But she kept walking, hand in Cang's, head held high despite the wet patch still visible on her pants, despite the tears still streaking her face.
For the first time in her life—
She was choosing.
Not being forced. Not being manipulated. Choosing.
And it felt glorious.
They reached the exit, stepping out into the morning sun, and—
"WAIT—!!"
Footsteps behind them. Running. Desperate.
Cang and Yue turned—
Young Master Wei was following them, having leaped off the platform and pushed through the crowd, his face a mask of humiliation and rage.
"Wei Chen—!!" Madam Wei's voice screamed from inside the hall. "COME BACK—DON'T FOLLOW THEM—!!"
But he ignored her, ignored everyone, focused entirely on the woman who'd just rejected him publicly.
"Where are you going—?!" he demanded, breathing heavily. "What are you going to do—?!"
Cang looked at him with mild interest, like observing an insect.
