Choice

Li Bai saw Chen Yage standing outside the door. He wanted to straighten his clothes, but then remembered he had just agreed to marry Xu Ziyan. So he simply sat quietly as he was. After a while, seeing that Chen Yage remained silent, he broke the quiet and said, “Yage, you’re here.”

Chen Yage approached Li Bai step by step, her movements heavy. Her gaze lingered on the wounds across Li Bai’s body, and, without realizing it, tears began to glisten in her eyes. Xu Jin waved to Xu Ziyan, and the two silently left, closing the door behind them.

“Brother Bai, why are you staying in the Xu residence?” Chen Yage gently touched the lash marks on Li Bai’s back, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Didn’t Xu Jin tell you about my marriage to Ziyan?” Li Bai replied, but his eyes dared not meet Chen Yage’s.

Chen Yage’s hand, resting on Li Bai's back, trembled slightly. She forced a smile and said, “Brother Bai, what are you saying? What marriage?”

Suddenly, Li Bai grabbed Chen Yage’s hand, pulling her before him. He took a deep breath and sighed, “I’m sorry. You can find someone better.”

Chen Yage was stunned, unable to recover for a long time. Eventually, she slowly withdrew her hand from Li Bai’s grasp and walked quietly out of the room. Li Bai watched her retreating figure, step by step, and did not go after her. What must end, must end. If he chased her now, it would only make things more tangled and confused.

Chen Yage did not leave the Xu residence. She spent the night alone, sitting atop the rockery in the garden. Xu Jin, too, spent the night watching her from the garden until dawn broke and he finally returned to his room.

That night, Chen Yage thought deeply about many things, recalling everything that had happened since arriving in this world. It felt like a dream—real and unreal, truth and illusion intertwined. Sometimes, she couldn’t even distinguish what was real and what was false.

“At this moment, I am with you. If you live, I live; if you die, I die.” Li Bai’s words echoed in her ears. Chen Yage decided she would not give up so easily. Love is a matter of fate, but if one does not fight for it when the time comes, it will only slip away.

Chen Yage went to Li Bai’s room, only to find Xu Ziyan was there as well. She had ordered the servants to prepare chicken soup for Li Bai and brought it over early in the morning. Chen Yage paused at the door, watching the two together, their gestures intimate and harmonious. The scene struck her, and, once again, her resolve to fight for love wavered.

To enter or to leave? Chen Yage was uncertain. She steadied herself and walked in. Xu Ziyan smiled, “Yage, you’re here. Have you had breakfast? If you want anything, I’ll have the servants prepare it for you.”

Chen Yage smiled faintly, “No, thank you. I’m not hungry.”

Xu Ziyan noticed that Chen Yage had something to say and sensibly excused herself. “You two chat. I’ll go prepare breakfast. Let’s eat together later.”

“Do your wounds still hurt?” Chen Yage sat slowly beside Li Bai, filled a bowl with chicken soup, and handed it to him. “Drink. Your body needs nourishment.”

Li Bai took out a purse and handed it to Chen Yage. “Leave here. Go wherever you wish.”

“Are you driving me away?”

“No. I hope you leave. This place isn’t right for you anymore. Go somewhere else and live well.”

“As long as you don’t leave, I won’t leave. Brother Bai, what is your real reason? And why did Master Xu suddenly release you? What is behind all this?” Chen Yage clutched Li Bai’s collar, pressing urgently.

Li Bai hesitated for a long time. At last, he spoke, “Things have come to this. Can’t you see? It’s because I’m marrying Ziyan that Master Xu let me go. I’ll be joining the Xu family, living a life of luxury and power.”

“No, that’s not it. It can’t be. Brother Bai, you’re lying to me, aren’t you? I know you’re not that kind of person. Tell me what’s truly troubling you—we can face it together.”

Li Bai broke free from Chen Yage’s grasp and turned away. “I have no hidden troubles. I met Ziyan a year ago. I only left for a while because of the accident at Peach Blossom Spring. These illnesses don’t affect my feelings for Ziyan.”

“You’re lying,” Chen Yage interrupted. “You clearly like me. I know you do—I’m sorry.”

“I’ve never liked you. I’ve only ever seen you as a younger sister.” Li Bai’s words struck like thunder on a clear day. Chen Yage’s hand, clutching his, froze in midair. After a long while, she stood up, gazed at Li Bai in silence. He was still clad in white, his complexion a touch pale, less dashing than before.

A smile lingered at the corner of Chen Yage’s lips as she stepped out of the room. Li Bai watched her disappearing figure, his expression tinged with bitterness. In that moment, he longed to call her back, but he could not. He could never let her be placed in danger. Even if it cost him his happiness, it did not matter.

Chen Yage wandered aimlessly through the Xu residence. By chance, she ran into Dujuan, who was on her way to see Li Bai. Dujuan looked more beautiful than she had in Peach Blossom Spring; her pale yellow dress made her seem even more lively. She ran happily to Chen Yage, embracing her, her radiant smile like wildflowers blooming on the mountainside.

“Yage, why are you here?” Dujuan hugged Chen Yage tightly, unable to contain her joy.

Chen Yage stood stiffly. She wanted to smile, but couldn’t. She wanted to reply, but couldn’t open her mouth. She simply stood there, letting Dujuan hold her.

“What’s wrong?” Dujuan noticed something was off and let go, concerned. “Yage, are you crying?”

“No, it’s just sand in my eye,” Chen Yage said, rubbing her eyes and wiping away the tears she couldn’t control.

Dujuan asked no more. She had only learned today that Li Bai was to marry Xu Ziyan. Seeing Chen Yage coming from Li Bai’s direction, she guessed that the tears were for this marriage. She took Chen Yage’s hand, unsure how to comfort her, and said, “Yage, I missed you so much. Come to my room. I have so much to tell you.”

Chen Yage nodded numbly and followed Dujuan. You Huan came toward them with a smile, greeting Dujuan, “Second Miss Xu, good morning.”

Dujuan smiled back. You Huan grabbed Chen Yage, his face anxious. “Yage, come with me.”

Chen Yage shook off his hand, coldly asking, “Where to?”

You Huan replied, “Wang Zhiguo’s people are at the Xu residence, because of last night. We raided his stronghold and damaged his reputation—he won’t let you go so easily. Come with me, quickly.”