225: Let go

Yu Miaoyin's heart rate suddenly quickened. Her hand was still holding Lu Chen's sleeve, as if she had grasped her last hope.

She tried to make her voice sound steady, but the slight tremor in her voice still betrayed her inner tension: "What is it? I really want to help you."

She looked up, her gaze fixed on Lu Chen, her eyes filled with concern like the warm sun of spring, trying to dispel the gloom in his heart.

Lu Chen took a deep breath, as if making a final struggle, and finally spoke slowly: "It was clearly me who abandoned someone, but now I feel a little uncomfortable. Don't you think that's strange?"

His voice was low, with an unspeakable bitterness, and after speaking, he lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet Yu Miaoyin's eyes.

Yu Miaoyin fell silent for a moment, as if struck hard by these words. The hand that had been tightly holding Lu Chen's sleeve unconsciously loosened, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Her eyes dimmed a little, and the smile on her face stiffened, but soon, she forced herself to cheer up, trying to pull out a smile.

"How could this be?" she asked softly, her voice full of confusion and distress, "Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Her eyes watched Lu Chen without blinking, as if trying to find the answer in his expression.

Lu Chen sighed slightly, raised his hand to gently rub his temples, his brows furrowed, his face full of entanglement and confusion.

"Actually, it's not a big problem, it just feels a little strange. Human emotions are really strange," he said slowly, his voice tinged with emotion, "No matter how strong one's strength, one cannot escape the shackles of emotion."

He looked up, his gaze directed out the window, his eyes full of helplessness.

Yu Miaoyin nodded in deep agreement, her eyes showing a hint of empathy. "That's true," she softly echoed, her voice gentle, "Then... was that person very important to you?"

She asked cautiously, and as she asked this question, her heart suddenly tightened, and she subconsciously held her breath, waiting for Lu Chen's answer.

Lu Chen tilted his head, lost in thought, and after a moment, slowly spoke: "I once thought she wasn't important, but after she left, I suddenly realized that she was somewhat important to me."

His voice was low and slow, each word seemingly squeezed from his heart, carrying a hint of regret and sudden realization.

Yu Miaoyin's lips moved slightly, wanting to say something, but then swallowed it back.

She was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Then what was she like when she left?"

Her voice was very soft, as if afraid to disturb Lu Chen's memories of that girl.

Lu Chen's eyes instantly dimmed. He lowered his head, staring at his toes, as if lost in painful memories.

He bit his lower lip, his voice a little hoarse: "Let me think... At that time, her eyes were full of despair and disbelief. Perhaps she felt worse than I did... No, she definitely felt worse than I did."

His hands unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white from the effort, his face filled with self-reproach.

When Yu Miaoyin heard this, her heart was filled with bitterness. She looked up, her gaze fixed on Lu Chen, her eyes showing determination and encouragement: "Then go and win her back."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

Lu Chen suddenly turned his head, looking at Yu Miaoyin, his eyes full of surprise and confusion.

His lips parted slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he had heard. "Aren't you angry?" he asked seriously, his gaze fixed on Yu Miaoyin's eyes, trying to find the answer within them.

Yu Miaoyin shook her head slightly, a slightly forced smile on her lips: "I'm not angry, just a little uncomfortable."

Her voice was very soft, as if she was muttering to herself, "But compared to that girl's pain, she must be suffering more."

A hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes, but soon returned to calm.

Lu Chen looked at Yu Miaoyin, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart. As if guided by some force, his hand slowly rose and gently cupped Yu Miaoyin's cheek, his thumb gently caressing her skin.

His gaze lingered on Yu Miaoyin's face, looking at her slightly flushed cheeks and the glistening tears in her eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, but he couldn't say anything.

Yu Miaoyin's breathing quickened. Her eyes were wide open, full of surprise and bewilderment. She stared directly at Lu Chen, her mind blank.

She could feel the warmth of Lu Chen's palm, so hot it seemed to ignite her. Her heart pounded like thunder, as if it would burst from her chest at any moment.

In this brief yet long gaze, Lu Chen seemed to have finally made up his mind. He lowered his head slightly, leaning closer to Yu Miaoyin.

Yu Miaoyin subconsciously closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling gently. Her body trembled slightly, and her hands unconsciously grasped Lu Chen's arm.

Their lips gently touched. Yu Miaoyin felt a current instantly spread throughout her body. Her mind was blank, leaving only Lu Chen's breath tightly surrounding her.

Lu Chen's kiss was gentle yet fervent, as if expressing unspeakable emotions, and also as if comforting the pain in each other's hearts.

The office was extremely quiet, with only the intertwining sounds of their breathing.

The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on them, plating this ambiguous scene with a layer of brilliance.

After an unknown period, Lu Chen slowly released Yu Miaoyin. His forehead gently rested against hers. Their gazes met again, their eyes filled with complex emotions: longing, gratitude, and a hint of confusion.

"Miaoyin..." Lu Chen called softly, his voice a little hoarse.

Yu Miaoyin slowly opened her eyes, looking at Lu Chen so close to her, tears blurring her vision again. She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Yu Miaoyin slowly spoke, her voice with a barely perceptible choke: "Actually, I'm already very happy that you can tell me the truth."

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze directly meeting Lu Chen's eyes, which were full of tenderness and determination, "Don't worry, I won't leave. Go and win her back. I don't want to see you suffer like this anymore."

Her voice was very soft, yet it was as if she had used all her strength, every word heavily landing on Lu Chen's heart.

Yu Miaoyin had never seen Lu Chen so distraught, so she understood that the girl who left must be extremely important to Lu Chen.

At this moment, the pain and struggle in Lu Chen's eyes made her heart ache immensely.

How she wished she could reach out and smooth the wrinkles on his brow, to rescue him from this pain, even if the price was the love she had deeply buried in her heart.

Lu Chen looked at Yu Miaoyin's understanding demeanor, and the emotions in his heart surged like a bursting flood, no longer able to be suppressed.

His eyes were slightly red, filled with complex emotions: touched, guilty, and an unspeakable longing. "Miaoyin..." he called softly again, his voice low and hoarse, as if squeezed from deep within his throat.

Yu Miaoyin forced a faint smile, trying to comfort Lu Chen, but that smile hid a deep sense of loneliness. "Go, don't let her wait too long."

She said, feigning composure, but the slight tremor in her tone still betrayed her inner reluctance.

Lu Chen looked at Yu Miaoyin, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His hand was still gently cupping Yu Miaoyin's cheek, his thumb unconsciously caressing her delicate skin, feeling the warmth from his fingertips.

At this moment, he suddenly felt that this girl's understanding nature made him so attached.

The office was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden patches of light on the floor. The light and shadows danced on their bodies, but could not dispel the gloom and entanglement in their hearts.

Lu Chen looked at the glistening tears in Yu Miaoyin's eyes, and could no longer bear it. He slowly lowered his head again, leaning closer to Yu Miaoyin.

Yu Miaoyin's breath hitched. She subconsciously closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, like a startled butterfly.

Her hands were still tightly gripping Lu Chen's arm, her fingertips white from the effort.

She could feel Lu Chen's breath getting closer and closer, her heart pounding wildly in her chest, as if it would burst through.

Their lips gently touched again. This time, Yu Miaoyin felt a strong current instantly spread throughout her body, and her body became soft and weak.

Lu Chen's kiss was fervent and deeply affectionate, as if pouring all his emotions into it, and also as if silently apologizing to Yu Miaoyin.

Yu Miaoyin's mind was blank, leaving only Lu Chen's familiar scent tightly surrounding her. She couldn't distinguish the feelings in her heart at that moment: was it happiness, sadness, or reluctance?

This kiss lasted a long time, so long that Yu Miaoyin felt time had stopped.

Lu Chen slowly released Yu Miaoyin, his forehead still resting against hers. Their breaths intertwined, warm air circulating between them.

Lu Chen's eyes were full of longing. He spoke softly: "Miaoyin, I'm sorry..." His voice was filled with endless guilt.

Yu Miaoyin slowly opened her eyes, looking at Lu Chen so close to her, tears blurring her vision again.

She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. A thousand words surged in her heart, finally turning into a soft sigh.

She knew that Lu Chen's heart did not belong to her at this moment, but she still couldn't help but sink into this brief tenderness.

"It's okay, Lu Chen." Yu Miaoyin tried to force a smile, though it looked so strained, "As long as you're happy."

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was convincing herself, and also as if she was comforting Lu Chen.

Lu Chen looked at Yu Miaoyin, and a pang of pain shot through his heart.

He had never thought that his emotional entanglement would bring Yu Miaoyin such great harm.

He gently pulled Yu Miaoyin into his arms, holding her tightly, as if to merge her into his life. "Miaoyin, you are a good girl, and you deserve to be treated well."

He whispered in Yu Miaoyin's ear, his voice full of sincerity.

Yu Miaoyin leaned against Lu Chen's embrace, tears streaming down, soaking Lu Chen's shirt.

She knew that this hug was only temporary, and Lu Chen would eventually go after the girl who occupied his thoughts.

But at this moment, she just wanted to immerse herself in this warmth, even if only for a moment.

"Lu Chen, you must be happy," Yu Miaoyin murmured in Lu Chen's arms, her voice tinged with determination, "When you win her back, you must treat her well."

She looked up, gazing into Lu Chen's eyes, which were filled with blessings.

Lu Chen nodded slightly. He released Yu Miaoyin, his hands gently resting on her shoulders, and said earnestly: "Miaoyin, thank you. No matter what happens in the future, you will always be the most important person to me."

His eyes were firm, as if making a promise.

Yu Miaoyin smiled softly, a hint of relief in her smile: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back and tell me your story."

Her voice had returned to calm, but the hint of loneliness deep in her eyes could not be hidden.

The sunlight still streamed into the office, outlining the warm silhouettes of the man and woman, but behind this warmth lay unspeakable sadness and helplessness.

Lu Chen took a deep breath, turned, picked up his jacket, and walked towards the door.

When he reached the door, he paused, looked deeply at Yu Miaoyin again, then pushed open the door and disappeared outside.

Yu Miaoyin watched Lu Chen's departing back, tears welling up in her eyes again.

She knew that from this moment on, she and Lu Chen might never be able to go back to how things were before.

But she still chose to let go, choosing to let Lu Chen pursue his own happiness, even if there was no place for her in that happiness.

Lu Chen left the company, his mood still heavy, his steps unconsciously dragging.

Outside the company building, the daylight was a bit dazzling. The streets were bustling with traffic, the noisy chatter of people and the honking of vehicles intertwined, yet they could not dispel the gloom in his heart.

Just as he reached the ground floor of the building, a familiar figure entered his sight.

Liu Ruyan wore a pair of exquisite high heels, the heels tapping the ground with a crisp "da da" sound.

Her long, wavy hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and a red fitted and dazzling dress perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

The hem of the dress swayed gently as she walked, like a burning flame.

When Liu Ruyan saw Lu Chen, her eyes instantly lit up, and a surprised smile bloomed on her face.

The corners of her mouth curved upwards, revealing a row of white, neat teeth. Her already bright eyes now sparkled even more, like the most brilliant stars in the night sky.

"Lu... President Lu." Liu Ruyan walked up to Lu Chen, her voice trembling slightly, her eyelids lowered, not daring to meet Lu Chen's eyes directly, only secretly looking up and quickly glancing at him.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, she didn't know if it was because she had walked quickly or because of her nervousness when facing Lu Chen. "Are you going out?"

Hearing this, Lu Chen slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Liu Ruyan, his expression a little tired. He simply responded with a soft "Mm."

Liu Ruyan felt Lu Chen's gaze, and her heart skipped a beat, becoming even more flustered. The documents in her hand rustled as she flipped through them.

"President Lu, you seem a little unwell. Are you too tired from work? Do you need me to prepare anything for you?"

Her voice was small, with a hint of caution. As she spoke, she unconsciously took half a step back, as if afraid that her words would displease Lu Chen.