After an unknown period, Mu Qi finally stopped.
Yun Shunnian was so thoroughly tormented by Mu Qi that every cell in her body was occupied with breathing; she had no energy to explain herself to Mu Qi.
"Niannian, how could you be so careless to let me discover you messaging another man?"
Mu Qi's tone, suppressed yet sinister, seemed to truly lament Yun Shunnian's lack of discretion.
As Mu Qi spoke, within the few seconds Yun Shunnian didn't react, a possessive and covetous desire flared up again in his phoenix eyes.
Just as Mu Qi leaned in, his kiss laden with the intent to claim about to land on Yun Shunnian, she, having slightly regained her senses, rolled away.
"What about you, Mu Qi? Did you ever hide anything from me regarding Ling Xue?"
"When did you start liking Ling Xue?"
"What am I to you?"
"Mu Qi, what am I to you, really?"
"Why, at the last moment..."
Yun Shunnian launched a barrage of questions. Finally, overcome with emotion, Yun Shunnian involuntarily recalled the scent she had perceived when Mu Qi had stabbed her in the heart.
Even though the pain at that moment was undeniably real for Yun Shunnian, to others, it was merely a dream. What was there for Yun Shunnian to say?
"Ling Xue and I have no relationship," Mu Qi said, propping himself up on his elbows, attempting to pull Yun Shunnian back. Yun Shunnian, frowning, got out of bed.
Mu Qi followed immediately, embracing Yun Shunnian tightly.
"Niannian, why are you running? How could you possibly escape?"
Mu Qi held Yun Shunnian from behind, allowing their bodies to press together as much as possible.
"I don't believe you. Mu Qi, I truly cannot believe you."
"I thought I could. I thought that by confining you here, having you by my side every day would be enough. But that's not how it is at all.
Mu Qi, why must you have Ling Xue by your side?
Why are you tainted with her scent?
Love is irrational, isn't it? Is all my effort in vain?"
Yun Shunnian's repressed emotions of recent days erupted together with Mu Qi's current questioning.
"It's not like that, it's not like that, Niannian. You can question everything, but never doubt my love for you."
Seeing Yun Shunnian's distress, Mu Qi immediately panicked. The ferocity that had arisen from seeing Yun Shunnian message another man vanished without a trace.
Yun Shunnian's body stiffened due to her loss of emotional control. Mu Qi carried her to the bed, stroking her back gently.
Yun Shunnian closed her eyes and sobbed, slowly falling asleep.
In a daze, Yun Shunnian seemed to see Zhaoxue, or rather, Mu Qi's back. Yun Shunnian looked around; it was the day she had confessed her feelings to Zhaoxue.
This time, Yun Shunnian did not approach, merely watching his retreating figure from afar.
Why start a relationship without ever knowing true love?
It would be better to keep everything frozen at this moment, rather than gain something only to lose it later.
Zhaoxue, it is best that we never met, so we would not owe each other anything.
Yet, Yun Shunnian's wish was ultimately unfulfilled. The Zhaoxue in her sight turned and walked towards her.
Yun Shunnian did not want to know, befriend, or accompany him, but her legs were firmly stuck to the spot.
This was a good dream, a dream without Ling Xue.
But the dream was too short, and Yun Shunnian was soon awakened by Mu Qi.
As Yun Shunnian regained consciousness, Mu Qi was frowning, speaking of divorce.
Mu Qi's forehead was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, his warm body chilling Yun Shunnian into an ice block.
...
At this moment, Mu Qi was dreaming again of Yun Shunnian leaving with another man, leaving behind a divorce agreement.
However, this time, Mu Qi already held a knife in his hand before Yun Shunnian could leave.
No matter who the man was, whose face Mu Qi could not clearly see, Mu Qi intended to cut him into a pool of blood.
Thus, without waiting for Yun Shunnian to say anything, Mu Qi first lunged with the dagger towards the person standing beside Yun Shunnian.
Mu Qi's blade aimed directly for the man's throat. He hesitated not at all, his force and speed reaching their peak.
Yet, as the knife struck, the man did not fall to the ground. He remained standing beside Yun Shunnian, his face still indistinguishable.
Mu Qi then shifted his aim from the man's throat to his heart.
...
Mu Qi tried again and again, each strike seeming to pass only through air.
Until the man standing beside Yun Shunnian raised a finger, and Mu Qi was immobilized.
"Mu Qi, let's get a divorce."
Yun Shunnian cast a loving glance at the man beside her, not sparing even a look for Mu Qi, and turned, taking the man's hand as she walked away.
All that remained was the divorce agreement scattered across the floor.
Mu Qi frantically tore at the divorce agreements that had fallen to the ground, his breath choked with desperation.
After tearing for an unknown duration, he suddenly opened his eyes and met Yun Shunnian's gaze.
"Mu Qi, you were dreaming," Yun Shunnian said, her expression somewhat cold as she looked at him.
This expression made Mu Qi instantly overlap the Yun Shunnian before him with the one in his dream.
"Niannian, we're not divorcing, not divorcing..."
Mu Qi embraced Yun Shunnian tightly, his breathing heavy, his body trembling slightly.
Yun Shunnian froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms around Mu Qi's strong waist.
"Mu Qi, you were just dreaming? Tell me, what did you dream about?" Yun Shunnian's expression softened considerably.
"Niannian, don't look at other men," Mu Qi said, his phoenix eyes filled with ferocity as he recalled the man in his dream whom he couldn't kill.
Oh, so Mu Qi dreamed she was looking at another man. It had nothing to do with Ling Xue.
"Niannian, don't divorce me."
Oh, so she was the one who wanted to divorce Mu Qi. This had nothing to do with Ling Xue.
"Niannian, don't hold another man's hand."
Oh, he dreamed she was holding another man's hand. This also had nothing to do with Ling Xue.
...
Mu Qi fell silent after that, and Yun Shunnian continued to press him.
"Mu Qi, what else did you dream about?"
"Niannian, you haven't agreed yet."
"I agree to everything."
Yun Shunnian paused after speaking, then continued,
"Mu Qi, the universe and rivers cannot describe the depth of my love for you. I only love you, there will be no one else."
Yun Shunnian spoke with solemn earnestness.
This was not just a declaration of love, but also a warning to Mu Qi that he should never think of separating from her in this life; he was destined to be entangled with her.
After Yun Shunnian spoke, Mu Qi's phoenix eyes held a hint of naive confusion and disbelief.