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I once truly wanted to live a good life with Yang Xue.

Song Zhi was gone, and she had wished for me to live well.

I had promised her I would.

But in the end, I realized—it was too difficult.

It was better to cut things off with Yang Xue sooner rather than later, so we could both find peace.

"Let's get a divorce."

I looked at Yang Xue's devastated expression.

Her face was familiar, yet strangely foreign.

"Rather than tormenting each other, let's end this on good terms. You're luckier than me—at least your first love came back for you. You should cherish that."

"Because I've lost mine forever."

I gazed up at the sky.

Beyond the blue and white clouds—was there a star shining brightly, watching over me?

Song Zhi, I wanted to live well. But I just couldn't do it.

You won't blame me, will you?

Yang Xue collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Mu Chen tried to comfort her, but she pushed him away.

She struggled to her feet, cast me a long, painful look, and walked away.

I only whispered one thing.

"I'm sorry."

Three days later, she finally agreed to the divorce.

When we met at the civil affairs office, she had lost a lot of weight.

She looked at me, as if wanting to say something, but held back.

I had no interest in dragging things out.

I just wanted to be done with it.

I wanted to leave this city of sorrow behind.

As we stood in line for our number, Yang Xue suddenly grabbed my hand, her voice trembling.

She asked me a question.

I looked at her face.

I wanted to say—I never loved you.

But I couldn't say it.

Had I really never loved her?

I didn't know.

If it wasn't love, why did I throw away my dignity and kneel to propose?

If it wasn't love, why did I endure all that suffering without a bottom line?

If it wasn't love, why did I forgive her again and again, even after being betrayed?

But did any of that matter?

Not at all.

Especially not when we were standing in a divorce office.

I never understood it—how could someone who once treated you like trash suddenly claim to love you like mad?

Later, I realized—it was just who Yang Xue was.

She never loved Mu Chen.

She never loved me.

She only loved the feeling of unattainable love.

She loved herself most of all—trapping herself in a cycle of self-inflicted suffering, moved by her own pain, never considering anyone else.

I couldn't live with a woman like that.

Yang Xue looked at me.

She saw the truth in my expression.

She understood.

In that moment—I saw relief on her face.

A look of liberation.

She had finally recognized reality.

Yang Xue nodded.

A strange glow flickered across her face—then faded into sorrow.

She whispered, "You did love me... I just didn't cherish it. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

She smiled.

And as she smiled, tears soaked her collar.

After leaving the civil affairs office, we still had a one-month cooling-off period before the divorce was finalized.

But it didn't matter.

Before parting, Yang Xue told me she had unlocked the master bedroom.

I showed no reaction.

Did it make any difference to me?

"I hope you find happiness."

She hesitated, then softly asked,

"Before you go... can you hold me one last time?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded.

Yang Xue leaned into my arms, crying, whispering apologies over and over again.

"I'm sorry. I lost you. I'm sorry. I really am..."

Before I could say anything, she pulled away and walked off.

I watched her figure disappear from view.

For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace.

It was time for me to start my own life.

Maybe... it would be a beautiful one.

Song Zhi, can you see me?

In the days without you, I think I've finally learned how to love myself.

That night, I left the city for good.

At the airport, Su Qing came to pick me up.

The smile on her face—

For a moment, it felt like seeing Song Zhi again.

The same warmth, the same optimism.

Su Qing was a woman without flaws.

She was passionate and dedicated to sculpture.

She pursued beauty to the fullest.

In a way, we were alike.

We understood each other without words.

She respected my work.

She saw my potential.

Being with someone like her—it felt right.

A year later, my sculpture career exploded.

My piece, Reminiscence, won an international award.

With Su Qing's encouragement, I traveled abroad for lectures and exhibitions.

My name became widely known.

My works were collected by private museums.

At Su Qing's company, as she had predicted, I progressed rapidly.

I met many master sculptors and gained invaluable learning experiences.

After leaving that city, after breaking free from my marriage—

I felt clearer.

Happier.

I had found myself.

I had finally lived for myself.

Song Zhi appeared in my mind less and less.

At first, I felt guilty—

Like I was betraying her.

It hurt.

But one night, I had a dream.

Song Zhi appeared before me, cupping my face in her hands.

She told me—

"Live well. Live happily."

"If you want to embrace a new love, you have to let me go."

"No woman should ever be someone else's replacement."

When I woke up, I felt at peace.

Another year passed.

My sculptures were exhibited nationwide, gaining widespread recognition.

Reminiscence was auctioned at an astonishing price.

The night I received the news, I got a call from an unknown number.

A long silence.

Then a hoarse voice spoke.

"Shen Qing... if I don't mind being a replacement, will you come back to me?"

"If I had cherished you back then, would you have stayed?"

It had been so long since I heard Yang Xue's voice—

It almost felt foreign.

But I felt nothing.

I turned to look at Su Qing, who was making soup for me.

I shook my head.

Then, with absolute certainty, I answered.

"No."

I ended the call and blocked the number.

At that moment, I knew the name of my next sculpture.

Hope.