Julian’s eyes turned red instantly, and his tone trembled.

"You want a clean break with me?"

I pursed my lips, lowering my head to avoid his gaze, using silence as my answer.

Julian grabbed my wrist without a word, his expression pained. He looked at me, finding me incredibly like a stranger at this moment.

I retreated in fear, wanting to pull my hand back, but I couldn't break free from the strength of a grown man.

"Julian, what are you doing!"

I demanded in a hushed voice, my brows furrowing together in defense and fear.

I was afraid.

I was afraid of him.

Realizing this, Julian briefly lost his reason. He kept closing in on me, pinning me between himself and the rockery. Our breaths mingled, and he could hear my heart beating like a drum.

"You don't want to owe me, but you’re fine owing Arthur? You remember everything I ever gave you, marked clearly and clearly, but what about his? How do you intend to repay him!"

Julian’s questioning was more like a desperate, low roar, venting the pain he had nowhere else to unleash.

The veins on his neck were distinct. I closed my eyes and turned my head away in fear.

Watching me shrink and tremble, Julian’s heart nearly broke. He took the banknotes from my hand and stuffed them back into my small handbag.

Taking a deep breath, he said slowly: "You are not to pay it off. We are going to remain entangled forever."

Chapter 22

This was perhaps the most out-of-control thing he had done and the most outrageous thing he had ever said in his life.

But he truly could not accept me drawing a line between us.

He had always known that once a person developed feelings, they gained attachments—it was a complex thing—so he had never considered his own personal affairs until he met Elena, at which point he finally saw himself clearly.

But what he didn't know was that feelings don't just cause regret and heartache; they also make people timid and cowardly.

He looked at me, the words he wanted to say choking in his throat, yet he could never bring himself to ask:

"You want a clean break with me—is it because you want to, or because of Arthur?"

He didn't dare ask; he feared being sentenced to death.

The skin beneath his palm was warm and delicate. Julian struggled for a long time before taking a step back and releasing my wrist. A faint red mark bloomed on that snow-white skin. Julian looked away, turned, and strode away.

I rubbed my aching wrist and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

I turned back to walk home, completely unaware of Arthur, who was hiding in the tree above.

Seeing that I was safe and sound, he breathed a sigh of relief too, but the moment he thought of Julian, his teeth itched with anger. When Julian had closed in on me, he had nearly jumped down to punch him twice.

Fortunately, he hadn't actually done anything.

Arthur had looked down on Julian since they were children, disliking that he was young yet pretentious, always wearing a stern face as if everyone owed him money.

He leapt from the tree and landed steadily. He watched me until I was safely home, then circled the perimeter once before heading inside.

Back in my room.

It took me a long time to calm my mood. I took that pile of scattered banknotes out of my bag and lowered my head, feeling lonely.

Julian’s indifferent, scrutinizing, and disappointed gaze kept surfacing in my mind. They intertwined with the "I like you" he said today, mercilessly flaying my heart.

If it were in the past, I might have been overjoyed and reconciled with him.

But now I knew—that wasn't liking.

I curled up in the corner of my living room sofa. The vividly blooming flowers on the balcony swayed in the breeze, making my inner conviction even firmer.

"That wasn't liking."

If he truly liked me, he wouldn't have easily believed the words of others and branded me with those unfounded slurs.

If he truly liked me, even if I were flawed, he wouldn't have been cold and contemptuous.

Julian had done neither.

Settling my emotions, I washed my face, tidied myself up, and slowly walked downstairs.

Arthur was the only one in the living room.

He was holding a newspaper, looking quite engrossed, and only looked up when he saw me come down.

"Awake? I hadn't seen you come down, so I didn't let Mrs. Wu call you."

As he spoke, he lifted the brown paper bag on the table: "Breakfast has gone cold, but this is the congee and xiaolongbao I went out to buy for you. Eat at least a little."

"Thank you, Brother Arthur."

I walked over, took out the breakfast, and ate it in small bites.

The congee was fine and soft, and a subtle, lingering sweetness spread through my mouth. Without realizing it, my mood improved a little.

Arthur curled the corners of his lips behind the newspaper, his gaze toward me filled with a hint of doting.

Two days later.

Before Cheng Julian and his wife left, they went to the hospital to visit my mother, Evelyn. Julian did not appear.

I felt much more relaxed. Although he hadn't taken his money back, he had at least accepted my proposal.

"Elena, what are you thinking about?"

Evelyn looked at me, lost in thought, and patted my hand. I came to my senses and shook my head: "Nothing. Mom, are you hungry? I’ll peel some fruit for you."

Cheng Julian and his wife were gone, and the fruit basket they had brought was still on the nightstand. I picked up an apple, but Evelyn shook her head.

"Elena, tell Mom the truth—did something happen with Julian in the past?"

Chapter 23

I was slightly taken aback, then asked in surprise: "Mom, why would you ask that?"

"When those two from the Julian family were here, they kept looking at you whenever they mentioned Julian's name, and you would drift off. It made me feel uneasy."

Evelyn's brows furrowed, her gaze filled with concern.

"It’s nothing like that. It’s just that when we were in the capital, Julian paid for some medical expenses and some of my daily costs. I had saved some money and intended to pay him back this time, but he didn't want it."

Hearing my explanation, Evelyn’s tense heart slowly relaxed.

"As long as it's nothing, that's fine. You did the right thing. If you owe someone money, you must pay it back. We must pay back the Julian family, and the Arthur family as well. Once my health improves, I’ll help you pay them back together."

I looked at her, gave a big smile, and promised her readily.

"Okay, then Mom must listen to the doctor and cooperate well with the treatment."

I leaned against Evelyn’s knee, letting out a long, heavy breath.

October 21, 1977.

The college entrance examination is restored.

After a few snowfalls, the time arrived in December.

I leaned over my desk, writing and calculating on scratch paper, completely unaware that Xie Wanzhi had been watching me for a long time from behind.

Seeing me finish a problem and put down my pen, Xie Wanzhi placed a glass of warm milk on my desk.

I looked up: "Auntie Xie, when did you get here?"

"I saw how focused you were on your studies and didn't want to disturb you. This year, the preparation time for the exam is truly rushed. Don't be too nervous; it doesn't matter if you have to take it a few more times. Don't tire yourself out."

"The milk is getting cold; drink it while it's hot. If you need anything, just let me know."

Xie Wanzhi spoke with concern, instructing me just like any ordinary mother worried about her child.

"Okay, Auntie Xie, don't worry, I have confidence!"

Seeing Xie Wanzhi's hands clasped together due to anxiety and nervousness, I gave her a confident, reassuring smile.

"Good child, Auntie believes in you."

As Xie Wanzhi’s figure disappeared at the door, I gripped my pen, took a deep breath, and looked at the snowflakes falling outside the window, writing down a sentence:

In the deepest winter, I finally learned that deep within me there lay an invincible summer.

The tenth day of December.

The Arthur family rose early and stood ready. Mrs. Wu had long finished breakfast and was standing to the side.

When I came downstairs with my bag, I saw this tense atmosphere and couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Arthur found it rare that he couldn't speak smoothly: "Elena, once you’re in the exam room, don't be nervous. Don't put yourself under pressure. It's fine if you don't pass this year. You can take it as many times as you want; your uncle supports you!"

Xie Wanzhi reached out and pinched his waist.