His proud self-esteem had finally surrendered.
Admitting that he had fallen in love with this person, admitting that he had lost her, admitting that she truly did not love him anymore.
He buried his face in her slender back, a faint scent that he loved emerging from her. On this night, Lu Yebai made a vow to himself.
--He would possess her for the rest of his life.
Once this thought surfaced, it burned like the Ignorant Karma Fire in his barren heart, making him tremble slightly. A lifetime, so long, yet with Meng Xi'er participating in his lifetime, it didn't seem that long after all.
He was subtly aware, perhaps, that the person in his arms would be his life.
******************************
Meng Xi'er, in Lu Family's garden, accidentally ran into Xia Muning feeding the fish.
Xia Muning in a white long dress, standing by the pond, holding fish bait in her hand, a colorful array of carps circled her feet, eager and jostling, mouths agape waiting for her to feed them.