No matter what, Lydia Lin and I grew up together as friends. She made mistakes and hurt others, but also herself. I've already blamed her, already hated her.
Honestly, my life right now isn't really that bad.
I was able to resolve my mom's issues, thanks in part to the Yin Family.
So, I guess Lydia Lin and I are even now.
Thinking of this, Cecilia Gu's expression softened and she gently said, "Alright, don't make it sound so tragic. I don't want the money—keep it and focus on your treatment. We're even now."
At this moment, Cecilia Gu had truly let go of all past grudges. She didn't want to have anything more to do with Lydia Lin.
From now on, maybe we'll just be strangers, and that's probably how it ends for us.
It takes just as much courage to love someone as it does to hate them.
I'm tired. I don't want to keep exhausting myself like this.
At this point, there's really nothing left to obsess over.
Give birth to this child safely, then leave the Yin Family and find a place where no one knows me—just live out the rest of my life.
Let the past be buried with him.
"Cecilia, have you forgiven me?" Lydia Lin's eyes lit up with surprise when she heard Cecilia say that.
Cecilia Gu's faint smile made it hard to read her true feelings.
Forgive?
How could forgiveness come so easily?
I just don't want to live my life carrying so much hatred.
"Cecilia, I know I've been too greedy." Lydia Lin bit her lip and continued, "I'm already happy you agreed to see me today. How could I be so shameless as to ask for your forgiveness?"
"Lydia Lin, let's just leave it at this. I don't want to be your enemy, but I don't want to be your friend anymore either." Cecilia Gu sighed. "We've grown up together for so many years, so I really can't keep hating you. But you hurt me too deeply, so we can't go back to being friends."
Because we once knew each other, it's impossible to be enemies.
Because we've hurt each other before, it's impossible to be friends.
So we can only be the most familiar strangers.
As soon as Cecilia Gu finished speaking, Lydia Lin's face turned deathly pale.
Cecilia Gu stood up, ready to leave.
Suddenly, Lydia Lin moved in front of Cecilia Gu and dropped to her knees!
Cecilia Gu was startled and quickly reached out to pull Lydia Lin up. "What are you doing? Get up!"
"Cecilia, if you don't forgive me, I'll stay kneeling!" Lydia Lin grabbed Cecilia's wrist. "I don't have much time left. The doctor said I need surgery within a month—if I wait any longer, there won't be a point! Cecilia, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, just let me be your friend for one more month. I swear, I'll never ruin your happiness again, never hurt you again! This is my last wish, please grant it!"
People all around started staring at them.
Cecilia Gu felt her scalp tingle instantly.
She'd never been in a situation like this before. Now Lydia Lin had put her on the spot, forced to endure the burning stares of everyone around. Cecilia felt so embarrassed.
"Cecilia, I really know I was wrong! I don't ask for your forgiveness, I just want you to let me spend my last month as your friend, just watching you live happily." Lydia Lin sobbed, and sure enough, Cecilia's heart softened.
Yeah, she only has one month left to live.
What is there left for me to hold onto?
"Stop kneeling, I'll agree to it." Cecilia looked at Lydia Lin, who was crying uncontrollably, and couldn't hold back anymore. She whispered, "I forgive you."
Hearing Cecilia's words, Lydia Lin jumped up from the ground and hugged her tightly.
Cecilia Gu is only 165 centimeters tall, while Lydia Lin is 178, and she's wearing heels. So when Lydia Lin hugged Cecilia, Cecilia had no chance to resist.
Cecilia Gu sighed softly in her heart.
Forget it, it's not worth holding onto old grudges.
So many years of feelings can't just be erased with a few words.
Now in Newport City, Lydia Lin only has me by her side.
If I don't forgive her, these last days will be unbearably hard for her, won't they?
"Cecilia, thank you!" Lydia Lin hugged her tightly. "I knew it—from childhood till now, you've always been the best to me! When I was at my lowest, you were the only one by my side, supporting and protecting me! I'll never forget how, in our freshman year, I wanted to be a model and my whole family was against it. You worked to pay my tuition, juggling classes and part-time jobs! Cecilia, I'm truly sorry for everything before. From now on, I'll never do anything to make you sad again!"
When Lydia Lin brought up the past, Cecilia Gu's stiff body slowly relaxed. She reached out and hugged Lydia's waist, gently patting her back to comfort her.
In the past, whenever Lydia Lin was hurt or bullied, Cecilia always comforted her like this.
The people around saw the two girls make up and started applauding to congratulate them.
Lydia Lin kept thanking everyone, while Cecilia Gu's smile was a bit forced.
It all happened so fast.
But since I've decided to forgive Lydia Lin, all those old grudges are wiped away.
Cecilia Gu pulled Lydia Lin back to their seats and asked, "So what are you planning to do?"
Lydia Lin's eyes dimmed. "What else can I do? I'll use this month to try and make up for everyone I've wronged. I've traveled so much over the years, but at the end of my life, I realize the place I want to be most is Newport City—because you're here! I remember before you got married, we used to sleep in the same bed and share noodles from the same bowl, and I just feel..."
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Lydia Lin suddenly couldn't go on.
Cecilia Gu's eyes grew moist too.
Yeah, before my twenty-third birthday, I was poor and had so many worries, but I also had so much happiness!
"I still remember the first money I earned as a model—I bought two pairs of gloves, one for you and one for me." Lydia Lin continued, "Back then, you hugged me and said we'd be sisters for life, never separated..."
Cecilia's eyes brimmed with tears.
It was only at this moment that Cecilia Gu truly forgave Lydia Lin.
So she still remembered all those years.
So she hadn't forgotten the hardest times we went through together.
Xiaoya, why did it take you until now to realize how important this bond is?
If... if you hadn't done that back then...
Would things have been even better between us?
But... there's no such thing as 'if.'
Cecilia Gu's phone rang. She looked—it was a call from the house butler.
Cecilia answered, "Hello..."
"Mrs. Yin, Young Master called to say he won't be home for dinner tonight. He asked that you eat on your own," the butler dutifully reported.
Cecilia glanced at Lydia Lin and said to the butler, "Then I won't be home for dinner either. I'm eating out with Xiaoya—we haven't had a meal together in ages."
When Lydia Lin heard this, her eyes were full of emotion.
After hanging up, Cecilia held Lydia Lin's hand. "Don't give up—there might still be hope."
Lydia Lin smiled and wiped away her tears. Once again, she looked every bit the international supermodel Dina—charming with every move and expression.
Because things got so dramatic just now, neither of them wanted to have dinner here.
Lydia Lin had walked over, but now she drove her car, taking Cecilia Gu with her, and parked in front of an upscale restaurant downtown.
Lydia Lin took great care choosing a restaurant with refined flavors and a quiet atmosphere for Cecilia.
Cecilia noticed this and felt a wave of softness in her heart.
"Wait here a moment—I remember there's a place up ahead that makes great candied chestnuts." Lydia Lin patted Cecilia's shoulder and dashed off like the wind.
Cecilia smiled softly.
She remembered that she loved candied chestnuts.
She remembered that when she was little, her family was poor and all the good food was controlled by Grandma. Every New Year, her favorite snack was candied chestnuts.
So every New Year, the two of them would grab a handful of hot candied chestnuts and find a quiet spot to enjoy them together.
Time flies, and neither of them is the same person they used to be.
I wonder if these candied chestnuts will taste the same as they used to?
Just as Cecilia was lost in thought, a surprised voice called out behind her: "You came here for dinner too?"
Cecilia turned around and looked up to see Max Mo.
Today, Max Mo was dressed in a casual suit, looking refined and elegant, drawing the attention of many women.
Those gentle, watery eyes must have captivated countless hearts.
"Wow, what a coincidence." Cecilia thought for a moment and finally remembered his name. "Mo..."
"Max Mo." He smiled helplessly. "This is our fourth time meeting. Can I finally know your name?"
Cecilia laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, I'm..."
"Cecilia!" Lydia Lin called out from behind.
"Cecilia?" Max Mo's eyes focused. "Cecilia Gu?"