Chapter 16: The Choice in the Mist

As nightfall gradually descended, the entire city was cloaked in a soft glow from the streetlights, with people bustling about, oblivious to the growing tension in the air. Chen Shanyi walked alone on her way home, but her thoughts were far from calm. Siska's words were like a branding iron, deeply etched into her heart, every word echoing in her mind, never letting go.

She slowed her pace, her eyes downcast at her dragging shoes. Her steps were light, yet carried a heavy, unspoken weight. Tonight, she had made a decision—she could no longer run away, nor could she continue to ignore her past. She needed to pursue those lost memories, to understand who she truly was, and why her connection with Siska was so entangled.

Suddenly, a cold breeze blew by, lifting the strands of her hair. She shivered involuntarily, and her heart began to race with an even greater intensity. She quickened her pace, replaying her conversation with Siska—his words filled with deep affection and helplessness, yet her heart was filled with struggle and confusion.

"You and I are destined to never part." That sentence was like a brand, deeply seared into her soul. She did not deny the deep attraction between them; every glance and every word from Siska seemed to stir her deepest emotions. Yet, she still dared not face the truth, afraid that once revealed, the answer would shatter her entire world.

When she returned home, Chen Shanyi removed her coat and slowly walked to the sofa, sitting down with her eyes closed in exhaustion. She wasn't sure what she would find in this chaos, but she knew she had to face the storm that was about to come.

Just then, her phone vibrated again. Instinctively, she picked it up and saw a message from Siska: "Tonight, let's meet."

That simple message made her heart tighten. She didn't want to meet him, feeling a strong resistance within, but she knew she could not escape.

"Tonight..." she murmured, her thoughts becoming increasingly lost.

She stood up and walked to the mirror, gazing at her familiar yet unfamiliar face. She knew that every choice she made from now on would lead her down a different path. She remembered the vow she had once made deep in her heart—not to be swayed by Siska's emotions, to remain true to her principles, no matter what happened. But now, that vow had blurred, even beginning to fade into the air.

Her eyes settled on her reflection in the mirror—deep and uncertain. She was no longer the innocent, simple girl she once was, but a lost soul trapped in the mist of forgotten memories.

That evening, Chen Shanyi arrived at the agreed-upon location. It was a café tucked away in a corner of the city, its lighting dim, and the air filled with the rich scent of coffee. This place had been where she and Siska met most often. Whenever she had questions, she would come here to find the one person who could answer everything.

But today, walking into this familiar place, she felt a sense of strangeness. She was no longer the carefree girl, and the doubts and unease in her heart felt like a heavy stone, suffocating her.

She sat at the table, her hands instinctively clasped together, her heartbeat quickening. A few minutes later, Siska arrived as promised. He was wearing a black coat, his face devoid of expression, his gaze calm, as if everything was under his control.

"Sit down," he said, looking at her. His voice was gentle, but carried an undeniable coldness.

Chen Shanyi took a deep breath, forcing a faint smile as she sat down. Her heart was still full of questions. Though she tried to appear calm, she knew her heart was anything but steady.

"You wanted to see me. Is there something you need?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, though she tried to keep it steady.

Siska did not respond immediately. Instead, he picked up the coffee on the table and took a small sip. After a moment, he finally spoke: "Shanyi, do you know that you've been running away?"

"Running away?" Chen Shanyi was taken aback, her heart skipping a beat. "I'm not running away, I just…" She wanted to say something, but she stopped herself.

"You've been running away from your past," Siska's gaze grew sharper. "You've never dared to face your memories, never dared to face our relationship."

"Why do you always say these things?" Chen Shanyi suddenly felt a wave of anger. She bit her lip, a tear glimmering in her eye. "Why do you keep forcing me to remember those painful memories? What do you want from me?"

Siska gently put down his coffee cup, his gaze deepening. "I want you to understand, Shanyi. You've never truly chosen your own path. Every choice you've made has been on the path I laid out for you."

Chen Shanyi's heart trembled. Almost instinctively, she felt like standing up, but Siska's gaze held her in place, as if an invisible net had wrapped around her, binding her.

"You don't understand," Siska's voice was low. "You think you can escape all of this, but you've never truly left."

Chen Shanyi closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the anger and confusion swirling together into a massive vortex. She wanted to break free, but she couldn't.

"Then what am I supposed to do?" she almost pleaded, her voice trembling. "What can I do?"

Siska slowly stood up, walked over to her, and gently stroked her hair. His voice was soft, yet full of helplessness. "You've already made your choice, Shanyi. The bond between you and me cannot be severed."