Could you please provide the text you would like translated?

While Qiao Xinran was cooking, Ye Yin fluttered her wings and inspected every corner of the house, eager to discover which divine being had turned Qiao, the heroine, into her current state.

When the cruel truth was revealed, she was utterly stunned.

The room was warm, so he wore only a white shirt, a thin blanket draped over his knees as he sat quietly in a wheelchair. Bandages covered his eyes, and scars—deep and shallow—marked his neck and wrists. He was thinner than before, his collarbones more pronounced, resembling sculpted butterflies poised to take flight at any moment.

Apart from the bed, chair, desk, and a piano, there was nothing else in the room. Yet, simply because he was there, the space was imbued with an ineffable atmosphere—elegant and desolate, like the breath of late autumn.

The thought that Bai Qing’s gentle, clear eyes would never see again made Ye Yin’s heart tighten painfully.

She revealed her true form and, trembling, walked toward Bai Qing, softly asking, “How did you come to be like this?”

“Is that Ye Yin?” Bai Qing turned his face slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. “Or is it just my hallucination?”

“It’s me.” Ye Yin knelt down, covering the back of Bai Qing’s hand with hers. “I’m not a hallucination.”

Bai Qing shuddered gently, then tenderly clasped Ye Yin’s hands. “Is it really you, Ye Yin? Your presence is so much like hers.”

Ye Yin was startled for a moment, then suddenly understood, her hands beginning to tremble violently.

“I’m sorry, I can neither see nor hear now,” Bai Qing said, a hint of melancholy in his expression. “And I can no longer walk.”

Ye Yin said nothing, only gripping Bai Qing’s hand tightly.

“At least I can still speak,” Bai Qing smiled self-deprecatingly. “I’ve always wanted to apologize for leaving so abruptly before. I haven’t contacted you for so long—not out of indifference, but because I know your recent situation well, so I felt I shouldn’t disturb you… And you’ve always kept that, which makes me happy.” He drew out another pendant from his clothes. “These two were originally one. When they come close, there’s a resonance—a curious thing, isn’t it?”

Ye Yin’s tears fell onto Bai Qing’s hand, scalding hot.

Bai Qing soothed her as one would a child, “Don’t cry, I’m alright. It was hard at first, but I’m much better now.” His gentle words cut Ye Yin to the heart, and her tears fell like broken pearls. Bai Qing wiped her tears away with fingers lighter than the wind. “Don’t cry anymore.”

Ye Yin gently cupped Bai Qing’s hand and traced a few words in his palm: Come away with me.

Bai Qing was silent for a long time before saying slowly, “As I am now, I can’t go anywhere. I must stay here. You have your own path to walk; don’t turn back for someone who doesn’t matter.”

Ye Yin’s fingers traced carefully in his palm.

I cannot leave you behind.

“It doesn’t matter for me,” Bai Qing replied. “She’s here.”

At this point, even the most obtuse would understand the implication. Ye Yin stood up, trembling, bitterness filling her heart. She pressed her lips tightly together, afraid that her sorrow might burst forth and become weak, burdensome words.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, Bai Qing suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace.

“To have met you, I consider myself lucky.” Bai Qing squeezed her hand more firmly. “You’ve always been kind, worrying about those around you but neglecting yourself. Don’t be afraid; I can see that you’ll be very happy in the future… I’ll strive to live well, so don’t worry about me.”

Don’t just say that about me… aren’t you the same kind of person?

Of course, Bai Qing couldn’t hear the words in her heart; he continued to smile and say, “I can see the future, yet I see nothing at all. There are so many paths to walk, but not one leads to where I wish to go. Give it back to me—you shouldn’t wear this. It will only bind your steps.”

Saying this, Bai Qing gently fumbled to remove the pendant Ye Yin had always worn, then released her.

Ye Yin didn’t know how she managed to leave that place. Though she couldn’t fathom why Bai Qing chose to stay with Qiao Xinran, it was clear he didn’t wish to leave with her, nor did he want any ties in the future—these were facts. With Qiao Xinran’s character, she would surely not neglect Bai Qing, so what need was there for Ye Yin to worry?

In the original novel, Bai Qing wasn’t the male lead, but he and the heroine shared many scenes, suggesting a fated connection between them. After all, there was a second season yet to come. With the heroine's tendency to gather admirers, perhaps reclaiming Bai Qing would be a major plotline later? Her previous dark thoughts, in hindsight, seemed utterly ridiculous.

The streets were bustling. Ye Yin wandered aimlessly, letting memories surge and fade. Qiao Xinran and Bai Qing had first met at a farm; back then, she was still barely a normal girl, and Bai Qing seemed to be her first true love. Perhaps all of this was merely the beginning of a doomed romance, and a tragic, passionate love was about to unfold…

But whatever happened to them in the past, present, or future had nothing to do with her. She had no stake in it at all.

Ye Yin absentmindedly touched the spot above her heart with her fingertips, only to realize it was empty. Her arm dropped powerless.

That night, rain fell steadily. Ye Yin slept fitfully, drifting in and out until noon the next day.

Upon waking, Ye Yin realized with alarm that she’d missed her appointment with Ding Chun!

Yes, she’d long seen through the young man’s true identity and knew he was trying to reel her in. But it didn’t matter, for she was also fishing for this big catch. It was mutual, just a matter of who was cleverer.

Ye Yin tidied herself briefly, hurried out of the hotel, and headed toward the tavern from yesterday. From afar, she saw Ding Chun at the door, busy flirting. When he spotted Ye Yin, he quickly dispersed the girls and walked over with a solemn air. Today, he was dressed like a gentleman, all pretense.

“Sorry, I’m late,” said Ye Yin. “Thank you for waiting so long.”

“No problem, I just arrived myself,” Ding Chun replied. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet…”

“Me neither!” Ding Chun laughed. “Come, I’ll take you somewhere with delicious food.”

“Alright.”

Ding Chun took Ye Yin to the “Garden of Firsts,” favored by the elite at the base. It offered every kind of entertainment and indulgence; the scale and grandeur of each establishment rivaled the noble leisure districts before the apocalypse. The guests spared no expense, and the air was thick with intoxicating decadence.

Ding Chun chose a restaurant called “The Maze.” Before ordering, Ye Yin didn’t see any connection between the restaurant and its name, until the waiter handed her a maze map with a cheerful smile.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“The menu. Guests can’t order directly here. You must choose a path, and we’ll guide you to the end. The dish marked at the destination will be your meal today.”

Ye Yin felt a twinge of discomfort, but, for Ding Chun’s sake, she feigned interest and pointed, “This one.”

The waiter sang as he moved a king’s hat chess piece along the maze, twisting and turning until finally reaching the end. “Ta-da! Your meal today is ‘Blanc Herb Braised Beef Tongue!’ This is one of our signature dishes—few guests ever land on it. Congratulations!”

Ye Yin forced a smile. “Oh, really?”

“You’re lucky. I’ve been here five times and always got peanut soup,” Ding Chun whispered, leaning in. “If I get that annoying soup again, could you share a bit of your food with me?”

Ye Yin stepped back several decimeters. “You can have it all, no problem.”

“What a considerate young lady,” Ding Chun said. “By the way, I haven’t asked your name yet.”

“Oriole.”

“Beautiful name—just like you,” Ding Chun squinted, casually pointing at the menu.

The waiter sang again, finally stopping at a spot. “Ah, Mr. Ding, it’s peanut cream soup again! Seems you’re fated with this dish. What would you like to drink?”

“Snow Mary,” Ding Chun ordered smoothly. “And a glass of ice water. That’s all—off you go.”

While waiting for the food, Ye Yin discreetly observed her surroundings. The restaurant’s tone was dark and heavy, its décor medieval in style. The tables, chairs, and window sills seemed carved from spicy walnut, adorned with coronation scenes of the Ninth Emperor. Exquisite flower baskets hung from the ceiling, bursting with seasonal blooms—each alone worth a fortune.

“Sigh, peanut soup again,” Ding Chun murmured, resting his chin on his hand. “Little Oriole, do you like peanuts?”

Ye Yin was absorbed in the maze menu, not realizing Ding Chun was speaking to her until he called her several times. “Hm? It’s alright, I guess.”

“Hm…” Ding Chun mused, about to say something when pleasant laughter drifted from the next booth.

“If it weren’t for Zelian, I’d never have gotten you, the busy one, to come! Thanks, Zelian. Order anything you like—my treat today.”

“You flatter me.”

“Ah, don’t be so formal!”

“Don’t mind my brother—he’s always so gloomy. You’ll get used to it, haha.”

Just as Ye Yin was contemplating escape, Ding Chun suddenly stood up, leaned over the partition, and called, “What are you doing here?”

“Big brother?! You’re here too—”

“Only you’re allowed? This time—” Ding Chun hadn’t finished before a snowy white wrist reached over and covered his mouth. Across from them stood a lively, energetic girl who glanced at Ye Yin, then turned and smiled at the brothers. “Sorry, my brother and I have something to discuss. You two sit for a bit.”

Before Ding Chun could reply, his sister dragged him away.

Ye Yin felt uneasy, torn between fleeing or not. Eventually, Ding Chun returned, his face clearly showing signs of a scuffle. “Come on, let’s join their table. My sister says family shouldn’t sit apart, and she wants to get to know you.”

“…Alright.”

Author’s note: By now, everyone should have noticed that Ye Yin once had a vague affection for Bai Qing. Sadly, like all youthful crushes, it never bore fruit.

Some say every girl meets two boys in her life: one who dazzles her, and one who gentles her years (I can’t recall the exact wording). In the main story, Ye Yin and Bai Qing, who dazzled her, were fated but not meant to be. But there will be compensation in the extras (≧▽≦)/~ la la la. (By the way, the male god and the original heroine have absolutely nothing to do with each other, so don’t misunderstand~~ off I go, hiding under my pot lid!)