After dinner, Hoàng Hải Vân and Vũ Phi Toàn took a stroll through the streets before stopping by a cinema. It was early winter, yet the weather remained gentle, with only a few chilly breezes rustling through, softly detaching the last stubborn golden leaves from the branches and laying them like a carpet on the pavement for passersby. Vũ Phi Toàn stopped at a flower vendor and bought a bouquet for her. Hoàng Hải Vân happily accepted it, still unable to believe how tender and thoughtful Vũ Phi Toàn could be.
Walking beside Hoàng Hải Vân, Vũ Phi Toàn felt that this seemingly ordinary evening was glowing with brilliance. Until now, he had buried himself in work not only to pursue his ideals but also to meet the towering expectations of his parents. Who said that those born at the finish line have no pressure? Their burden is, in fact, often heavier than that of ordinary people. That was why he had put love aside to focus on his career. But the night Hoàng Hải Vân collapsed, he realized he had let his happiness slip away.
Now that she had returned, his joy was indescribable. He silently vowed never to lose her again. And he himself would be the one to bring her happiness.
Tonight was just a simple date, something any ordinary person could have. Yet to him, it was rare and precious beyond words.
As they reached the large plaza, Vũ Phi Toàn turned to her and asked,
"What kind of family do you want?"
Hoàng Hải Vân pondered for a moment before answering,
"I want a peaceful family, free from turmoil—a husband and two lovely children."
Just as Vũ Phi Toàn was about to say something, a robbery occurred nearby. He immediately turned to Hoàng Hải Vân and said,
"Duty calls. Wait here for me."
Hoàng Hải Vân obediently nodded, making it even harder for Vũ Phi Toàn to leave her side. But he couldn't just stand by and let crime run rampant. He kissed her hair before rushing off in pursuit of the thief.
However, as the thief ran past, Hoàng Hải Vân instantly recognized him as one of the robotic bodyguards. Anger surged through her, and she could no longer hold it in. Ignoring the many people around her in the plaza, she shouted,
"Come out! Face me!"
Trần Ngọc Linh appeared a few steps away and said,
"He will always leave you for his duty. But I never will."
 
Hearing those words, Hoàng Hải Vân felt another pang of heartache. It was true—whenever she stood on the edge of life and death, he had always risked everything for her, directly facing danger without hesitation. He had never hurt her or forced her into anything. With him, she was endlessly pampered. If she were only looking for a lover, he would be the perfect one.
But she was searching for a life partner, not just a lover. And between them lay an immense difference. No matter what, she needed to face him and speak honestly. She couldn’t keep running away.
Stepping closer, she spoke each word with unwavering clarity, as if she were closing the door on Trần Ngọc Linh forever.
“Even so, I still choose him.”
Trần Ngọc Linh remained unfazed and immediately countered,
“You say you choose him, but you never said you love him. The one you love is me, isn’t it?”
For a brief moment, Hoàng Hải Vân was at a loss for words. It seemed he was right—she really did love him.
Seeing her hesitation, Trần Ngọc Linh seized the moment, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Startled, Hoàng Hải Vân pushed him away and quickly stepped back, putting a safe distance between them.
“You’re crazy! We belong to two different worlds. There’s no future for us. We can’t go any further.”
By now, a curious crowd had gathered in the plaza, drawn by the sight of such a striking couple in the midst of a heated argument. Embarrassment flooded through Hoàng Hải Vân. She wished she could disappear into thin air. In frustration, she hurled the bouquet of flowers at him.
“I don’t want to see you again!”
With that, she turned and ran.
Standing in the middle of the plaza, Trần Ngọc Linh felt conflicted, yet strangely relieved. He would rather be scolded, pushed away, even hit—anything was better than seeing Hoàng Hải Vân silently avoid him like a plague.
Two different worlds? If that was the only issue, it wasn’t an obstacle he couldn’t overcome. If she just told him what she wanted, he would be willing to do anything for her. So why choose to leave in such a painful way?
If Hoàng Hải Vân refused to step into the darkness with him, then he would step into the light for her.
With that thought, he quietly walked away. There was still much he needed to take care of. He had spent the past few days circling around her, his mind occupied with thoughts of her, leaving his own matters unresolved.
That night, Hoàng Hải Vân returned home, feeling guilty for breaking her promise to Vũ Phi Toàn. She sent him a message letting him know she had made it home safely.
Vũ Phi Toàn wasn’t angry. Instead, he simply replied with an invitation to meet another day.