Chapter 295: Letting Go of the Past

“Can we talk? I have so much to say to you,” Qin Xiaotian refused to give up; he still had a lot more to say.

Ling Hanyu glanced at Song Qingtian but didn’t say a word to stop him—he just gave her a quick look.

Song Qingtian remained remarkably calm. She couldn’t quite understand why things had turned out so coincidentally; perhaps it was fate.

If she hadn’t run into Qin Xiaotian right before leaving, she would have carried that unresolved knot in her heart for the rest of her life.

Now things were just fine. At least after she left, she wouldn’t keep dwelling on the past.

Only by truly letting go of the past could she pour her whole heart into Ling Hanyu.

Looking at Qin Xiaotian, Song Qingtian said, “My husband is very sensitive and doesn’t like me talking to strange men—sorry about that!”

“We’re classmates, and we’re also…”

“The ex?”

Song Qingtian wasn’t the least bit shy about it.

Qin Xiaotian explained, “I know you’re upset. Let’s talk—I just want you to know that I left all for your sake. I didn’t want to…”

Song Qingtian raised her hand, signaling Qin Xiaotian to stop.

She never imagined that once they’d parted, she’d lose all interest in anything about him—and wouldn’t even want to hear another word from him.

What had once been something she’d taken pride in suddenly turned into a stain.

Thinking of Ling Hanyu standing beside her, Song Qingtian realized that if she kept clinging like this, it wouldn’t be fair to him.

Either don’t love at all, or if you do, make it pure and clean—without bringing anything else into it.

She hadn’t wanted to listen at all, but as she absorbed what Qin Xiaotian was saying, she found herself lowering her hand instead.

Then, looking straight at Qin Xiaotian, she sneered, “Mr. Qin, you’re far too self-righteous. After all these years, both you and I have grown up. Even if I don’t say it, you should know that when there’s no real need, it’s best to keep your distance—to avoid causing inconvenience to everyone.”

Qin Xiaotian tried to go on, but Song Qingtian’s expression darkened. “Maybe Mr. Qin thinks those old days were wonderful for both of us. To be honest, before I met you just now, I used to think so too.”

Song Qingtian looked at Ling Hanyu’s stern face, then reached out and gently clasped his hand, rubbing her thumb against his warm palm.

Ling Hanyu seemed a bit uncomfortable. “Using me?”

Song Qingtian smiled faintly.

But she didn’t elaborate further with Ling Hanyu. Instead, she turned back to Qin Xiaotian and said, “Mr. Qin… I always thought our bond was stronger than gold. Over all these years apart, I’ve never stopped thinking about you. I really did love you—I was deeply attached to you.”

“I even gave up many suitors for your sake.”

“But just now, the moment I saw you, it suddenly dawned on me: the reason I’ve been unable to let go isn’t because I still love you. Both you and I have worked so hard in our studies, and we both know that human love begins in the mind—a process that takes us from liking someone, to falling madly in love, and finally to settling down…”

“People of good character know how to nurture love over time. Two people gradually get used to each other—just like our own hands…”

Song Qingtian held up both hands toward Qin Xiaotian. “If it’s someone else, I just can’t adjust. And some people have cleanliness obsessions—like me. I only like men who are clean and untouched by others. But I’m not hypocritical: whatever man I choose, I’ll only ever give myself to him alone. If I switch to another man… maybe that’s okay, but even then, I won’t touch him for many years.”

“That’s just habit.”

“You left me, and we’ve been apart for so many years—the feelings between us have long since faded. The reason I’ve kept thinking about you is because… what’s really stuck in my mind is the answer you never gave me. You just said ‘break up’ without telling me why—you made the decision all by yourself.”

Qin Xiaotian was utterly confused and couldn’t wrap his head around it. “You don’t love me anymore?”

Song Qingtian glared at Qin Xiaotian, frustrated. “How could you not understand what I’m saying? Or are you deliberately ignoring it? You unilaterally broke up with me and walked away!”

“I didn’t! I’ve always loved you—I just wanted you to be happier! I was afraid you’d worry about me, so I didn’t say a thing. I thought you’d wait for me, which is why I told you I was transferring schools and nothing else.”

Qin Xiaotian grew increasingly anxious.

End of Chapter 295: Letting Go of the Past