Days passed, but the weight of her choices didn't grow lighter. Meixiu threw herself into her usual routines—exercise, household tasks, and helping Lianyi with her gardening project—but her thoughts kept circling back to Wei and Ye Chen.
One evening, after dinner, Jiayi pulled Meixiu aside to the balcony. The stars twinkled above, but Jiayi's gaze was focused solely on her sister.
"You've been quieter than usual," Jiayi said, leaning against the railing.
Meixiu sighed. "I'm still trying to figure things out."
Jiayi nodded. "Take your time, but remember, every day you wait, someone is left in the dark. That's not fair to any of you."
"I know," Meixiu said, her voice heavy. "But it feels like no matter what I choose, someone gets hurt."
"Maybe," Jiayi said thoughtfully. "But avoiding the decision will only hurt all of you more."
Meixiu didn't reply, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
Wei surprised Meixiu the next day by taking her out for lunch. It was a small step toward reconnecting, but Meixiu couldn't shake the sense of awkwardness between them.
He looked at her over their meal, his expression earnest. "I know I've let work come between us, Meixiu. But I want to change that."
She nodded, but her words felt stuck in her throat. "I appreciate that, Wei. I really do."
"You don't sound convinced," he said, his brow furrowing.
"It's not that," she said quickly. "It's just… this isn't something we can fix overnight."
Wei reached across the table, taking her hand. "I know. But I want to try."
Meixiu managed a small smile, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
That evening, as Meixiu returned to the villa, she found Ye Chen in the living room, reading a book. He looked up as she entered, his expression softening.
"Hey," he said, setting the book aside. "How was your day?"
"Eventful," she said, sitting beside him.
"Want to talk about it?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Meixiu hesitated before nodding. "Wei and I went out for lunch. He's trying to reconnect."
"That's good," Ye Chen said, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It is," Meixiu said softly. "But… it's not that simple."
Ye Chen watched her, concern evident in his gaze. "Meixiu, whatever you decide, just know I'll support you."
Her heart ached at his words. "Why are you always so kind to me, Ye Chen?"
"Because you deserve it," he said simply.
She looked away, her emotions swirling. "I don't know what I deserve anymore."
"You deserve to be happy," Ye Chen said, his voice firm.
Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she turned back to him. "And what about you, Ye Chen? What do you deserve?"
He hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I deserve to see you happy. That's enough for me."
Meixiu's tears spilled over as she leaned into him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. "Why do you have to make this so hard?" she whispered.
Ye Chen held her gently, his voice soft. "It's not supposed to be easy, Meixiu. But whatever happens, I'll be here for you."
Later that night, Meixiu sought out Jiayi once more. Her eldest sister was in the study, going over documents, but she set them aside when she saw Meixiu enter.
"You're here late," Jiayi said, gesturing for her to sit.
Meixiu sat down, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "I talked to Wei today. And Ye Chen."
"And?" Jiayi prompted.
Meixiu let out a shaky breath. "Wei is trying. He's making an effort, and I can see that. But… my heart feels torn."
Jiayi's gaze softened. "It's okay to feel conflicted, Meixiu. You're human. But if you had to make a choice right now, without thinking too much about the consequences, what would your heart tell you?"
Meixiu's eyes filled with tears. "It would tell me to be with Ye Chen."
Jiayi reached out, taking Meixiu's hands in hers. "Then you need to think about what that means. For you, for Wei, and for Ye Chen. Love isn't just about how you feel—it's about what you're willing to fight for."
That night, Meixiu sat alone in her room, staring at the ceiling. Memories of her life with Wei played in her mind—happy moments, laughter, and promises made. But those memories were distant, overshadowed by the present.
Her thoughts drifted to Ye Chen—his kindness, his laughter, and the way he always seemed to understand her without judgment.
"I can't keep doing this," she whispered to herself.
With trembling hands, she picked up her phone, dialing Wei's number. When he answered, his voice was cautious. "Meixiu?"
"We need to talk," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.