Mystic Hearts and Timeless Bonds – Part Two

A Clear Spring… “Everything is packed; we can leave anytime.” She would always silently prepare everything for her, standing behind her in support. Since she couldn’t help her directly, she would do her best to share her burden. Seeing that radiant smile, filled with affection, her forehead hair slightly damp, she hurriedly poured a glass of chilled sour plum soup and brought it to her side. “No need to rush, look how tired you are.” She wiped her forehead with a handkerchief carrying her scent, her exquisite face so close, her words laced with a hint of reproach. What’s a little fatigue? A sip of the chilled sour plum soup not only dispels the heat but also the dampness in her heart. “It’s okay, the four elders are all ready.” She couldn’t help but kiss her forehead, a fleeting touch like a dragonfly skimming the water. “Oh my, you two are really inseparable.” Packing two large bags of snacks, Lian Lian and Ying Li returned with their spoils, and seeing the scene, Lian Lian couldn’t help but tease. “You’ve been preparing for half a day, and you’re just bringing these snacks, Lian Lian, I really admire you. I love snacks, but I didn’t expect you to love them even more.” Looking at the two bulging packages, the satisfied, silly smiles on their faces, Xiao Tu’s intestines turned green with envy, why hadn’t she thought of that? “Haha, that’s right, Tu Tu, you’ve been outdone.” Lian Lian put on a serious face, crossing her arms in front of Xiao Tu. “Yeah, I’m behind, I’ll go reflect on myself.” With that, she slipped away towards the kitchen like a greased lightning. “Tu, I’ve got some for you…” Too late, Xiao Tu had already vanished. Entering the kitchen, she found it empty; all the delicious snacks had been scavenged by the two. She was about to cry, her snacks, all gone. “Dead Lian Lian, bad Lian Lian, didn’t leave me any, really not loyal, humph.” She turned around angrily to leave the kitchen, only to bump into a wall of flesh, “Ouch,” she rubbed her forehead gently, looking up at the person in front of her, what a coincidence! His silver hair was no longer smooth, looking somewhat messy, as if not well taken care of, his eyes, once charming and mischievous, now appeared dim, reeking of alcohol, he must have come to the kitchen for a drink. “Baby, am I dreaming?” Seeing the face that had appeared in his dreams countless times, his silver eyes sparkled with light. Only in dreams would she call him Ye Ge sweetly as before, cuddle in his arms, and eat the plum blossom cakes he made, showing a sweet smile. He wanted to get drunk, only in his drunken dreams could he see his baby, who wouldn’t avoid him. He leaned on her left shoulder like a child, inhaling the familiar scent, and smiled contentedly. She could tell he had lost weight, his thin body leaning on hers, the pungent smell of alcohol made her uncomfortable, how had he been living these days? Her heart ached. “Master told me to give up, not to bother you anymore, am I really so annoying?” His body tensed, his heart hurt, very hurt. “I’m sorry, truly sorry, I shouldn’t have acted on my own without listening to Master, causing you so much trouble, I even got cursed and hurt you, betrayed you.” Xiao Tu felt something wet on her shoulder, it was his tears. “Baby, don’t leave me, okay? Please don’t leave, I’ll go mad, I can’t live without you.” His hoarse voice was filled with infinite bitterness, begging her not to abandon him so humbly. “Baby, really, don’t leave me…” His voice grew fainter, and soon, the sound of even breathing could be heard, he had fallen asleep. Ye Ge, you’ve done nothing wrong, all the faults are mine. If I hadn’t come, perhaps you’d still be the esteemed national teacher of “Listening to the Moon Country.” How have you been these days, so haggard, Ye Ge, wait for Xiao Tu, three years, I’ll be back in three years, and I’ll never let go of you again, wait for me… She needed time to sort out her thoughts; so much had happened recently. A piece of thin silk handkerchief, with thirteen big characters written on it, “A promise of three years, I will come back to find you.” She placed it beside him, glanced at him one last time, and turned to leave. Just as she turned, a breeze blew, the delicate silk scarf fluttered in the wind, flying towards the blooming peach blossoms outside the window. Fate sometimes plays tricks like this…