Chapter Seven, Past Two

After much difficulty, he released me. I gasped and said to him, "Aning is nothing special." I did not realize that this statement would provoke his anger. He glared at me, a hint of a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and suddenly picked me up, carrying me towards the room. I had no idea what he intended to do, and fear gripped my heart, yet I foolishly continued to say, "Aning is very outstanding; he said he was leaving, he just wanted to hug me." Before I could finish my sentence, he threw me heavily onto the bed and said to me, "From now on, you will stay here and are not allowed to go anywhere. To tell you the truth, that classmate of yours is someone I made sure would not graduate. Anyone who dares to touch me has already gotten off lightly!"

What a contradictory love this is. I never even considered not loving him; I am enamored with his warm embrace, and he is the only family I have in this world. Yet, I also long for my own space. I do not want to be supported by him for a lifetime, nor do I wish to be a canary trapped in his cage for eternity. I have ultimately decided to leave him

When I saw him, before I could even speak, Yi threw out a large stack of photos. There were pictures of me at school, pictures of me in Beidaihe, various cool outfits, and various photos with male classmates. Yi looked at me and said: "Is this the you who wasn't with me?"

Being loved is a kind of happiness, and it is a love devoid of any desires. I cannot respond, nor can I offer comfort. However, I know that there is a place in my heart where this gentle emotion will be kept

Yi stood at the door, sneering as he said, "You have no choice but to like it; I have spoiled you too much, spoiling you to the point of being lawless!" After saying this, he slammed the door and left

The classmates I was once familiar and close with have distanced themselves from me, their gazes filled with disdain and hatred. I told Yu'er about this, and after much hesitation, she suggested that I ask Yi. I was left in a daze, unsure of what connection there was between Yi and this situation

In June, the weather in Beidaihe is clear, and the air by the sea is fresh. For us students, this place is a paradise for indulgence

Yi suddenly transformed from a gentle sheep into a wolf with gleaming green eyes. I was so frightened that I stammered, "I, that wasn't the..." Before I could finish my sentence, Yi wrapped an arm around me and pressed his lips down hard, kissing me fiercely. I struggled to lean back and pushed him with all my strength, but he impatiently restrained my hands with one of his, while the other hand supported my head, leaving me no choice but to passively endure his kiss.

The term "goodbye" has two meanings: one is that we will meet again, and the other is that we will never meet again

While waiting for him to release me, a significant event occurred. My mother fell gravely ill. My father passed away early, and I had always relied on my mother. Yi took my mother to Beijing for treatment. However, there was no way to prolong her life. Everything was arranged by Yi. After my mother's funeral, I graduated as well. I felt like a wooden doll, doing whatever Yi asked of me, speaking very little; I didn't want to say a word all day. Yi remained gentle with me, caring for me meticulously. I often heard him sighing in my dreams, but I thought I was just dreaming. I felt like a wooden doll, doing whatever Yi asked of me, speaking very little; I didn't want to say a word all day. Yi remained gentle with me, caring for me meticulously. I often heard him sighing in my dreams, but I thought I was just dreaming.

After returning from Beidaihe, things went awry. First, An Ning's graduation project was rejected, and the negatives were submitted. Then, he lost his job. During those days, An Ning was particularly despondent. Subsequently, he even left school without obtaining his diploma. I had no idea what had happened.

The filming is complete, and this is our last night in Beidaihe. An Ning pulled me down to lie on the beach, watching the stars and listening to the sound of the waves. An Ning suddenly said, "I will go to Hainan after graduation; my workplace has already made contact." As graduation approaches, the most discussed topics are work and the bittersweet nostalgia for student life. The bonds between classmates have suddenly intensified countless times compared to usual. Everyone seems so dear, and everyone appears so pleasing. I said, "I want to stay in Beijing." I only want to be with Yi, and I haven't considered anything else.

I finally waited for an opportunity, his chance to go abroad. I left the villa in the western suburbs, first found Yu'er, took the money, and ran to Juanzi. Then I arrived at this unfamiliar place, Lingnan, to work.

Filming during the day, enjoying seafood at night, drinking late into the evening, and engaging in conversation and laughter. I particularly enjoy the atmosphere of dining and drinking here at night. The platform built on wooden piles extends out over the sea, with the sea breeze blowing and the distant waves crashing against the rocks. A group of classmates runs barefoot on the beach, discussing each person's future dreams

Before leaving, I wrote him a letter. In the letter, I told him that I wanted to live a free life, that I did not stop loving him, but I just could not be with him. I said, Yi, goodbye

Aning said quietly: "Ziqi, in your eyes, you can see no one else but him."

The Advertising School is almost on par with the Fine Arts Academy. The most significant difference between the men and women here and those in other departments lies in the degree of openness in their thinking. Therefore, when I wore the most popular summer outfit from my hometown, I noticed that more people began to dress similarly to me

Yi sat still and said lightly: "What if I confine you for a lifetime?"

There was no music, only the rhythm created by our hands. I was barefoot, lifting my long skirt and spinning on the beach, my laughter ringing like silver bells through the night. An Ning slowly stood up, walked over to me, and suddenly embraced me. I was taken aback when I heard him say, "Zi Qi, I have loved you for so many years, didn't you really know?" I wanted to push him away, but he tightened his grip and said, "I am about to leave, I just want to hold you, hoping that you can be happy in the future, always as joyful as you are now." My heart softened, and we stood on the beach like that for a while. After a moment, An Ning released me, sighed, and said, "Zi Qi, I will never forget your smile." He tightened his grip again and said, "I am about to leave, I just want to hold you, hoping that you can be happy in the future, always as joyful as you are now." My heart softened, and we stood on the beach like that for a while. After a moment, An Ning released me, sighed, and said, "Zi Qi, I will never forget your smile."

I am a person who is inherently free-spirited. I enjoy the company of friends, regardless of gender. I like to drink and chat with friends, and I enjoy going out and having fun with everyone. As for clothing and appearance, I have always believed that it is merely an external aspect of a person. As long as one can manage, it is acceptable as long as one does not attract attention or have someone throw rotten eggs at them or even call the police claiming indecency. Young women in their twenties always love beauty and dressing up. In the southern regions, where the weather is hot, during the summer, you can see people wearing crop tops and backless outfits everywhere on the streets. Such attire, when placed in Beijing, is at odds with the culture of this city and is viewed as lacking taste and not sufficiently dignified. I do not know Yi's family background, nor do I realize that his expectations of me stem from the traditions of an ancient family. I firmly believe that if he loves me, he should accept me, regardless of my views or actions. Because all external factors do not affect my essence.

I am stubborn. I am determined to run away. When I cannot get out through the main door because someone is guarding it, I climb down the water pipe from the second floor and jump over the courtyard wall. The farthest I have run is to the ancient city. Without exception, I was caught and brought back each time.

Yi gently held me and said: "Ziqi, do you remember the year I came to your house to study? When I first saw you, I thought, this is the Cuicui from 'Border Town.' Your eyes are so clear that not a trace of shadow can exist, and your smile is as radiant as the sun. I thought to myself, this is the person I want. For this lifetime, you can only be mine. I desire you so much, yet I am desperately restraining myself from touching you. I will wait for you to grow up; I want you to marry me openly and honestly. I love you so much, why do you always want to leave me? Have you forgotten how long we were apart before we could be together?" I desire you so much, yet I am desperately restraining myself from touching you. I will wait for you to grow up; I want you to marry me openly and honestly. I love you so much, why do you always want to leave me? Have you forgotten how long we were apart before we could be together?

Aning looked at me for a long time and sighed, saying: "Ziqi, you and your boyfriend have such a good relationship. I wonder if we will still be able to meet in the future"

I was completely stunned, tears began to flow, and I shouted at him: "How could you do this? How could you hurt others like this! I no longer like you!"

As graduation approached, several boys from my department wanted to shoot an advertisement and invited me to be a model. I readily agreed and informed Yi that I would be going to Beidaihe to shoot the project. I was actually worried that Yi might not want me to go. I gently called him, and after thinking for a moment, Yi said: "Be careful and stay safe. Call me when you arrive. I'll give you a number; if you encounter any trouble, just call this number. I've been very busy lately, so behave yourself." I can never get enough of Yi's thoughtful and caring words. He has been particularly busy these days and has spent little time with me. I don't know why he is so busy; I assume it is related to work. Yi thought for a moment and said: "Be careful and stay safe. Call me when you arrive. I'll give you a number; if you encounter any trouble, just call this number. I've been very busy lately, so behave yourself." I can never get enough of Yi's thoughtful and caring words. He has been particularly busy these days and has spent little time with me. I don't know why he is so busy; I assume it is related to work. I do not inquire about his work matters, nor do I understand them.

He kept his word and the next day took me to a villa in the western suburbs

When I woke up, I found myself in another unfamiliar room. Looking out the window, I could only see a stretch of forest. He stood by the window smoking, his back appearing desolate. I tried to move but realized my hands were tied to the bedpost. He turned to look at me and said, "We are on the mountain, calling for help is useless." I started to cry again, and Yi just watched me, neither comforting me nor releasing me. He said, "If I could, I would keep you tied up like this forever. If you promise not to run away again and admit your mistake, I will let you go." Of course, I admitted my mistake, repeatedly assuring him that I would never run away again. He turned to look at me and said, "We are on the mountain, calling for help is useless." I cried again, and Yi just watched me, neither comforting me nor releasing me. He said, "If I could, I would keep you tied up like this forever. If you promise not to run away again and admit your mistake, I will let you go." Of course, I admitted my mistake, repeatedly assuring him that I would never run away again. What a joke, who would like to be tied up like this? I behaved well for many days.

Yi slowly sipped his porridge and said: "In the past, I spoiled you too much and allowed you to act recklessly. Your mother entrusted you to me, and now I am in charge."

He shut me out for several days, and I don't remember much. All I know is that I woke up crying, and when I got tired of crying, I fell asleep. I felt a deep sense of guilt towards An Ning; he merely liked me and did nothing wrong to me. Yet because of me, he lost everything. Four years of hard work turned to nothing.

I did not know where the anger came from, and with a wave of my hand, I knocked all the dishes and chopsticks out. I shouted at him: "My mother did not allow you to control me! You have no right to do so!"

I said without any concern: "In the future, I will just see Yi when we go to Hainan to play."

I felt my eyes redden as I listened. Since I was sixteen, he has been the only one in my life, having merged into my very being. However, he is no longer the gentle, considerate, and deeply affectionate Yi I corresponded with for six years, nor is he the Yi who stayed at my home for a year, constantly pampering and caring for me. His dominance and possessiveness frighten me. I am lost in his embrace, yet I yearn for the freedom to work, design, and make friends like my classmates do. I fear there will be another Aning, and I dread the possibility of my friends being hurt again. Yet, without friends and a social circle, I feel so lonely that I wish to die

Yi called me, and I excitedly told him all the details here. Yi smiled and said, "If you like it, stay for a couple more days." After finishing the advertisement shoot, we arranged to visit Laolongtou again. We took many photos, and in those pictures, I was beaming with joy, not noticing how close the distance was between male and female classmates, with our arms around each other. At that time, I just felt like we were all buddies, so there were countless photos of me linking arms with him and him hugging me.

Although farewells are common in life, when the true farewell comes, it is difficult to say goodbye. Carrying my love for him, I wish to live independently

I smiled and said, "You are all my good friends. How about we gather once every few years from now on?" Feeling excited, I added, "I will dance for you!"

There was a sense of panic in my heart at the thought of him knowing, accompanied by anger. I was afraid he would get mad at me for this, and I was also irritated that he was monitoring my every move. More than anything, I was afraid of his misunderstanding, so I hurriedly explained to him: "I was afraid you wouldn't like it, so I didn't dress like that in front of you." Yi suddenly stood up: "It's one thing to dress in a messy way, but to be hugging and cuddling with that male classmate of yours on the beach, is that also because you were afraid I wouldn't like it?"

Once, I set fire to a villa and took advantage of the chaos during the firefighting to escape. Unexpectedly, I ran into him on the way back as he received a call and hurried back. I watched him get out of the car, his face livid with anger. He threw me into the car and took me back, while I struggled and cried, screaming for help. In his fury, he struck me with his palm, knocking me unconscious.

One day while having a meal, I said to Yi: "I want to go out to work." Yi directly refused me, saying: "Wait until I finish these few months of work, then we will get married, and you won't need to work; I can support you."

But I do not want you to support me, I like having my own space and friends

I still have concerns about Yi. However, my apprehensions are limited to the times when I am with him. Those spaghetti straps, crop tops, and belly-baring little tank tops will not appear in front of him. I thought Yi was completely unaware of these little gestures of mine.