The nightmare will accompany him for a lifetime.

And the only way to end the nightmare is... to turn the nightmare into reality!

How could turning the nightmare into reality be possible?

He’d rather die than harm Ruyue even a bit.

But he can’t die; if he dies, what will happen to Ruyue alone?

So he chose to leave.

This is the best solution for now.

However, leaving did not eliminate his nightmare.

...

Dawn gradually breaks on the horizon—

Xiao Zexin lay on the floor, motionless.

The sky has brightened.

From the house opposite, came beautiful piano music.

This sound lifted Xiao Zexin’s mood significantly.

But who could be living across who plays piano every day?

Xiao Zexin propped up his body, changed clothes, and went downstairs after washing up.

He planned to have breakfast and then have the bodyguard investigate the situation opposite.

However, before he could act, the maid Chen Fen from the opposite house came again.

Xiao Zexin invited her in.

Chen Fen brought a small basket filled with bright red cherries.

"Sir, last time you helped us, my lady has been wanting to thank you. Today my master sent a lot of fresh cherries to my lady, and she asked me to bring some for you to taste."

Xiao Zexin found it strange to hear such titles as "master" and "lady."

Usually, only wealthy families use these titles.

"Who is your master?"

"My master’s last name is Gong." Chen Fen responded cheerfully.

Gong?

The only person he knew with the surname Gong was Gong Jiahua.

Perhaps this was just a coincidence; maybe the person wasn’t Gong Jiahua.

Besides, Gong Jiahua has always been single, without a wife.

Xiao Zexin nodded: "Please thank your lady on my behalf."

"Okay, I’ll head back now."

After Chen Fen left, Xiao Zexin took out his mobile phone and dialed Ruan Tianling’s number.

This was the first call he made since leaving.

The phone rang several times, and then it was answered: "Hello, father-in-law?"

"Tianling, how are your mother-in-law and the others?" Xiao Zexin asked directly.

Ruan Tianling pretended not to understand his probing: "Mother-in-law is well, Yufei and the others are all good. Would you like to speak with them, father-in-law?"

"No, I was just asking."

Xiao Zexin hung up the phone, thought about Ruyue and the others for a while, then took an umbrella and went out.

He stepped out the door, noticing the window on the opposite second floor was open.

The light purple curtains fluttered slightly in the breeze.

On the windowsill, there was a pot of lavender.

Xiao Zexin’s eyes were obscure; lavender was Ruyue’s favorite.

Her favorite color was also purple.

Perhaps everything was just a coincidence.

But why did his gaze uncontrollably drift toward the opposite house?

Why did he constantly feel that the person opposite was her...

He both hoped it was her and hoped it wasn’t.

Xiao Zexin stared blankly for a moment before stepping forward to continue his stroll.

Around noon, he returned relatively early.

He found a high-end sedan parked in front of the house opposite.

The car was exclusively for men.

Perhaps the male owner of the opposite house has returned?

Xiao Zexin entered the living room, changed his shoes, washed his hands, and started to eat.

The window in the dining room happened to allow a view of the street outside.

After a short time, he heard the sound of a car engine.

Then, he saw the sedan slowly drive out; as it passed the window, he seemed to catch sight of a familiar face inside.

That was... Gong Jiahua!

Xiao Zexin abruptly stood up, his knees hitting the table, and the soup in the porcelain bowl splashed everywhere.