Love is as vast as the Milky Way, impossible to cross.

The two embraced tightly in front of the Huo residence, as if time had stood still at that moment.

After a long while, Huo Muchen loosened his embrace of Liu Shiyin, but he still held her waist tightly with one hand, maintaining a semi-encircling posture, as if unwilling to completely let go of her.

With his other hand, he gently lifted her chin, his gaze fixed intently on her alluring red lips.

He slowly leaned down, and just as he got closer and closer to Liu Shiyin, almost touching her lips, Liu Shiyin suddenly broke free from his embrace. Her movements were swift and decisive, like a startled fawn leaping out of the hunter's encirclement.

Her actions surprised Huo Muchen. He looked up at her, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

A complex expression appeared on Liu Shiyin's face, as if she were going through a fierce internal struggle. Her gaze was hesitant and fearful, as if expressing an unspeakable worry.

"I...we can't do this,"

Liu Shiyin spoke, her voice trembling slightly. Her voice echoed in the air, breaking the previous silence.

Ignoring Huo Muchen's reaction and expression, she turned around, picked up her things, and walked into the Huo residence. Her steps were hurried and disorderly, and she didn't even look back at the doll that had fallen to the ground.

Huo Muchen watched Liu Shiyin's departing figure without getting angry or upset. He just smiled faintly, squatted down, picked up the doll that Liu Shiyin had dropped, and gently patted off the dust.

After entering the Huo residence, Liu Shiyin did not linger but went straight to her room. She felt unusually heavy-hearted, as if something was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

To calm herself down, she decided to take a cold shower. The icy water washed over her body, seemingly trying to wash away her inner turmoil and anxiety.

She closed her eyes, feeling the biting cold of the water, as if only in this way could she truly wake up. Under the wash of the cold water, Liu Shiyin gradually calmed down, and her thoughts gradually became clearer.

She understood that her identity in the Huo family mansion was merely that of a servant, but she was also an independent individual with her own emotions and thoughts.

She knew she couldn't fully control her emotions, especially when facing Huo Muchen. Those complex feelings left her both confused and helpless.

She didn't want to get caught up in a deeper emotional vortex, because she knew it would only cause her more pain. Yet, every time she went out, she felt like the free and independent Liu Shiyin, not just a servant in the Huo family mansion.

She longed to have her own life and future, rather than being bound by a certain identity. This contradiction caused her great pain and confusion.

The cold water gradually took away the heat from her body and calmed her down a little.

She got dressed, left the bathroom, and returned to her room. The room was quiet, with only the gentle breeze from outside causing the curtains to flutter.

Liu Shiyin sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the scenery outside the window, a feeling of indescribable melancholy welling up in her heart.

On the other side, Huo Muchen lay on the bed, looking at the turtle toy in his hand. He thought of Liu Shiyin, who would hide in her own world whenever something happened. He smiled, then placed the toy on the bedside table.

Early in the morning, Huo Muchen stood on the balcony, looking towards the back garden. But this time, the back garden was empty; Liu Shiyin's familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. He frowned slightly, but didn't think too much about it, and turned to go downstairs.

Huo Muchen came to the kitchen but didn't see Liu Shiyin.

"Perhaps he came back too late yesterday and is still resting," Huo Muchen thought to himself, then went to the living room.

"Mu Chen, when did you get back?"

Upon seeing Huo Muchen, Qin Xiang said excitedly,