Chapter 644: Chapter 644: Sharing the Burden
Perhaps because they had already said everything they needed to yesterday, neither of them took the initiative to speak even though they were facing each other at this moment.
Li Yulan picked up the sandwich from her plate and ate it in small bites, completely ignoring the man opposite her.
Sunlight slowly streamed into the room, making this quiet morning reminiscent of years ago, when they were newlyweds.
Back then, the two of them would also sit quietly together, but with faint smiles on their lips.
The current scene now felt like an outright insult to those days.
Perhaps time never changes everything; it’s people who change everything.
It’s only after time passes that we realize such changes!
Thinking of this, Gu Zheng couldn’t help but display a bitter smile.
Why did he ever marry Li Yulan, and even feel that marrying her was a kind of happiness?
He still remembers the last words Gu Ningyue’s mother said to him, her pale face devoid of any resentment, as if she had already forgiven all of his mistakes: "You know, I always thought you liked me, but felt unworthy to match me because of our different families, which is why you treated me coldly. I always thought so, tried my best to be good to you, only to realize in the end you were merely using me. You were with that woman just to prove that even if you had nothing, someone would still love you, right?"
"Gu Zheng, you were wrong, and I was wrong. Now I don’t ask for anything else, just that after I die, you will send Ning Yue to... send her to my father."
"Ning Yue is just a child. What happened between us has nothing to do with the child. Even if you refuse to forgive yourself, please spare Ning Yue, alright?"
Recalling those words, everything didn’t seem without traces.
Indeed! From the beginning, he was unwilling to accept his subordinate status, wanting to prove he wasn’t useless.
Yet somehow, even after achieving success, he still couldn’t find satisfaction.
He definitely... definitely... had obtained what he wanted, yet why did he still feel an inexplicable sense of helplessness?
Only now did Gu Zheng finally understand all she had said to him.
It was his unwillingness to let go of himself or of her, every time seeing her reminded him he was just a worthless poor boy who had reached above his station with a rich, powerful heiress!
Even if one day she was no longer around, this fact would remain unchanged.
Ultimately, his inferiority was to blame!
After she passed away, to prevent his actions from being known by Gu Ningyue’s grandfather, he didn’t send her there but kept Ning Yue by his side.
Yet every time he saw Ning Yue’s face, he was reminded of his own disgrace, unwilling to have Ning Yue appear before him again.
Because of this, Ning Yue endured many years of grievances, while he turned a blind eye, never standing up for Ning Yue!
Reflecting now, all of this was his own fault, undeniably so.
He didn’t expect Ning Yue or her to forgive him; he only wished to be his true self in the time left.
At this age, there’s nothing left to ask for.
"Sigh..."
A soft sigh escaped his lips, causing Li Yulan’s hand that was drinking water to pause slightly.
Had she heard wrong just now? Did Gu Zheng actually sigh? Did he change his mind, not wanting a divorce anymore?
Thinking this, Li Yulan glanced up at Gu Zheng.
But she found that Gu Zheng had a calm face, without a trace of sorrow.
Li Yulan was a bit puzzled. Had she misjudged?
Meanwhile, inside Gu Ningyue’s villa, Ling Tianyou had opened his eyes and was watching Ning Yue nestled in his arms.
This girl is truly stunning; fortunately, it was him she encountered. Otherwise, even if the person she liked wasn’t him, he would definitely find a way to win her over.
As soon as he thought this, Ning Yue’s eyelashes fluttered gently, and she slowly opened her eyes: "Morning~"
Her voice was fuzzy, carrying a unique cuteness.
Ling Tianyou couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss her face: "Still sleepy? Want to sleep a bit more?"
Ning Yue, half-asleep, snuggled closer in Ling Tianyou’s arms: "Yes!"
Ling Tianyou chuckled and said to Ning Yue, "Then sleep! I’ll stay with you."
Ning Yue seemed to be still partly dreaming, and upon hearing Ling Tianyou’s words, she just responded before falling into slumber once more.
Ling Tianyou touched her cheek, his voice carrying an imperceptible emotion: "I really wish to stay with you like this forever, without having to think of anything, or worry about anything..."
Ning Yue didn’t hear what he said; she simply hugged Ling Tianyou back, saying: "I’ll always be with you, darling!"
Ling Tianyou smiled slightly, "Sleep!"
Ning Yue murmured a response, oblivious to Ling Tianyou’s eyes filled with bitter sweetness.
From the time he became sensible, he knew the stature of his family in City A.
And from then, he understood nothing in the world would be out of his reach.
But it was only after meeting Ning Yue that he realized that matters of the heart were uncontrollable, even if one possessed the whole world, he couldn’t command the feelings of the person before him.
If someone doesn’t love you, they simply don’t, and no amount of effort will yield the desired result.
Because of this, Ning Yue’s affection was nothing short of a blessing to him.
If possible, he would give everything he had to this girl.
As long as, as long as she could love him for a lifetime, be with him.
Recently, Ling Tianyou dared not think about what would happen if Ning Yue weren’t by his side.
Would he be devastated to the point of breaking by Ling Tianze’s death?
It was all his fault, and that’s why his brother died.
But every time he spoke like this, or even merely imagined it, Ning Yue seemed to sense it, repeatedly assuring him it wasn’t his fault...
She was trying to find ways to encourage him, even more dedicated to matters related to the Ling Family than he was.
Ling Tianyou knew Ning Yue wanted to help him bear the burdens.
Yet the more Ning Yue tried to help, the more Ling Tianyou found himself inexplicably pained at her appearance.
He hadn’t done anything for Ning Yue yet; he wanted Ning Yue to be happy, so no matter how unhappy he felt, he tried not to show it in front of Ning Yue.
Ling Tianyou tightly held Ning Yue, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world, slowly closed his eyes, and gradually fell asleep...
