Deadly Trap.

Chapter 72. Her Self
This chapter can be listened to with The Weeknd's "Die for You".

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His eyes flickered slightly. But in the end, Gu Mufeng didn't look away. As if he had prepared for the worst, his face was ashen, and he faced everything head-on, answering her honestly:

"That's it."

Su Li was stunned. For the first time, Gu Mufeng's worry and fear were clearly visible on his bloodless face.

"Pfft," Su Li laughed, "Don't worry."

The smile was very faint and fleeting; Su Li merely pursed her lips and curved them slightly, which was unexpectedly very genuine.

Her gaze shifted, landing on the gradually darkening, crimson-tinged surface of the river.

"Actually, when I learned that the police had notified her of her suicide, I had a rough idea. My mother, she is not the kind of person who will let go easily. She will not let herself go easily, and she will not let me go easily either."

"Upon learning of her confirmed death, I felt a sense of relief. Am I, like her, also ill?"

Her tone was hesitant. Having said that, Su Li laughed self-deprecatingly, her eyes brimming with the vibrant light of the river:

"Once upon a time, when I was just a little girl, I truly possessed everything: my father's love and my mother's pride. But later, I realized that it was all just a dream."

"My father couldn't stand my mother using him to marry me, so he cheated on me, divorced me, and completely abandoned me. To this day, he doesn't feel guilty at all."

"My mother, after the double blow of divorce and blindness, completely changed."

"She was always very competitive and always tried to outdo me in everything; after that, she vented all her resentment and bitterness towards fate on me."

Her breath caught in her throat and stopped abruptly. She clutched her body, trembling uncontrollably. She had already resolved never to relive those dark, hopeless days.

Seeing that Gu Mufeng seemed to be about to approach her, Su Li firmly stepped aside and continued speaking to herself:

"I'm fine.

"I know she just wanted to find a way out. And she used to be... my mother. I don't know how to think about it."

"Gradually, I seemed to get used to it and accept it passively; until I had the chance, I tried every means to get rid of her. Even when she was sick, I just wanted to repay her for the life she gave me. If I didn't have money, I would earn it myself."

"Actually, she didn't like to hit me; she just said too many hurtful things. Of all those things, I only remember one. She said I shouldn't have been born. From the very beginning, I was completely wrong."

"I wonder too, why, when I was clearly wrong, did I come into this world? Why is this world so unfair to me alone?"
"Especially at one point, when I had truly experienced and received the love of my parents."

"Later, when I was harassed by my teacher, my mother scolded me when I got home, saying I was useless and only knew how to cry when I encountered difficulties. No one understood me or could help me. I really wanted to... end it all."

"So, I did just that..."

Looking down, Su Li raised her left wrist. Half-hidden within the sleeve of her black, fake mourning dress, she revealed a spiderweb-like network of mottled, layered scars: faintly tinged with the blood-red hues of the setting sun.

Now, these scars are raised, calmly solidified, and almost invisible.

It was just an experience. She didn't need anyone's pity.

Lightly yet firmly, Su Li finally spoke again:
"Once, I thought I had almost succeeded. My breathing became labored, and unrealistic hallucinations began to float before my eyes..."

Suddenly, I realized that if I were to die now, I would be nothing, I would leave nothing behind. In truth, I had made a mistake with my own hands.

Why should the meaning and value of my existence be placed in the hands of others? I will make all my own choices, bear all the consequences and risks myself. No one should manipulate or interfere with me.

"Even if I love you so much..." With her gaze lowered, Su Li gently bit her lip.

This one word, just one syllable, is so simple; yet after all the twists and turns, he and she finally spoke it to each other face to face.

In an instant, the riverbank was shrouded in twilight. The setting sun had vanished, leaving only the gentle lapping of the river at their feet. Their breaths rose and fell softly in the sound of the waves.

Su Li Wan Er:

"If you understand, I will never give this up."

Now, at least, she understands why, from beginning to end, when she was with him, she could always feel that inexplicable entanglement and resonance deep within her heart.

They are probably, indeed, the same kind of people.

As dusk settled, Gu Mufeng could barely make out Su Li's silhouette in the darkness. But then, he suddenly understood:

This is exactly what he has always wanted.

He has never been one for pretty faces or trinkets. It's that simple: he wants a soul that is his equal, one equally willing to burn brightly. Not a girlfriend, not a mistress, not even a beacon to be revered.

In this cold world, he can have a companion, a confidant.

Even death could not stop this temptation. Since they met, Gu Mufeng had always clearly felt that... feeling when Su Li was by his side; but he was self-righteous and chose to be careful and restrained, handling the situation calmly.

He chose to turn a blind eye. He couldn't, and wouldn't allow himself to disregard the consequences and carelessly indulge in personal feelings.

However, what begins with passion inevitably ends in abandonment. A single misstep in motivation sealed his fate, forcing him to let go and allow Su Li to leave.

After that, how he tossed and turned in pain, how he processed his heartbreak, how he couldn't bear to erase everything about her existence, how he swallowed his agonizing regret and pain alone in the dark of night...

Naturally, only he knew.

How could he not have asked her what she thought?

Gu Mufeng lowered his head, his lips trembling slightly. The future he once thought impossible was now unfolding clearly before his eyes. And he no longer wanted to miss a single moment. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Step by step, slowly but firmly, Gu Mufeng gradually approached Su Li.

He could clearly see that Su Li did not back down.

Until, when he once again firmly embraced that soft, seemingly delicate body in his arms, Su Li also reached out her hands and hugged him tightly in return.

Only the river waves crash against the shore.

"pain."

After a long while, Gu Mufeng finally couldn't help but frown slightly. He still held Su Li tightly in his arms, not wanting to loosen his grip even a little, and having no intention of letting go of their tender embrace.

"What?" Confused, Su Li was the first to panic.

"Don't touch my left rib area yet."

With a casual tone, Gu Mufeng lowered his head and spoke softly, slightly out of breath, but still smiling: "It's not just this face you like that's injured."

In fact, when he smiles gently like this, he looks many times better than when he usually has a cold and aloof expression with a half-smile.

"What? I've only been gone for a little over a week, and you've already made yourself look so disheveled?"

Despite her casual tone and teasing, Su Li's concern and eagerness were evident: "Let me see."

"Ah...it's a long story." He could barely stop Su Li from lifting his T-shirt to examine his injuries.

"Hmph. It's alright, the night is still long."

"Su Li".

Perhaps, he was finally getting used to the darkness; or perhaps, the neon lights of the city across the river were finally beginning to shine brightly, and Gu Mufeng could see the face in his arms clearly again:

"Being with me might be dangerous. I might be too busy to spend time with you. Maybe, one day, I won't be here anymore—"

"Shh." With a slender finger, Su Li raised her hand and gently covered his lips. "I understand."

She looked up at him. Those eyes spoke volumes.

Amidst the city's prosperity, they passionately met lips.

I will neither hold you in the palm of my hand nor cherish you in my heart.

Their ears were close, their lips still pressed together. Gu Mufeng's hand, wielding life and death and determined to destroy the old order, and Su Li's hand, destined to create a new world of renewal, were intertwined:
"But the place where you stand shoulder to shoulder with me will always be yours."

In this world, there are countless stars and countless lights. But two equally stable souls only need each other; like two closely intertwined stars:

Brilliant, dazzling, and mutually attractive.

Regardless of the changing times, even if it all ends in vain.

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Next Chapter: Love (A sweet bonus chapter! You don't have to pay if you don't like it!)

[Author's Note | Chapter 72]

Su Li finally confessed her past, expressing herself clearly: at this moment, she finally became a complete person.

And this not only made her clearly understand the strong resonance between her and Gu Mufeng, but also made Gu Mufeng understand that she was his only equal.

What are your thoughts on soulmates?
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(End of this chapter)