The celebration was just one day away.
In the evening, Su Yan finally found Bang's location. As she stepped into this unfamiliar underground world, she was met with a simple yet chilling environment. Her heartbeat quickened; this was Bang's current refuge, and she couldn't imagine how he had endured these days.
Black Bear looked at the brave girl who had ventured in, his tone unusually gentle, "Little sister, Bang is over there."
Upon hearing this, Su Yan walked forward without looking back. When her gaze finally fell upon the familiar figure, her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She saw Bang sitting quietly in a corner, his scars clearly visible, but his eyes were utterly desolate.
"Bang!" she called out, her voice filled with excitement, heartache, and complex emotions.
Bang heard her voice, slightly raised his head, his eyes landing on her, his lips barely moving as he uttered two words, "Su Yan."
Then, silence.
Su Yan looked at him, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. She stepped forward, looking at his scarred face up close, her heart aching unbearably. She choked back sobs, saying many things—how she had suffered these past weeks, how she had missed him, how she didn't care about his past, and only wanted to take him away.
Her voice echoed through the basement, everyone hearing her heartfelt words, hearing her deep love for Bang.
But Bang remained silent.
Su Yan reached out, wanting to pull him back. Bang looked at her slender and warm hand but didn't respond.
She hesitated for a moment, then took Bang's hand in her own.
His palm was large and warm, but full of rough calluses, marks left by killing and pain. But Su Yan didn't care at all, she held on tightly, looking at him through tear-filled eyes.
"Let's run away together! Let's start over in a place where no one knows you, okay? Let's build a family, let's forget the past together, okay? My dad will help us!" she said urgently.
Bang didn't answer.
Su Yan couldn't hold back anymore. She suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Bang's lips.
The kiss was cold, yet carried a hint of warmth.
But just when she thought Bang would respond, he slowly pushed her away.
He took out a small music box from his pocket and slowly opened it.
The familiar melody drifted out, "Under Mount Fuji" written by Albert Leung, the gift Su Yan had given him for his birthday a year ago.
Su Yan completely broke down.
She listened to the entire song through her sobs, tears flowing uncontrollably.
Bang didn't speak, but he had said everything.
When the music stopped, the basement fell into a deathly silence, with only Su Yan's cries echoing in the air.
Finally, Bang spoke again.
"I love you."
He said these words with utmost tenderness, as if it was the most tender thing he had ever said in his life.
Su Yan was stunned.
But she understood.
This "I love you" was not a promise, but a farewell.
She looked at Bang, her eyes filled with reluctance, but she didn't say anything more.
She turned and left.
Without looking back.
Bang stood there, watching her back disappear through the basement door.
His smile gradually faded, his eyes turned cold again, but his fingers unconsciously gripped the music box tightly.
At that moment, his heart died completely.