At the end of August, Murphy still had to leave.
In the bedroom, Yang Yi helped her pack her luggage, folding clothes neatly and arranging them in the suitcase. Both of them worked in silence, heads down, without a word.
"Mommy, when will you come back?" Xixi clung reluctantly to her mother, following her like a shadow, step by step.
"Mommy needs to go back and take care of some things. I'll come back in a while, and I'll definitely take you to kindergarten!" Murphy turned around, her heart aching as she hugged her daughter.
This trip was mainly to discuss the new album with Sister Ling. They had already prepared twelve songs, and it was time for Sister Ling to fulfill her promise, prioritizing the preparation of Murphy's new album. Once the album preparations began, Murphy wouldn't need to travel between cities, reducing the number of commercial performances and appearances to focus entirely on the new album.
"Then, Mommy, when you come back, don't leave again, okay? Xixi doesn't want you to go." The little girl pouted, looking pitiful. The thought of her mother not being by her side made Xixi miserable, and her big eyes began to well up with tears.
Murphy glanced instinctively at Yang Yi, who was still silently packing her luggage with his head down. She pursed her lips and turned back to comfort Xixi.
No matter how reluctant they were, they still had to part.
Mo Xiaojuan's car arrived downstairs early. Murphy held Xixi, while Yang Yi followed behind carrying the suitcase. They walked in silence, as if returning to the old days.
But not quite—because when their eyes met, there was no coldness in their gazes. They simply hid their reluctance, each wanting the other to see only their strength.
"Brother-in-law, it's not like it's a farewell forever. Relax, I'll take good care of my sister!" Mo Xiaojuan opened the trunk and said cheerfully.
Murphy and her daughter were like a couple parting, reluctant to say goodbye. It was a difficult farewell, and Murphy made countless promises before finally calming Xixi down.
Just before getting into the car, Murphy couldn't help herself. She puffed out her cheeks, walked up to Yang Yi with a hint of indignation, and lightly kicked the tip of his shoe. "Hey, you big blockhead, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Yang Yi scratched his head, thought for a moment, and finally said, "Take care of yourself. Don't overwork."
These words of concern warmed Murphy's heart, but she still felt it wasn't quite enough.
Of course, Murphy understood Yang Yi's personality and didn't push him. She reached out, straightened the collar he had absentmindedly left askew, and gently folded it.
"I'm leaving now!" Murphy said, but she couldn't help adding, "Take good care of Xixi at home, and give the cats more baths. Feed them on time and make sure they have water. Don't forget!"
Yang Yi nodded.
Mo Xiaojuan sat in the driver's seat, window rolled down, watching the two of them with amusement, a smile in her eyes.
"And! No flirting with other women. Keep your distance from those young girls!" Murphy bit her lower lip lightly, lowering her head.
After saying that, she felt embarrassed and wanted to turn and leave.
But suddenly, her hand was caught—by a warm, rough, large hand.
Yang Yi pulled Murphy back, meeting her gaze. After a few seconds, he pulled an envelope from his pants pocket and gently placed it in her hand.
"What's this?" Murphy felt her mind go blank for a moment.
Yang Yi let go, scratching his head awkwardly. "A letter. Read it when you get back!"
...
Murphy couldn't remember how she got into the car, or whether she said a final goodbye to Xixi and Yang Yi. All she knew was that she sat dazed in the passenger seat, staring at the envelope in her hand.
"No way? Sis, you're this useless? A love letter from your brother-in-law and you're already in a daze? Haven't you ever received one before?" Mo Xiaojuan's teasing snapped Murphy back to reality.
"Who says I haven't? You little brat, just focus on driving!" Murphy blushed and scolded.
She had indeed received plenty of love letters growing up, as she had always been strikingly beautiful. But she had debuted at a very young age and spent little time in school, so those letters were usually disposed of by her manager at the time.
Besides, could anyone else's love letter compare to Yang Yi's?
At a red light, Mo Xiaojuan eagerly leaned over. "Come on, sis, let's see what he wrote!"
Murphy quickly pulled the envelope back to her chest. "No way! I'm not showing you!"
"Why so secretive?" Mo Xiaojuan pouted and snorted. "But honestly, I can't stand you two. You both clearly like each other, yet neither of you is willing to make the first move!"
"That's not true!" Murphy instinctively denied, then lowered her voice. "It's not like the woman should make the first move!"
"I don't think your brother-in-law will ever make a move either, with his personality!" Mo Xiaojuan shook her head. "I really can't stand it. He's more wooden than a log. Nothing like Mu Ziang, who writes such romantic love songs! I bet this letter from your brother-in-law has nothing cheesy in it!"
"Being wooden has its advantages. Why does everything have to be cheesy? And besides..." Murphy wanted to defend Yang Yi, almost telling Mo Xiaojuan about all the cheesy things he had done since he said he wanted to pursue her.
But she was afraid that Mo Xiaojuan might be right—what if the letter only contained mundane things? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
Murphy couldn't resist opening the envelope to see what was inside.
She pulled out the pristine white paper and unfolded it. As she read, she froze, staring at it for a long time.
"What does it say?" Mo Xiaojuan asked as she stopped at another red light.
Murphy's face was flushed. After a moment of hesitation, she handed the letter to Mo Xiaojuan, trying to hide her smugness, though the slight curl of her lips gave her away.
Mo Xiaojuan took it and looked. "Oh, it's a poem! Your brother-in-law can write poetry?"
She read it aloud:
*"As long as we have loved once...*
*If we had never met,*
*Perhaps our hearts would never feel so heavy.*
*If we truly missed each other,*
*A lifetime might never be light.*
*A single glance*
*Is enough to stir a storm in the heart.*
*On barren land,*
*One understands the scenery more deeply.*
*A single journey*
*Is enough to weary a fragile soul.*
*Every look at the autumn ripples*
*Brings tears to the eyes.*
*How can death be faced calmly?*
*How can love remain unmoved?*
*As long as we have loved once,*
*Life is without regret."*
This poem, *"As Long as We Have Loved Once,"* was written by the famous poet and calligrapher Wang Guozhen from Yang Yi's past life. However, Yang Yi didn't copy the entire second half, only selecting the positive parts.
Mo Xiaojuan read the poem flatly, like plain water, failing to capture its charm. But that didn't matter—on the paper, Yang Yi's delicate, elegant handwriting had already conveyed the poem's subtle emotions perfectly.
"Oh my god, your brother-in-law actually wrote a love letter—and a love poem!" Mo Xiaojuan exclaimed after finishing.
Murphy wanted to laugh but tried not to look too pleased. She pursed her lips and pretended to be indifferent. "It's just a poem. What's so special about that? I'm not so easily won over by a single poem!"
"Just a poem? Hmph! Let those little boys who only send flowers and say cheesy things try to compete with your brother-in-law now!" Mo Xiaojuan had already switched sides.
*"As long as we have loved once, life is without regret."* Mo Xiaojuan repeated the last line, then couldn't help but pout. "Alright, I take back what I said. Your brother-in-law isn't a blockhead—he's disgustingly cheesy!"
"Alright, alright, stop reading. Time to drive!" Murphy snatched the letter back, carefully folded it, placed it in the envelope, and tucked it securely into her bag, afraid of creasing it. "Have you had breakfast? If not, I'll call Aunt Zhu to prepare some porridge for you."
"No need," Mo Xiaojuan said weakly as she drove. "I'm full from all the lovey-dovey stuff you two are feeding me!"