---

Gu Shiyan must have rushed back from Yuncheng overnight. He looked exhausted… and had blood on his clothes.

“It’s Zhou Zhiye’s,” he said, taking my hand and bringing it to his cheek. “The night the warrant was issued, he tried to commit suicide but failed.”

“He will face legal consequences.”

I felt a lump in my throat as Gu Shiyan suddenly embraced me.

“Fang Huai, I love you. I loved you in the past… and I still do now.”

---

Before Zhou Zhiye was arrested, he transferred a considerable amount of his assets to a woman.

Shen Yuebai.

She had no involvement in Zhou Zhiye’s dirty dealings and was protected by the Shen family. So, when the truth came to light, she was completely unharmed.

Gu Shiyan and I chose to withdraw from this chaotic battle, leaving the Shen family to become the new power holders in Jiangcheng. The truth was clear before us.

On the day we moved away from Jiangcheng, Shen Yuebai called.

“Fang Huai, you guessed something wrong.”

She was laughing, and I could hear the wind howling in the background.

I turned around, and sure enough, I saw a figure standing on the roof of the tallest building in Jiangcheng.

Long hair fluttering in the wind, she looked down at the entire city.

“I didn’t choose Gu Shiyan in our past life, not because he was too ruthless… but because he wasn’t ruthless enough to eliminate you and Zhou Zhiye.”

“But fortunately, this time Jiangcheng still fell into my hands.”

---

The system didn’t provide an explanation for this breakdown of events. Before leaving, it solemnly said:

[Xiao Huai, you must find happiness in the future.]

“……”

The reason I always called the system “Dad” was that I never met my mother. She died when I was born.

At that time, my dad was involved in some unsavory activities and loved my mom deeply.

So he hated me deeply and sent me abroad when I was young.

I grew up relying on others and never received any “love.”

In that moment, an instinct told me that only she would call me so gently.

“Mom, is that you?”

The wispy form of the system suddenly froze in mid-air.

It was her.

It really was her.

I lunged forward, wanting to touch her, but I couldn’t grasp anything.

Tears suddenly streamed down my face, like a faucet turned on.

They flowed uncontrollably.

[Xiao Huai, Mom… has to go.]

Her voice was sweet and gentle, yet so cruel.

[I can only accompany you this far, Xiao Huai. In the future, your lover will walk with you, and Mom believes in your choices.]

---

She still left.

A puff of white smoke dissipated before my eyes, transforming into a piece of letter paper.

It read:

[Dear Xiao Huai,

I’m so sorry I couldn’t be part of your growing up, and I’m also sorry that I couldn’t find you a good father…

When you chose to use your opportunity to travel back in time to save your lover instead of your own childhood, Mom believed in your choice…

My wish is for you to be happy. Now that my mission is accomplished, I must leave…

Don’t cry. Mom will always love and protect you from a place where you can’t see her.]

I clutched that piece of paper tightly and cried for a long time in Gu Shiyan’s embrace.

He patted my head, reassuring me that everything would be fine.

From now on, he would be by my side forever.

---

Later, Gu Shiyan and I moved to Beicheng.

There was heavy snow, and we could see the sea.

The events of Jiangcheng were no longer relevant to us.

The city would thrive under the care of someone who truly loved it.

While strolling along the golden beach, Gu Shiyan suddenly asked if I wanted some milk tea.

I effortlessly recited the menu: “I want taro boba, coconut mango, strawberry jelly…”

He bought everything.

As we sat on the beach, halfway through our drinks, he held my hand and showered me with delicate kisses.

With a warm smile, he said, “Don’t drink too much during the day because when we go back tonight…

“You’ll still have to drink some, okay, my wife?”

(The End)