Yi Chen stared blankly at the figure identical to Qing Nianli. His sword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a clang. His steps carried him forward uncontrollably.

　　Qing Nianli felt her heart shatter. Was he only drawn to her face? Was that all she was to him?

　　Doubt and pain overwhelmed her, awakening her deepest inner demon—her father’s betrayal. Her trust in men crumbled.

　　Yet then, in the illusion, Yi Chen reached out—not to touch her, but to gently pull her fallen clothes back onto her shoulders.

　　Chu Qiqi froze. Qing Nianli was stunned.

　　Chu Qiqi asked softly, “Do you truly not like me at all?”

　　Yi Chen finally spoke, gazing deeply at her. “Nianli… perhaps I still don’t fully understand what love is. You are the first woman I’ve ever known. When I’m with you, my heart feels at peace. When I can’t see you, worry fills me. I want to be with you every day.”

　　“If this is what people call ‘liking’… then, Nianli, I like you.”

　　The world seemed to fall silent.