Chapter 15: Farewell, My Love

Shen Kai touched his ear: this gift, he would never take it off, never.

“Let’s get married!” Shen Kai cautiously spoke the words, watching Mu Tong’s body stiffen. Could it be she still didn’t want to marry?

“Why?” Shen Kai’s heart ached. They clearly loved each other—so why not marry?

“Isn’t it fine like this? What’s the difference from being married?”

“No! It’s not fine! I want a home. I want a wife and children of my own!”

“I’m sorry, I can’t give you any of that.” Mu Tong was silent for a moment before answering honestly. She didn’t want to watch her husband age slowly, her son and grandson grow old, while she remained eternally youthful.

Shen Kai had no spiritual root; she had secretly tested him long ago. Not only was he without a spiritual root, but his body was weak. If she hadn’t been secretly helping him condition his health, he might have been gone already. Without a spiritual root, how could he cultivate immortality and live for centuries like her? She had an eight-hundred-year lifespan. Was she really going to watch her loved ones grow old and pass away one by one, left alone in this world? She could not bear that.

“Why?” Shen Kai was desperate, knowing no matter how many times he asked, he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted.

“When we started dating, we said being happy together was enough. Why bother with those worldly titles? If we’re not happy together anymore, breaking up is simple.” Mu Tong said calmly.

“But…” I may not care, but my family does! If Mu Tong still refuses to marry me, my parents and relatives will force me to marry a woman I don’t love!

Shen Kai fell silent. He had disappeared from her side for more than half a year because his family had taken him back. Locked at home for months, he made a deal with them: one last attempt to win Mu Tong over. If she agreed to marry him, all would be well; if not, he would accept the family’s arrangement.

“My family has arranged a marriage. If you don’t agree to marry me, I must obey their plan.” Shen Kai no longer hesitated. He had to be clear with the woman he loved.

Mu Tong said nothing. After a while, she said, “Then I wish you a happy wedding.”

Shen Kai...

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After a long time, Mu Tong watched Shen Kai lying motionless on the bed, her heart softening. Was she too rational? Was it really unfair to Shen Kai? When she first saw this pure, blank slate of a boy, she was drawn by his flawless innocence, captivated by his pure simplicity, unable to resist temptation, and so they were together. In all their time together, when had he ever looked so troubled?

Knowing the outcome, she had still thrown herself at this pure-hearted boy like a moth to a flame, reckless in love. And so be it. Even if he left her someday, she would have no regrets.

“Ring... ring...” The phone interrupted Mu Tong, who was about to change her mind and approach Shen Kai. Shen Kai answered silently, listening quietly to the voice on the other end, then hung up and said to Mu Tong, “Take care!” before walking out the door.

Mu Tong didn’t move. With her cultivation, she could clearly hear the soft, sweet girl’s voice on the phone: “Kai, I’m here, downstairs. Are you alright?”

The words were full of tender affection—a girl clearly in passionate love. Mu Tong did nothing. Though she longed to rush downstairs and strike that sweet-voiced girl, she restrained herself.

She had known from the start they would never grow old together. Why cling to false hopes? They had so many beautiful memories—enough to last a lifetime! And it was she who had made clear from the beginning that she couldn’t give him a family. How could she blame him for seeking companionship elsewhere?

Farewell, my first love! Farewell, my once beloved! May you be happy!

Her spirit uncontrollably extended outward, seeing the handsome Shen Kai descend the stairs, greeted by the sweet girl who linked arms with him, then together they got into a car.

Watching the car fade into the distance, Mu Tong slipped into unconsciousness. Even the couple’s sweet words inside the car could no longer reach her. What use were other people’s sweet words? Better not to hear them at all...

In her mind echoed one phrase: He is getting married, he is getting married, he is finally getting married...

Mu Tong slept alone for three days and nights before waking. Little Sheng Han’s birthday was coming; she would return home to celebrate.

Now refreshed and radiant, Mu Tong bore no trace of the despondency from three days before. Once again, she was a lively and charming beauty.

After packing her things and preparing her luggage, she drove straight to her hometown. “My dear family, I’m coming back to see you! When you grow old and pass on, I’ll find a place to quietly retire.”

In a lavish villa on the outskirts of Beijing, a handsome man and a beautiful woman stood facing each other.

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“Who told you to lay a hand on her family?” Shen Kai was like an iceberg, radiating chilling cold.

“Who told you to stay so long? Didn’t you say you’d come down right away? But how long did you stay? Five days and four nights! Are you trying to tell me how close you are? My fiancé!” Jiang Tao grit her teeth, speaking every word with effort, her sweet face slightly distorted. While they had been intimate in the small room for days, she had been shivering in the car below!

“Before I broke up with her, I wasn’t your fiancé!” Shen Kai said heavily.

“Well then tell me, have you two broken up now? Has she agreed to marry you?” Jiang Tao laughed. This man had been her destined husband since childhood, yet who could explain this mysterious woman who appeared out of nowhere?

“So you’re saying you’re my fiancé now? The wedding will happen as planned in two days?”

“No.”

“You’ve changed your mind?”

“You’re the one who broke your promise. You said you wouldn’t go after her family!”

“If I don’t go after her family, will you stay in her house forever?” Jiang Tao raised an eyebrow. Before he left, Mu Tong had warned that if he didn’t make a decision in time, she would target her beloved’s family!

The proud Jiang family wasn’t afraid of a professional online writer. Even with some money, how could it compare to the Jiang family’s prestige? Nor would their status impress the Shen family patriarch. Otherwise, Shen Kai’s father wouldn’t have arranged this marriage without consulting his son.

Asking Shen Kai to consult Mu Tong again was just a smokescreen. They already knew she was a staunch nonconformist, impossible to agree to marry him. That was fine too; it would make Shen Kai give up completely.

Who knew this guy just stayed inside and didn’t come out. Though Jiang Tao expected this result, she still felt deeply unsettled! Why would her man stay in another woman’s house for five days and four nights without coming out?