Hong Yi stood by the window, back straight, but everything inside him was collapsing
Xiamen words kept echoing in his head like a cruel reminder:
I just want to leave.
I don't want to stay here anymore.
I just want my son safe.
She didn't want him.
Not his care.
Not his presence.
Not even the ties that bound them.
She just want to leave with her son . She want to escape her father , she want to escape from hongyi .
Only Men her son —Haoyu—remained connected to him.
And the knowledge cut deeper than anything else.
He looked at her now, standing across the room with her hands folded in front of her, eyes lowered, hiding everything she no longer wanted him to see.
His voice came out low, tired, and full of a sadness he could no longer hide.
"Okay," he whispered.
"If your happiness lies in not wanting to stay here… then it's okay."
Xiamen stiffened, her fingers curling slightly.
Hong Yi forced a small, bitter smile.
"You can go."
He said in his mind, if you want to go, it's okay, I have no right to stop you, I just want your happiness.
Those words tasted like poison.
A piece of his heart fell apart the moment they left his mouth, but he spoke them anyway—because he refused to cage her. He refused to become another person she needed to escape from. He want her happiness.
"But," he added quietly, his eyes lifting to hers.
Xiamen looked up, surprised.
Hong Yi took a small breath, steadying himself.
"I have… one request."
She didn't answer, but her silence meant she was listening.
"In two days," he continued, "I've organized a party. To celebrate the company."
His voice wavered for a second, but he didn't look away.
"I would like you to go after that."
Xiamen's breath hitched—because she understood the meaning hidden behind his words.
Two more days.
Two more days before she walked out of his life.
Two more days before the distance between them became permanent.
She swallowed hard, her throat tightening.
"Hong Yi…" she whispered, unsure how to respond.
He gave a fragile smile that hurt more than any tears could have.
"It's selfish, I know," he murmured. "But I want the world to see you standing beside me at least once more."
His hand curled against his side, nails digging into his palm.
"And after that—"
his voice broke slightly,
"—I won't stop you anymore."
Xiamen's heart squeezed painfully.
This man…
This stubborn, proud man…
He wasn't asking her to stay.
He wasn't begging.
He was preparing himself for the moment she walked away forever.
And somehow, that hurt her more than all the anger, guilt, or misunderstandings ever did.
A long silence filled the room.
Finally, Xiamen lowered her gaze and nodded faintly.
"…Okay."
Hong Yi's breath trembled—in relief, in sadness, in something he didn't dare to name.
"Thank you," he whispered.
But both of them knew—
The next two days would be the longest, most painful countdown of their lives.