Song Cha Hua had never asked for anything other than to be loved back by Lin Xingjin.

  She stayed obedient for years, she waited for him for all these years. But after those years of loneliness, persevering that she will marry him once she turns eighteen, he suddenly cancels it without her consent. All for Zhao Xue. She has to force herself to see Lin Xingjin and Zhao Xue happy together. Was it wrong if she tried to take back what she owned in the first place? Was it wrong if she begged for a chance with him? When in those lonely years, she only wanted to be with him.

  Hong Cha felt her pain. So much so that she was crying in genuine tears. Why are they like this? They sought what they didn't have and threw away what they had.

  "I see." Hong Cha bitterly smiled. She laughed lightly hoping for what she also couldn't have back. "Will it be wrong if I ask for a little piece of your affection? Will it be wrong if I love you?"

  There was silence. Nian Xiaoyuan gritted his teeth. Lin Xingjin clenched his fists. They both knew they hurt her so much that she had nowhere to rely on. They both destroyed her life.

  "Just die!"

  Someone suddenly shouted. Hong Cha moved preemptively over Nian Xiaoyuan and dragged him behind her, knowing how the story ended.

  "Zhao Xue, no!" Hong Cha held Zhao Xue's hand. She felt a searing pain in her abdomen. They looked down to see the sword had pierced her.

  "Song Cha Hua!" Nian Xiaoyuan caught her when Zhao Xue retrieved the sword and took a step back. Hong Cha whimpered in pain. She closes her eyes when memories flood her mind. "Song Cha Hua! You stupid girl!"

  "Stupid girl!"

  The young Nian Xiaoyuan caught Song Cha Hua stealing the candies his mother made for him. Her eyes went full of tears from his angry face.

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  "Zhao Xue, wait." Lin Xingjin embraced Zhao Xue to stop her from harming Nian Xiaoyuan. She calmed in his arms and looked at Hong Cha.

  "Good. She is gone. Nian Xiaoyuan will be gone." Zhao Xue whispered victoriously.

  "Hn, it hurts, it hurts." Hong Cha cried painfully. She raised her hand upon feeling a warm liquid flowing from her stomach. Her eyes widened to see deep red blood.

  "Hang on there. I'll have a physician check you." Nian Xiaoyuan felt immense fear he was unable to understand. The pain in his heart increased so that he couldn't breathe well. She looked at him and smiled weakly.

  "Nian Xiaoyuan, don't be delusional. She can't be saved. Even if I am the best doctor here in Zhou, there is nothing I can do." Zhao Xue proclaimed as Nian Xiaoyuan tightened his hold on Hong Cha's wounded hand.

  "Xue'er, please save her." Lin Xingjin suddenly said. Zhao Xue frowned in disbelief.

  "No! I will not! She tried to break us apart! She has to die!" she argued back.

  "She did nothing!" Nian Xiaoyuan shouted yet his eyes settled on Hong Cha. "She did nothing to destroy you two. Only I did."

  "Nian Xiaoyuan, you're crying." Hong Cha weakly said. He didn't even notice the tears falling from his eyes. She tried hard to wipe them away. Nian Xiaoyuan held her hand, pressing it on his cheek. He can feel her temperature slowly turning cold. "Why...why are you crying? I'm the one who was stabbed here."

  "Idiot." he gritted his teeth as his tears fell on her. Nian Xiaoyuan had never felt this pain in his life. The fear of losing her, the sadness of seeing her suffer. It was the worst feeling ever. "Don't go. I will love you, en? Don't go yet. I will marry you, like how you expected in the past. Remember? You told me you would be the best wife in Zhou. You will serve me properly for a lifetime. Don't leave me now, little girl."

  "You will?" her eyes brightened a bit. Nian Xiaoyuan nodded and brought her closer to him. He pressed their forehead together to provide warmth. "Will you make more candies? You won't throw away my earrings? You will not get angry with me?"

  "Yes, yes. I will not." Nian Xiaoyuan intertwined their hands. He received a peaceful smile from her. Just as he thought it would be fine, her hand slid down.

  "In the next lifetime, let us share it together." barely a whisper. Her eyes went dull as her eyelids closed. However, her hopeful smile remained. As if she will truly wait for the promised next lifetime.

  "It's good she died. She's a nuisance for seducing you." Zhao Xue said and embraced Lin Xingjin. He didn't reciprocate.

  "What did she do wrong? She already died. Why do you keep cursing her?" Nian Xiaoyuan emotionlessly asked. He raised his head to look nowhere.

  "It's mostly my fault." the silent Lin Xingjin spoke. He kept hearing her words saying how heartless he was. That day, she could only see him leave since she knew begging was not the key because he would never turn back.

  "What are you saying? It's her fault she's looking for men who are after another woman already." Zhao Xue furrowed her brows. How did Lin Xingjin change?

  "Zhao Xue, you never know the pain of seeing your loved one with another person." Nian Xiaoyuan scoffed. He picked up the cold body of Song Cha Hua and headed out of the palace. "By the way, Lin Xingjin, the throne is yours. I don't give a damn anymore. Furthermore, can you do one thing?"

  "What is it?" Lin Xingjin is willing. No one won, both of them lost. They are equal now.

  "Go back to the Master's manor and search the girl's room. Find a doll and bring it to me. Or else, I will have this dynasty destroyed." he looked away and continued on his path, an endless path that leads to nowhere starting from now on.