Fight For Love

Chu Yu remained silent. As she listened to Wei Yun's words, an overwhelming weariness surged from the depths of her heart.

She lowered her gaze and spoke slowly, "Let's go home first."

It was a gentle refusal, one that made Wei Yun abruptly lift his head. "Is it so hard to answer me?"

"Look into my eyes," Wei Yun removed his mask, revealing his handsome face, his voice icy. "Answer me!"

Chu Yu said nothing, and Wei Yun's voice turned hoarse. "Like me or not—is it so difficult to give me just one word?!"

"Wei Yun," Chu Yu raised her eyes to meet his, "you're overstepping."

"Yes," Wei Yun gritted his teeth. "I am. I’m overstepping, I’m defying propriety, I’m disregarding all moral bounds. Go ahead and scold me all you want. Today, I just need one word from you—I like you. What will you do about it?"

"Then step back!"

Chu Yu shoved him away sharply, raising her voice. Wei Yun staggered back from the force, and Chu Yu stared at him coldly.

"Do you think I don’t respond because I want to? Do you think I stay silent for no reason? Wei Yun, must you force me to say it, to lay everything out so painfully, before you’re satisfied?! I am your sister-in-law. I have responsibilities toward you, familial ties. When I came to the Wei family, when I stayed by your side, it was initially just for my position, just out of respect for the Wei family's integrity. Even if I later developed affection for you, it was only ever as a brother, as a friend—"

As she spoke, Chu Yu closed her eyes, her voice trembling. "Xiao Qi, you and the Wei family have given me nothing but warmth. I care for all of you—Mother, A Chun, A Lan, even Wei Qiu, Wei Xia, Wei Qian… All of you have made me feel so happy, so at peace. Especially you, Xiao Qi."

She opened her eyes and looked at him quietly. "I’m so grateful to you. In this lifetime, there has never been anyone who treated me better than you."

"That’s why I can’t bear to hurt you, why I can’t bring myself to say it. My feelings for you end here. Maybe there was a flicker of something more, but Xiao Qi, my fondness for you is just too shallow."

"But there was…" Wei Yun’s voice was rough. "There was a little, wasn’t there?"

Chu Yu didn’t answer. After a long pause, she finally said, "But is a little what you want?"

"You want me to be with you, don’t you?" She let out a soft laugh. "But if I were to be with you, how much would I have to sacrifice? Xiao Qi, you’re not a child anymore. If we were together, the price we’d both pay would be too high. I don’t want to pay that price."

Wei Yun pressed his lips together tightly. Her words cut into him like a blade. Chu Yu gazed at him steadily. "Xiao Qi, I’ve loved once before. I schemed, I burned with passion. Back then, I told myself that even if I got nothing in return, it wouldn’t matter. But when I truly received no answer, when I reached the end of that road, when I had exhausted all my passion—that was when I realized people can regret. So I swore to myself that I would never walk that path again in this lifetime. That’s why I won’t choose the hardest road. Wei Yun, you are my hardest road.""You are someone very important to me," Chu Yu raised her hand and placed it over her heart. "In this lifetime, apart from my family, you and Wei Manor are what matter most to me. I've poured so much effort into you, spent my whole life admiring Wei Manor. I can't bear to see Wei Manor or you tainted by even the slightest blemish. The Wei family, such a loyal and righteous lineage, shouldn't have their name sullied by such matters. And you, Wei Yun, if you truly intend to seek revenge, you shouldn't give Zhao Yue any opportunity to attack you. You should maintain a spotless reputation. Do you understand?"

"I don't think this is a bad reputation," Wei Yun's voice was hoarse. "That I love you—I've done it, and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's just an empty title; I don't care."

"I care," Chu Yu said calmly. She looked at Wei Yun and couldn't help but smile. "You're right, it's just an empty title. You don't care, not because it causes no harm, but because your love is strong enough to withstand everything. If I loved you, loved you enough, then nothing else would matter. Wei Yun, I could cast aside worldly judgments, tolerate loving a child who understands nothing, endure the daily fear of your heart changing, even accept bearing everyone's scorn and the shame brought upon the Wei and Chu families—only for you to leave me afterward. But—"

She spoke each word with absolute clarity: "I don't love you enough."

Wei Yun trembled violently, his breathing growing ragged.

Chu Yu watched him quietly, her expression clear and composed. "Wei Yun, my feelings for you are like admiring the sun and moon, or appreciating spring blossoms. You truly are an exceptional man—no one could dislike you."

Wei Yun didn't speak. His lips quivered as if he wanted to say something, tears welling in his eyes. Chu Yu gazed at him silently, countless emotions churning within her.

How could anyone not love him? Who wouldn't?

When she realized he loved her, the moment he confessed, it was as if a wildfire ignited within her, illuminating the empty, dark, and lonely world inside her.

But she knew too well where her affection came from and how deep it truly ran. She wasn't even willing to compromise or sacrifice for this love. She only wanted to remain quietly in her own world, reliving every moment of warmth and tenderness this young man had given her.

Gu Chusheng had threatened her, but she wasn't without options. It was just that facing these emotions, she suddenly felt fear. She wanted to marry someone who made her feel safe, someone she would never fall for, keeping her distance to avoid mutual resentment.

Her gaze made Wei Yun feel as though an army had trampled over him. He could barely stand straight, yet he forced himself to remain upright. Clenching his teeth, his voice shaking, he said, "You don't dislike me... If you love me even a little, why can't you... love me more? Just a little more?"

Chu Yu watched as the young man lifted his head, tears rolling down his face. "You said I'm the most important person to you, that you care for me. So why... can't you love me?"Hearing these words, Chu Yu froze in place. She listened to his hoarse voice, sounding like a child: "You say you're doing what's best for me, but every choice you've made has been the one that hurts me the most. You married Gu Chusheng. You knew I loved you, yet you still married him. How is that for my sake? You chose the path that gave you the most peace of mind."

"My feelings scared you. You thought I was too young, afraid of tarnishing the Wei family in your heart, afraid of sullying the image of Wei Yun you held dear. You feared that after bearing the gossip and sacrificing your stability, I might turn and leave. What you feared most was opening your heart and letting me in."

"So you chose Gu Chusheng."

His words were like sharp swords, slicing through layer after layer of her defenses, exposing her bleeding heart.

"Compared to me, he could offer you a more stable world. You wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else entering your heart. You could even justify it to yourself—that you did it for the Wei family, for me, that you owed me nothing—"

Wei Yun stepped forward, stopping right in front of her. His shadow enveloped her as moonlight spilled into the alley. Chu Yu listened quietly. His words were too blunt, too perceptive, jolting her awake.

"Chu Yu," he rasped, "you're so selfish."

"You gave so many reasons, wrapped yourself in layer after layer of excuses. You made me truly believe you loved me so deeply. You gave me hope, pulled me from the darkness. You saved me, saved the Wei family—but in truth, you were only saving yourself."

As he spoke, Wei Yun lowered his gaze, his eyes settling on her chest.

"Your heart is empty."

The words slipped out dazedly, voicing what both of them had been desperately avoiding, never daring to confront. He had always known, yet refused to dwell on it—until now, when it spilled from his lips unbidden.

Once spoken, the words couldn’t be taken back. He could only tear open the curtain completely, revealing the unbearable truth they had always avoided facing.

"You married into the Wei family, did so much for them, for me—because your heart is empty."

"If you didn’t do these things," Wei Yun looked at her quietly, his eyes filled with pity and bitterness, "you wouldn’t know why you were alive."

His voice made Chu Yu feel as though she were submerged in icy water, the cold piercing her bones. She listened as Wei Yun slowly raised his head, staring at her in disbelief. "Why?"

She was only twenty years old.

Why did her heart already feel like ashes?

Chu Yu looked at him. She wanted to admit he was right, but the moment she opened her mouth, she realized—it wasn’t entirely true.

When she first came to the Wei family, when she numbly saved and helped others, she had been like that. But when she stood guard in Phoenix Tomb City and saw Chu Jin beating the war drums on the city walls, when Gu Chusheng told her, "I don’t want you to die," when she carried him back alone from the Northern Di, when he said he wished she could remain a carefree girl forever, when he pressed his forehead against her abdomen in pain and whispered, "Sister-in-law, it hurts"—her heart had been full.

She felt her life was whole and complete. By his side, she saw light and fire, so she stayed close, striving with all her might to be good to him.

She feared getting too close, yet wanted to give him everything.

Something inside her seemed to collapse under his questioning. Memories flashed before her eyes like a fleeting dream. Seeing her dazed expression, Wei Yun reached out and cupped her face in his hand."Don't be afraid,"

His voice was hoarse as he spoke: "Liking you isn't something so terrible. I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I don’t know why you’re like this, but A Yu, I like you, and I won’t let you get hurt. I’ve thought about these words for many years. Four years ago, on the night I left Phoenix Tomb City for Northern Di, when I held you in my arms, I wanted to tell you this. But I didn’t dare—I was afraid of disrespecting my brother, and I was afraid of disrespecting you."

"Later, I realized this feeling isn’t shameful. I haven’t hurt anyone; I just like you. I wanted to tell you again, but by then, everyone was saying I was too young, that my words were too frivolous, so I didn’t dare speak again. I held these words inside, thinking that if I ever said them, it would only be because I was certain—absolutely certain—that I would never fail you in this lifetime."

Chu Yu’s lashes trembled slightly as she lifted her head to look at him.

He was so much taller than her now, his youthful face handsome and resolute, no longer carrying the softness and naivety of his younger years. The man before her was steady and firm, his gaze unwavering as he spoke to her with deliberate care: "If you’re with me, I’ll shield you from all gossip."

"If there are mountains of blades or seas of fire, I’ll walk them for you."

"Every wound in your heart, I’ll fill."

"Everything you’ve lost, everything you’ve never had, everything you’ve ever wanted—I’ll give it to you."

"You always think I’m young and childish," Wei Yun laughed, his eyes filled with tenderness and helplessness. "But A Yu, you’re the one who’s like a child. When it comes to love, you’re not as brave as I am."

Chu Yu didn’t speak. She bit her lip, unsure why, but hearing these words made tears well up in her eyes, threatening to spill.

She felt as though she had been cracked open, layer by layer, until the softest, most vulnerable part of her was laid bare before this man—this man who held a light and illuminated her.

She thought she must have lost her mind. Every word she might have spoken felt irrational, impulsive, so she pressed them all down, gritting her teeth in silence.

Wei Yun watched her quietly before reaching out and pulling her into his arms.

"Silly girl, why are you so stubborn?"

Chu Yu finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears poured out, blurring her vision.

Wei Yun felt as though her tears were drowning him. He held her, gently patting her back, his heart aching yet helpless. Softly, he coaxed her: "Don’t cry. If I’ve done something wrong, just tell me. Look at you—your makeup is all ruined from crying."

Chu Yu still didn’t speak. Clenching her jaw, she shoved him away and stumbled blindly back the way she had come, wiping at her tears as she walked, like a child throwing a tantrum.

Wei Yun didn’t know what to do. He simply followed behind her, watching as she hurried forward. But after only a few steps, she tripped over the hem of her own skirt and fell hard to the ground.

Wei Yun rushed forward in alarm, helping her up as he asked anxiously, "Are you hurt?"

Chu Yu didn’t answer. Her face had paled slightly, and she kept her head lowered, silent—but fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks one after another.

Wei Yun thought back to how she had fallen, then touched her ankle, frowning. "Did you twist your foot?"

Chu Yu didn’t respond. When he pressed lightly, her body tensed. Wei Yun opened his mouth to scold her, but seeing her bowed head and the tears still falling, the words died in his throat.

With a sigh, he crouched down in front of her and said gently, "Let me carry you back."Chu Yu remained still as Wei Yun grasped her hand, pulling and lifting it to secure her steadily on his back.

Under the moonlight, their shadows merged together. Carrying Chu Yu, Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Before meeting you, I heard you were a spoiled and willful young lady. But after seeing you, I thought they were lying. Tonight, I finally understand—you probably really were a bit of a troublemaker before.”

Chu Yu turned her head away, staring at the swaying walls. Wei Yun’s voice was gentle. “I don’t know why you cried, nor what you’re grieving over, and I don’t know how you ended up where you are today. But A Yu, I can wait. As long as you give me the chance to wait, don’t presumptuously decide what’s good for me.”

“I’m sorry…” Chu Yu’s voice was hoarse.

Wei Yun chuckled lightly. “No need for apologies. Whatever you do, I don’t mind.”

Chu Yu said nothing, only tightening her arms around his neck.

She had never met someone who could embrace her so completely, never encountered someone so persistent, warm, radiant, and steady.

She once thought Gu Chusheng was that person—the moment he rode toward her on horseback and reached out his hand. But over the countless years that followed, she slowly realized Gu Chusheng was never the red-clad youth from her memories. His world was tangled in torment; what he possessed wasn’t persistence, but obsession. He dragged her down into the darkness without pause.

Wei Yun, on the other hand, hadn’t given her a dazzling beginning. He hadn’t descended like a deity in her moment of peril. When they first met, he was still a green youth, relying on her to carve out a world for him.

But as she touched him, drew closer, understood him, and walked beside him, she came to realize just how extraordinary he was.

She silently held him tighter, murmuring, “You’ve alarmed Gu Chushen like this—what about Sucha’s people?”

“I planned it,” Wei Yun said with a soft laugh. “When I intercepted him, I only brought fifteen men. He fired a signal flare, so the elite guards from his manor would undoubtedly rush to his rescue. Meanwhile, I sent men straight to his residence. By now, they’ve probably already retrieved Sucha’s people.”

“You intercepted Gu Chusheng just to lure the tiger away from the mountain?” Chu Yu quickly pieced it together. “Then you must leave the city immediately! Once Gu Chusheng realizes they’re gone, he’ll come for you—”

“I know,” Wei Yun replied calmly. “Before coming here, I gave the orders. Once I take you back, I’ll leave.”

“A Yu,” he turned his head slightly to look at her, “I’ve grown up. I’ll pave every path myself. You really don’t have to shoulder everything.”

Chu Yu was stunned. Wei Yun’s steps were steady, ensuring she felt no jostling. She quietly studied his profile as he continued, “When I was young, seeing you stand in front of me made me happy. But now, I think letting you stand behind me might make me even happier.”

“I don’t need—”

“But I must give you the choice.”

Wei Yun’s voice was soft as the gates of Wei Manor came into view. Still carrying her, he murmured, “Being forced to wield a sword and choosing to wield one are two entirely different things.”

Just then, Wei Qian rushed forward anxiously. “My Lord, the items and the people have arrived.”Wei Yun raised his head. Everyone at the gates of Wei Manor was already prepared. Jiang Chun stepped forward and froze for a moment when she saw Wei Yun carrying Chu Yu on his back, then quickly said, "I roughly understand the situation. Let's hurry and leave the city first."

As she spoke, she approached and reached out to take Chu Yu. Supported by her and Wanyue, Chu Yu turned her back to Wei Yun and walked toward Wei Manor.

Wei Yun silently watched Chu Yu. Wei Qian came up and said, "Marquis, it's time to depart."

Wei Yun nodded, then suddenly called out, "Sister-in-law!"

Chu Yu stiffened. Wei Yun said gently, "Wait for me to return."

Chu Yu didn't respond. She knew what this "wait for me to return" meant. He wasn't just coming back—he was coming back for an answer.

With her back still turned to him, Chu Yu straightened her posture and didn't look back.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice hoarse: "Alright."

I'll wait for you to return.

I'll give you your answer.

Author's note: Recommended background BGM:

"A Dream Like This"