Chapter Fifty-Three: Explanation

"Yinyao, I—I want to explain on Xuanyu's behalf, and… we owe you an apology as well." Gu Xinyu spoke slowly, a strange fear rising within him.

"Very well, go ahead." Yinyao's voice was calm as autumn water, without a ripple of emotion, so distant it was as if she were merely an outsider. Yet her true thoughts at that moment—perhaps only she herself would ever know.

Seeing Yinyao's indifference, the three felt a sudden surge of fear. Had things truly reached a point beyond return?

"Xuanyu… he forgot you. After you fell from the cliff, we believed you had no hope of survival. Xuanyu was so distraught over you that he couldn’t recover from his wounds. Aishuo, fearing Xuanyu’s heartbreak, gave him Dreamwake to drink. It proves how important you were to him," Gu Xinyu choked, "but we never imagined that three years later, you would return. Yinyao, don’t blame Xuanyu. If there is blame, let it fall upon us."

Yinyao had long known all this; Li Luo had never hidden a thing from her. Anything she wished to know, he would always tell her without reservation.

She showed no reaction, merely gazing at the three, which only heightened their anxiety. Why did Yinyao now inspire such fear in them? How could she listen so serenely, as though she were not involved at all?

"I’m sorry, Yinyao. I truly never expected…" The proud Aishuo apologized for her reckless actions in the past, but who could have foreseen such bizarre events, or controlled such fate? Perhaps it was simply destiny’s cruel game.

"Yinyao, I know you cannot bear the coldness in Xuanyu’s eyes toward you, but I hope you won’t hold it against him. None of this was his fault." Muyue recalled the fleeting sadness and helplessness in Yinyao’s eyes, leaving him deeply remorseful.

"…"

"I’ve heard your explanation. Tell me, is there an antidote for Dreamwake?" Yinyao patiently listened, then smiled, asking a question she already knew the answer to.

"There isn’t." Aishuo replied, dejected, bowing her head. Muyue shook his head helplessly, while Gu Xinyu dared not meet Yinyao’s gaze, fearing he’d glimpse despair within her eyes. Yet Yinyao merely smiled with tranquil acceptance, "In that case, there’s nothing more to be said."

"But—"

"He has forgotten me, and I have a new life now, someone who loves me more deeply. So I choose to let go, and I hope you will respect my choice." Yinyao’s tone was light, almost ethereal. In the next moment, several white shadows flitted through the woods, and she vanished before their eyes. On the far side, where they could not see, tears spilled from Yinyao’s eyes; stubbornly, she refused to let herself cry aloud.

"Yinyao! Yin—" Aishuo tried to chase after her, but Muyue interrupted, watching the fading shadows where Yinyao had disappeared. He understood that even if they ran after her, they might not catch up. The three stood silently in place.

Behind a tree, a man’s face was radiant with happiness and satisfaction. Li Suo smiled, his smile dazzling and content. He hadn’t expected Yinyao not only to exceed his hopes but also to give him a delightful surprise. He had feared that, hearing Gu Xinyu and the others, Yinyao might leave him. But now, joy filled his heart. Perhaps Yinyao truly could let go—could she?

Yinyao was entirely unaware that Li Suo, despite promising not to follow her, had trailed her all along. If only she knew—if only—but it was merely if.

Along the way, Yinyao, lost in thought, unconsciously made her way back to the Hidden Tower. She said nothing, returning straight to her room.

She lay across her bed, burying her head beneath the quilt, sobbing quietly. The words she had spoken earlier had cost her immense courage and strength; now she needed to vent, to be alone, undisturbed.

Outside her door, Li Suo, about to knock, paused in surprise. Though Yinyao’s cries were soft, he was a martial artist of exceptional skill—such faint sounds could never escape his hearing.

Yinyao was crying, truly crying. The sound, though barely audible, carried a wrenching agony. She must be in tremendous pain. The words she had spoken were meant for Gu Xinyu and the others, but perhaps most of all, for herself. She was a person who stirred the heart with pity. Yinyao, I will wait for you—wait until you truly let go.

The door opened quietly, without a sound. Li Suo’s feet did not touch the floor; he hovered, moving slowly toward Yinyao. Immersed in her own world, Yinyao had lost all vigilance, unaware of the subtle shift in the air.

Looking at the oblivious Yinyao, Li Suo’s eyes flashed with tenderness. This was not like her.

He gently lifted the quilt, and feeling a chill, Yinyao abruptly raised her head. Her eyes were bloodshot, veins streaking her gaze, full of helplessness. The tear-stained face made Li Suo’s heart ache deeply. Seeing it was Li Suo, Yinyao hesitated, words unspoken, and silence hung between them.

Li Suo’s expression overflowed with compassion; he wished Yinyao to know he felt her pain, and loved her even more.

He stretched out his long arms, pulled Yinyao into his embrace, his right hand gently patting her head, his touch so tender and loving that his affection was unmistakable. A faint smile played upon Li Suo’s lips as he softly comforted her.

"Yinyao, don’t be too sad, alright? We still have time. Let the years wash away all of this, shall we?" Li Suo’s voice was low, gentle, melodious.

The girl in his arms stiffened slightly. Yinyao looked up at Li Suo, then began to cry in earnest, no longer hiding, letting herself sob freely. She only knew she needed to release her sorrow.

At that moment, Yinyao was fragile—so fragile she could not withstand a single blow. She thought, if her 21st-century self could see her now, she’d hardly spare her a glance. How had she become so unlike herself, so weak? All for a man! How absurd!

Li Suo said nothing more, simply stayed by her side in silence. He knew how suppressed Yinyao’s heart was, and at such a moment, words were unnecessary.

Who knew how much time passed? Yinyao’s crying slowly faded, her breathing grew steadier. She lifted her head, gazing at the man who had stayed with her all this time, unmoving. It would be strange if she were not moved—her tears that had just stopped spilled forth once more.

She truly was a person of deep feeling.

Li Suo, lost in thought, saw Yinyao begin to cry again. His right hand trembled as he gently wiped her tears, softly, tenderly, lovingly…

"Yinyao, let me be your eternal support, will you?"

"Yes."