Song Hui left the main room and saw Jin Lu waiting for him nearby.
He followed her to the end of the verandah. Pine Courtyard's entrance was in front of them. Next to the entrance, there was a young girl standing beneath the tall, large pine tree that seemed to pierce the sky. She was wearing a moon white outer robe and a pomegranate skirt. One color was the pinnacle of simplicity. The other color was glamorous and beautiful. The contrasting colors made her seem like autumn's blossoming pomegranate flowers. It was mesmerizing. She looked fragile and alluring.
(T/N: If you pretend the blue skirt is red and there's no pink sash, this is a close approximation for what Wei Luo is wearing.)
Ch 86 - pomegrante skirt.png
Song Hui walked forward and called out, "Younger sister Ah Luo."
Wei Luo looked at him and faintly smiled, "Older brother Song Hui."
Wei Luo had written the message on that paper. Bai Lan had told her about the discussion inside the main room. Taking the opportunity that he hadn't left yet, she want to clear things up with him.
Song Hui stopped a few steps way from her. The distance wasn't far or close. It was a proper distance according to etiquette and wouldn't let other people misunderstand, "Is there something that younger sister Ah Luo wants to say?"
Before he had come, Wei Luo had already prepared her speech. Now that he had come, her hands were behind her back and her eyes were smiling. In a serene tone, she told him, "Let's end our engagement. Older brother Song Hui, I don't want to marry you."
Song Hui's smile stiffened. Stunned and rather helpless, he stood in place and asked, "What?"
She controlled herself and didn't repeat her words. She continued, "I know older brother Song Hui came here to discuss our marriage. And I also know we've been engaged since we were young. If there isn't any mishaps, I'll be your bride in the future." She looked up. Her small, beautiful face smile sweetly, but her words were like icy shards that stabbed into his heart. "But, I've been thinking about this a lot recently. I only see you as an older brother. I don't have any romantic feelings towards you. If I force myself to marry you, our married life won't be happy."
Wei Luo thought of many ways to end her engagement with Song Hui. This method would harm them the least.
Song Hui was really good. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she also wouldn't marry him. If he could agree to end this engagement, it would be the best. Every one would be delighted and satisfied.
Song Hui stood in place, stared at her, and didn't say anything for a long time.
His happy mood rapidly fell. They had recently been discussing their marriage and he though he would soon possess her. He had watching this young girl grow up. Only he clearly knew how deep his affection for her was. But, in the next moment, she told him that she didn't want to marry him and that she wouldn't be happy if she married him.
She hadn't married him yet. How could she know she wouldn't be happy?
Without noticing, Song Hui had taken two steps forward. The brightness in his eyes had dimmed. The formerly gentle and calm person was at a complete loss. "Do you think it’s too abrupt? If you're not willing, Ah Luo, I can wait two more years..."
Wei Luo shook her head. She tilted her head and looked at him, "It's not that..." Her voice was crisp as she said, "Older brother Song Hui, I like someone else."
Before, Song Hui liked to listen to her talk. He felt that her sweet and soft voice was wrapped in a layer of honey. Now, he suddenly discovered. The honey was wrapped around sharp blades. Every word she said was like a stab at his heart. He didn't know what to say with his stabbed heart. A long time later, he hoarsely said, "Who is he?"
Wei Luo blinked and didn't tell him.
Even if she didn’t say, he could probably guess.
Was it Zhao Jie? His possessiveness towards Ah Luo had been very obvious that day on Jing He Villa. He should have had a sense of crisis earlier. Now, Zhao Jie had prevailed and stolen his girl...
Song Hui's heart felt stuffy and a continuous dull pain, but he didn't know what to say to keep her. He had always thought of her as his and never thought what losing her would feel like. Now, he suddenly knew and couldn't accept it. He walked forward, held her hand, and stubbornly said, "I don't want to end our engagement..." He looked at her and repeated, "Ah Luo, I don't want to end our engagement."
He had used some strength to hold her hand and Wei Luo couldn't pull away despite trying.
Wei Luo furrowed her eyebrows. She thought he would agree if she said these words. Why was it like this? Not only did he refuse to end their engagement, she had made things more difficult.
At this moment, a long arm unexpectedly came between them.
Zhao Jie grabbed Song Hui's hand and blocked his view of Wei Luo. Seemingly unaffected by the scene, he coldly said, "Let go."
(T/N: Is it just me or is Wei Luo’s mind too simple and thoughtless? Regardless of how Song Hui feels about her, how can she think Song Hui would agree to end their engagement when it’s already at the stage where their parents are discussing the wedding date?)