Translator's Notes:

Finally, it has ended. Even though it is not a Happy Ending (HE), at least it leaves some space for imagination. Such a short story, but it truly takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. When I first started reading this, I thought it would be a lighthearted, fluffy, and cute type of story. But the ending really caught me off guard. I don't want to be the only one feeling sad, so I decided to translate this and let all of you feel sad as well 😏.

This novel starts off deceptively simple, drawing you in with its seemingly light and carefree tone. The characters, especially Bai Jinshu and Ye Lihen, are so well-written that you can’t help but get attached to them. What begins as a story of camaraderie and playful banter quickly takes a dark turn, unraveling layers of hidden emotions, betrayals, and misunderstandings. The unexpected depth of their relationship is what makes this novel so impactful.

Bai Jinshu’s internal struggle, from believing he knows Ye Lihen to doubting everything, adds a sense of tension that keeps the reader hooked. Even though Ye Lihen may seem distant and mysterious at first, his vulnerability and pride slowly reveal themselves in the most heartbreaking ways. The final chapters are filled with emotional weight as everything falls into place, leading to an ending that is both painful and bittersweet.

For those of you who love open-ended conclusions, this story provides just enough room for you to imagine what could happen next. Maybe Bai Jinshu will find Ye Lihen someday, maybe they will reconcile. Or maybe, they will continue to exist separately, carrying their memories of one another in different directions. The beauty of this story is that it lets you choose how to continue their journey in your mind.

Thank you for reading along with me, and I hope this translation helps you experience the same emotional ride that I went through.

Honestly, the epilogue drags the story down, but I'm going to give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume they were probably pressured to write it. It wouldn't be the first time an author had to extend the possibility of something more than a sad ending to childish and extreme readers. Bai Jinshu joining a monastery to fulfill Ye Lihen's wish for him to regret for a lifetime seems superficial and performative. That said, it's in character for Bai Jinshu. After all, what else could you expect from him? Do you think the coward who couldn't bear to watch an assassin be tortured, but was fine to have his first (and last) intimate encounter with Ye Lihen be a body search would hunt down Lin Ling or her family? No way. Anyway the epilogue basically undoes all the work the author put into their story. To have Ye Lihen possibly alive and notify his father who tortured him without evidence and his crush who doubted and betrayed him makes about as much sense as Ye Lihen's final message not being a blank piece of silk but one that reads "I hate you, you meanies!". Jiang Chen and Bai Jinshu are supposed to suffer the eternal torment of "what ifs?". What if Renwang sect had waited until a full investigation was conducted? Would Mo Feixiao have been able to reveal the truth in time? What if Jiang Chen hadn't pressed Ye Lihen's Qu Chi acupoint? Would he have been able to survive long enough for them to excavate the cave he was trapped in? What if Bai Jinshu didn't lie about the cave having an exit? Did Ye Lihen choose that cave because he believed Bai Jinshu's lie? These doubts should prick at their conscience until they breathe their last breaths. Creating the possibility that Ye Lihen survived offers hope to two characters who don't deserve it. I advise you to pretend the epilogue doesn't exist.

In addition to the open ending (which will honestly probably be a happy one - I get the sense that the MC purposely waited 3 years because the ML had at one point asked if he was able to wait 3 years to confirm their feelings). I bet the MC is being his usual, adorably petty self and turning the ml's words against him.

However, there's a sadder side to the mc's story. It was clear there was a fight between his sect and the ml's, and that many in the "demonic" sect were killed. The ml's uncle was active in this fight, and the mc's mother (his secret love) died. I wonder if she died in the fight, indirectly or directly due to the uncle, and if there was more to her "betrayal". Perhaps she left due to worry about her child, because she was too high up in the sect, or some other uncommunicated misunderstanding. It almost feels like her and the uncle's love is the warning of what could happen if the MC and ML let their pride keep them apart (which the ML obviously won't let happen)

I want to know how Ye Lihen managed to escape from his coffin. Can you imagine if it's the fifth brother helping him out because he lost a bet?

Ye Lihen was 15 when he "died". Honestly Uncle Jiang and Bai Jinshu should suffer more for not even listening to the YLH when he was trying to explain, torturing him and deceiving him.

Maybe because I also tend to sometimes like blatant/in your face romance in danmei I would have wanted ylh and bjs's relationship to become deeper, more romantic before the poignant arc. but I doubt the ending for bjs would have hit the same. because if he was also already romantically involved with ylh by the time they start to suspect him and hurt him, and lead to his "death".... bjs wouldn't have to deal with the pain of yearning for what he could have had...i liked this... more tragic danmei please!