83 Ji Ers First Love (1/2)

[Do you really feel nothing for me anymore?] A tear flowed from her crystal clear eyes. He was getting further and further away from her. If she didn't do anything this very moment, she might not have this chance ever again.

These past months, did he not know how hard it was for her?

[Hou Lei, how can you not know my heart? Do you really think you are the only who is pained? I too am in pain.] Ji Er thought that she had finally hardened her heart but the moment she saw him, everything she worked so hard to forget suddenly seemed useless.

Ji Er threw away every ounce of pride she had and ran towards him. Her thin arms wrapped themselves around his waist. She locked her hands together, afraid that he would try to escape. Hou Lei felt as Ji Er placed her head on his back. The feeling of being this intimate with her, he had forgotten how nice this feeling was.

Hou Lei slowly reached for her hands. When his hands touched hers, he did not have the heart to break free. Maybe it was because he too didn't want her to let go. If only time stood at this very moment. He would be happy to relive this moment even if it happened a million times. He would never grow tired of her.

Hou Lei took a deep breath with his eyes closed. The memory of him and Ji Er in their youth under the willow tree came to him. It was that year he turned 16 that he promised to make her his wife. He had placed a ring he made with dandelion flowers on her finger. He remembered it like yesterday. But that same memory was the same one that pained him. Because it was also her who chose to leave him.

That sweet memory was quickly replaced with memories filled with Pei Nan. The amount of gratitude he owed Pei Nan was too much. When Hou Lei was still a nobody, it was Pei Nan who encouraged and supported him until now. He was the royal advisor to Prince Nan and the emperor because of Pei Nan's trust and confidence in him. So how could he betray not just the prince but a friend over one girl.

”Lei ge'ge, I was wrong. I was the one who made the mistake. Whatever you want me to do, I will do. Just don't act this way towards me. Don't hate me, okay?” Ji Er sobbed.

Even if his heart was unwilling, Hou Lei had no choice but to break apart the lock Ji Er formed with her hands. ”Ji Er~ This will be the last time I call you Ji Er. I have never hated you. But now we walk on different paths of life. I cannot treat you the same as before. I hope you understand and treat Pei Nan well in the future.”

Little did the two know that Yu Mei was hiding behind a tree spying on them. She couldn't hear anything but judging by their actions, Yu Mei could confirm that the two had history.

That night Yu Mei came over to Ji Er's palace. She needed to know. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. Not just that but because she truly cared for Ji Er. She couldn't let her friend stay this way.

When she saw Ji Er, she looked even more pale and soulless than last nights encounter.

”Yu Mei, I'm glad you are here. I could use a friend to drink with.” Ji Er said cheerfully. She was sitting in front of a mirror as her maid helped her take off the hair accessories.

”Sister Ji Er drinks?” Yu Mei tried to act as if she didn't find out her big secret.

”The moon is so beautiful today. It's a perfect day to have some wine.”