Chapter 280 - 279: That’s Enough

Chapter 280: Chapter 279: That’s Enough

Her words were part notification, part declaration.

No room for negotiation, no attempt at concealment.

She was simply telling them, openly and honestly, that this had been her decision from the very start.

Huang Ziyue stood before her, his heart trembling uncontrollably. His face, usually a perpetual iceberg, was now flooded with an affection he couldn’t hide.

His gaze on Shen Yue was so intense it seemed capable of melting the very frost in his eyes.

Meanwhile, the four men standing in the courtyard—Mu Silin, Ye Lüqi, and the others—were frozen to the spot. Even their last shred of delusion was shattered—the idea that Huang Ziyue had simply taken advantage of their absence, slipping through the cracks.

They had imagined he’d only managed to win Shen Yue’s affection by a fluke, simply because they weren’t there to compete.

But even this last bit of self-deception, this final fantasy, was mercilessly crushed by Shen Yue’s declaration.

Shen Yue looked at their faces, which had lost some of their color, and began to speak.

"This decision has nothing to do with Bai Chaosi. It has nothing to do with whether I left or not, and it has nothing to do with your involvement. It’s a decision I made for myself back on Wilderness Mountain, or perhaps even earlier. Therefore, if you still wish to remain by my side, you must accept it. If you can’t, then find a way to convince yourselves to. And if you truly cannot accept it, I won’t force you. You are free to turn around and leave right now."

The four men stood in the courtyard, feeling as though a warning bell had just been rung in their chests.

It was a bell that served as both a wake-up call and a warning.

They knew Shen Yue had always been a woman who loved fiercely and hated freely, one who was decisive and never dwelled on the past.

She never dragged things out. The fact that she could be so blunt meant she was issuing them a final ultimatum—and a final chance.

The four of them were lost in thought. Jealousy was clouding their judgment, but reason was slowly pulling them back.

Then, just as the men seemed on the verge of collapse, Shen Yue added one more thing.

"And another thing—I chose to save Bai Chaosi. Don’t blame him for it."

Hearing this, Bai Chaosi’s head snapped up. He stared at Shen Yue.

The turmoil in his eyes seemed to be instantly soothed by her resolute declaration. His gaze filled with deep love and affection.

She continued, "Because even if it hadn’t been him, if it had been any one of you, I would have done the same. The people who are mine, the people I care about—I will not allow any of them to die before I do. As long as it is within my power, I will do everything I can to save you. I will never let anything happen to any of you. Just as you protect me, I will protect you."

After hearing this, Mu Silin, Ye Lüqi, and Gu Fangqi all slowly turned to look at her.

Her words were so powerful, so piercing, they struck right at their hearts.

The light that had been dimming in their eyes seemed to flare up once more.

’She said they were people she cared about. Her people. She would protect them just as they protected her!’

’That’s right.’

’They already belonged to her.’

’What did that have to do with who became the first Beast Husband?’

’They cared for her, loved her, and protected her. That had nothing to do with some title.’

’And from the very beginning, she had never said she didn’t want them. She never said she didn’t care about them...’

’So what if her feelings for them weren’t as strong as her feelings for Huang Ziyue?’

’Why did they need to squabble over who ranked higher or who received more?’

’Their purpose was to love her. As long as she was happy, as long as they could stay by her side, be with her, and treat her well—that was enough!’

Shen Yue saw that the three men’s moods, and even the very air around them, had clearly improved. She knew they would come to understand.

So, she turned to walk toward the stove to make a meal for the children.

But when she turned, she saw him—

Si Muye was already there, his head down, washing vegetables.

He had even prepared a pile of dry firewood on the side.

In that instant, Shen Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

She watched him, his head bowed, diligently washing the vegetables. He was silent, as if he hadn’t heard anything that had just transpired in the courtyard, simply continuing to do what needed to be done.

It was just like their time on Wilderness Mountain. He never complained of hardship or exhaustion. He would just lower his head and work, never giving her a single thing to worry about, providing her with a profound sense of security.

He always listened to her. Whatever she said, he would simply do it, never doubting or questioning her.

He would always be there, a quiet and considerate presence at her side, doing everything he could to put her mind at ease.

During that time, the two of them had lived an undisturbed life. It had been so tranquil, such a stretch of peaceful days.

Though only a few months had passed, in the blink of an eye, that time now felt so distant.

Shen Yue stared intently at Si Muye. He was squatting on the ground washing potatoes, his head of curly brown hair obscuring his handsome face.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. ’Is he just like a simpleton, focused only on the potatoes in his hands, with not another thought in his head?’

’Or is he hiding all his troubles in his heart, suffering in silence?’

She couldn’t stop herself from calling out to him.

"Si Muye!"

Her voice was soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing him.

At the sound of her voice, Huang Ziyue and the other men all turned to look at her.

Si Muye’s hands paused. He slowly lifted his head and looked at her, his gaze stubborn. Their eyes met, and she saw that his were completely bloodshot...

At that moment, Shen Yue felt her heart constrict as if in a vice.

She hadn’t been wrong. He was suffering in secret.

The two of them just stared at each other, separated by a short distance.

Si Muye tried his best to appear normal. He didn’t want her to see through him. He tried to force a smile, but the sound that came out was cracked and broken.

"A Yue...?"

Huang Ziyue had actually noticed Shen Yue’s odd behavior for a while. When he saw her staring blankly at Si Muye, he didn’t step forward or interrupt.

’He knew that, to Shen Yue, Si Muye represented a final sanctuary in this chaotic world—the warmest presence, the untouchable beauty of her beginnings.’

’He is the warmth that allows her to lower her guard when she’s tired and wants to rest. The warmth that draws her in, the warmth that can heal her.’

’He’s the one who brings her hope for a beautiful future.’

In the courtyard, Bai Chaosi, Mu Silin, and the others also noticed that something was off with Shen Yue.

Watching the two of them locked in a stare, as men, how could they not understand what Si Muye’s bloodshot eyes meant?

What they couldn’t understand, however, was the heavy, repressed emotion radiating from her—a feeling with no outlet.

Just moments ago, when she’d spoken, she had been so strong, so clear and open-minded. But now, she looked like a fragile doll, completely drained of strength.

It was as if the mere act of looking at Si Muye could reduce her to a small child.

Si Muye didn’t want her to worry, nor did he want to cause her any trouble. Most of all, he didn’t want her to see the feelings hidden in his eyes. He quickly spoke, trying to distract her.

"A Yue, see... is there anything else you need me to prepare? I-I got the firewood ready, and I’m washing the potatoes. Oh, right, there are radishes in the house. I-I’ll go get them..."

He started to stand up as he spoke.

"That’s enough!"

He froze and looked at her.

She walked toward him. "It’s more than enough!"