A surge of bitterness welled up in Gu Shangse’s heart as he thought of this.
Though he had tried his best, leaving no regrets, giving his all without reservation.
Still, he could never enter Su Ling’s heart.
To her, he was merely a fellow survivor, an indispensable friend… he could be any role, any identity, but never the person she loved.
This was because, long before him, someone else had already entered her heart and lived within it for two lifetimes.
He felt no jealousy or resentment; he should be thankful to Shang Qi.
If he hadn't resembled Shang Qi so closely, Su Ling wouldn't have sought him out after the apocalypse, taken him in, allowed him to join her team, and become such an important companion.
He felt that Su Ling carried too heavy a burden. If the person living in her heart could lighten that load, it was what he most wished to see.
Having come to this realization, Gu Shangse adjusted his mindset.
From now on, his affection for Su Ling could only be buried deep within his heart, never to be revealed.
Su Ling released Wen Shang Qi, her eyes red as she looked at him. She tried her best to force a smile.
But after so long without smiling, it was difficult to do so now.
Wen Shang Qi lowered his head slightly, looking at Su Ling. Knowing what she wanted to do, he raised his hand, placing it on her head and gently stroking her hair. “My name is Shang Qi.”
From the moment he saw her, the moment she ran towards him, countless fragmented memories flashed through his mind.
These familiar yet slightly unfamiliar images were all connected to her.
The difference, perhaps, was that in those memories, her hair was long, reaching her waist, and her smile was bright and healing.
The woman before him now had her hair cut short, and her smile was gone.
The way he stroked her hair was so gentle and natural. He had expected it to feel awkward and unpracticed.
But these were memories and actions hidden deep within his heart; they came back with a practiced, intimate ease.
Rao Beichen, standing nearby, was stunned by Wen Shang Qi’s words. He looked at him with surprise.
Su Ling finally smiled, clutching Wen Shang Qi’s hand. “I know, I know your name is Shang Qi. I’ve been looking for you.”
Su Ling’s voice trembled. She tried to say her own name several times, but her lips parted and no sound came out.
“I know what your name is,” Shang Qi said, pulling Su Ling into his arms. He gently stroked her hair with his large hand, his voice also tinged with emotion. “My A Ling has grown up.”
He said, “My A Ling has grown up.”
Such a simple sentence, yet it conveyed an immense amount of information to Su Ling.
Su Ling, who hadn’t shed a single tear for herself since the rebirth, suddenly found her eyes welling up and then her tears began to stream uncontrollably after hearing Shang Qi’s words.
Held in his embrace, she wept profusely.
Shang Qi released Su Ling and gently brushed the tears from her face with his large hand. He cupped her face, his smile tender and pained as he looked at her red eyes. “Don’t cry anymore. I’m here. I won’t abandon you again. I will stay with you, until we are old.”
“Okay.” Su Ling’s tears turned into a smile. She threw her arms around Shang Qi’s neck. “Shang Qi, I’ve become very strong now. I’ve been practicing what you taught me diligently. I can fight alongside you now. Let’s not be separated again. I’ve found Sister Na, Han Han, Qing Qing, and Yu Ling. And in my team, there are a few new companions, they are all very good.”
Shang Qi listened to Su Ling’s words, which held a hint of pride. A smile gradually appeared in his eyes. He gently stroked her head. “My A Ling is truly amazing, so capable. This time, it’s my turn to cling to A Ling’s leg.”