Jiang Ciyou frowned slightly. She wasn't sure how much Xie Chi had overheard, but she had no intention of letting him know she was leaving to become a Doctor Without Borders.
She took a few steps back, widening the distance between them. "I was just discussing a trip with an old senior from university."
Xie Chi let out a laugh that was hard to read. "Is that so? Or are you playing games again?"
"Do you think this will catch my attention?"
As he spoke, his gray eyes locked onto hers, scrutinizing her every micro-expression.
Jiang Ciyou shook her head hurriedly. "No, Shifu. I've already given up."
"I know you love Sister Zhishao. We are impossible. I was immature before, but now... I just want to be a good student to you. I wish you and Sister Zhishao a long life together, growing old side by side."
Her tone was earnest, terrified he would misunderstand and think she was still clinging to him.
But the more sincere she sounded, the darker Xie Chi's gaze became.
He looked at her, his lips curling into a mocking sneer. "If you were truly as transparent as you claim, you wouldn't be avoiding me and Wen Zhishao. You wouldn't have deliberately let me overhear that you're leaving."
He advanced on her step by step, his expression cold and detached. "Jiang Ciyou, your tricks are as clumsy as ever."
Before she could dodge, his hand lashed out.
Crash!
The box she was holding slammed onto the ground. The treasures she had secretly hoarded—bullet casings, a tactical pen, a badge chain—scattered across the floor instantly.
Xie Chi lowered his eyes to look at his own lost items, his tone faint. "This is what you call giving up?"
The sarcasm in his words felt like a resounding slap across her face. Jiang Ciyou felt her entire body burn with shame.
She only had herself to blame. In the past, she had been so obsessed, pestering him for so long that now, he wouldn't believe her even when she spoke the truth.
To Xie Chi, she was nothing but an undisciplined soldier.
Jiang Ciyou lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.
Xie Chi stepped forward, gripping her jaw with his fingers and applying pressure.
"Lying is forbidden. Punishment is required."
The hazy moonlight reflected in his pupils like a razor, slicing her into a thousand pieces.
After a long silence, Jiang Ciyou forced a bitter smile. "I wasn't lying."
Seeing the redness at the corners of her eyes, Xie Chi subconsciously loosened his grip. Jiang Ciyou seized the chance to break free and snatched the diary from the ground.
From the first flutter of her heart until now... five years, over a thousand pages, every word filled with her obsessive love for Xie Chi.
But destroying it took only a minute. Sixty seconds.
The paper made a harsh tearing sound. Under Xie Chi's stunned gaze, she struck a match.
The orange flame danced in her eyes as she told him, with absolute clarity:
"Shifu, I swore an oath. If I ever harbor impure thoughts toward you again..."
"May I die a wretched death."
As her voice fell, she thought she saw a flicker of panic in his eyes.
But before she could look closer, Xie Chi spoke. "Good. You haven't forgotten."
"Remember this: I am your Shifu. In this life, that is all I will ever be."
After that day, the two maintained a superficial peace, much like the calm after a storm.
No one mentioned the unspeakable past again.
One wanted to erase it completely; the other simply didn't care.
Soon, the unit's anniversary celebration arrived. Everyone learned that Xie Chi was about to get engaged to Wen Zhishao and came to offer their congratulations.
Even Xie Chi's mother, whose health had always been poor, arrived in a wheelchair.
Seeing this, Jiang Ciyou immediately stepped forward to help, but whether intentional or not, Mother Xie pushed her hand away.
Then, taking Wen Zhishao's hand, Mother Xie looked at her with gentle eyes.
"Good child. With you by Xie Chi's side, I can finally rest easy."
Jiang Ciyou withdrew her hand, which hung awkwardly in mid-air, and turned to leave alone.
But just then, Mother Xie called out to her.
Her voice was soft, carrying a faint smile. "They are a perfect match, aren't they?"
Jiang Ciyou nodded. Mother Xie glanced at her with surprise, then spoke tactfully but with deep meaning.
"It seems you've grown up. You know what is appropriate and what isn't."
"Since that's the case, it is time for you to leave. I know you can't bear to part with him, but you must know... your existence will only ever be a stain on his reputation."
"If you have even an ounce of gratitude toward him, go. And don't come back."
After saying this, she looked at Jiang Ciyou, seemingly waiting for a hysterical refusal or tearful begging.
But Jiang Ciyou just stared straight ahead, where Xie Chi was surrounded by a crowd offering blessings.
In her past life, she and Xie Chi never received anyone's blessing. Mother Xie, who had once doted on her the most, didn't even allow them to attend her funeral. Xie Chi never returned to the unit until the day he died.
He had done nothing wrong. But because of her, he went from a revered captain to a man everyone gossiped about.
Jiang Ciyou withdrew her gaze and smiled. "Of course. Shifu has his own life now, and it's time I pursued my own dreams."
"I've passed the interview for Doctors Without Borders. In the future... I likely won't be coming back."
Hearing this, Mother Xie's expression changed instantly. She frowned. "I only wanted you to leave Xie Chi. I never wanted you to go to your death."
Doctors Without Borders faced the most dangerous situations—war, plagues, disasters.
Jiang Ciyou suppressed the acidity in her heart and reached out to hug Mother Xie briefly. "I am very grateful for the guidance Shifu and you have given me. No matter where I go, I will pray for you. I wish you a smooth and peaceful life."
Seeing her resolve, Mother Xie finally stopped trying to persuade her.
"...Come back alive."
Until Mother Xie left, Jiang Ciyou finally covered her face, letting the tears flow freely. When she composed herself and looked up, she saw Xie Chi standing not far away, watching her with a complicated expression.
He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and offering her a tissue.
Jiang Ciyou didn't take it. She wiped her face messily with her hands and said casually, "Shifu, I really have let it go. I was just so touched that Auntie gave me a badge, that's all."
After speaking, she forced the corners of her mouth into a smile and turned sideways to go inside. But the moment they brushed past each other, Xie Chi's cold, clear voice suddenly fell.
"Jiang Ciyou, I cannot respond to your feelings. But I swore I would never let anyone hurt you again. So, even if I marry Zhishao, you can still stay in the team. I can protect you for a lifetime."
Wen Zhishao, who had hurried over to find Xie Chi, froze, her smile stiffening on her face. Her confused gaze darted back and forth between the two of them.
"Cannot respond to your feelings? What does that mean?"
Jiang Ciyou stiffened instantly, looking nervously at Xie Chi.