"What? We're supposed to share a bed? That can't be possible!" Gao Liang looked at Dong Mengyao, clearly surprised. "I want you to hold me while I sleep!" Dong Mengyao sat sideways on the spring mattress, avoiding eye contact, her face flushed with embarrassment. "How can that be? It might not be appropriate at all!" Gao Liang hesitated. "Hmph! You didn't like holding me that day, did you? If you want to hold me, then I'll let you hold me all night!" Dong Mengyao spoke more softly. "Really?" Gao Liang was delighted. To have a beautiful woman hold him while sleeping was a treat—especially when she willingly offered herself—and how could a man possibly refuse? "Yes!" Dong Mengyao's voice was gentle now; she seemed like a delicate bird, endearing and charming. Gao Liang actually held Dong Mengyao. Just as before, Dong Mengyao lay in Gao Liang's arms, resting close, shy and graceful—both beautiful and captivating. Gao Liang watched Dong Mengyao. Dong Mengyao was beautiful—so beautiful it could make one enchanted. Gao Liang watched Dong Mengyao, her face flushed with bashfulness, and thought: if, in a moment of impulsiveness, he were to do something out of the ordinary and claim her, then he would be unfair not only to Dong Mengyao, but also to Meiji and Dai Mengna. He would then be a man lacking in responsibility. Indeed, such an act would hurt both Meiji and Dai Mengna, and also Dong Mengyao. At that very moment, Dong Mengyao was also thinking: since Gao Liang saved her, she had found herself afraid to sleep away from him, and had stayed in his arms all night, keeping him awake. She now realized how deeply she enjoyed sleeping in his arms—how warm and secure it felt. It was a tranquil harbor of peace and safety. Whenever she felt weary and adrift, like a lone boat on a vast ocean, she could find refuge here. It was both serene and utterly secure. Gao Liang’s broad-heartedness brought warmth and safety. She truly wished to sleep against his chest for the rest of her life. Dong Mengyao thought this over, Why not let Dong Mengyao just lie in my arms like this? After all, he truly owes her something—his parents had indeed been unable to return home, having failed to make it in time. They had promised to come, but didn’t, leaving Dong Mengyao waiting and worried. Now, with such a small wish unfulfilled, he truly felt like a man who had failed. Perhaps, by doing this, he could make amends for what he had missed. With that thought, Gao Liang found himself comforted and smiled as he drifted off to sleep. When the morning sun streamed through the window glass, its bright light piercing her eyes, Dong Mengyao realized Gao Liang had already left. The moment he was gone, she felt as though something precious had been taken away. She glanced at the clock on the wall—it was eight thirty in the morning. As soon as she got up, she noticed her Lenovo laptop was still on, with a message in a Word document open on the screen. Dong Mengyao clicked it open and began reading: There will surely be a broader sky, more beautiful than Brother Gao's little world! Brother Gao wishes you a more vibrant and exciting life. Brother Gao has indeed been very busy lately—apologies for not being able to come home often; please forgive me! While I'm away, little sister, please take good care of yourself!... Seeing this, Dong Mengyao seemed to have finally understood something. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. She clearly knew that Gao was gently turning her down, offering comfort—like saying: when it comes to love, God closes one door and opens another. Gao, you said you liked me. But why haven't you accepted me? Are you truly no longer in love with me? If you truly no longer love me, then why am I still staying in Tokyo? After all, my parents have been urging me to return home for some time now. I chose to stay because of you. Yet you've gently declined me. Then, what's the point of my staying here? I'm leaving! I'm leaving! It's time for me to go! I won't take your things anymore. The beautiful Lenovo laptop you gave me on the Qixi Festival, I'm keeping and returning to you—even though you once said that anything you gave me would never be returned. But since you declined my offer, holding onto your gift only makes me feel sad and tearful. Thank you so much for your care these past days: for the long stretches of quiet nights you spent in your small room and single fold-out bed, and for the countless delicious meals you prepared for me. Also, you've given me several hundred thousand yen as living expenses, which I've now nearly used up. Should I ever secure a job, I will earn it back to you. In truth, I'm not someone who depends on others for support. Once I have a job, I will earn my own living. The challenge now is simply that jobs are hard to find, and I long for work—yet, is there any opportunity at all? Xiaolong, since you've declined my invitation, I no longer feel the need to stay here, nor do I need to keep searching for work. Xiaolong, you still don't understand me. Why did I come to Binhai, and then to Tokyo at the same time? If you hadn't come, I would never have come at all. It's all because of you! It's only because of you, my brother, that I've come here. Yet now you're refusing me—do I still have a reason to stay? I'm leaving, departing from this place of sorrow—Tokyo, Japan. "Mr. Li, bad news! I have something disappointing to share," said Matsui with a touch of regret. "What bad news? Please go on!" Gao Liang set down the technical proposal document and pressed for details. "Your cousin, Dong Mengyao, has passed away!" Matsui lowered his voice, as if afraid of hurting Mr. Li's nerves. "What? Passed away? She wasn't at home, was she? How do you know this, Matsui?" Gao Liang listened intently, his mind fully engaged. "I just came home and was hanging out clothes on the balcony when I saw Dong Mengyao carrying a travel suitcase, stepping out of the residential complex and getting into a car. I didn't know where she was going. I wanted to follow her to ask you some questions, but it was too late!" Matsui recounted what he had witnessed. "So what now?" Gao Liang was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained composure and said urgently, "Matsui, let's find her right away! I don't want her to leave Tokyo!" "Good! Let's go together!" Song Jiang is definitely a loyal subordinate of Gao Liang—how could he possibly refuse to help? How would he even begin to search across such a vast area as the ferry terminals and civil aviation airports in Tokyo? Where are you, Dong Mengyao? Gao Liang is calling out mentally. He firmly believes he cannot let her leave Tokyo. As soon as she goes, his very soul will vanish. Only then will he truly realize how deeply Dong Mengyao means to him. He knows, in truth, that he loves Dong Mengyao more than Ai Mei Ji. Yet, since Dong Mengyao is somewhat like a distant cousin to him, his feelings are often constrained by familial ties and he feels somewhat hesitant. Once he overcomes those constraints, he will become as bold and uninhibited as Ai Mei Ji. Dong Mengyao, you never know—actually, I, Gao Liang, love you most deeply. My world cannot exist without you. And, in return, my world becomes vibrant and meaningful because of you. You're not in Tokyo. Even with Misugi as my junior wife, I might not be happy, because I love you—because I love watching you. As long as I can keep seeing you, I'll have the motivation to go on.