When he appeared among the blossoms, the teasing smile at the corner of his eyes was enough to make her throw herself at him, ready to sacrifice everything for him.
But if she had known the ending would be so bleak, how could she have been so greedy, no matter how much she loved him?
She once thought love meant whispering sweet nothings and swearing eternal vows, holding each other so tightly in an embrace. Then one day, she understood that love could be quiet and cold, yet wholehearted, with even the words spoken so softly.
But he only smiled faintly. "Ling'er, since you provoked me, did you really think there was any chance you'd get away?"
He spoke with a calm, carefree smile, yet she felt a chill run down her spine.
