Section 1

That is no longer love; it is torment, it is imprisonment

Ye Zhen was stunned, remaining completely still

That was the first time I discovered that there are places in this world that I can never reach no matter how hard I try, and there is also happiness that I can never provide no matter how hard I strive

I am not Zhuo Yue, nor am I him, nor am I them. They can gracefully bless each other, but I cannot, nor is it possible for me. What lies at the other end of love? Is it hate? No! The other end of love is still love, and can only be love! Letting go? I have never considered it. Such words do not exist in my dictionary.

Good! I wiped my eyes and said loudly, "I let go!"

He raised the corners of his mouth, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, also passing through his eyelashes. In that moment, he seemed to radiate the gentle light of the moon, his pupils resembling transparent and pure black crystals. He is kind, and he cannot bear to hurt me, yet I have already found the answer

Yet in this laughter, I hear something related to loneliness. He had just broken up with Zhuo Yue not long ago, and it was a unilateral decision. He needs time, and it is evident that this time is still insufficient. He needs someone to confide in; however, it is always me who calls him, desperately trying to engage him in conversation, while I know nothing about his life. He also promised to give me a chance, but this chance feels like a form of indulgence for himself. He does not feel happy, yet he does not want to share this with anyone.

Ye Zhen visibly sighed in relief, and after chatting with me about some trivial matters, he hung up the phone. I didn't sleep well all night, and the next morning, I took the subway to my destination. Don't ask me where I was going; I have never been an obedient child, and of course, my words don't always hold true. Also, don't ask me how I knew about that place; I don't mind if everyone laughs at me, as memorizing texts usually takes a toll on me, but I can remember everything about Ye Zhen without fail.

In the end, Old Tang from hetushucomcom had no choice but to lecture me extensively about the reasons why it is not suitable to keep dogs in residential buildings, citing issues such as disturbing the neighbors, the potential for them to relieve themselves anywhere, and the destruction of neighborhood harmony. Meanwhile, he squatted there watching me feed the dog, fiercely proclaiming: "When Dad becomes wealthy in the future, I will buy a villa in the Huafayuan community, one for us to live in and another for Guoguo to keep dogs!"

Then he came over to open the door, and two dogs followed him. In a good mood, I greeted them: "... ... Woof."

Is it to continue, or never?

Guoguo, I have thought it over, and I cannot give you a chance; we are not suitable for each other. I will be going to the army in September. Although my mother cannot agree right now, I will use these few months to make her agree. His voice was low, "I cannot fall in love with you, I cannot deceive you, it would be unfair to you."

I called Ye Zhen to report, and he laughed without any sympathy

Before Aunt Ye could recover from the immense bewilderment, I rushed over and grabbed her hand: "Auntie, you are truly beautiful. If you were walking down the street with Ye Zhan, I would definitely think you were his sister. Auntie, please don't be surprised. I have known Ye Zhan for many years, and I have actually wanted to visit you for a long time. I don't have much to bring, but here are two bottles of homemade grape wine from my mother, good for your complexion!"

But Ye Zhan, remember this! I let go because I love you, and I do not wish to put you in a difficult position! There is no one else in this world who is willing to love you like I do! If you have regrets, do not tell me! Because I do not want to know! You must live happily and joyfully! Otherwise, it would be an apology to me!" I shouted, tears streaming down like rain, "Ye Zhan, remember this, I do not regret loving you! In the future, I will not hesitate to love others! I will also be happy with books! So you can rest assured to forget me!"

The midday sun is warm and bright, following behind the hazel tree, while the golden retriever trails behind me.

He was almost forced to smile wryly, standing at the door, lost in thought, his brain's CPU rapidly overheating and failing. I still had the leisure to notice that he was barefoot on the wooden floor at the entrance, sunlight resting on his shoulder, half of his body engulfed in shadow, with the rustling of leaves overhead and the sound of sparrows competing for food.

Ye Zhen, you are making excuses! I do not accept it!

This is an old villa district, where the birch and sycamore trees have already grown tall, and after spring, they have sprouted tender leaves, revealing a lush and vibrant summer scenery. In front of each household, sunflowers and fresh bamboo are planted, and through the European-style iron gates, one can see well-organized and beautiful gardens. I remember many years ago, when I was probably still in elementary school, I picked up a dog and brought it home. That little dog was very timid; whenever it couldn't see me, it would bark frantically, which led to the fierce aunt from the neighboring house getting upset, resulting in a loud quarrel with Miss Tian across the balcony that caused the entire building to be in chaos. I remember many years ago, when I was probably still in elementary school, I picked up a dog and brought it home. That little dog was very timid; whenever it couldn't see me, it would bark frantically, which led to the fierce aunt from the neighboring house getting upset, resulting in a loud quarrel with Miss Tian across the balcony that caused the entire building to be in chaos

I am sorry, Guoguo, but I have to go home this weekend

"... ... Next time then." Ye Zhen paused for a moment, carefully considering her words, "It is a bit chaotic right now."

Ye Zhen's eyes widened in surprise as two dogs joyfully ran to his side, wagging their tails. I smiled at him and waved, saying, "I was afraid you would miss me too much, so I came over."

Mom, this is Tang Guo, one of my little friends

Until a middle-aged woman's voice came from inside the house, soft and pleasant: "Xiao Zhen, who is it?"

Ye Zhen looked at me, her gaze intense and resolute

Ye Zhen led me all the way to the 24-hour convenience store in the community, where we bought some Sprite and beer along with books. After that, she placed the plastic bag under the golden retriever's mouth, letting it carry it, and patted its big head, saying: "Princess, let's go home"

Ye Zhen, are you on your day off this week? Would you take me to see a movie?

I did not attempt to guess what Ye Zhen was thinking; I could only cry helplessly. Once I had cried enough, I did not return to Ye Zhen's home and left the Blossom Garden.

There is no one else now," he said. Not even the dog is here.

I took a step forward, and he stepped back, raising his hand to make a gesture of prohibition, his back already pressed against the wall. I walked into the shadows and could clearly see his expression, resolute yet gentle, unyielding. His eyes were smiling, sparkling with light, filled with regret: "I am uncertain about the future, and I fear ruining your life"

Then he hardly paid any attention to me the whole time in the upper room; he seemed somewhat dejected. I thought that before I arrived, he must have been discussing some unpleasant topics with his mother that left both of them unhappy. As noon approached, the nanny finished preparing the meal, and Ye's mother instructed him to go buy drinks. He glanced at me and asked, "Do you want to go together?"

If I let go, then it is forever

He suddenly laughed: "... ... Let go, just like I did."

Ye Zhen, do not let me let go

Finally, I asked: "Ye Zhen, am I making things difficult and troublesome for you right now?"

I thought about it and realized he must have something to say to me, so I nodded and said, "Sure."

After the start of the school term, both Ye Zhan and I were very busy for a long time

I opened my eyes wide, feeling a dampness on my face, and then I heard the sound of my own humble pleas.

And now I realize that rather than waiting for the old Tang, a teacher, to achieve success, it would be better to directly marry a man living in the Huafayuan community, thus solving everything at once. Arriving at No. 62 West District, I peered into the yard, where a large grape trellis was set up, adorned with a beautiful lawn, and various flowers and plants of unknown varieties were piled against the wall, still glistening with water droplets. A golden retriever and a German shepherd lay on the lawn, raising their heads and sticking out their tongues to stare at me upon hearing the noise. Arriving at No. 62 West District, I peered into the yard, where a large grape trellis was set up, adorned with a beautiful lawn, and various flowers and plants of unknown varieties were piled against the wall, still glistening with water droplets. A golden retriever and a German shepherd lay on the lawn, raising their heads and sticking out their tongues to stare at me upon hearing the noise

The overhead is a canopy of green, with red brick walls, a weathered stone pavement, and a winding path that is deep and secluded

Ye Zhen still smiled, a smile that made my scalp tingle

Ye Zhen, what exactly are you afraid of

Ye Zhen came to her senses and said loudly: "It is a little friend of mine"

Do you want to silence me?

"How would you know if you haven't tried?" I feel pain, my eyes wide open, "Ye Zhen, you promised, you cannot go back on your word, I will not accept it"

Guoguo, we cannot continue like this any longer

"Guoguo, I cannot do it. I want to make you happy, but I cannot deceive you."

I do not quite understand what Ye Zhen means, I only know that Ye Zhen does not want to take me home, and he does not know how to introduce me. He promised to give me a chance, but we are still nothing to each other. Moreover, he has just broken up with Zhuo Yue, and all of this is indeed untimely. But when will it be appropriate, how much longer do I have to wait

Hearing him laugh brings me joy; I enjoy listening to Ye Zhen's laughter, fresh and sweet, like a continuously flowing mountain spring

No, this is different

The enthusiastic golden retriever pounced over, while the cool German shepherd disdainfully turned its large head to the side. Ye Zhan said nothing further, led me through the door, and when she turned her face back, it was already smiling. Then I saw Ye Zhan's mother; she did not resemble a mother of a son in his twenties at all, appearing very young, with an elegant and gentle demeanor, a true beauty. Ye Zhan resembled her very much. Then I saw Ye Zhan's mother; she did not resemble a mother of a son in his twenties at all, appearing very young, with an elegant and gentle demeanor, a true beauty. Ye Zhan resembled her very much

I love someone, and all I want is to make him feel joyful and happy. If I bring him trouble and pain, what purpose does that serve?

After all, I am young and lack patience. I bit the phone line for a while and then laughed, saying: "Alright."

Pleasant words are never too many, and I am famously sweet-tongued yet treacherous. I am a model daughter and daughter-in-law for middle-aged and elderly people. Mother Ye has high standards, as she is a mother herself. Moreover, Mother Ye is someone who has seen the world; she patted my hand and smiled with delight, saying: "Come on over, and you even brought something. Xiaozhen is really something, not even giving a heads-up."

Then the sycophantic dog named Princess wagged its tail and ran off eagerly

This is the first time I find myself at a loss for words with Ye Zhan. Perhaps it is due to my own guilt; it is indeed very impolite to intrude uninvited. Ye Zhan would not appreciate it. Thus, I can only awkwardly follow him, waiting for him to explode in anger or to scold me, both of which I can endure. This feeling is somewhat akin to the experience of getting an injection as a child, with the cotton swab already applied to the skin, just waiting for the sudden sting of the needle.

After I finished speaking, I squatted by the roadside and cried out loud, while Ye Zhen silently accompanied me

I am an intruder, uninvited and unwelcome

Sure, I have never been to your home

I pressed the doorbell, and after a series of clear bird calls, a familiar figure flashed out from within the door

Yes, on the eve of graduation, he was contemplating the allocation issues, while I was constantly being summoned by the one-size-fits-all teacher to do menial tasks because of my exceptional abilities. The one-size-fits-all teacher claimed that I was naturally suited to be a surgeon, with abundant physical strength, quick reflexes, and a bold yet meticulous nature. I did not perceive his eagerness for talent; every time I was taken to be 'cultivated' by him, the result was that I could sit in the dissection room, giving extra lessons to classmates who had fallen behind, while simultaneously devouring an entire plate of braised spare ribs.

Ye Zhen fell silent again, hiding in the shadows while I stood in the stark sunlight. The light was too intense; even with my eyes open, I could hardly see his face clearly

The man I have pursued for three and a half years is about to leave; others no longer want him, and he no longer wants me