word.

Gu Qili laughed at herself in a self-deprecating manner. Just now, she even had a bit of hope. What was she hoping for, that he would change his mind? Even if he asked her not to leave now, she couldn’t stay.

He was the first man she loved, and she had his obsession with emotional purity. Since it wasn’t meant for her, even if she insisted, it was meaningless.

They really couldn’t go back anymore.

Gu Qili brought her suitcase to the doorstep. Because it was too heavy, Mu Shuoqian came over to help. She lowered her head, briskly brushed away his hand, and said bluntly, "No need, thank you."

The hand she pushed away suddenly hurt piercingly, hurting deep into his soul. Although she used all her strength, it didn’t hurt physically. What truly hurt were his heart and his soul.

He watched with wide-open eyes as she left their home, the place that had given him the most beautiful memories for two years. Those good old days vanished in a flash, leaving him with nothing but endless despair.

"I’ll drive you." It was probably an unwillingness to let go. Even if a separation was inevitable, spending another minute or second with her was precious.

"No need, I’ve already called a cab." As soon as Gu Qili finished speaking, the car she had ordered through the app arrived. The driver, a warm-hearted middle-aged man, immediately got out to help with the luggage when he saw how much there was.

"Oh right." Gu Qili, having packed all her bags and about to open the car door to get in, suddenly turned her head toward the silent Mu Shuoqian.

Mu Shuoqian, lost in thought, suddenly lifted his gaze upon hearing her speak, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"If you have time, go finalize the divorce proceedings sometime. It wouldn’t be good to cause any misunderstandings." Saying this, she firmly grasped the handle of the car door, just as the sun peeked from behind the mountains, bathing her in a warm glow.

She said, "Mu Shuoqian, goodbye."

Goodbye, my love.

Goodbye, all my obsessions and youth.

Goodbye, Mu Shuoqian.

Even as the car drove far away, out of sight, Mu Shuoqian remained frozen in place. What he had let go wasn’t his love, but his entire future life.

Goodbye, my beloved.

Goodbye, all my deep feelings and fantasies.

Goodbye, Gu Qili.

Mu Shuoqian returned home, the once full space now appeared empty due to her abrupt departure.

He stood in the living room, soullessly looking around, she had cleaned out thoroughly. Not a single trace of hers remained, not even the pillow she used to hug while watching TV.

Mu Shuoqian went back to the bedroom, the door was open, the room was a bit messy, he stepped over the scattered items and approached the wardrobe. Normally they shared, but now only his side was filled with clothes,

This was bought by Gu Qili at the airport in A City, after she returned to Aus City, she also brought back this rabbit and fox. Probably because he had come back, she was a bit restless, and this rabbit had been left behind.

Mu Shuoqian held the rabbit in his palm, its playful appearance somewhat resembled hers, he still remembered, he had joked with her using this rabbit.

Mu Shuoqian carefully placed the rabbit by his pillow, then lay down with his clothes on,