If You Could Hear My Heart

From the first time she saw him to their daily interactions over the course of five years, it turned out she had known him for five years already.

Fate really was mysterious.

There was a short, not too long, line at the cash register, and Xu Chaomu stood in place, simply watching Nie Chenglang’s retreating figure.

After a while, Nie Chenglang finished paying and walked towards her.

“I’m done,” Nie Chenglang said.

“Then let’s go.”

Nie Chenglang nodded his head, knowing that once they stepped out of the mall, it would be a parting once again.

This time, they both walked very slowly, Xu Chaomu even more so as she kept her head down, watching her toes as she walked.

The mall’s floor tiles were shiny and clean, reflecting her image so distinctly that she could even see her own reflection.

Although it was morning, the mall was bustling with noise that never ceased.

Neither of them uttered a word, each just walking in silence.

“Chaomu, will we still have the chance to meet in the future?” Nie Chenglang asked faintly.

“As long as you are still in C City, then there will definitely be chances, won’t there?” Xu Chaomu said with a smile.

“Hmm.”

Nie Chenglang didn’t say too much; so many things lie ahead, who could predict them?

“Chaomu, I haven’t personally apologized to you for that sudden visit from my mother last time,” Nie Chenglang said apologetically.

“It’s fine, I’ve forgotten about it,” Xu Chaomu said with a smile.

Nie Chenglang liked this trait of Xu Chaomu’s, whether it was worries or troubles, a lot of the time, she would just sleep and forget about them.

Just like in Paris before, a little spat would lead her to say “Nie Chenglang, I don’t want to talk to you” one second, and in the next, she’d come running over saying, “Chenglang, look how nice the weather is today.”

However, not everything was something she could forget.

For example, matters regarding her mother.

In those five years, he had watched her being tortured by that issue. He had even taken her to see a psychologist.

This girl had endured too much suffering. Nie Chenglang hoped that Shen Chi would treat her well.

“Chaomu, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?” Nie Chenglang asked.

“Oh yes, yes,” Xu Chaomu said, trying to lift the oppressive atmosphere with a laugh, “seeing you today, I found you’ve become even more handsome.”

“…” Nie Chenglang held his forehead.

“Oh, and handsome Mr. Nie, how’s your job going? Still smooth?”

“It’s going well. You don’t need to worry.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

Gradually, they reached the mall entrance; pushing open the door, Xu Chaomu faced the sun and looked at the sky.

Although it was the hot summer, she liked the sunlight.

She always remembered the words Nie Chenglang wrote for her: “If your heart is toward the sun, there is no need for sorrow.”

It was he who led her out of the deepest shadows, helping her heart’s wounds to gradually heal.

She squinted her eyes, feeling the scorching rays.

If your heart is toward the sun, there is no need for sorrow.

“Chenglang, there’s no need to see me off. I’m going to an interview,” Xu Chaomu stopped and looked at him.

Shen Group wasn’t far from here, she could walk there quickly.

“Chaomu, I have something to give you,” Nie Chenglang said, turning around with a calm expression on his face.

“Hmm?” Xu Chaomu asked, curious, staring at him with wide eyes.

Slowly, Nie Chenglang took out a small red box from the pocket of his trousers.

The box wasn’t big, quite delicate, fitting just right in the palm of his hand.

In front of her, Nie Chenglang opened the box.

As soon as the box was opened, Xu Chaomu was surprised and covered her mouth.

Inside wasn’t anything else but the gift she had given him back then at the orphanage, the little cat bracelet.

The bracelet was intact and even seemed more lustrous due to Nie Chenglang’s careful keeping.

The little cat on the bracelet lay quietly in the jewelry box, still as cute as ever.

Nie Chenglang smiled, took out the bracelet from the box,

“Chaomu, to be precise, I’m returning this bracelet to you.”

It was his most cherished item, and now, the object was returned to its original owner.

Xu Chaomu felt a mix of emotions, her nose tingling, nearly on the verge of tears.

She bit her lip to control her emotions, but her eyes still turned red.

Memories rippled through her mind one by one…

Back then at the orphanage, they had gotten along well, and those days were among the happiest times for her.

When he left, she gave him this cat bracelet because, frankly, she had nothing else better to give him.

She had not expected that he would treasure it like a jewel for five years.

The bracelet was initially bought for her by Shen Shihan.

On that day, she and Shen Shihan went hiking, and that night, Shen Shihan took her to the mountain top to watch a performance.

Those times were so tender, tender enough to drown in, tender enough to make one reluctant to face what came afterward.

If only time could have stayed still, how wonderful that would be. Her Third Brother would still be that brother who protected and doted on her.

But reality was always brutal; in the end, Shen Shihan became the executioner who hurt her, albeit indirectly.

This bracelet carried so much…

Today, when the bracelet reappeared before her eyes, her feelings were overwhelming.

Yet, she feared stirring up old memories, beautiful times that, even upon recollection, would not return, only adding to her sorrow. The not-so-beautiful times, upon recollection, were still unpleasant.

So, she decided to walk ahead with her head held high towards the future, leaving the past behind. The future was what was truly worth looking forward to.

Nie Chenglang held the bracelet in his palm: “Chaomu, I’m returning this bracelet to you.”

Under the sunlight, the bracelet gleamed with a fresh luster, and it looked exceptionally beautiful.

The little cat on the bracelet seemed to be half-closing its eyes as well, enjoying the sunlight.

Having not seen the bracelet for five years, it struck a chord in her heart, but she did not reach out to take it.

She shook her head: “Chenglang, once a gift is given, there’s no taking it back.”

“I think, perhaps it’s better to have it stay by your side,” Nie Chenglang said.

His face, with its clearly defined features, didn’t betray much emotion, his eyes calm with a mild smile.

Xu Chaomu still shook her head, refusing to take it: “Keep it for me. If you really don’t want it anymore, just throw it away.”

Seeing that she truly did not want to take it back, Nie Chenglang didn’t force her.

“I’ll keep it for you then. If one day you want it back, come and get it,” he said and bent down to put the bracelet back into the box.

His manner of carefully putting away the bracelet was especially charming. Against the sunlight, Xu Chaomu watched him intently.

As she watched, a faint smile spread across her lips.

Nie Chenglang, such a good person, would surely be happy in the future.

It was just a pity that she wouldn’t be the one to accompany him to the end.

Soon, Nie Chenglang placed the bracelet back into the box and raised his head, his lips curving into a slight smile for her.

“Chenglang, I’m going to head to the interview now. There’s no need to see me off, goodbye,” Xu Chaomu said, waving at him.

As she waved her hand, she stepped backward.

After retreating five or six steps, she gave a crafty smile and turned to run away.

Nie Chenglang didn’t follow this time but just watched as her figure gradually shrank to a dot…