Yi Chen looked at Chu Qiqi and said with grave sincerity, “I believe that is not right—that is desire. To me, liking someone should not be about possession. It should be that when you are happy, I am happy; when I am with you, I am content.”

　　His words were calm yet resolute, a clear and lucid light glimmering in his eyes.

　　It was as though he were striving to articulate his innermost understanding of affection, deliberately setting it apart from worldly notions.

　　“I do not wish to let my own selfish desires cause you any discomfort or coercion. I hope you can be truly happy and free. As long as you live well, that alone is the most important thing to me.”

　　Yi Chen’s words left Chu Qiqi—still disguised as Qing Nianli—momentarily stunned. She had never imagined that Yi Chen would harbor such a singular and pure way of thinking.

　　Meanwhile, on the other side of the illusion, a torrent of complex emotions surged within the real Qing Nianli.

　　Her gaze locked tightly onto Yi Chen, her eyes interweaving surprise, emotion, and joy.

　　She was astonished that Yi Chen possessed such profound and original insight into matters of the heart, utterly unlike those men driven solely by desire.

　　This very difference stirred within her an even deeper curiosity and longing to understand him.

　　Emotion flooded her heart like a rising tide. Yi Chen’s words were like a beam of warm sunlight, shining straight into a heart that had once been wounded and grown somewhat cold.

　　She felt the sincerity of his feelings—an unadulterated, pure affection that allowed her to experience once more the longlost sensation of being truly cherished.

　　Joy quietly took root in her heart as well. She realized that she held such an important place in Yi Chen’s heart, that his feelings for her were not shallow possession, but heartfelt care and respect.

　　Her fondness for him rose sharply in that instant, and with it, a new sense of anticipation for their future together.

　　Yet amid this swirl of emotions, Qing Nianli also felt a trace of confusion and hesitation.

　　She did not know how to respond to such a unique form of affection, nor whether she herself could offer Yi Chen an equally pure love.

　　She began to reflect upon her past understanding of relationships, questioning whether she truly understood what genuine love meant.

　　At the same time, she could not help but worry—afraid that this beauty might be nothing more than a fleeting illusion, fearing that unforeseen changes might one day shatter this rare moment of happiness.

　　Nevertheless, at this very moment, Qing Nianli was deeply moved by Yi Chen. She knew clearly that she could no longer view him as she once had, suppressing her feelings.

　　After hearing Yi Chen’s words, a fleeting trace of displeasure flashed across Chu Qiqi’s face. She soon furrowed her brows slightly, the corners of her lips curving into a subtly seductive smile as she said coyly, “But love and desire are intertwined. One must still bear children.”

　　As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently toyed with a strand of hair by her ear, her eyes filled with deliberate provocation, attempting to steer the conversation back onto the familiar path of temptation.

　　“The affection between men and women in this world naturally includes such things. Without desire, how can love be considered complete? Bearing children is also the inevitable continuation of one’s bloodline.”

　　As she spoke, Chu Qiqi carefully observed Yi Chen’s reaction, hoping to draw his agreement.

　　Yi Chen revealed a contemplative expression. After a moment, he replied softly, “Perhaps you are right, but I still believe love should not be confined to that alone. It holds a purer meaning.”

　　At that moment, their differing views collided, rendering the emotions between them all the more complex and delicate.

　　“The love I fervently seek is never a fleeting impulse or momentary desire,” Yi Chen continued, his voice steady. “It is a feeling that can endure the tempering of years—longlasting and sincere. I call the place where such love exists ‘home.’ That home would be our shared haven of warmth, the sacred place where our emotions may rest. Only such love is what my heart truly yearns for.”

　　He paused briefly, then added, “Even when we grow old, when time has etched wrinkles across our faces, I hope we can still remain by each other’s side, supporting one another.”

　　His gaze seemed to transcend time itself, beholding a future where they walked hand in hand into old age. It was his steadfast vision for this bond—his desire to weather life’s storms together with Qing Nianli, to let their love deepen and mature within the long river of time.

　　In his unwavering eyes lay not only a cherishing of present emotions, but also a longing and hope for lifelong companionship.

　　Chu Qiqi stood completely frozen. Her eyes widened, filled with shock and bewilderment, her thoughts seemingly halted altogether, unable to comprehend what she was witnessing.

　　Outside the illusion, the true Qing Nianli quietly observed everything, her heart tangled and conflicted.

　　As she listened to Yi Chen’s low, hesitant voice sincerely confessing his feelings, part of her heart swelled with emotion—moved by the unreserved sincerity he held for her.

　　That genuine affection, conveyed fully through his words and gaze, stirred waves deep within her heart.

　　Yet at the same time, memories of her father’s abandonment—leaving her and her mother for another woman—rose painfully within her mind.

　　Whenever she thought of her father, an endless flood of complicated emotions followed.

　　He had once been so bold and radiant, and his love story with her mother had been a celebrated tale within the immortal realm.

　　But his later betrayal was like a blade, cutting deeply into both her mother’s and her own hearts.

　　She could not understand how he could so easily abandon them, how the vows of eternal devotion had become nothing more than a cruel farce.

　　Because of his actions, her mother grew distrustful of men, and that belief deeply influenced Qing Nianli as well.

　　As a result, Qing Nianli herself harbored doubt and fear toward love.

　　She was afraid that, like her mother, she might give herself wholly, only to be repaid with endless pain.

　　Thus, when facing Yi Chen, though she held deep affection for him, the memory of her father’s betrayal prevented her from fully opening her heart.

　　She feared that one day Yi Chen might also change, that he might treat her as ruthlessly as her father had treated her mother.

　　This anxiety caused her to remain guarded around Yi Chen, never daring to express her emotions without restraint.

　　At this moment, Qing Nianli’s heart was torn apart. On one hand, she was deeply moved by Yi Chen’s sincerity—the warmth of his affection intoxicating her like sunlight.

　　On the other hand, the shadow of her father’s past loomed over her heart, filling her with doubt and unease.

　　Standing outside the illusion, she watched Chu Qiqi and Yi Chen, her thoughts knotted like tangled threads.

　　Yi Chen’s love was so pure and sincere, yet she could not easily cross the barrier erected within her heart by her father’s actions.

　　She repeatedly asked herself whether she could truly let go of the shadows of the past and bravely accept her feelings for Yi Chen.

　　She yearned for a beautiful love with him, yet feared repeating her mother’s tragedy, sinking into endless pain and suffering.

　　These conflicting emotions tugged relentlessly at her heart, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

　　She gazed at Yi Chen, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotion—gratitude, hesitation, confusion, and a faint, lingering hope.

　　She knew she would have to make a decision, one that concerned both her future and Yi Chen’s. Yet at this moment, she remained trapped in the vortex of emotion, unable to extricate herself.

　　“I hope the one who will walk with me through the trials of time is you, Nianli,” Yi Chen said softly. “I know there may still be obstacles between us. I know you carry some burdens you have not told me—but I do not mind. Nor do I need explanations. Trust requires none. I want to share every sunrise and sunset with you, every ordinary yet precious day. No matter what the future brings, I wish to remain with you always, to stand by your side and protect you.”

　　As Qing Nianli listened to his words, tears slipped uncontrollably down her cheeks. The tightly wound strings around her heart finally began to loosen.

　　She took a deep breath, striving to calm the turmoil within.

　　“Yi Chen…” she murmured softly, her gaze growing ever gentler.

　　“I… I want to try.”

　　At last, Qing Nianli lowered her defenses. She inhaled deeply, as if expelling all her inner turmoil.

　　She stepped toward Yi Chen within the illusion, each step filled with resolve and release.

　　Yi Chen watched her approach, his eyes brimming with surprise and anticipation.

　　Standing before him, Qing Nianli lifted her head slightly, the complexity in her gaze melting into gentle warmth.

　　Chu Qiqi watched the scene unfold, her heart filled with shock and confusion.

　　She could never have imagined that Yi Chen and Qing Nianli would meet within the two separate illusions she had created—nor that Qing Nianli would overcome her inner demon.