Volume 4 Chapter 11

Volume 4 + Chapter 11: The Truth And The Farewell Letter

“Where is this?” At that moment, Bai Yuxuan suddenly found herself enveloped in a darkness that resembled the abyssal depths of the ocean, bone-chillingly cold and impervious to any light.

Just then, a dazzling radiance burst forth not far away. The intense light pierced through the dense gloom, yet it wasn’t the least bit harsh, on the contrary, it imparted a warm, comforting sensation.

Driven by overwhelming curiosity, Bai Yuxuan walked toward the light. She wondered what could emit such a powerful yet gentle glow. But when she saw the source at the center of the brilliance, she abruptly stopped, because standing there was the person she had longed for day and night: Ouyang Qianxue.

At that moment, Ouyang Qianxue, standing in the heart of the light, gave her a faint smile, then turned and walked away into the distance.

“Qianxue, wait for me!” Bai Yuxuan dashed after him. Yet the darkness seemed to have soundproofing properties, Qianxue acted as if he hadn’t heard the call at all, continuing forward on his own.

“Qianxue, don’t leave me! I’m begging you!” But this space was eerily strange. No matter how desperately Bai Yuxuan ran, the distance between them didn’t shrink, it only grew larger. Finally, exhausted and drained of all strength, she could only watch helplessly as Qianxue grew smaller and smaller in her field of vision until he vanished.

“Qianxue, don’t go!” Summoning the very last ounce of her strength, Bai Yuxuan broke through the darkness.

“Young Master, you’re awake.” Suddenly opening her eyes, Bai Yuxuan saw Xiao Liu’s worried face before her and realized that what she had just experienced was nothing but a dream.

“Whew, ” Bai Yuxuan breathed a sigh of relief, but her respite was short-lived, soon she tensed up again.

“By the way, Xiao Liu, where is Qianxue? Did you see her when you came?” She grabbed Xiao Liu’s shoulders frantically and asked.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. When I arrived, I only saw you lying alone on the sofa. But Young Master, does the wound on your wrist still hurt? When I got here, your wrist had already been bandaged.”

“It’s nothing.” Bai Yuxuan touched the gauze on her wrist. It must have been Qianxue’s doing. That girl, as gentle as ever.

“So, have you found out where she is now?” Bai Yuxuan immediately asked Xiao Liu.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. After we saw you bring Miss Ouyang back to the apartment, we assumed the matter was resolved, so… forgive me, Young Master. I’m not making excuses, I was simply too careless. Please punish me, Young Master.”

As Xiao Liu finished speaking, Bai Yuxuan froze. She felt as though she were no longer herself. What had Xiao Liu just said? Forcing herself not to dwell on the meaning of those words, she quickly glanced at her watch.

“No, I still have a chance. It’s only 7:55. Qianxue’s flight is at eight o’clock sharp. Even if we can’t make it in five minutes, her flight might still be delayed, right? When we get there, maybe she’ll still be stranded at the airport. Quick, get a car, we’re going to the airport immediately!” Bai Yuxuan’s expression was extremely agitated, like a castaway who had been wandering the desert for days and suddenly spotted an oasis.

“Young Master, Miss Ouyang’s flight was indeed delayed, but only by fifteen minutes.” Looking at the ecstatic Bai Yuxuan, Xiao Liu’s eyes were filled with sympathy.

“That’s great! Then what are we waiting for… Wait, it’s not even eight o’clock yet. How do you know Qianxue’s flight will be delayed?” Bai Yuxuan’s expression began to shift rapidly, from initial excitement to fear.

“Because that was yesterday’s flight.” Xiao Liu’s words struck like a thunderbolt, shattering the last shred of illusion in Bai Yuxuan’s heart. After a long pause, Bai Yuxuan asked in a trembling voice, “So… I’ve slept for an entire day and night?”

Xiao Liu merely nodded gently, unsure how to respond to Bai Yuxuan.

“Hahaha!” Suddenly, Bai Yuxuan burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Young Master!” Xiao Liu was alarmed by the frantic Bai Yuxuan.

“Xiao Liu, am I not an utter fool? I knew from the start that there would be countless obstacles before this relationship, and I knew I probably wouldn’t succeed, yet I still clung to that sliver of hope, because I truly, deeply love Qianxue.” As she spoke, Bai Yuxuan’s tears streamed down her face.

“Young Master, please don’t be too distressed. I didn’t have a chance to tell you earlier, but Miss Ouyang left a letter for you before she departed.”

“What? Quick, give it to me!” Bai Yuxuan wiped away her tears and cried out anxiously.

“Here is the letter, Young Master. Rest assured, since I didn’t have your permission, I haven’t read its contents.” Xiao Liu handed the letter to Bai Yuxuan.

Bai Yuxuan tore open the envelope impatiently, but the moment she pulled out the letter paper, she hesitated. She was terrified that Qianxue had written this letter to sever all ties with her, turning them into strangers. Yet in the end, she drew out the paper. After all, even if she didn’t read it, according to Wang Qian, Qianxue might never return to Xijiang. Moreover, the letter might contain the truth about Qianxue’s departure. So even if it was a farewell letter, she had to read it through.

She unfolded the letter and saw elegantly written characters on the page.

“Bai Yuxuan, by the time you receive this letter, I should no longer be in Xijiang City.” At just the first line, Bai Yuxuan’s vision blurred, and tears once again welled up uncontrollably. But remembering that the letter might hold the truth behind Qianxue’s departure, she gritted her teeth, suppressed her grief, and forced herself to continue reading.

“I originally wanted to tell you this face to face, but I simply lacked the courage. I don’t know how I could face you after you learn my truth. The fact is, I am nothing but a liar. I have been deceiving everyone all along. I deceived many classmates, teachers, senior schoolmates, and friends at Sakura Academy who cared about me.

What do you think? Didn’t expect my true nature to be this vile? Does it feel like your illusions have been shattered? But don’t worry, in this letter, I will reveal everything about Ouyang Qianxue, my true self, without holding anything back.

In truth, Ouyang Qianxue is by no means the outstanding senior admired by underclassmen, nor the exemplary student praised by teachers, nor the flawless campus belle and president of three clubs that so many Sakura Academy students look up to. Why? Because I, Ouyang Qianxue, am a boy! Or to put it another way, Ouyang Qianxue never existed from the very beginning. She is nothing but a false existence played by a male.

I am not joking with you, nor is this a delusion. Just as I said, psychologically and physiologically, I am a genuine boy. By now, you must find me utterly disgusting, right? That can’t be helped, since I dared to dress up as a girl and attend Sakura Academy in broad daylight, not to mention I deceived your feelings.

Bai Yuxuan, to be honest, when I first met you, I found you really irritating. But as our interactions deepened, I gradually came to understand that beneath your cold and formidable exterior lies an extraordinarily pure and innocent heart.

You yearn to be loved, and you yearn to love others. Who would have thought that the heir of the Bai family, who controls all of Xijiang, would have such a simple wish deep inside? Yet even that wish is difficult to fulfill, and that pained me deeply. That’s why I chose to become your friend, to support your wish with my own modest efforts.

But I never expected that my presumptuous actions would ultimately harm you, making you develop romantic feelings for me.

I always wanted to tell you the truth, because I couldn’t bear to see you sink deeper and deeper into a false person like me. Yet I was afraid, afraid that you wouldn’t be able to handle the shock upon learning the truth, afraid that you would take revenge by exposing my secret to the world. I’m sorry. I am such a selfish person.

I do not seek your forgiveness, nor do I wish to make excuses for myself. No matter how you curse me, I will accept it. If that still does not quell your hatred, I promise you, after I fulfill my long-cherished wish, I will return to Xijiang, come back before you, and then you may do as you please with me, kill me or cut me. I only hope that, in consideration of the time I took a bullet for you, you will spare my mother and younger sister.”

At this point, Xiao Liu watched Bai Yuxuan with growing concern.

Never before had she seen such a wealth of emotion on the face of that always-cold young man. Bai Yuxuan first showed anguish and tears, then shock, then tears again after the shock. Finally, she threw her head back and burst into wild laughter.

“Heh heh heh… Hahahaha!”

“Young Master!” Xiao Liu called out urgently, fearing that the sorrow had been too much and drove her young master to madness once more.

“Fate! This is truly fate!” Bai Yuxuan laughed heartily as she spoke.

“Of course… of course, Qianxue and I are the most perfect match! Hahaha!”

“I’m fine, Xiao Liu. I was just momentarily unable to contain my excitement.” Ten minutes later, Bai Yuxuan gradually reined in her manic laughter and patted Xiao Liu on the shoulder.

“I’m relieved you’re all right!” Seeing Bai Yuxuan back to normal, Xiao Liu let out a long sigh.

“But this secret must never be known to outsiders.” With those words, Bai Yuxuan took the letter paper to the kitchen stove, turned on the gas, lit the paper, and dropped it into a metal bucket. She did not leave until the paper had completely turned to ashes.

“I’ve made up my mind.” Bai Yuxuan said to Xiao Liu with a resolute expression.

“I’m going to the capital! Xiao Liu, quickly, booked me a plane ticket to the capital right now. Don’t bother with first class, the faster the better!”

“Young Master!” Xiao Liu was horrified by Bai Yuxuan’s declaration.

“Young Master, the capital is not like Xijiang. Xijiang is entirely the Bai family’s domain, but the capital has a complex web of powers. If you rush into the capital recklessly and something happens, the Bai family won’t be able to protect you!”

“It doesn’t matter. I will go on this journey even if it grinds my bones to dust. Do you know, Xiao Liu? Even heaven is helping me now. The greatest obstacle between Qianxue and me is gone. That silly girl is still misunderstanding things on her own. Just wait, Qianxue, I’m coming for you!”

[Author’s Note: P.S. Because the Author wrote an extra thousand words today compared to usual, the subscription price has increased slightly. This is not the Author raising the price arbitrarily, the Author has no such right. Also, the words in this line are not counted in the total.]

[Translator’s Note: Please join the Gravity Tales’ Discord Server, if you want to hang out.]

[https://ko-fi.com/golden_dragon]