Chapter 118: The Final Chapter

That night appeared calm on the surface, yet beneath it flowed a torrent of hidden currents. Beigong Qiyi had a dream, in which he saw a man—a silhouette he knew well, draped in familiar dark green, with a familiar broad back, and a feeling he could not forget.

He hurried forward, desperate to see the man’s face, but no matter how fast he moved, the man always stayed just ahead. Qiyi reached out, yet his hand passed through the man’s body, grasping nothing but emptiness. Startled, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Late at night, Qiyi did not light a lamp. He casually donned his coat and stood by the window. The rain and snow had passed, and the moon shone brightly outside. He pushed open the window and stretched out his hand; the biting wind rushed in, yet Qiyi was unbothered. Slowly, he clenched his empty fist—there was nothing there to hold.

He knew he had forgotten someone. His memory held no trace of that person, yet faintly, as if from a distant echo, he seemed to remember everything about them. Closing his eyes, then suddenly opening them again, he pointed at the vermilion lamp on the table, and its flame flickered to life. Fetching paper and pen, he closed his eyes once more. His hand moved swiftly, though his mind was blank, but on the paper slowly emerged the outline of a man.

Qiyi gradually stopped, opening his eyes to look at the drawing. The lines were simple, barely enough to discern a man wearing a dark green robe, with rare dark green eyes. His heartbeat quickened as he contemplated the image.

The next morning, Qiyi sought the man with the fox mask he had encountered the night before. He searched every corner of the Flower Pavilion but found no trace of him.

“I will find you,” Qiyi whispered, clutching the deep crimson robe. “I know it’s you.” Outside the door, Ximo staggered back two steps, leaning weakly against the wall. Closing his eyes, he forced a lonely smile. Beigong Juechen, you have won. Though he forgot you in his memory, your mark remains deeply etched in his soul. So you must understand: whether you stay or leave, he may not recall all that transpired between you, but he will always remember that he loves you.

Even the feeling of love. If you stay, he will fall in love with you anew; if you leave, he will love you again. And when that time comes, the feeling of loss and rediscovery will make it all the more unforgettable.

“I know why you left.” Along the leafless trees lining the narrow path, two men rode horses at a leisurely pace. Fu Zhi looked at Beigong Juechen and spoke softly. Juechen smiled slightly. “Oh?”

Fu Zhi withdrew his gaze to the empty path ahead. “Because you know that no matter whether you stay or leave, the result is the same. ‘Emotion Crossing’ may have made him forget you, but he has not forgotten his love for you. Beigong Juechen, Beigong Qiyi’s love for you was simply too profound.”

Juechen tilted his head with a faint laugh. “Qiyi once said he loved me to the bone, never to forget. I merely took a gamble. It seems I have won this time. But even if I’ve won, Qiyi has not lost. Upon reflection, over these years, the one who truly lost between us has always been me.”

Fu Zhi gazed distantly, his eyes hollow. “That is because perhaps you never truly wished for him to lose…”

※※※

“Beigong, why didn’t you show your big brother some affection today? Instead, you dragged me out.” Opening the door to the private room, Qiyi was greeted by Chu Muji’s teasing. Big brother… Qiyi’s eyes flickered subtly as he smiled faintly, composed. “I came to ask you something.”

Chu Muji scoffed lightly, raising an eyebrow. “Go ahead, is it about the Second Prince? How have you been pressuring him? Haven’t you noticed he’s been sulking these days…”

“Chu Muji, since when did you become such a chatterbox?” Qiyi interrupted, though if Chu hadn’t mentioned it, he might have forgotten Zhao Yixiao’s existence entirely. Yet, just right—Qiyi’s lips curved slightly.

Taken aback by Qiyi’s retort, Chu Muji pouted with mock grievance. “Then, what is the young master’s question?”

Young master… Qiyi’s eyes flickered again. “Put away that disgusting face of yours,” he said disdainfully, pulling out a drawing and placing it before Chu Muji. “Can you tell who this is?”

Chu Muji wiped away two fake tears, but upon seeing the sketch, he burst out laughing. “Hahaha, Beigong, your drawing skills have really declined. What’s this? The nose isn’t a nose, the mouth isn’t a mouth. If it weren’t for those dark green eyes, I wouldn’t recognize this as the Beigong estate master! Hahaha!”

Beigong estate master… big brother… Bai Juechen… Qiyi suddenly recalled his former alias, Bai Qiyi! Bai Juechen must be Beigong Juechen! Narrowing his eyes, he thought, Is it really you, big brother? Carefully, he folded the drawing and slapped Chu Muji’s head, still laughing. “Chu Muji, thanks for your help this time. Drinks on me another day. I have business now, I’m off!”

“Wait, aren’t you here to ask me something? Why are you leaving? And why thank me?” Chu Muji rubbed his head, puzzled. The room was empty except for his own echo as he turned slowly, his playful expression vanishing. Pouring himself a drink, he sighed.

After the rain and snow passed, the skies cleared.

Zhao Yixiao felt his mood improving along with the brightening weather. Idly, he tossed fish feed into a pond. “You little ones sure seem happy…”

“Is something troubling the Second Prince lately?” A voice appeared behind him, causing Zhao Yixiao to startle and nearly spill the feed. “Don’t you think you’re too casual coming and going from my manor?” Upon seeing the visitor, Zhao’s once-smiling face darkened.

Qiyi paid no heed, casually sitting in a chair. “Second Prince, I came to ask a favor.”

Zhao sneered. “Does the young master still need my help?”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Qiyi arched an eyebrow. “My brother left the estate in anger after I upset him recently. You have many connections; I want you to help me find him.”

“If your influence is so vast, why come to me?” Zhao squinted. If I remembered what he looked like, I wouldn’t need your help, Qiyi thought quietly, though he smiled lightly. “But since he is the estate master, if I sent the estate looking, who knows how long it’d take.”

Glancing at Zhao, Qiyi poured a cup of tea. “Second Prince, if you find my brother, I’ll return half the estate to you.”

Who promised you that? You took it by force! Zhao’s lips twitched, though he smiled wider. “It’s a deal?”

Qiyi sipped tea calmly. “A deal.”

Though all land under heaven belongs to the king and all subjects to the sovereign, possessing the Beigong estate was tantamount to half the kingdom. Asking for it was a way to grow stronger, to be worthy of that man. Now, to sacrifice for that man—so be it. He had never cared for it much anyway.

Zhao’s smile widened, unaware that this search would last over a year…

A year later.

A woman in black clothes outlined her graceful curves, her long hair tied neatly at the nape. Arms folded, expressionless, she leaned against a tree just budding leaves, eyes fixed on the distance as if awaiting someone.

Soon, a faint smile crossed her face as two men approached—one in white, the other in green. She rose to greet them. “Long time no see.”

The man in the dark green robe smiled. “Just over a year.”

They had left in winter; now it was early spring. Qiang Yanxi glanced over Juechen lightly, smiling. “Good you returned. Let’s go.”

Juechen shook his head. “No, I must go somewhere. You and Fu Zhi go ahead.”

Qiang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Fu Zhi. “I’ll wait up ahead. Ranluo has been waiting for you a long time.” Fu Zhi nodded, looking at Juechen. “Thank you for this past year.”

Juechen clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the green leaves. “I should be the one thanking you.”

Fu Zhi’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he lowered his eyelids. “Juechen, do you remember the first time we met?”

A leaf trembled and fell. Juechen caught it and chuckled softly. “The sky was overcast. When I saw you, you were making medicine. I thought you must be a natural stoic.”

Fu Zhi closed his eyes, nose reddening slightly, but his smile deepened—the widest he had ever shown.

He would never forget that moment when his gaze met those deep green eyes, feeling a part of his heart collapse. It is said, “When golden wind meets jade dew, it surpasses all worldly encounters.”

“Young master, the Beigong estate master’s temper is truly long,” Zhao said with a half-smile. “For a year, I sent people to investigate but was always blocked. Only with his return today did I get news.”

“Enough talk,” Qiyi urged. After a year of waiting, hearing this news made him impatient. “Where is he?”

Zhao smiled slowly. “Beigong estate master is… at the Flower Pavilion!”

Hearing those words, Qiyi rose and hurried out.

But outside Zhao’s manor, Ximo blocked his path. “Sir, must you go?”

Qiyi nodded without hesitation. “I must.”

Though expecting his answer, Ximo smiled bitterly. “I knew you’d say that. Sorry, sir, but I cannot serve you any longer.”

Qiyi frowned slightly, looking at Ximo, whose face was pale, forced smile barely concealing his pain. Qiyi patted his shoulder gently. “Ximo, I’m the one who’s sorry…”

Ximo smiled weakly, shaking his head. “Sir… you must be happy.”

“Mm.” Qiyi smiled softly, sighed, patted Ximo’s shoulder again, and slowly walked away. Ximo seemed drained, staggering as he closed his eyes and hugged himself. Losing again after gaining was more painful than the first farewell.

The Flower Pavilion buzzed with music and dance that night. When Qiyi stepped inside, his body trembled slightly. The languid melodies filled the air; graceful dancers moved softly to the music. His gaze roamed, searching for a person he should never forget.

He pushed through the crowd, searching place to place. His steps faltered as he looked up and saw a figure in dark green seated on the second-floor railing. Qiyi smiled softly, stepping firmly before the man.

“Hello, we meet again,” Qiyi said with a gentle smile. The man raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Unperturbed, Qiyi continued, “May I see your face?”

The man curled his lips slightly, as if smiling. Qiyi’s hand reached out to touch the fox mask on his face.

The man did not resist. Looking at Qiyi, he whispered, “As you wish.”

Qiyi’s hand trembled as he gazed into those dark green eyes, slowly removing the mask.

His breath caught. That face was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Though his memory held no trace of ever seeing it before, it felt as if he had caressed it hundreds of times. Tossing the mask aside, he gently stroked the man’s face. “You are truly beautiful…”

The man raised his brow. “You, in turn, are a little more dazzling than I am.”

Qiyi’s gaze never left his face. “In my memory, I shouldn’t know you, but my heart tells me I cannot let you go.”

The man smiled faintly.

Qiyi reverently cupped his face. Those dark green eyes, the ones he often dreamed of, stared straight back. He dared not even blink. “Are you my big brother? Beigong… Juechen…” he whispered.

The man shook his head slowly. “No.”

Qiyi was stunned, then heard the man say with a smile, “I am the one you said you loved to the bone and would never forget.”

Two tears slipped from the corner of the young man’s eyes, unnoticed even by himself.

Beigong Juechen sighed gently and leaned down to kiss the youth’s lips. Qiyi’s heart pounded fiercely. His hands tightened on the man’s face, deepening the kiss with all his strength.

Though I do not remember, I know I love you. From the moment I saw you, I knew I loved you.

“Big brother… Beigong Juechen…”

“Brother.”

Qi Yong smiled, pulling the tear-streaked youth into his arms. “Don’t cry, be good.” Ximo sobbed in the man’s embrace. “Big brother, this time I’m the one who let him go, not the other way around. I was the one who gave up…”

Qi Yong gently stroked Ximo’s head, sighing softly. “Yes, this time you let him go. You are stronger than big brother.”

“Big brother, when you return, I will give you back the estate, alright?” Qiyi asked, holding Juechen’s hand tightly.

Juechen responded calmly, “No need.”

Qiyi shook his head. “Still, I’ll return it! So you won’t disappear again.”

Juechen raised an eyebrow. “As you wish.”

He glanced at the boy’s foolish smile and casually asked, “How is your secret chamber?”

Qiyi blinked. “It’s alright, I guess. I have a perfect steward!”

Suddenly, the overwhelmed steward sneezed.

“Big brother, let’s go home.”

“…Alright.”

The author has a word: It’s finished! Throwing flowers!!! Though the author may be a bit unreliable, heartfelt thanks to all who supported until the end. A big kiss to each of you!

It’s over, no epilogue. Whether there will be a story about Zhucha and Su Yueling, who knows?

For everything else, please follow the author’s column at 166 Reading Network.