The wind howled outside the quiet house, carrying with it the faint scent of rain and old memories. Meilin sat alone in Rui's study — the room she had once avoided because it reminded her of the man she could never understand.
Now, the room felt different. Softer. Sadder.
Stacks of books lined the walls, neatly arranged like he had left them, and on the desk lay a small wooden box tied with a faded red ribbon. Her heart thudded. She remembered that box — Rui used to keep his letters there, the ones he said were "meant for someday."
With trembling hands, Meilin untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.
Inside were folded papers — old, yellowed, each carrying her name in his familiar handwriting.
> "Meilin."
"To my wife, who forgot how to smile."
"For the day you finally understand."
Her fingers shook as she unfolded the first letter.
---
My dearest Meilin,
If you are reading this, it means I didn't stop loving you — no matter how much it hurt.
You always said love was a burden, that it made people weak. But when I looked at you, I realized love isn't weakness. It's what kept me alive.
You don't know how many nights I stood outside your door, listening to you cry, wishing I could take the pain for you. I wanted to reach out, but you built a wall so high even I couldn't climb it.
Still, I stayed. Because even if you couldn't love me, I promised myself I'd never stop loving you.
If heaven gives you another chance… I hope you learn to love without fear.
— Jiang Rui
---
Tears blurred her vision as she clutched the letter to her chest.
All those years… he had loved her quietly, while she drowned in her own pride.
"Rui…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "You fool. You loved me even when I didn't deserve it."
The door creaked open.
She turned sharply — and there he was. Standing at the doorway, eyes calm but heavy with emotion.
"You found them," he said softly.
Meilin nodded, unable to speak. "Why didn't you tell me?"
He walked closer, each step slow, deliberate. "Because I didn't write them for you to forgive me. I wrote them so I wouldn't forget why I loved you in the first place."
A tear slid down her cheek. "And now?"
Rui reached out, brushing her tears away. "Now… I just want to know if that second chance you were given includes me."
Meilin smiled through her tears, took his hand, and pressed it against her heart.
"It always did."
He pulled her into his arms, and for the first time in years, there was no distance — only warmth, only home.
Outside, the rain finally stopped. The clouds parted, and sunlight poured in through the window, touching their faces like a quiet blessing.
From the hallway, Xiaoya's laughter
rang out again, clear and bright — the sound of a future reborn.