Chapter 121: Dying for Love Is No Ancient Legend

The October sky no longer bore a gentle breeze, and the sunlight lost its clarity. A fine drizzle clung persistently to the roots of hair, while a chill settled deep within the heart.

After the premiere of "Polaris," Lin Xi finally found herself with time to spare. Early the next morning, dressed entirely in black, she planned to take Shu Yiran to visit Yun Yi’s grave, to speak with her, to share a few words.

But just as she was about to step out, Mia burst in suddenly, startling her.

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What’s wrong, Mia? Why are you so reckless today?”

“There’s been an accident!” Mia's expression was one Lin Xi had never seen—utter disbelief. Without hesitation, Lin Xi entrusted little Yiran to Madam Gu’s care.

Once Yiran was settled, Mia spoke in a low, somber tone: “Director Su Chen has committed suicide.”

“What did you say?” Lin Xi froze, incredulous. How could this be possible?

“The first reports say Su Chen took his own life in Yun Yi’s former apartment,” Mia replied, her voice heavy with regret.

Early that morning, explosive news rocked the entertainment world: the rising director Su Chen was found dead by suicide at home.

The news ignited an immediate storm of public opinion online. Su Chen was well-regarded in the circle—not a top-tier director, but his works and connections had won him countless fans. His death left many heartbroken, flooding social media with condolences.

Especially given the recent tragedy involving Yun Yi, netizens were particularly sensitive.

The news of Su Chen’s death spread throughout the industry, unleashing a chaotic uproar.

@APhoenixTree: “What’s going on? Why has the entertainment world been hit with so many tragedies this year?”

@Fengzi: “How could Director Su suddenly take his own life?”

@Chen Zixi: “Is this true? How could our Su Chen just give up like this? What really happened?”

The outcry online was deafening. Outside the apartment, the scene was nearly explosive. Only weeks had passed since Yun Yi’s incident, and the public was deeply attentive. Reporters swarmed the location, with even top-tier media arriving to cover the story.

The apartment was surrounded, leaving no room for passage. Police announced, “We are investigating the matter and expect to have results soon. We deeply regret the passing of Mr. Su Chen and ask for everyone’s cooperation. Thank you.”

Netizens wasted no time, flooding Su Chen’s Weibo with messages, only to find his last post was a heartfelt plea supporting Yun Yi. In hindsight, it was a veiled confession and farewell.

Only then did everyone realize that Su Chen had loved the late Shu Yun Yi.

Meanwhile, prominent online figures anonymously revealed that Su Chen had taken his own life in Yun Yi’s apartment.

In an instant, the mystery unraveled: Su Chen died for love, for Yun Yi.

As the Yun Yi incident continued to simmer, public reactions intensified. What was once thought a relic of ancient tales—dying for love—had unfolded right before their eyes. The negative impact was immense; Weibo hastily removed the topic from trending lists to suppress the matter, and national television swiftly issued responses aimed at guiding youth toward healthy perspectives.

For several days, no mention of Su Chen or Yun Yi appeared on Weibo or major trending charts, as if nothing had happened.

In this silence, Lin Xi became the sole witness to the unwavering love between the two until the end. Yet Su Chen’s death still shocked her deeply. That day, his face was calm, his attire neat, and he attended the premiere as scheduled. No one noticed any abnormality; everyone believed he had moved on. Yet just days later, he ended his life—choosing a dignified farewell to all, departing with composure.

What a tragedy—a pair of lovers lost to the world.

Long after, Lin Xi was fortunate enough to read Su Chen’s final letter, which spoke thus:

I kept my promise to you, watching over the only trace left in this world on your behalf, bidding everyone a proper farewell. Yet the love you gave me was not enough to sustain me through life. I cannot endure this world without you, so I have come to join you.

I tried to live well on my own, but in the end, I realized I cannot persist without you. If giving up were truly easy, who would choose a humiliating struggle? Everyone understands the logic, but those who have truly loved cannot let go so lightly. I don’t know what to do; no matter what I do, it is all in vain.

This time, I have truly felt what it means to lose you. It is a torment worse than death, unbearable. All of this is my own doing. I resent myself—my impotence, my failure to cherish, and most of all, my betrayal of you.

If only I had been stronger, braver, perhaps everything would have been different. If only I had been wiser, maybe you would already be back in my arms, and I wouldn’t have to endure such pain and torment.

But it is too late now. So, I come to be with you. You will not be alone on the road.

Lin Xi was deeply shaken upon reading. She wondered how much one must love another to make such a resolute choice—to relinquish one’s own life so utterly.

This brought to mind what Lu Yuxiu had said to her that day: “I would follow you without hesitation.” Before, she had not fully grasped the weight of those words, but now, she understood—and felt the depth of his love for her.

But she asked herself: if it were her, could she say so resolutely?

She admitted to herself she could not—not for her parents, not for her brothers, and certainly not for herself. She would never leave so easily. Thinking this troubled her; did this mean she did not love Lu Yuxiu enough? Surely not as deeply as he loved her.

Feeling guilty, she avoided Lu Yuxiu for days, not seeing him. But soon, one person helped her find clarity.

On another visit to Yun Yi’s grave, Lin Xi was surprised to find Su Chen’s grave placed beside hers.

A middle-aged woman with a gentle face stood silently weeping before his tombstone. Lin Xi laid her bouquet at Yun Yi’s grave. The woman noticed her, wiped away her tears, and greeted her warmly, introducing herself: “Hello, I am Su Chen’s mother.”

Understanding dawned on Lin Xi, and she stepped forward respectfully. “Hello, Auntie.”

“You must be Yun Yi’s friend, Lin Xi?” Su’s mother asked kindly.

“Yes,” Lin Xi replied, somewhat surprised. She had expected Su Chen’s mother to avoid mentioning Yun Yi’s name, considering Su Chen’s death was tied to her.

Yet, unexpectedly, Su’s mother bore no resentment.

Lin Xi gave her a reassuring look, expressing sympathy: “Auntie, please accept my condolences.”

Su’s mother turned away from her and gazed at her son’s photo on the tombstone, smiling gently as she spoke softly: “No need to console me. This was his choice of love. I bless him.”

Lin Xi stood stunned. She had never imagined Su’s mother to be so understanding, enlightened, and compassionate.

Indeed, what was there left to be troubled about? Everyone’s choices differ. All we can do is respect, understand, and treat each other kindly.