Mrs. Qi's face grew increasingly pale the longer she listened to Qi Jianyi's explanation. Her heart ached. Not because she blamed Qi Jianyi for exchanging lives with her daughter, but because she realised something far more painful.
Even after seven long years, her daughter had never truly stopped wishing to return to Qi Jianyi's world. Perhaps this time, it was indeed Qi Jianyi's wish that brought her here. But just as she said, it took both their consent to make the exchange possible.
Qi Jianyi might have taken the first step, but Miss Qi… she had always been waiting.
"You are not at fault…" Mr. Qi murmured. He opened his mouth, about to call her name, but the word caught in his throat. In the end, he left it unsaid.
"It was our failure as her parents. None of this is your responsibility," he added after a long sigh. "We've never truly fulfilled our role in her life. The only thing we can do now… is respect the choice she made."
