No matter the outcome, she wanted to give it her all.
At the very least, she wished to watch Xiao Cao leave.
She was well aware that some people, once missed, would mean a complete farewell for life.
The mountain mornings were always damp and cold. Yet, Gu Hui'er felt not a hint of chill. Instead, a strange courage welled up in her heart.
"Xiao Cao, have you already left?!" Gu Hui'er's bright eyes became vacant as she stared blankly at the wide-open door of the thatched cottage.
Disbelieving, she frantically ran into the cottage, searching for Xiao Cao.
But her old friend had departed, without a trace left behind.
It turned out that Hong Yuan had sensed Gu Hui'er's feelings and had left early, avoiding further entanglement.
Empty.
Desolate.
Utterly desolate.
Before she knew it, Gu Hui'er's Clan Leader father stood beside her. "Alas, Hui'er," he said, consoling her gently, "great men aspire to travel far, and Xiao Cao wouldn't want to see you upset..."
