The inn was quieter than before.
Wu Jinhai sat at the table, her fingers lightly resting on the edge of her cup. Wei Zhenyu stood nearby, watching the surroundings carefully.
Suddenly—
A voice reached her ears.
"…Qiu Minyu, you should not worry so much."
Wu Jinhai's hand froze.
That name.
Her eyes slowly lifted.
Wei Zhenyu noticed the change in her expression. "Miss…?"
But she did not answer.
From the upper floor, soft laughter echoed.
A woman's voice.
And then—
Qiu Minyu's voice followed.
"Stay a little longer."
Silence fell around Wu Jinhai.
Her expression did not show anger.
It did not show shock.
But her eyes had changed.
Cold.
She stood up slowly.
Wei Zhenyu stepped forward. "Miss, what is it?"
Wu Jinhai's voice was calm. "Stay here."
"Miss—"
"That is an order."
Wei Zhenyu stopped.
He had never heard that tone from her before.
Wu Jinhai turned and walked toward the stairs.
Each step was steady.
But the air around her felt heavy.
The voices from above became clearer.
Soft laughter.
Whispers.
The sound of closeness.
Wu Jinhai reached the door.
She stood there for a moment.
Listening.
Then—
Without hesitation—
She pushed the door open.
The door hit the wall with a loud sound.
Inside the room—
Two figures froze.
Qiu Minyu.
And a woman beside him.
Zhen Wu.
Their expressions changed instantly.
Shock.
Fear.
And then—
Silence.
Wu Jinhai stood at the doorway.
Her gaze moved slowly from Qiu Minyu to the woman beside him.
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"So this is what you call loyalty?"
Qiu Minyu quickly stood up. "Jinhai, listen to me—this is not what you think—"
"Not what I think?" she repeated softly.
Her eyes locked onto him.
"Then tell me," she said, stepping forward, "what should I think?"
Qiu Minyu hesitated.
No words came out.
Zhen Wu, who was beside him, frowned slightly but remained silent.
Wu Jinhai looked at her.
"You," she said calmly, "do you have anything to say?"
Zhen Wu met her gaze without fear. "I have nothing to explain."
The room grew tense.
Wu Jinhai gave a small nod.
"I see."
She turned her eyes back to Qiu Minyu.
"You made a promise," she said.
Her voice was steady, but each word carried weight.
"You stood in front of my family and gave your word."
Qiu Minyu stepped forward. "Jinhai, I—"
"But now," she continued, cutting him off, "this is your truth."
Silence.
Wu Jinhai looked at him one last time.
Her expression did not break.
But something inside her had already changed.
"I understand," she said quietly.
Qiu Minyu reached out. "Wait—!"
But she stepped back.
"You don't need to explain," she said.
Her voice was distant now.
"As of this moment…"
A pause.
"Our engagement means nothing."
Those words fell like a final judgment.
Qiu Minyu froze.
Wu Jinhai turned around.
Without another word—
She walked out of the room.
Her steps were calm.
But her heart—
Heavy.
Downstairs, Wei Zhenyu looked up as she returned.
He saw her face.
And immediately understood.
"Miss…" he said carefully.
Wu Jinhai stopped.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she spoke.
"We are leaving."
Wei Zhenyu nodded. "Yes."
He did not ask anything else.
They walked out of the inn together.
Behind them, whispers slowly began again.
But Wu Jinhai did not look back.
Not this time.
Far above the mortal world—
In the Celestial Realm—
The sky shone with endless light.
Clouds moved gently, and golden halls stood tall, untouched by time.
Inside the grand palace—
The Jade Emperor, Yu Di Guangming, stood quietly.
His expression was serious.
A celestial guard stood before him, bowing respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
Yu Di Guangming spoke calmly, "Summon Gui Zhenhai."
The guard lowered his head. "Yes, Your Majesty."
He turned and left immediately.
The hall returned to silence.
Yu Di Guangming looked toward the distance.
His eyes held something deep.
Something thoughtful.
"Time is moving again…" he said quietly.
Moments later—
Another presence could be felt approaching.
Ancient.
Steady.
Wise.
The meeting that had been long awaited—
Was about to begin.
Back in the mortal world—
Wu Jinhai walked forward without stopping.
Wei Zhenyu followed closely behind.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Miss… are you alright?"
Wu Jinhai did not answer immediately.
Her steps slowed slightly.
Then she said, "It does not matter."
Wei Zhenyu frowned slightly. "But—"
"What is broken," she said quietly, "does not need to be fixed."
Her voice was calm again.
Like before.
But something was different.
Wei Zhenyu lowered his head. "Understood."
They continued walking.
The road ahead was long.
And uncertain.
But Wu Jinhai did not turn back.
Not anymore.
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Were you surprised, excited, or maybe a little anxious? I'd love to know your thoughts and have your support as we continue this journey together.