025. Love That Transcends Life and Death (1)

——Youth flees like a fleeting shadow, never to be recaptured. It was a time of wild, carefree youth.

On the banks of the West Lake, where every inch of land is a precious gem, stands the "Peach Blossom Spring", a resort hotel under Feng Wu's banner. It flaunts a quintessential southern Chinese courtyard layout, a haven filled with rare and exotic flora. One can lounge in the courtyard, sipping a cup of fragrant green tea and immersing in a good book, completely lost in the idyllic moment. Having a private view of the West Lake here is nothing short of a luxurious dream.

Provincial and municipal leaders, celebrities from every corner of the social spectrum, and regulars of Feng Wu Jiu Tian have all flocked here. The ribbon - cutting ceremony of the resort hotel concludes perfectly amidst the jubilant and festive atmosphere.

Ming Xichen gently clasps Chu Rui's arm as they saunter towards the car parked in front of the hotel. The driver has already opened the car door and stands there respectfully.

The noon sun blazes down mercilessly on the ground. Chu Rui notices a fine sheen of sweat on Chenchen's temples. He reaches into his trouser pocket, pulls out a pristine white handkerchief, and tenderly presses it against her forehead and temples, carefully dabbing away the sweat.

Chenchen turns her head slightly and locks her gaze on Chu Rui's face. His delicate features, a few strands of his jet - black short hair plastered to his forehead by the sweat, and his skin glowing faintly under the sunlight. She sees her own reflection in his gentle eyes.

She takes the handkerchief from his hand. Her fair, slender fingers clutch the silk handkerchief and brush it across his forehead. At that moment, Chu Rui feels as if a cool, flower - scented breeze is caressing him, refreshing and sweet.

Leng Yan and Tian Yao, trailing behind, are engulfed in a maelstrom of complex emotions as they watch this perfect couple.

Fearing that Chenchen will get sunburnt, Chu Rui quickly wraps his arm around her waist and hastens a few steps forward. Just as he reaches the car and places his hand on the car door, suddenly, the ear - piercing screech of a car's emergency brakes makes Chu Rui and Chenchen halt their movement to get into the car. They turn around and see a Knight XV, looking like a menacing monster, screeching to a halt right in front of their car.

A pair of black knee - high boots, glinting coldly and menacingly under the sunlight, step onto the ground. A dark - green shirt with the cuffs rolled up high reveals strong, well - muscled arms. The top two buttons of the shirt are undone, showing the bronze - colored skin beneath. His long legs are encased in trousers, looking even more slender and alluring. The trouser legs are tucked into the knee - high boots, exuding an air of solemnity. Despite the scorching sun bearing down on him, he seems utterly unfazed by the heat. He glares coldly at the two people in front of him.

"Can we go now?"

Chenchen looks at A Kang with a gaze so complex that it defies understanding. It seems as if she is trying to peer through his cold exterior to find the once - sunny boy he used to be, or perhaps she is seeing something deeper and more distant...

A Kang's slanting eyebrows shoot up even higher at Chenchen's moment of silence. There is a dark, frigid light in his enchanting almond - shaped eyes. "Can we go now?" he demands again.

"Where to?" Chenchen also raises her eyebrows and squints her phoenix eyes.

"Our home." Looking at Chenchen, A Kang's expression suddenly softens. His eyes are brimming with a tenderness that can never be extinguished. Through his eyes, Chenchen seems to see the young boy who once accompanied her through all the joys and sorrows...

"Ming Xichen, I've folded a whole jar of stars. If you want the moon, I'll pluck it for you." At the age of seven, he boasted boldly.

"Ming Xichen, does the handkerchief I embroidered look good?" At the age of ten, he learned from girls and gave her an intimate token.

"Ming Xichen, I'm sick. Feel it. My heart is always yearning for you." At the age of thirteen, he placed his hand on his left chest. Their hearts were pounding so violently that it felt like they were about to burst out of their throats.

"Ming Xichen," by the river when he was fifteen, the boy came dashing... Their first kiss...

"Ming Xichen, I've chosen the liberal arts class. I want to be with you forever." At the age of sixteen, the young boy in the prime of his life sacrificed his own ideals.

"Ming Xichen, I don't want to to the National Defense University. Let's go to Bing University together. It's close to home. I don't want to be separated from you." At the age of eighteen, they walked hand in hand into Bing University.

"Ming Xichen, my little darling, my sweetie," at the age of nineteen, they gave themselves to each other in the dormitory.

"Ming Xichen, I love you. You're mine, but you're so heartless." He hugged her and sobbed, but in the end, she still left him resolutely.

The past memories flash before her eyes like a lightning bolt. Chenchen feels a sharp pang of sourness in the corners of her eyes and her body sways involuntarily. Chu Rui, standing behind her, wraps his arm around her waist and lets her lean on him. Looking at Chenchen's gradually dazed eyes, his heart aches sharply.

Seeing Chenchen seem to be lost in the memories of the past, but then suddenly being embraced by Chu Rui in an instant, the two of them seem to be a single entity, while he seems to be cast aside. A Kang's chest aches, and his temper flares up again. He roars loudly, "Come with me." His big hand clasps Chenchen's wrist and yanks her. Chenchen struggles in surprise, but his fingers are like cold, unyielding iron hoops, and she can't break free.

Suddenly, a slender hand grabs Chenchen's left arm. The sudden tug makes A Kang stop in his tracks. He frowns and looks over. Chu Rui has also grabbed her and is looking at him with a half - mocking smile.

"Let her go." Seeing Chu Rui's hand on Chenchen's fair arm, A Kang suppresses the murderous anger boiling within him.

"Shouldn't it be me who says this?" Chu Rui remains calm, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "What right do you have to manhandle her? Even if she was with you eight years ago, that was just ancient history. Now she's with me. She's mine."

"She's yours?" A Kang sneers wickedly, gently lowers his head, and slowly inches towards Chenchen's lips, as if staking his claim for all to see.

As A Kang gets closer - when she can feel his breath fanning across her lips - Chenchen suddenly closes her eyes...