Li Guizhen came from a very well-off family.
Her father worked in a government department, her mother was a manager at a department store, and she also had an elder brother serving in the army.
As the youngest, Li Guizhen was the apple of her family's eye, yet she did not develop into a spoiled or willful child.
Kind, ambitious, and helpful—these were all Li Guizhen's virtues.
Consequently, many people liked Li Guizhen, not only colleagues from her factory but also many young people from outside.
Suitors and matchmakers were constantly knocking at their door.
However, her family, being intellectuals, respected Li Guizhen's own wishes. Moreover, she was not yet very old, so they never pressured her.
But no one expected that she would fall for an ordinary worker who had taken over his father's position and transferred from the countryside.
"Didn't you say before that you would respect my choice? Besides, we've entered a new society now, so why are you still clinging to the old idea of matching social status?"
Li Guizhen felt both sad and wronged. She looked at her mother, hoping for a word of reason, but her mother lowered her head as if she hadn't seen her.
"Sigh..."
Her father, Li Changzheng, sighed and said with a hint of disappointment, "I'm not asking you to find someone of the same social standing. I want you to find someone with a similar educational background, someone who grew up in a similar environment, so that your life will be smoother later on."
"Marriage and life together are not about love or romance; it's all about the daily necessities. Only with someone who has similar living habits and life views can life be easier and more comfortable."
"Ultimately, aren't you looking down on his background? You old fossil, you old feudalist?"
Li Guizhen slammed the door shut and went back to her room.
"Tsk, this child, she has quite a temper," her mother, Liu Danhong, said with some displeasure.
"Isn't that because you spoil her too much?"
"Hey! Li Changzheng, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean I spoil her? From childhood to adulthood, you've doted on her to the heavens. Every time she made a mistake and I wanted to discipline her, you'd pull me back, always making excuses for her."
"Alright, now that we're talking about our daughter's boyfriend, why are we bringing this up again?"
It was clear that Li Changzheng felt a little guilty.
"What can we do? She's all grown up now. Are you going to tie her to the house?" Liu Danhong replied impatiently.
Hearing this, Li Changzheng scratched his head and said, "How about this: you find someone to inquire, see if there are any suitable young men, and introduce a few to Guizhen. Only with comparison will the gap be known. I'll also think of other ways."
"What other ways do you have?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
...
Liu Nanfeng drifted in the room, watching Li Guizhen lying on her side on the bed, lost in sadness, and felt at a loss for words.
A clichéd scene of parents breaking up a couple.
But the feelings between the two were far from clichéd.
Liu Nanfeng, who had been following Li Guizhen, could see the deep affection between them, without any pretense.
People were simpler back then, and their emotions were also very genuine. Unlike later generations, where there were almost no pure emotions, all tinged with a certain purpose.
In fact, from Liu Nanfeng's perspective in later generations, what Li Changzheng said was quite reasonable.
Although it didn't reach the point of incompatible values, the compatibility of their worldviews was certainly not high. Living together for a long time would make both parties feel very uncomfortable.
The emphasis on matching social status in ancient marriages was not necessarily entirely wrong.
Of course, this was not absolute. As long as one party was willing to accommodate the other and change themselves, it was still possible.
Li Guizhen and Fu Dalong were such a couple.
Fu Dalong also knew that he was somewhat unworthy of Li Guizhen, so while accommodating her in everything, he was also silently improving himself.
And Li Guizhen was indeed a very good girl, who silently accommodated Fu Dalong and silently changed herself.
Love is, after all, a two-way street.
Therefore, Liu Nanfeng believed they would have a happy future.
However, Li Guizhen's parents did not think so, nor did they see their efforts.
...
"Don't worry, Guizhen. This transfer to the machinery factory is an opportunity. I will work hard and earn your parents' approval," Fu Dalong said to Li Guizhen, who had come to see him off.
Recently, Wireless Radio Factory No. 3 and a machinery factory in another province had organized an exchange program for learning.
It was said to allow young people to learn more and acquire more skills to welcome the new era.
The factory even promised that those who studied diligently would be given priority for promotion and housing.
Such a good opportunity led many people to submit applications to the leadership.
Fu Dalong was no exception, and he was overjoyed to be chosen.
Li Guizhen was also happy for him, imagining Fu Dalong returning after his studies, perhaps promoted to a minor leadership position, and if they could be allocated a house, it would be even more perfect for their marriage.
However, Liu Nanfeng, as an observer, was not so optimistic.
It was clear that this was Li Guizhen's father, Li Changzheng's move.
Moreover, this matter was handled with a legitimate reason, making it impossible to fault and even earning the support of the workers—truly masterful.
To think that Fu Dalong and Li Guizhen were foolishly celebrating.
"I heard you'll be studying for a year. What if I miss you?"
"Then write letters. I'll write to you every week, and when I have time off, I'll come back to see you," Fu Dalong said, his face beaming with joy, without any hint of sadness from parting.
"Dalong, Dalong, hurry up, the car is leaving..." At this moment, someone shouted from not far away.
"Coming..."
Fu Dalong quickly turned his head to respond.
Then he continued to say to Li Guizhen, "You go back. I'll write to you when I arrive."
With that, he picked up his luggage and hurried away.
"Sigh..."
Watching Fu Dalong's retreating back, Li Guizhen opened her mouth as if to call him back, but it eventually turned into a sigh. She felt a void in her heart, and a flicker of confusion flashed in her eyes, but it quickly turned into resolve.
"Dalong..." Li Guizhen waved her arm high.
Liu Nanfeng noticed that the faint red aura above her head seemed to be forming a cocoon.
Liu Nanfeng pondered, could it be that the so-called demons and monsters were not entirely transformed from plants and mountain spirits?
Could human obsessions, desires, and emotions also transform into demons?
It was just that ordinary people couldn't see it.
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of his wife "Su Jinxiu." Was she transformed from a 'Huapi' demon, or was she a 'Huapi' demon herself?
If she was a 'Huapi' demon from the start, how did she become a demon?
Liu Nanfeng was eager for an answer, but in his current state, he could do nothing.
Like a kite, he was trailing behind Li Guizhen.
Fortunately, Liu Nanfeng was not experiencing Li Guizhen's life entirely, but rather watching it like a 3D cinematic film.
The trivial matters of life would be glossed over.
Soon, half a year passed. During this time, they corresponded regularly, and Fu Dalong returned to see Li Guizhen once during his vacation.
Meanwhile, Li Guizhen's mother, Liu Danhong, introduced several blind dates to her.
However, Li Guizhen rejected them all. Only one named Zhao Yuemin persisted relentlessly.
Zhao Yuemin was also an employee of Wireless Radio Factory No. 3, but he worked in administration and held a managerial position.
Using his position, he incessantly pestered Li Guizhen. Not only Li Guizhen but even Liu Nanfeng found him extremely annoying.
One day, as Li Guizhen was getting off work, Zhao Yuemin stuck to her like a barnacle.
And this scene was precisely witnessed by Fu Dalong, who had returned for the holiday.
What kind of melodramatic plot is this?
Witnessing this scene, Liu Nanfeng couldn't help but sarcastically comment.
However, what happened next exceeded Liu Nanfeng's expectations.
Fu Dalong did not turn away in anger but happily walked forward and even greeted Zhao Yuemin generously.
It turned out that Li Guizhen was not foolish; she had written to inform Fu Dalong earlier. And Fu Dalong's return this time was to declare his ownership and warn Zhao Yuemin.
Zhao Yuemin was also a smart person. Indeed, in the following days, he stopped pestering Li Guizhen.
He thought this was just a minor ripple in their emotional journey, and once it passed, and Fu Dalong returned after a year, everything would return to normal.
However, fate took an unexpected turn at the end of the year.
The machinery factory in the other province refused to release him, and his position was directly transferred. By the time Fu Dalong realized what was happening, it was too late.
Fu Dalong had taken over his father's position, and he had younger siblings to support. He couldn't give up this hard-earned stable job for the sake of love.
Similarly, Li Guizhen could not give up her current job. The past was different from the present; a stable job was hard to come by and not something to be discarded lightly. Furthermore, her parents would never agree.
Time then felt like it was fast-forwarded.
The letters exchanged between them became fewer and fewer, their meetings became less frequent, until contact was completely severed.
But Liu Nanfeng knew that Li Guizhen had not forgotten Fu Dalong, and her feelings for him had never changed; rather, they deepened.
Her mood became depressed, she grew thinner day by day, made continuous mistakes at work, and eventually had to take sick leave.
In Liu Nanfeng's view, the red aura above her head had formed a thick cocoon.
Li Guizhen's parents also began to panic. This situation couldn't continue.
If they had known earlier, they should have let her be with Fu Dalong. Why did they have to break them up?
It turned out that Fu Dalong staying at the machinery factory in the other province was Li Changzheng's doing.
"Guizhen, sigh..."
Seeing her daughter in such a state, Liu Danhong swallowed the words of comfort she wanted to say. It wasn't the first time; if she had listened, she would have done so long ago.
"How about you go to Jiangcheng to see Dalong?" Liu Danhong finally said helplessly.
Li Guizhen, who had been leaning on the bed with a vacant gaze, seemed to regain some light in her eyes.
"He... he said in his last letter that he was transferred to another place," Li Guizhen murmured.
That was the last letter Fu Dalong had written to her, after which they lost contact.
"This is his current address."
Liu Danhong handed her a small slip of paper and turned to leave the room.
Li Changzheng was waiting for her outside the door. Seeing her emerge, he immediately gave her a questioning look.
Liu Danhong nodded slightly.
Li Changzheng sighed helplessly; he also had some regrets.
As far as Li Changzheng and his wife were concerned, as long as they let Li Guizhen go back to find Fu Dalong, everything could still be salvaged. After all, Fu Dalong would never find another girl with Li Guizhen's background and qualities.
But the affairs of the world never revolved around any one person's wishes, let alone someone else's life.
By the time Li Guizhen saw Fu Dalong, he was already married.
It was to a girl from his hometown, not very pretty, but very virtuous.
Both sets of parents knew each other, and both were very satisfied. The girl was also very satisfied with Fu Dalong.
As for whether Fu Dalong was satisfied, it was actually no longer important.
"Congratulations."
Li Guizhen said with a smile. She looked like she wasn't sad at all. She had even put on makeup before coming to conceal her exhaustion.
"I—I'm sorry."
Fu Dalong was somewhat surprised by Li Guizhen's appearance, but more so by the guilt.
"There's nothing to be sorry for. Knowing you're doing well makes me happy too."
"My—my father's illness, you know about it. My father hoped to see me get married before he left..."
Li Guizhen understood what had happened without him needing to say more.
After a moment of silence, Li Guizhen asked, "How is your father's illness?"
"He passed away last spring," Fu Dalong said.
It was because his father had lung cancer that he had taken over his position in the first place.
Li Guizhen wanted to offer her condolences, but considering how long ago it had happened, she felt it was meaningless to say anything now.
In the end, it turned into a soft whisper.
"I'm leaving."
She turned and walked away without looking back. She didn't want to be sad in front of him or let her tears smudge her makeup...
"I'll see you out," Fu Dalong called out loudly.
But Li Guizhen seemed not to hear him and left without looking back.
When Li Guizhen returned, Li Changzheng and his wife were initially worried that she might do something foolish and followed her for a long time.
But later, seeing that she showed no signs of sadness, she went shopping, watched movies, visited parks, and even voluntarily returned to work at the factory.
She didn't even refuse when Zhao Yuemin, who had been relentlessly pursuing her, asked her out.
Li Changzheng and his wife thought that because Fu Dalong got married, Li Guizhen had finally let go and moved on from this relationship, and they were quite pleased.
Until one noon, Li Guizhen sat on a park bench, gazing at the lake, feeling the breeze, listening to the birds chirping, and finally couldn't help but start to sob softly.
"I didn't expect there to be so many people in the park at noon."
"It's because they're all retired and have nothing to do but wander around the park to pass the time."
"If we get old one day, will we be like them?"
"Definitely not."
"Why?"
"Because I'll be at home taking care of the children. Where would I have time to stroll in the park with you?"
"Children, what children? I haven't even married you yet."
"Hmph, so what? Can't I marry someone else if I leave you?"
"How dare you! If you dare to marry someone else, I'll die for you to see."
Li Guizhen clenched her fist and lightly punched Fu Dalong's shoulder.
Fu Dalong quickly begged for mercy.
"I'm just kidding. In this life, I'll marry no one but you," Fu Dalong said, holding her fist.
"Dalong..."
With a grief-stricken expression, Li Guizhen walked towards the lake...
On this warm, sunny afternoon, a devoted young girl ended her young life.
"Alas~"
Liu Nanfeng sighed, but he could do nothing, as this was merely a memory.
With Li Guizhen's death, a beautiful butterfly emerged from its cocoon.
This was what Li Guizhen's soul had transformed into, her obsession, her deep affection...
At this moment, a magnificent scroll appeared out of thin air and slowly unrolled in the air.
It was the scroll [Guanshanhai].
The butterfly danced, landing lightly on the painting.
The scroll, obscured by mist, like ink-stained paper, saw the mist slowly recede, revealing a small flower bed behind it. In the flower bed, a butterfly flapped its wings and danced.
Name: Nameless Little Demon
Race: Butterfly Demon
Cultivation: Thirty-eight years
Identity: A person of deep affection, transformed from love. Though the path is long and distant, their heart remains connected.
Past Cause: Triggered
Abilities: Can discern hearts, can recognize true feelings.
Just then, the surrounding scenery suddenly receded like a tide.
Liu Nanfeng still stood before the door of unit 603. The old man, or rather, Fu Dalong, was still going downstairs. Everything was unchanged, as if what had just happened was merely his illusion.
But Liu Nanfeng extended his finger, and a butterfly appeared on his fingertip.
"Confused in life, but able to discern hearts and recognize true feelings after death—how ironic," Liu Nanfeng murmured, looking at the butterfly on his fingertip.
"Young man, you..."
Just then, Fu Dalong, who had gone down one floor, turned back.
But before he could finish speaking, Liu Nanfeng took two steps at a time, rushed down the stairs, and zipped past him.
Watching Liu Nanfeng's hurried departure, Fu Dalong frowned slightly and said softly, "So impolite."
But Liu Nanfeng heard him, yet did not turn back.
He merely lowered his head and asked the butterfly on his fingertip, "Was it worth it?"
ps: To encourage readership, this is a large chapter update. Please don't save it for later, I beg you.