Chu Zhaoyang needed sunshine; why wouldn't he?
"I just wasn't as lucky as Chu Zhaoyang to have you by my side."
Chu Zhaoyang had his family and her.
But he had nothing from the beginning.
"You'll remember me, won't you? For a lifetime," Chi Yiheng said.
He laughed at himself before finishing the sentence.
No matter if their memories were good or bad, their bond was deep and unbreakable.
After all they had been through, she would probably find it hard to forget him in this lifetime.
That was enough. Whether those memories were good or bad, as long as she remembered him, it was enough.
As long as he occupied a place in her heart, it was enough.
Chi Yiheng released Gu Nian, saying one last thing, "Perhaps, if fate allows, we'll meet again."
However, he knew in his heart that Gu Nian probably never wanted to see him again in this lifetime.
Reaching this point, Chi Yiheng's heart ached painfully.
The helicopter flew over the castle, and Gu Nian turned to see Chu Zhaoyang standing at the open door of the helicopter.
"Nian Nian!" Chu Zhaoyang called out, reaching out his hand towards her.
Chi Yiheng ran to the edge of the castle, standing precariously at the edge. Just a slight tilt, and he would fall.
The wind whipped around him, messing up his hair and blowing his clothes backward.
A fully armed agent standing next to Chu Zhaoyang aimed a gun at Chi Yiheng.
Before Gu Nian could react, a gunshot rang out.
In that moment, time seemed to stop. Gu Nian stiffened and turned her head.
She saw Chi Yiheng smiling, relaxing his body as he fell backward from the edge of the castle.
Gu Nian's eyes widened, pupils shrinking as her blood seemed to freeze.
She had never intended for Chi Yiheng to die, especially not in front of her, watching him die.
Gu Nian stood frozen, but then another loud "whirring" sound intertwined with the helicopter's roar above her.
Looking toward the sound, she saw another helicopter rising and flying away.
The helicopter was connected to a ladder, and Chi Yiheng was standing on it.
He... wasn't dead...
Chi Yiheng held the rope ladder tightly, looking back at the increasingly small figure of Gu Nian.
"Gu Nian, I said I wouldn't let you see me in a pitiful state at our parting," Chi Yiheng murmured to himself.
This kind of farewell, she would probably remember for the rest of her life.
With that thought, a smile appeared on Chi Yiheng's lips.
The helicopter hovered over the castle, and Chu Zhaoyang jumped down.
"Nian Nian!" he called out, rushing over to hug her tightly. "I finally found you."
Gu Nian clung to Chu Zhaoyang. Even though she was now safe, the fear of the past two days still lingered.
"Why did it take you so long to find me?" Gu Nian complained, feeling aggrieved.
"I'm sorry," Chu Zhaoyang lowered his head, pressing a heavy kiss on her hair.
"Let's leave first," Chu Zhaoyang said, carrying Gu Nian to the helicopter and helping her inside before boarding himself.
Fu Yinxi, ever considerate, put on his earphones, giving them some privacy.
But the helicopter's interior was too small. Even with Fu Yinxi and his team wearing earphones, Chu Zhaoyang and Gu Nian couldn't ignore their presence.
With Gu Nian finally in his arms, Chu Zhaoyang calmed down. He then noticed her face was unnaturally red.
He frowned, reaching out to feel her forehead.
So hot!
Gu Nian found Chu Zhaoyang's cool hand soothing and couldn't help but nuzzle against it, letting out a soft sound.
Because it was Chu Zhaoyang, she no longer needed to hide her reactions or emotions.
"Do you have a fever?" Chu Zhaoyang asked.
Gu Nian shook her head, clutching his shirt tightly. In a small voice, she said, "They didn't give me any food, only a bottle of water. The water was drugged. I was afraid there was something wrong with it, so I didn't drink it. I only wet my lips when I was very thirsty. But even so, I still absorbed some of it."
Chu Zhaoyang understood immediately without her needing to say more.
Fu Yinxi took off his earphones and said, "There's a doctor waiting when we get back. Don't worry."
Chu Zhaoyang: "..."
Weren't you wearing earphones?
You could hear everything?
Fu Yinxi, dignified, said, "I put on earphones to give you some privacy, but for me, it makes no difference whether I wear them or not."
Chu Zhaoyang: "..."
Gu Nian: "..."
Fu Yinxi put his earphones back on.
Chu Zhaoyang: "..."
Gu Nian: "..."
If he could hear everything, what's the point of pretending?
Chu Zhaoyang ignored Fu Yinxi, thinking he was just envious seeing them together because Ming Yutong wasn't there.
Heh!
With Gu Nian's feverish face, she leaned against him, seeking comfort.
Fortunately, she still had some sense, knowing others were around, so she didn't cling too much.
Even so, Chu Zhaoyang felt a burning desire as she nuzzled against him.
When he couldn't find her, he was incredibly anxious.
Knowing her location, he feared she was suffering.
Now that he finally found her, he just wanted to hold her tightly.