Chapter 408: You’re the Only One I Love in This Lifetime (1)

Qie Wang had told Xie Xuning that Li Zhiwei was only slightly over 40 years old and would still have the chance to have a child and start a family if she were to marry now. Since then, his words were constantly on Xie Xuning’s mind.

Li Zhiwei couldn’t stop the tears from flooding out of her eyes.

However, Xie Xuning was not the least sympathetic towards her.

He was a married man.

He would remain as Ye Linlang’s husband regardless of whether she was alive or dead.

It was impossible for him to be gentle and loving towards other women.

Li Zhiwei had remained single throughout all these years, and he was well aware of how others had gossiped about him behind his back. They had said that he was as dense as a block and couldn’t comprehend why he simply refused to marry her even though she had gone to such great lengths for him.

However, both he and Li Zhiwei knew the reason.

Xie Xuning had never thought of marrying Li Zhiwei.

The thought had never crossed his mind.

“Zhiwei, more than 10 years had passed. You should know better than anyone that I would never cave in and marry you.”

Xie Xuning’s voice sounded slightly raspy as he spoke.

He knew how cruel these words would be to Li Zhiwei.

He had already said this years ago.

He had warned her many times that he would never remarry.

“Brother Xu, she’s already dead!” Li Zhiwei protested, and her eyes were filled with tears as she continued, “Even if you were to remain faithful to her for the rest of your life, she will never return to you.”

Xie Xuning rose to his feet and stared at Li Zhiwei’s face, which was already showing signs of aging, before he explained, “Zhiwei, you don’t understand. She will be my wife in this life regardless of whether she’s alive or dead. She’ll be my only wife…”

“Brother Xu.”

Li Zhiwei let out a heart-wrenching shriek.

She couldn’t understand why Ye Linlang would hold such an important place in Xie Xuning’s heart.

“Could you hug me? Could you give me a hug?”

Xie Xuning’s arms felt limply on either side of his body, and his cold eyes darkened.

Like the bamboos in the forest, he, too, had principles that he would uphold firmly.

“I’ll leave now.”

He then left as he had promised.

Xie Xuning strode out of the bamboo forest alone.

He never responded to her.

Neither did he pause in his tracks.

He strutted off with resolve, and there wasn’t an ounce of hesitation.

It was just like how he was back then—he never had any second thoughts.

Li Zhiwei cupped her mouth as she cried her heart out.

The sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves and cast spotted flecks of light on her body.

A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo leaves.

Li Zhiwei felt as if her heart was shattering to pieces at that very moment.

They were falling off bit by bit.

Li Zhiwei glanced up and stared at Xie Xuning with her teary eyes as he gradually walked farther away from her. Suddenly, driven by an inexplicable sense of courage, she bolted after him.

She yearned to embrace him.

She wanted to feel the warmth on his body from up close.

However, before she could get close, Xie Xuning had instinctively dodged to one side.

Losing her footing, Li Zhiwei landed flat on the ground.

Xie Xuning stared at her in a composed, frigid manner and advised, “Zhiwei, you shouldn’t give up everything for me. I’m not worth your while. As a woman, you should learn to love yourself more if there isn’t a man who loves you.”

“Brother Xu, I’ve been waiting for you for over 10 years. Couldn’t you take a look at me even once?” Li Zhiwei pleaded. She knew how pathetic she was at that moment, and yet she couldn’t help but press on, “Couldn’t you even bear to look at me?”

Xie Xuning’s expression wavered. Ever since he was aware that the ashes in the urn belonged to a man, he had been pondering about who would benefit the most from this.

Li Zhiwei was the only person that came to mind.

He was reluctant to suspect her.

However, he couldn’t help but suspect the Li family that was supporting her.

“Zhiwei, Ye Linlang is my wife, and she will be my only wife no matter what happens.”

“But isn’t she dead?”