The three Situ brothers turned to chase after Dugu Baitian, but Situ Aoyue stopped after running a few steps. If all three of them left like this, it would be too disrespectful to their sister—after all, there was an "outsider" present.
When Situ Aoyue arrived at the Dugu family's house, Situ Haoyue and Situ Minyue were pacing anxiously outside Dugu Baitian's door. Just then, Dugu Baitian's mother, Chen Ting, was also walking toward the courtyard.
Chen Ting was nearly forty years old, but her demeanor was elegant and graceful. The years had left few traces on her beautiful face. "Why are you three brothers in such a hurry? Did Baitian get into some big trouble again? It's a pity his father isn't home—otherwise, he would give him a good lesson."
Situ Minyue said, "Auntie, it's not like that. My sister is back."
Chen Ting's eyes lit up. She had long regarded Situ Mingyue as her future daughter-in-law. "Really? Yue'er is back? Are you here to fetch Baitian to see her? Baitian, why aren't you opening the door? Yue'er is back—hurry and go see her."
Dugu Baitian replied from inside the room, "I'm not going. I want to be alone."
Situ Haoyue and Situ Minyue let out a sigh of relief. At least they knew he was safe inside—they had been worried that he might do something foolish.
Situ Aoyue said, "Auntie, we have something to tell you."
Chen Ting could see that something was wrong. "Come with me to the main hall."
The four of them walked into the main hall, and Situ Minyue stammered, "Auntie, just now... just now, Brother-in-law saw my sister..."
Chen Ting finally understood what had happened, and her eyebrows furrowed. No wonder her son had reacted like this—she knew Dugu Baitian's personality well. Normally, he didn't care about anything, no matter how big the problem. But this matter had touched his heart.
"The three of you grew up playing with Baitian. I think you know his personality better than I do. On the surface, he seems wild and unrestrained, always fooling around and not caring about anything. But when he gets serious... alas... this child is actually very fragile when it comes to feelings."
Situ Haoyue said, "We know his personality. This matter happened so suddenly. Mingyue went too far—we'll go back and talk to her properly."
Situ Aoyue also said, "Auntie, don't worry. We'll persuade Mingyue when we get back."
Situ Minyue said, "I don't recognize anyone else except Brother-in-law Baitian!"
Chen Ting smiled bitterly. "Silly child, feelings can't be forced—especially a girl's thoughts, which you will never understand. Alas, let's just let nature take its course."
The return of the Situ Clan's little princess, Situ Mingyue, should have been a joyous occasion. But she had come back with an extremely handsome young man—and the elders of the Situ Clan could clearly see the relationship between them from their eyes. The originally warm atmosphere ended awkwardly.
Shortly after dinner, the three Situ brothers rushed to the Dugu family's house.
Dugu Baitian's father, Dugu Yanzhi, had already returned home. He was drinking tea when the three of them arrived.
Situ Minyue said, "Uncle, is Brother-in-law Baitian okay?"
Dugu Yanzhi was already used to him calling Baitian "brother-in-law." He smiled and said, "You little rascal—you need to change your ways. You can't call him 'brother-in-law' anymore."
Situ Minyue scratched his head and said, "I don't recognize anyone else except Brother-in-law Baitian!"
Dugu Yanzhi just smiled.
Situ Aoyue said, "Uncle, is Baitian okay?"
Dugu Yanzhi smiled. "You know his temper. When he's angry, he eats more than ever. He's currently in the kitchen, eating and drinking to his heart's content."
Upon hearing this, the three brothers hurried to the kitchen. When they entered, they saw Dugu Baitian eating and drinking frantically. A table full of rich food had already been devoured by more than half, and a jar of wine was nearly empty.
These things were enough to feed three people, but he had eaten them all by himself. The three brothers were secretly amazed.
They watched quietly as he finished his meal.
Situ Haoyue said, "Baitian, I really don't know what to say. At home, we never had a chance to talk to my sister alone."
Dugu Baitian said, "No need to say anything. If any of you dare to say something to her, I'll fall out with you."
The three of them truly hoped that Situ Mingyue would marry Dugu Baitian, but this unexpected turn of events had shattered that hope.
The four of them fell into silence.
Just then, a servant came in to report, "Young Master, Miss Situ is waiting for you in your room."
The three Situ brothers were overjoyed. Situ Minyue said, "Brother-in-law, my sister has changed her mind—hurry and go!"
Dugu Baitian stood up and said, "She's here to break things off with me." With that, he turned and strode outside.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, should we go?"
The two brothers looked at each other and said in unison, "We should go home first."
The most unforgettable thing in one's life is their first love. The feeling of first love is like watching flowers through mist or the moon reflected in water—vague yet refreshing, enchanting and intoxicating.
In the room, Dugu Baitian saw the graceful figure he had been longing for for two years. She was still wearing a green dress, her beautiful face looking slightly haggard.
"Brother Baitian!"
Situ Mingyue threw herself into Dugu Baitian's arms.
Dugu Baitian stood motionless, letting her bury her face in his chest.
Tears streamed down Situ Mingyue's face. "Brother Baitian, I know I'm sorry for you. I shouldn't have fallen in love with two people at the same time—wuwu..."
Big tears fell onto Dugu Baitian's chest, soaking his clothes.
"You have no idea how much I missed you these past two years. And just when I was so lonely, Senior Brother Liu walked into my life. Moreover, he sacrificed so much for me. I found that he had many of your traits—same defiance, same perseverance. I started to see him as you to comfort my longing, but before I knew it, I fell deeply in love with him, just like I loved you. Wuwu... my heart is so painful—wuwu..."
Dugu Baitian let her talk and cry, standing silently without moving or saying a word.
When love is split into two, can it still be called love?
"Brother Baitian, say something—hit me if you want!" Situ Mingyue's face was covered in tears, looking pitiful.
Dugu Baitian gently pushed her away from his chest and said, "Is it only because he's like me that you like him?"
"He has ideals and aspirations. He wants to make a name for himself in the martial arts world, to accomplish great things on this continent..." Seeing Dugu Baitian's indifferent face, Situ Mingyue's voice trailed off.
Dugu Baitian mocked himself silently: ideals and aspirations. What about me? A hooligan, a fighting maniac.
Situ Mingyue looked at him in panic. "Brother Baitian, forgive me—don't be like this. Give me some time, and I'll forget Senior Brother Liu."
Dugu Baitian felt completely disappointed. Even now, she was still thinking about that Senior Brother Liu.
"Yue'er, you don't need to blame yourself. We were just children in the past—we didn't know what love really was. Love is not only a promise, but also a responsibility. It requires two hearts to be together forever.
You don't need to dwell on the oaths we made in the past—you were too young to understand true love. Moreover, I can't bring you any happiness. Grandfather said I have a heaven-defying battle soul. I was born to practice martial arts and live for battle. My life will be filled with killings. The peaceful life I have now is just the calm before the storm. Once I step into the martial arts world, there will be no turning back.
Go back to your Senior Brother Liu. Although I only met him once, I can tell he truly loves you—he can bring you happiness. Go, and may you live happily ever after."
Situ Mingyue was already sobbing uncontrollably. "Wuwu... no, Brother Baitian, I will never leave you!"
Dugu Baitian pushed her away again, helped her walk out of the room, and then to the front gate.
The servants of the Dugu family looked on in surprise at the expressionless Dugu Baitian and the tearful Situ Mingyue, not knowing what had happened.
Dugu Baitian walked Situ Mingyue all the way to the gate of the Situ Clan's residence before stopping.
Situ Mingyue's face was covered in tears. "Brother Baitian, I will never leave you. Can you hug me one more time?"
Dugu Baitian hesitated for a moment, but finally, he didn't move.
"Brother Baitian, you're so cruel!"
Tears streaming down her face, Situ Mingyue turned and ran into the courtyard.
Dugu Baitian turned around numbly and walked back to his own home. His heart was filled with endless bitterness. When a pure love was stained, he had chosen to give up—but he also felt like he was running away.
First love is unforgettable.
Unforgettable first love, because it is filled with passion amid innocence, hides childlike innocence amid carefreeness, and reveals purity amid affection.
Unforgettable first love, because the once vow of eternal love still echoes in the ears, because the past smiling face still appears before the eyes, because the former telepathy still lingers to this day.