Gone Like Smoke | Chapter 16
Sometimes happiness is not found in chasing the brightest flame, but in returning to the place that never stopped waiting for us.
Not every love story ends with the person we desire most.Sometimes it ends with the person who never stopped waiting.
Toronto Pearson International Airport.
My steps felt unbearably heavy. As I approached the final exit, I realized I didn’t have the courage to walk through it. But some things must be faced. So I stepped forward.
Liang Zhiwei was waiting outside. For the first time, he looked older than I remembered. He walked toward me and quietly took my suitcase. For a moment, neither of us spoke. We simply looked at each other.
Finally, he smiled. “You’re back.”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m back.”
“You must be tired.”
The tears came before I could stop them. “Yes.” I swallowed hard. “I’m very tired.”
Then I forced a smile. “So I came home.” I paused. “And I’m not leaving again.”
In the next second, he pulled me into his arms. He gently stroked my hair.
“At my age,” he said softly, “I never expected to feel what young people feel.” His voice carried both sadness and relief. “While you were gone, I experienced longing. Restlessness. Helplessness. And heartbreak.” He tightened his embrace. “I thought I would never hold you like this again.” A faint laugh escaped him. “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
I pressed my face against his chest. I couldn’t bear to let him see my shame. My tears soaked through his shirt.
He said nothing more. He simply held me and gently patted my back.
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After a long while, I finally whispered, “Can you forgive me?”
He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. “You’re standing here now, aren’t you?” His voice was calm. “You’re beside me.” Then he touched my cheek. “This will always be your home.”
I placed my hand over my heart. “Yes. My home is here. My heart is here. Always.”
He pulled me into his arms once more. “Then let everything else stay in the past.”
To my surprise, life returned to normal after that. At home, no one mentioned what had happened. At the company, no one spoke of it either. I knew Liang Zhiwei’s authority was enough to silence every rumor and every question. Even his daughters respected that boundary. I no longer wanted to face forced smiles or curious eyes. Most days, I stayed home, tending flowers and enjoying the quiet life I had once taken for granted.
After everything that had happened, Liang Zhiwei gradually handed most of the company responsibilities to his son-in-law and retired early.
One afternoon, he held my hand and spoke with a guilt that still lingered in his heart. “Tianshu, all of this was my fault. I was too busy with business. I neglected you.” He lowered his eyes. “You were young. Of course you felt lonely.” He squeezed my hand gently. “From now on, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
I reached up and touched the new strands of gray at his temples. “Be happy,” I said softly. “No more gray hair.” A smile touched my lips. “I won’t make you suffer anymore. I’ll stay beside you. I’ll be a good wife.” Then I laughed quietly. “Maybe even a good mother.”
Later that evening, I sat alone in front of my computer. Li Yunkai’s profile picture was still there. I stared at it for a very long time. It felt as though I was about to throw something precious into the deepest part of the ocean — something I would never recover. Never touch again.
I closed my eyes. “Li Yunkai,” I whispered. “I hope we both find happiness.”
Then I clicked.
Delete.
Completely. Not only his name. Not only his photograph. But the love that had once burned so brightly inside me. A love that would remain buried forever in the deepest corner of my heart — like smoke, beautiful for a moment, and gone with the wind.
Some people stay in our lives. Others stay in our memories. But every love leaves behind the person we become because of it.
— The End —
Thank you for reading Gone Like Smoke.
