Without waiting for Nianyang’s answer, Shi Feng pressed further, "You actually have lost confidence in yourself, haven’t you? You and he aren’t as firmly in love as you say. Nianyang, I’m not trying to stir up trouble; I just feel that someone as good as you deserves the best.

I don’t want you to feel sad or wronged. I hope you’ll think carefully about whether you can keep going like this, whether you might regret it later. As the saying goes, people always need to leave themselves a way out, right?"

"Perhaps there’s some truth in what you’re saying, but I don’t agree!"

Nianyang looked steadily at Shi Feng and said, "Everything in this world has two sides. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you follow your logic, should all wives of Sea Merchants be divorced?"

Shi Feng was speechless.

"Li Tingyan is a Sea Merchant. He might have to head out to sea at any time. But just like how I’m a Doctor, and my duty is to heal patients, it’s a responsibility. How can there be regret?"

"Moreover, do you think I’m unaware of what you’ve said? From the moment I chose him, I was fully prepared. Choosing to be with him means enduring the times when he can’t be with me. This doesn’t mean he’s irresponsible or unworthy, but because in full knowledge of everything, I still chose him. That’s what truly constitutes love."

"Besides, I’m unlike other Sea Merchant spouses. I’m a Sea Doctor. In the future, I’ll go out to sea with him, grow together. We’re not just lovers, but good friends and mentors to each other. Growing and merging like this is what constitutes the best relationship."

Shi Feng paused for a moment, then laughed dismissively and said, "You’re deeply in love with him right now, so naturally, you say such things to justify him!"

Nianyang gently smiled, "As you said, every woman hopes for strength from her man in difficult times. This is actually an immature, childish wish.

In love, there are all kinds of flavors, sweet and sour, bitter and spicy. If it’s all sweetness, without bitterness, grievances, jealousy, or sulking, then no matter how sweet, it will eventually become bland like water. A love without ups and downs will ultimately become tiresome."

"Is that what love is?" Shi Feng was bewildered. Isn’t love supposed to be sweet and blissful? Why is it described as complex? If love is full of grievances and bitterness, what’s the point in falling in love? Isn’t that masochistic?

Ah, Master Shi, aren’t you in a masochistic situation right now?

Nianyang nodded, "Even though he can’t always be here, when he is, he can smooth over all grievances that follow. He’ll surprise me unexpectedly, touch me deeply, moving me to tears of joy. He may not do much for me, but I know, no matter what, he won’t give up on me, always waiting in a place I can reach. That makes it all worthwhile, that makes me feel warm."

...

After saying this, Nianyang left, keeping Shi Feng frozen in shock for a long time, until Shi Yue pushed the door open. He was leaning by the bed and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Brother, big brother, why did you throw up blood?" Shi Yue was alarmed and quickly grabbed tissues to wipe Shi Feng’s blood away.....