373 The Artist’s Truths Lead to Farewells

"What's the matter?" Yujia asked.

Zhizhong blinked at her question. He placed his hand over his face, then dragged it down after a brief moment, as if wiping away the tightening of his jaw or the darkness in his gaze. "What do you mean?" he managed to ask back.

"What's that face for? Earlier?" Yujia's eyes widened as her eyebrows gathered together.

Zhizhong feigned ignorance, giving a forced smile as he replied, "Not sure what you're talking about. But— congrats on getting married."

"Thanks." Yujia was hesitant, but she pushed on. "I'm inviting my closest friends and family, and if you came, it would mean the world to me." 

He seemed to know that she was going to ask them. Speaking fast, as if he had already generated a response in mind, he said, "I can't go. I have things to handle. Business. Busyness. You know how things tend to be these days. How they always are. I hope you have a great wedding though. I'm sure it'll be."