Chapter Twenty-One: Farewell

The night was just as it always was—the same darkness, the same courtyard, the same old tree. Kang Ning sat across from Old Su, uneasy and full of guilt, while Su Fang, her face flushed, kept her head lowered in silence between them.

Kang Ning raised his cup of wine with both hands in a toast. “Uncle, I’m truly sorry.”

Old Su laughed heartily. “What’s gotten into you today, Kang? No need for such formality… Ah! I understand now. Are you planning to leave?”

“I… Yes.”

“Haha, it’s nothing to fret over. No feast lasts forever. Having you in my home has been my good fortune. Guests like you—if not for your troubles, I’d never have had the honor to welcome you!” The kind-hearted Old Su turned to his daughter, who was quietly wiping away tears, and sighed. He addressed Kang Ning, “I believe good people will always be rewarded, and I believe your troubles will eventually come to light. Don’t lose hope, Kang. I know hiding in the cellar for over a month was hard on you. Each time I thought about it, I felt deeply uneasy. At least you’re strong and recovered quickly, though you’re much thinner than when we first met, and your hair and beard have grown out, haha!”

Hearing these words, Kang Ning felt even more wretched. He fought back his tears and clinked glasses with Old Su, draining his cup in one gulp. He tilted his head skyward, pretending to gaze at the stars so his tears would not betray him.

Old Su drank half his wine in silence, then set the cup down and went into his room. Shortly, he returned with a thick envelope and gently placed it before Kang Ning.

“Take it. It’s a small token from me. A man traveling cannot let a lack of money choke him.” Old Su pressed Kang Ning’s hand as he tried to refuse. “I know you have money, but you have no ID, no bank card, and can’t return home. So take this ten thousand, consider it a loan. Repay me when it’s convenient.”

Kang Ning looked at Old Su with deep gratitude, overwhelmed and ashamed. He steeled himself to confess his errors and ask forgiveness, but Old Su stood and said, “Haha, look at me, forgetful as ever. The others invited me to play cards tonight—I nearly forgot. Daughter, keep Kang company for dinner. I won’t be back tonight. Kang, enjoy your meal and don’t get up.”

Kang Ning sat quietly at the small table until Su Fang returned from seeing her father out and closing the door, then sat beside him. Kang Ning finally raised his head and said, “I’ve wronged you, Su Fang, and your father as well.”

Su Fang pressed her hand to Kang Ning’s lips, leaning closely against his arm and murmured, “Don’t say such things, Ning. I was willing. Even if I could do it over, I would choose the same.”

Kang Ning pulled her into his embrace, gently caressing her blushing cheeks. Su Fang slowly lifted her head and kissed his lips, whispering, “Ning, I feel so happy. When I left Lan Ning after graduation, I thought I’d never see you again. I dreamed of you so many times, talking to me, and when I woke knowing it was just a dream, I felt miserable for days.”

Kang Ning was moved by Su Fang’s tenderness and devotion, reluctant to part from her delicate lips.

“This feeling is so beautiful, Ning. I can hardly believe this is real,” Su Fang climbed onto Kang Ning’s lap, gazing into his eyes with sparkling clarity. “The day you came here wounded, I was terrified. I still don’t know how I managed to help you onto the bed. Your head was so swollen, and when I saw the rest of your injuries, I cried. It hurt so much, though I still don’t understand why. Ning, did I fall in love with you the day you saved me?”

Kang Ning held Su Fang tightly, letting her rest on his shoulder. “I don’t know. Love can’t always be explained with words. I don’t know how to say it, but I know right now I love you. For whatever reason, my heart is full of this feeling—I want to hold you and cherish you. But my situation is dangerous. If anything goes wrong, it could bring unimaginable disaster to you and your father. So I must leave before tomorrow. Please forgive me.”

“I don’t want you to go!” Su Fang’s tears overflowed. “Heavens, why do good people always suffer?”

Kang Ning hugged her tightly, kissing the bitter tears on her cheeks. Su Fang pleaded softly, “Ning, will you carry me to my room?”

Kang Ning nodded, carrying her to her bed, casting aside all worries as he bent to kiss her lips, her brow, her eyelashes. Su Fang responded passionately, arching against him. After a long while, she pressed close to Kang Ning’s ear and whispered, “Ning, I love you so much. Stay with me tonight, please? I want to remember you, imprint you in my heart forever…”

“Are you still hurting?”

“I don’t care.”

Kang Ning said no more, only gently unbuttoned each clasp, kissing every inch of her skin. His heart swelled with intense love and desire, knowing that after tonight, who knew when they would meet again—perhaps never in this lifetime. He cherished every fleeting moment, pouring out his gratitude with tenfold passion and tenderness, expressing his feelings in selfless devotion and burning love, letting his heart’s love drift and soar…

Afterwards, Kang Ning kissed away Su Fang’s tears, softly wiped each bead of sweat from her skin with a gentle towel. When Kang Ning thought Su Fang had fallen asleep from exhaustion, she pulled him back, flipped him beneath her, and caressed every scar on his body, kissing his lips fiercely and not allowing him to speak. Feeling Kang Ning’s strength, her slender hands slid downward, and with a low gasp, their burning lives entwined once more, like blazing fire