Chapter 266: She Has Left

He had not finished speaking when Liu Liu Yifei interrupted him. She suddenly stood up, walked to his side, took his hand, her gaze firm yet gentle.

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you need not say anything; I understand everything. I know you are an upright, honest, and kind man; you would never do anything to betray me, you would never betray our love. I also know that Zhang Zhang Jiaqi is a pitiable, lovely, and admirable girl; her love for you is sincere, selfless, and worthy of respect. I do not blame her, nor do I blame you; I only blame fate, for why must it place you both in such a predicament, why must it make you both suffer such hardship."

Her words moved Jiang Jiang Mingyu to tears; he raised his head, looked into her eyes, his voice choked.

"Liu Liu Yifei, you... you truly are not angry with me? You truly do not mind? You truly do not doubt me?"

Liu Liu Yifei smiled faintly, gently shook her head, her voice soft yet firm.

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, I am not angry with you, I do not mind, nor do I doubt you. Because I believe in you, I believe in our feelings, I believe in our future. I love you, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, I love you more than anyone else, more than my own life. I know you love me the same way, you think of me the same way, you long for our future the same way. We are each other's only one, each other's everything, each other's eternity. No person, no event, can block our love, can destroy our happiness, can separate our hearts."

Having spoken, she drew him tightly into her embrace; her tears slid down quietly; in her heart lay endless love, and also a hidden pain. She knew her words were meant to comfort him, and also to encourage herself.

She knew their love, though beautiful, was not perfect; their happiness, though firm, was not without worry; their hearts, though connected, were not without flaw.

She knew Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's love, though pitiable, was not powerless; her presence, though innocent, was not without consequence; her shadow, though fading, was not vanished.

She knew the entanglement between her, him, and her had not ended; it would continue, would develop, would change. She did not know whether their love could withstand such a test, could resist such temptation, could endure until the end.

She only knew she would use everything she had to love him, to protect him, to keep him; she would not give up, she would not retreat, she would not compromise. She believed that as long as she had enough love, enough confidence, enough courage, she could overcome everything, she could possess everything, she could be happy in everything.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed softly, took Liu Liu Yifei's hand and said, "Liu Liu Yifei, I understand your feelings at this moment. But I hope you believe that in my heart, your status is irreplaceable by anyone. I have already promised you marriage; this is the most important promise of my life."

"Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's affection for me is unforgettable, and I am grateful for her sincerity. But my heart already belongs to you. Just like the excitement I could not suppress when you returned today, I cannot wait to marry you and spend my life with you hand in hand."

After hearing this, Liu Liu Yifei's eyes glistened with tears. She knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu always kept his word, and she understood his character even better. At this moment, her heart was moved again by his sincere words.

"Jiang Lang, thank you for your sincerity toward me; I am so happy." Liu Liu Yifei smiled sweetly and embraced Jiang Jiang Mingyu of her own accord.

"Though we have been apart more than together, who you are, no one should know better than I." Liu Liu Yifei said gently, "But regarding Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's matter, how do you plan to handle it?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly and said, "Everything I needed to say, I have already explained clearly to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi. Now I have no better solution; I can only let events unfold. Perhaps by the time of our wedding, when everything settles, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi will give up hope. At that time, she may leave in sorrow, but for her, that is already the best outcome."

Liu Liu Yifei sighed as well: "But after today, the possibility of Zhang Zhang Jiaqi remaining in the army is slim. She may not even survive until the day of our wedding..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's smile grew even more bitter: "If she must leave, there is nothing we can do. Even if Zhang Zhang Jiaqi is important, she cannot shake your supreme status in my heart. As you said, everything is already settled; her staying or leaving can only be decided by herself."

"But regardless, she has fought north and south for many years; I will certainly remember the debt of her affection. Whether she leaves or not, I sincerely wish her a bright future."

Liu Liu Yifei also sighed deeply: "Zhang Zhang Jiaqi is a good girl; since that is the case, we can only leave the outcome to fate."

Having spoken, she shook her head gently: "When the boat reaches the bridge, it will straighten itself; since matters have come to this, we need not mention it again."

After a pause, Liu Liu Yifei asked, "Jiang Lang, you are setting out on your expedition tomorrow, are you not?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed, his eyes full of apology: "Indeed, Zhu Ge Yu and Gou Dan are ready; this is the final confrontation with Fei Hou. I promise you again, I will surely enter Jingcheng successfully, and then we will marry immediately; I cannot wait."

Having spoken, he gazed into Liu Liu Yifei's gradually softening eyes, his heart surging, and gently kissed her tender, luscious red lips.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still; between heaven and earth, only the two of them remained, steeped in deep love. Jiang Jiang Mingyu believed that even if the road ahead was long and obstructed, with Liu Liu Yifei by his side, he would eventually cut through thorns, endure storms, and create happiness together with his beauty.

He held her gently, whispering softly in her ear: "Liu Liu Yifei, oh Liu Liu Yifei, meeting you in this chaotic world is the greatest fortune of my life. You are the woman of my destiny! Do you know? From the moment I first saw you, I fell deeply in love with you. Your eyes, bright as stars; your skin, clear and translucent as jade; your smile, blooming like a flower; your heart, tender as water... all have made me fall for you. You are my angel! My goddess! My everything!"

Liu Liu Yifei's heart swelled with joy; she responded softly in his embrace: "Jiang Lang, oh Jiang Lang, you are the hero in my heart. You are the man I love most in my life. Your bravery, your wisdom, your justice, your loyalty... all make me admire you. You are my pride! My dream! My everything!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, hearts in harmony, with not a single barrier between them. They embraced tightly, feeling each other's warmth, forgetting the turmoil outside, wishing only to remain in this moment forever.

Every time they met, it was cherished. Every time they parted, it was painful. Every time they spoke of future hopes, it was tinged with helplessness. Every time they embraced, it was tight. Every time they kissed, it was deep. Every time they said goodbye, it was wordless.

This time was no different. Jiang Jiang Mingyu would lead troops tomorrow to attack the Emperor's stronghold. Liu Liu Yifei would also rush ahead of him to occupy the markets of Yuezhou and provide logistics for him. They both knew this was a life-and-death struggle; perhaps they would never see each other again. They both wanted to stay and accompany each other, yet neither could. They each had their own responsibilities, their own missions, their own honor.

They could only, on this night, pour out their hearts to each other, share each other's warmth, and make vows to each other. They said that when the war ended, they would marry, have children, and enjoy family happiness. They said that no matter what difficulties they encountered, they would not give up, would not betray, would not forget. They said they believed their love could overcome everything, create miracles, and endure eternally.

They said much, yet did not finish. They embraced for a long time, yet it was not enough. They kissed for a long time, yet were not satisfied. In their eyes, there was only the other's shadow. In their hearts, there was only the other's name. In their ears, there was only the other's call. On their bodies, there was only the other's scent. In their souls, there was only the other's mark.

Finally, they still had to part. Jiang Jiang Mingyu gently stroked Liu Liu Yifei's beautiful hair, gently kissed Liu Liu Yifei's forehead, and gently spoke Liu Liu Yifei's name. Liu Liu Yifei tightly held Jiang Jiang Mingyu's waist, tightly bit Jiang Jiang Mingyu's shoulder, and tightly called Jiang Jiang Mingyu's name. Neither wanted to let go, neither wanted to say goodbye, neither wanted to face reality. Yet neither had a choice, neither had a retreat, neither had an excuse.

They could only use their eyes to convey their love for each other. They could only use their smiles to encourage each other's confidence. They could only use their fingers to trace each other's outlines. They could only use their tears to bless each other's happiness.

Thus, silently, slowly, painfully, they parted.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked out of Liu Liu Yifei's room and headed toward his own. In his heart was an indescribable taste: both sweet and bitter, both warm and cold, both excited and heavy. He did not know whether this was their last meeting or the beginning of something new. He did not know whether their love would bear fruit, whether it would have a future. He did not know whether their fate would turn, whether there would be hope.

He only knew he loved Liu Liu Yifei, he thought of Liu Liu Yifei, he cherished Liu Liu Yifei, he dreamed of Liu Liu Yifei; he lived only for Liu Liu Yifei.

He reached his own room and was about to push open the door when he heard a soft call.

"Big Brother, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi has left."

He turned around and saw Tu Tu Kesiluo's figure.