Volume 2 Chapter 24

Volume 2 + Chapter 24: A Cold Heart

“My wish is for us to keep our distance in the future.” After Ouyang Qianxue finished speaking, Bai Yuxuan felt as if an ice pick had stabbed into her heart, a sensation both painful and chilling.

“After all, once today is over, there won’t be any rivalry between us anymore. And once you’ve helped me celebrate my birthday this time, we’ll be even and owe each other nothing,” Ouyang Qianxue said, looking down.

(No. The reason I’m celebrating your birthday this time isn’t to become even with you.) At this moment, Bai Yuxuan thought to herself. She was just about to say these words out loud when she noticed Ouyang Qianxue was looking at her with eyes full of fear—a look she was all too familiar with.

Ever since Bai Yuxuan was a child, she had been surrounded by this kind of look. The other children her age, afraid of angering the young master of the Bai family and getting scolded by their own parents, would always look at her like this whenever she tried to get close to them, to play with them.

Now, being looked at with this same expression by Ouyang Qianxue, Bai Yuxuan felt she simply couldn’t voice the words in her heart.

The reason Ouyang Qianxue wore this look was his fear that if he didn’t sever ties with Bai Yuxuan here and now, Wang Qian might tell Wang Shiman about his close relationship with Bai Yuxuan.

“Also, if our classmates found out we were in close contact, gossip would spread. That wouldn’t be good for either of us. Bai Yuxuan, you hate trouble the most, right? So from now on, let’s just be ordinary classmates.”

At that moment, Bai Yuxuan felt Ouyang Qianxue’s words were like roaring seawater crashing over her, pulling her under. No matter how desperately she tried to swim to the surface, an invisible pressure weighed her down, leaving her unable to move. The coldness of the surrounding water and a sense of suffocation swept over her, causing Bai Yuxuan immense agony.

“That is my wish. You just said that as long as it’s something you can do, you would help me realize it. I trust someone of your status as the young master of the Bai family wouldn’t go back on your word.”

“I’ve stated my wish. Now you can tell me your request,” Ouyang Qianxue said to Bai Yuxuan.

“I…” Bai Yuxuan fell silent. According to her original plan, what she was supposed to say now was, “Please be my friend.” Yet now, she simply couldn’t utter those words.

“It’s nothing. I was just saying that casually earlier.” Only after a long while did Bai Yuxuan slowly manage to squeeze out this sentence.

“Is that so? Well, it’s getting late. If there’s nothing else, I should head back now. Thank you for celebrating my birthday today.” With that, Ouyang Qianxue turned and left. Watching Ouyang Qianxue’s retreating figure, Bai Yuxuan felt the warmth in her heart gradually cooling with her departure, as if she were moving away from a bonfire in a freezing, snowy wilderness.

“Young Master, are you alright?” At that moment, Xiao Liu, who had been standing by on standby and witnessed everything, hurried forward to ask.

“I’m fine. I thought I could finally not be alone anymore… Ah, it seems someone like me can never find warmth, no matter when.” Bai Yuxuan sighed as she spoke.

“Young Master, I noticed Miss Ouyang’s expression changed noticeably after she took that call. It’s very likely her rejection is related to that phone call. Perhaps the forces behind her don’t wish to see you two close and forced her to refuse.”

“What does it matter? How could I expect her to oppose the forces behind her for my sake? Put yourself in her shoes. If I were asked to oppose the entire Bai family for one person, do you think that’s possible?”

“This…”

“So, it’s simply an impossible situation. I’m sorry for making you all go to all this trouble for nothing today. Take some money from my personal account and distribute it to everyone, let them take the rest of the day off.”

“Understood. Young Master, shall I take you back?”

“No need. I want to be alone tonight to clear my head.” Having said that, Bai Yuxuan walked dejectedly out of the amusement park.

Watching Bai Yuxuan’s lonely figure, Xiao Liu felt deeply distressed. How she wished she could step forward and embrace this wounded young man. But Bai Yuxuan’s orders were absolute to her, so she could only arrange for everyone to pack up and leave the amusement park.

The city of Xijiang was called Xijiang (West River) because it bordered a river to the west. Bai Yuxuan happened to walk to the riverside. It was already late at night, and the surroundings were deserted. Bai Yuxuan simply found a spot by the river and sat down.

The river water at this moment was like a mirror, reflecting Bai Yuxuan and the prosperous city behind her. Looking at the bustling city and her lonely self, Bai Yuxuan felt extremely sad inside.

Just then, a flash of gold swept past her eyes again.

(That warm color… could it be…?!) Bai Yuxuan quickly turned around, only to find nothing behind her. It turned out she had mistaken the headlights of a passing car for the color of Ouyang Qianxue’s hair.

At that moment, Bai Yuxuan could no longer restrain the sadness and grievance in her heart. She shouted towards the river opposite her.

“Ah—ah!”

“Why!”

“Why is it only me, Bai Yuxuan, who is alone! What did I do wrong? Is it just because I’m from the Bai family? Is it just because I’m Bai Yuxuan?”

After shouting, Bai Yuxuan caught her breath and continued to yell.

“Why can’t I stay by her side like Wang Qian and the others? Why must I keep my distance from you! If I’m destined to be left alone in the end, then don’t give me any warmth in the first place!” As she shouted, tears streamed down Bai Yuxuan’s face.

“Don’t you know that after experiencing the feeling of warmth, being alone makes my heart feel even colder and lonelier!” By this point, Bai Yuxuan was sobbing uncontrollably. Although Bai Yuxuan appeared cold and strong on the outside, at heart she was ultimately a vulnerable girl. How she wished someone could embrace her, the injured her, at this moment.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qianxue was also walking back. From time to time, he glanced back in the direction he came from, a look of worry in his eyes. Because when he left the amusement park, he could clearly sense the sorrow in Bai Yuxuan’s eyes.

“Is that guy okay?” Ouyang Qianxue muttered softly to himself.

Just then, a car pulled to a stop in front of him.

“Get in. You did very well today,” Wang Qian said, opening the car door for him.

So Ouyang Qianxue got into the car and returned to school with Wang Qian.

“Wang Qian,” Ouyang Qianxue, sitting in the back seat with Wang Qian, said in a low voice.

“What is it?”

“Do you think what I did to Bai Yuxuan this time was a bit too harsh? Maybe he genuinely wanted to build a good relationship with me, but I said such cutting words to him. I could tell Bai Yuxuan was deeply hurt after hearing my wish. Actually, his life isn’t easy either…” However, before he could finish, Wang Qian interrupted him.

“Ouyang Qianxue, how naive are you going to be? You should understand your current situation, right? Are you saying you’d trade your own and your family’s happiness for Bai Yuxuan’s good mood?”

Faced with Wang Qian’s retort, Ouyang Qianxue lowered his head. Seeing the dejected Qianxue, Wang Qian also felt somewhat couldn’t bear it. So she placed a hand on Ouyang Qianxue’s shoulder to comfort him.

“You’re just too kind-hearted. You need to understand that society is far more cruel than you imagine. People inevitably have to make choices.”

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