Shi Nian sat down, a faint smile in the light.
"Why must I keep secrets from you, Sir? Besides, with your wisdom, what could I possibly hide from you? You were never deceived, Sir; you simply chose not to understand."
Huangfu Huazhang turned his head away, gazing into the darkness beyond the light.
He understood her words. She spoke of the time she spent beside him, seemingly involved with him, yet in truth, she never loved him.
He took a deep breath: "So you need not blame yourself. It was my choice to delude myself, to keep you by my side. I do not blame you, you should let it go too."
Shi Nian took a deep breath, raising her eyes to him: "What you said only makes me feel more ashamed, Sir."
He shifted his gaze up to her: "I say this not to make you feel ashamed. Moreover, it was my choice, self-deception is a personal matter."
Shi Nian lowered her head: "Sir, tonight you seem to have many sighs."
