A youthful ten-year promise

Chapter 450 Yichen's "Last Supper" Lie

As night deepened and the city lights began to twinkle, the hustle and bustle gradually subsided. Shen Yichen stood in his meticulously decorated restaurant, a complex light flickering in his eyes. This restaurant was specially prepared for tonight; every corner was filled with his deep affection and reluctance to part with Lin Youran. Tonight, he had an important decision to tell Youran, a decision that had been brewing in his heart for a long time, yet one he found difficult to utter.

Inside the restaurant, soft lighting bathed the table, where exquisite tableware was neatly arranged, and a bottle of red wine gleamed enticingly under the lamplight. Shen Yichen quietly awaited You Ran's arrival, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that tonight's dinner might be the last night they would spend together.

You Ran arrived as promised, wearing Shen Yichen's favorite white dress, her face beaming with a happy smile. She entered the restaurant and saw everything Shen Yichen had meticulously arranged, a warm feeling welling up inside her. She assumed this was a romantic dinner Shen Yichen had specially prepared to celebrate their love.

"You Ran, you're here." Shen Yichen greeted her with a smile, took You Ran's coat, and gently hung it aside.

"Yichen, this place is so beautiful." You Ran looked around, her eyes sparkling with surprise.

"Yes, I prepared it especially for you." Shen Yichen replied with a smile, but her heart was aching as if it were being cut by a knife.

Dinner began, and Shen Yichen poured You Ran a glass of red wine. The two raised their glasses and drank together, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. At the table, they chatted and laughed, as if they had returned to their youthful days ten years ago, when they were carefree and full of hope for the future.

However, as dinner progressed, Shen Yichen's expression gradually became serious. He glanced at You Ran, took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

"You Ran, there's something I want to tell you." Shen Yichen's voice was low and heavy.

You Ran raised her head and looked into Shen Yichen's eyes, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. "What is it?" she asked softly.

Shen Yichen was silent for a moment before finally speaking: "You Ran, I may have to leave for a while."

Upon hearing this, You Ran's glass trembled slightly, spilling red wine onto the tablecloth, forming colorful blooms. "Leave? Why?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Shen Yichen took a deep breath and told the lie he had prepared beforehand: "The company has an overseas project that I need to take charge of. It may take a long time, and the exact time is still uncertain."

Upon hearing this, You Ran felt as if a huge boulder was pressing down on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. She looked at Shen Yichen, trying to find a trace of a lie in his eyes, but Shen Yichen's gaze was firm and deep, making it impossible for her to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

"Yichen, you...you can't not go?" You Ran's voice carried a hint of pleading.

Shen Yichen shook his head, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes: "You Ran, this is an important decision for the company, and I can't refuse. I know this is sudden for you, but I hope you can understand me."

You Ran lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She had imagined countless times what her future with Shen Yichen would be like, but she had never imagined that they would part ways like this. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Yichen, I...I will wait for you." You Ran's voice was choked with emotion.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yichen felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that You Ran's love for him had never changed, which strengthened his resolve. Although this decision was equally painful for him, he believed it was a necessary sacrifice they had to make for a better future together.

Dinner continued, but the atmosphere had become heavy and oppressive. Both ate in silence, occasionally exchanging a few innocuous words, but the previous ease and joy were nowhere to be found.

Finally, dinner was over. Shen Yichen escorted You Ran home, and the two said their reluctant goodbyes downstairs. You Ran hugged Shen Yichen tightly, as if she wanted to meld him into her own body.

"Yichen, you must come back soon." You Ran's voice was tinged with a sob.

Shen Yichen gently patted You Ran's back, his voice deep and firm: "Don't worry, You Ran. I will definitely come back."

However, as You Ran turned and walked into the stairwell, she didn't see the tears on Shen Yichen's face. He stood there, watching You Ran's figure disappear at the end of the stairwell, his heart filled with reluctance and guilt. He knew that tonight's lie might be the most difficult choice he would ever face in his life.

Back home, Shen Yichen sat by the window, gazing at the night sky. He recalled every moment he had spent with You Ran, his heart filled with warmth and sweetness. However, the thought of their impending separation brought a surge of indescribable sorrow.

He knew this lie was to protect You Ran from the impending harm. He believed that once everything settled down, they would reunite, and then he would spend the rest of his life making amends for the pain caused by tonight's lie.

Meanwhile, You Ran sat alone in her room, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't understand why fate was playing such a cruel trick on them, forcing them to part again so soon after their reunion. But she believed that as long as their hearts remained connected, no matter how far apart they were or how much time passed, their love would never change.

And so, on this night filled with lies and reluctance, Shen Yichen and Lin Youran, each with complex emotions, walked towards the unknown future. Their love, too, became stronger and more profound amidst the lies of this "last supper."