1 Chapter 1 Reminiscences like Smoke_1

Late at night, thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and the entire sky seemed like a massive black vortex, ready to swallow anyone whole.

The biting wind whipped up rolling dust and sand, causing the trees on both sides of the road to rustle loudly.

Under the dim streetlights, two figures stood rigidly in deadlock, the wild wind tousling their hair and flapping their clothes, yet both seemed oblivious to it.

Mu Yingchen stared at the person opposite him who was silent and looking down, his clenched fists and heaving chest signaling his foul mood.

"Why?" he spoke up.

However, the person opposite him kept their head down, staring at their toes, saying nothing.

Unable to restrain the anger in his chest any longer, he shouted, "Su Wanxia, tell me why!"

"Why do you want to break up with me?"

"Could it be that, all this time, my love for you has been just a joke in your eyes?"

"Something you can just throw away without a second thought?"

The colder Mu Yingchen's voice became, the tighter he clenched his fists, struggling to control his emotions.

His tall and slender figure appeared especially lonely and helpless under the dim yellow light.

Su Wanxia finally lifted her head, her expressionless face looked at the man opposite her, and she spoke slowly, "To not love is simply to not love, why must there be so many questions?"

"Mr. Mu, scion of a distinguished family, what kind of woman can't you have? Will it really make a difference if you're without me?"

Su Wanxia's eyes were hollow, her entire being seemed lifeless, as she continued to talk indifferently to herself, completely ignoring the endless sorrow her words brought to the man in front of her.

The rain finally poured down loudly, instantly soaking them both.

Su Wanxia turned her sore eyes away, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly, her long nails digging deep into her palms.

However, as if numb, she kept gripping them tightly, as though it were the only way to mask the pain in her heart that threatened to stop beating.

"We're over, let's forget what's in the past!" After saying this indifferently, Su Wanxia did not look at Mu Yingchen again and slowly turned to leave.

"Wanwan!" Mu Yingchen hastily grabbed Su Wanxia's hand.

"Don't leave me!" At that moment, he was like a helpless child, wanting nothing more than the person he loved most to stay by his side, nothing more.

Su Wanxia slowly pulled her hand from his, gently pressing a hand to her chest, she murmured facing away from him, "I'm sorry."

Then, she took stiff steps and gradually moved away from the man behind her who loved her to death.

Mu Yingchen's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the resolute and merciless figure walk away. A moment later, tears finally spilled from his eyes, only to be instantly erased by the rain.

It hurt, his heart hurt so much, why did it have to hurt this way?

When that silhouette finally disappeared from view, he too collapsed in the rain.

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At the airport, Su Wanxia's parents held her hands with great reluctance, their faces filled with guilt as they looked at their most precious daughter.

"Xiaxia, it's dad's fault, it's all dad's fault for dragging you down," her father said with self-reproach.

"Dad, I am your daughter, there's no such thing as dragging me down."

"Besides, even without all these issues, he and I were never meant to be," Su Wanxia said, hiding the dimness in her eyes as she smiled faintly. She didn't want her parents to worry about her any more.

"Xiaxia, you must take care of yourself while you're abroad," her mother said, sobbing.

They had only this one daughter, and now she had been forced to leave the country by those people. What sins did they commit in their past lives?

"Mom, don't worry, don't you know what I'm like?" Su Wanxia held her mother's hand, comforting her.

"Attention passengers heading to ***: Your flight number ***** is now boarding. Please ensure you have all your personal belongings."

Su Wanxia hugged her father and mother, "Dad, Mom, I'm leaving. You must take good care of yourselves, okay?"

"Xiaxia."

"I'll be back," Su Wanxia tugged at the corner of her mouth and quickly turned to walk inside.

She was afraid. She feared that one more glance and her tears would involuntarily spill over.

She clenched her fists, straightened her back, stubbornly held her head high, and refused to let the tears fall.

One day she would return, and she would do so with dignity and pride!

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Six years later--

A red Ferrari raced through C City at top speed, turning heads on both sides of the street.

Su Wanxia looked at her watch. Eleven o'clock on the dot. She should be able to make it in another twenty minutes.

Suddenly, the elegant melody of a violin rang out pleasingly.

She looked at the caller ID and couldn't help but smile.

"Hello, Yirou."

"Wanxia, where are you?" Yan Yirou's loud voice came through from the other end of the phone.

Su Wanxia rolled her eyes. With such a gentle name, her temperament seemed anything but gentle.

"I'm at West Second Ring. If there's no traffic, I should make it in twenty minutes."

"Wanxia, Jian Manhui and those heartless others have heard you've come back and are here with me, so, um, we might not have enough food and seasonings. It's a bit tight on time for us to go out now!" Yan Yirou rambled on the phone.

Su Wanxia knew what she meant right away.

"Alright, alright, I got it. What's missing?"

"Just get some seafood, and then buy whatever seasonings you think we need!"

"Mmm, got it. You bunch of rascals," Su Wanxia said, but she was very happy inside.

"Hehe! Wait till you get here, at your disposal!"

"Silly, I'm hanging up, bye."

"Bye."

Su Wanxia hung up the phone and began to scan the shops along the street. After all, with six years away, the changes in C City were significant.

Finally, ten minutes later, she spotted Longshang Square and parked the car by the roadside, thinking it would be just a quick stop without the hassle of going to the parking lot.

As she got out of the car, her appearance immediately drew glances from passersby. Her jet-black hair shone more smoothly under the sun, and her large sunglasses hid her face, revealing only cherry blossom-like lips that curved into a crescent, setting imaginations alight.

Su Wanxia ignored the looks from the crowd and walked towards the mall in her high heels.

It took a while to find the fresh food section, and Su Wanxia couldn't help but sigh. She didn't expect to randomly pick such a huge mall; it was exhausting.

It was peak hour, and Su Wanxia quickly picked out ingredients among the throng of people.

Finally, when she had finished shopping and pushed her cart to the checkout counter, she couldn't help but look skyward and sigh at the overwhelming crowd. There were just too many people!

She checked her watch. It was already half-past eleven, and this queue would take at least ten minutes.

With no choice, she picked a line that seemed shorter than the others.

She had not been queued up for three minutes when the phone rang again.