Many years later, Chu Hua would always remember that day.
He said, “I can dote on you and help you grow, but I cannot love you.”
He stood tall before her, so close that she only had to reach out a little to touch the hem of his immaculate robe. But even after summoning all her courage, she still could not bring herself to do it.
He looked down at her kneeling at his feet, his tone as calm and impassive as ever, utterly unmoved.
He turned and left, stepping onto the cloud ladder and ascending one step at a time. The ladder reached straight into the clouds, surrounded by an endless emptiness, yet he walked without haste, his resolve absolute.
Many years later, she still did not know that, beyond the reach of her gaze that day, his steps had faltered and blood had welled at the corner of his mouth.
