Fortune Across the World

Chapter 89: When Dreams Shatter (Part Two)

"Weixi... I'm sincere... truly sincere..." came another murmured phrase.

Hearing this, Yun Yi snapped out of her daze, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. Foolish and naive, she thought. Whether Qiyu was a man or a woman, it was something she could never possess, never her place to fret over. Resolving not to hesitate any longer, she pulled a small item from her sleeve and tucked it into Qiyu's tool bag at the foot of the bed—a farewell gift.

Turning back, she found Qiyu still holding her hand, muttering "Weixi... Weixi..." Was it Weixi who couldn't accept you? Yun Yi wondered, recalling Qiyu's gentle gestures: lifting her books, shielding her, carrying her on his back, the words of encouragement, the many shared moments at the academy. Such warmth, from a woman, the person she liked was a woman. Yet whether Qiyu was male or female, she could never belong to Yun Yi, nor did she have the right to be like Miss Lu... Never having had, what choice was there to make?

Meeting Qiyu's muddled, longing gaze, Yun Yi felt both affection and bitterness, knowing that this deep gaze wasn't meant for her. Listening to the repeated name, a pained smile crossed her face. Looking into Qiyu's eyes, she impulsively corrected the drunken soul, "I'm Yiran, not Weixi, I'm Yiran..."

"Weixi..." Qiyu murmured, her consciousness slipping, eyes barely open, repeating the name that pained her to her core, unable to say more.

Yun Yi shook her head, her nose tingling with emotion, once again mocking her own foolishness, she whispered soothingly, "Qiyu, sleep." She gently coaxed Qiyu, watching her eyes close, before carefully withdrawing her hand from Qiyu's grasp.

Standing by the bed, Yun Yi lingered, watching the sleeping figure, listening to the occasional muttered "Weixi," standing for a long time before turning to leave.

As she reached for the door, she heard a faint voice from the bed, "Yiran..." Her movement paused, and tears welled up, spilling over at Qiyu's unconscious whisper, yet a small, satisfied smile played on her lips. Without turning back, she exited Qiyu's courtyard.

...

The next day, though Qiyu had drunk heavily, her troubled mind didn't let her sleep well. She awoke early, the hangover headache and sorrow sharp as ever. Clutching her chest, she took a moment to quell the bitterness in her throat. Weary, she prepared to leave, unsure if Weixi would accept her gesture, uncertain of the outcome, deciding to offer one last gift regardless. As usual, she collected breakfast from the kitchen, leaving the food box on the stone steps at Weixi's door, knocking twice before quickly retreating to hide by a large tree, watching the entrance.

Qing'er opened the door, spotting the box, glanced around but saw no one. She hesitated before picking it up and returning inside, closing the door.

Seeing no sign of Weixi through the briefly open door, Qiyu felt a pang of disappointment, sighed, and turned away.

She arrived at the meeting point with her master, who was waiting in a gray robe with a small bundle and wooden sword. Seeing Qiyu's expression, he guessed the outcome and chose not to mention her heartache, asking directly, "Shall we head down the mountain together?"

Grateful for his tact, Qiyu nodded, avoiding the still bleeding wound in her heart, "Yes, I'll get my things and inform Brother Weiming before we leave."

"Alright, I'll wait with the carriage at the academy gate," the old man said, feeling for his apprentice.

Returning to their quarters, Qiyu found Lu Weiming just rising. "You're up early, Brother Yu. Are you packed? We'll take Weixi and ride down the mountain; Father has sent someone to meet us at the foot," he said, unaware of the change between them.