Returning to Suzhao, when Sushu learned I was getting married, he childishly hid under his blankets and cried for days and nights. Brother and I took turns comforting him, and with Xihe’s special cooperation, acting cute toward him, but none of it could make him feel better.

Later, it was Xihe who finally lost patience, yanked away the blanket, and roared: “Big men don’t cry for nothing!” Only then was he startled into forgetting his original intention. After getting through Sushu’s hurdle, came Second Sister’s.

She had originally strongly opposed our marriage, but after Kongshu’s guidance, remembering how I had fainted from crying when Brother died, she softened momentarily and finally nodded in agreement. Thus, Brother and I could finally relax and begin preparing for the wedding.

One month later. Dawn was just breaking, the air crystal clear, the round moon pale silver with blue tinge, hanging high over the mountain. Immortal cranes flew through clouds in the sky, and peach blossoms bloomed everywhere across the mountains. I wore a phoenix crown and rosy garments, ascending thousands of stone steps to reach the altar atop the mountain.

The Grand Priest led the procession, standing in wait. Brother, similarly dressed in festive robes, stood with his back to me, looking up at the divine statue before him, saying quietly: “I have waited for this day for many years.” Then he turned around and smiled at me gently.

“From today on, I can no longer call you Brother.” Behind the phoenix crown’s pearl curtain, I lowered my head and smiled softly. “Chenzhi, how is this?”

“As long as Weiwei is happy.”

We smiled at each other, just like when we were children doing mischief together. In Suzhao, Chenzhi and I had met and parted here—I never imagined there would be a day when we would pledge our lives here.

Halfway through the wedding ceremony, I glanced up at the mountain-like statue of Cangying God. This was the supreme water god, the faith of us Suzhao people since childhood. However, apart from Sister and me, no one in all of Suzhao knew that he had personally come to this place, transforming like a child into the appearance of this statue.

Of course, no one also knew that the real Divine Lord Yinze was a young man’s appearance. They didn’t know his peerless elegance, a single glance lasting ten thousand years. Looking back now, when was the last time I saw him?

I still remember forty-one years ago, we had also stood in these peach blossom-filled mountains. Then, I was still a naive girl, as reckless as Xihe. Once in this place, I had domineeringly pointed at Yinze, declaring he was mine.

Not long after that, he had given me a ring, saying no matter what, he would marry me. At that time, I was also much more straightforward and bold than now. Hearing his confession in that light smile, I could cry until my face was like a painted cat’s, throw myself into his arms and say emotionally: I just like you too much and don’t know what to do.

But now, I didn’t even dare to go to the divine realm to see him once. Therefore, whenever I saw those young people who moved forward bravely, I always felt particularly nostalgic. This would remind me of that passionate and brave self from a hundred years ago.

Time passes so quickly. Yinze, a full hundred years without meeting—are you living well now?

Finally, I was getting married. Unlike the youthful promise of those days, my beloved was ultimately not you. But this was also about what we had both expected before, wasn’t it?

No, after all these years, do you still remember me? Cold as you are, you’ve probably long forgotten my appearance. I’d very much like to say I’m the same, but I know this would ultimately be a lie.

However, though I cannot forget, I can let the memories fade. Youthful passion, love deep as the sea, heartbreaking pain, eternal vows… no matter how deeply engraved in the heart, none compare to a lifetime of companionship.

I looked up at Brother, his face touched by spring breeze, and smiled gently too. From now on, in my life there would only be him.

On our wedding night, after the bridal chamber ceremony, I couldn’t sleep. For decades, this habit of drinking when unable to sleep at midnight was hard to change. I took a jug of wine, used water manipulation to fly out of Zichao Palace, and came to Luoshui’s banks. Suzhao, refined through a thousand years, had silently sent away how many familiar names.

The seas changed to mulberry fields, but eternally unchanged was this touch of moonlight. What night was this—flowing water and peach blossoms. Moon waves like water, endlessly illuminating the golden wine cup. Peach trees swayed in spring wind, shaking down jade branches and fragrant flowers all over the ground. Petals were blown by wind into snow, then ground by wind into dust. I reached out, trying to catch the petals—the beautiful scene before my eyes was dreamlike, yet it made my vision blur.

In Luoshui flowing under the moon, jade light ten thousand zhang, I saw a dark blue figure in the center of Luoshui. That person held an ink-wash umbrella, the umbrella rim pressed very low, as if also admiring the moon.

I thought I was seeing things, afraid that with one blink, I could only see the lonely moon everywhere. I held my breath, quietly gazing ahead, watching his robes flutter in the evening wind, watching his black hair dance like willow catkins. This naturally wasn’t the first time I’d seen his phantom—I also knew this wasn’t him in person. Moreover, it had been forty years since I last saw him—it was time to forget…

However, just looking at this distant figure already made my heart feel cut by knives.

No time to be amazed, no time to disguise, no time to mock such a useless self. I only clearly realized one thing: seeing him in person was more painful than missing him.

I forced back my tears but still sniffled. Then, hearing the sound, he raised his umbrella rim and gazed at me from afar.

“Wei’er?” He was first startled, then smiled as cold as a clear spring. “Today is your joyous day, yet the night is deep—why do you linger outside?”

I quickly closed my eyes, wanting to calm my emotions. Yet, without reason, tears poured from my eyes in sheets, crawling to my chin like countless little crabs. Though I had cried until my scalp ached, I still made no sound, until he stepped lightly across the water ripples and used his umbrella to shield me from the flower rain: “Today is a good day—you should be happy. Why cry?”

I could only see blurred vision, could only shake my head gently—I couldn’t answer him a single word.

“I originally thought I wouldn’t see you today, but unexpectedly…” His gaze became much gentler, saying softly: “Our Wei’er is becoming more and more beautiful. What’s regrettable is that every time you’re with me, you’re always this sad.”

“Don’t say anymore.”

I looked again at the umbrella he held, confirming this was the one I had originally given him. Since childhood, every time I met him in illusions, he held this umbrella. Moreover, there was no jade ring on his fingers. At this point, I had already guessed the general situation. This Yinze should be a phantom created by the real Yinze, returning from some point in time to see me many times. As for where the real Yinze was and what he was doing, I knew nothing. What was worse, regarding the real Yinze’s whereabouts, I had a very bad premonition in my heart. Afraid I would regret it, I said: “Yinze, Chenzhi, and I are married.”

“I know. You’re childhood sweethearts, originally a heaven-made pair. Now finally united as a couple is also following heaven’s will.” He answered very calmly. “Congratulations. I wish you eternal unity and growing old together.”

“Perhaps saying this now is meaningless, perhaps you don’t want to hear it, you might not even be able to hear it… even if you’re just deceiving me, even if you love someone else, even if I’m sorry to Chenzhi…” I closed my eyes and said with a crying voice: “In this life, I have only loved you alone.”

I received no response for a long time. I only saw another shower of flowers fall, and he said: “Wei’er, no matter how much affection there is, we ultimately have no fate.”

Though he spoke as if it didn’t matter, the hand gripping the umbrella handle tightened, and his knuckles faded to colorless. He turned around, his long robe swaying slightly, and walked toward Luoshui.

I chased after him, calling loudly: “Yinze, I know you still like Shangyan, but I also don’t know why—I always feel you have hidden difficulties. So today I’m just telling you my thoughts. After tonight, I’ll forget you completely. Because I’ve already married Chenzhi, and from now on, I can never spare you another bit of concern. But I want to know—toward me, have you ever had a moment of being moved? Was there ever a moment when you saw me as Wei’er, and not as Shang…”

Speaking to this point, I had already circled in front of him, but was so shocked I couldn’t continue speaking—his face was expressionless, yet it was also covered in tears.

“Yinze…” This was the first time I’d seen him cry. Though he said nothing and still looked equally cold, I felt even sadder than him and couldn’t help crying out: “When you said you loved me before, was it real?”

He only gazed coldly with tears flowing, then wiped away my tears, never answering my question. At this moment, how I wanted to hold his hand, but I knew in my heart that once I touched him, he would scatter like smoke.

I could only clench my fists and press him with sharp eyes: “Answer me! Say you were lying then, that you were always just playing with me—let me give up, let me completely forget you!”

However, no matter what I said, he no longer spoke. Later, I said many hurtful things: “You’re just scum! You just abandoned Xihe and me like this, all these years it’s been just me alone! You just left me, left me alone! Do you know how I’ve lived these years? Do you know what life is like for a child without a father? Whenever Xihe sleeps, I cry continuously, crying a hundred times more painfully than you ever have in your lifetime! All because you’re scum…” But these words were a double-edged sword—when I wielded them to wound him, I also stabbed myself viciously.

Speaking to the end, I sobbed uncontrollably and finally couldn’t continue. How could I be so foolish, knowing he wasn’t real, yet still like this…

But suddenly, he lowered his head and kissed me.

This kiss had no temperature—I couldn’t feel his presence either. I only saw him draw near, feeling that breath belonging to him, his faint primordial spirit. Then, golden light points emanated from his entire body. Another golden fire rain suddenly spread, like thousands of fireflies, instantly flying toward heaven and earth, and he too vanished into smoke.

No time seeing Yinze’s phantom had made me suffer like this time. Unable to capture his figure again, I suddenly had a feeling of eternal farewell from him. I knelt on the ground, crying out in anguish: “Yinze, you heartless, fickle person! Why won’t you explain? Come back! Make everything clear to me…”

Cold wind choked my throat—I couldn’t say another word. My thoughts became only mush, all transforming into tears flowing out.

Later, Chenzhi discovered I had left and came out to find me, carrying me back to the bedroom.

When I realized who I was depending on, I felt both despair and self-reproach, wishing I could extract that person from my memory.

However, we also received good news: that night there was a rare heavy rain. This was the first storm in decades, accompanied by thunder and lightning, and the cheers and applause of all beings in the six realms and nine heavens. Good fortune came so quickly I couldn’t quite adapt.

The next morning, Chenzhi and I went out together to see the rain. Passing the window sill, I saw a ink-wash umbrella there with some accumulated water beneath it. Chenzhi said: “I didn’t see you take an umbrella when you went out last night—could this be a palace servant’s umbrella?”

I stared blankly at this umbrella, only feeling sudden quietness around me and my heartbeat becoming increasingly slow.

If not for the water still on it, I would think that sixty-one years ago, I had never given it to someone departing.

This rain fell for a full month, every day without reservation, as if the god of the vast sea had poured out his life, bestowing the six realms with water of rebirth. During this month, every day, there were thousands upon thousands of swimming dragons in the sea, emerging from the water, clothed in wind and clouds, dancing with thunder and lightning. The magnificence of this scene was beyond what pictures could capture.

Afterward, the drought finally ended. All things revived, rivers flowed endlessly, and the dried-up vast sea returned to its original boundless appearance. That same year in late autumn, crops were abundant and granaries full. No matter where one went, it was a scene of thriving prosperity.

Actually, on the first day of heavy rain, I had wanted to bring this good news to Sushu. However, whether I went too late or it was destined by fate, when I went to Sushu’s room, he was no longer there—only a single lotus remained in the pond.

The rain beat the lotus flowers, ripples spreading in all directions. This time, no matter how I called to him, he never again took human form. Later, I found a letter in his room with only one line: “My spiritual energy is exhausted—I wish to be a quiet lotus, forever accompanying you.”

The following year, Chenzhi and I brought Xihe and Xuanyue back to Azure Dragon Heaven to visit. We heard that Divine Lord Yinze had returned to the divine realm with no plans to return to the immortal realm. He had dismissed the people from Cangying Manor, and in two more years, even the estate would be demolished. So when we returned to Tianshi City, we didn’t have to face the awkwardness of meeting him again.

We arrived at Tianshi City in the following fire of July—everywhere boundless blazing sun, ten thousand hectares of misty waves and sorrow. Xihe was attracted by the immortal realm’s beautiful scenery, riding Xuanyue and running everywhere around the city. Though immortals were well-traveled, seeing a little girl controlling such a large divine beast, they still couldn’t help but steal a few more glances.

After marriage, I was busier than before—Xuanyue had almost become Xihe’s pet. However, returning to Tianshi City, Xuanyue’s gaze toward me was also somewhat different. I knew it remembered many things, and how could I not? Only, however weighty the past, it was finished—no need to mention it again. I linked arms with Chenzhi, visited some old friends, and toured Fahua Cherry Field again.

Though we’d missed the cherry blossoms’ best days, the good thing about this place was that there were always flowers to see. Chenzhi and I drank together for a while, chatting about old times.

“That was still my first time…” Even after being married for so long, Chenzhi was still somewhat shy, covering his mouth with his hand and clearing his throat. “Anyway, at that time, I knew I had already been rejected by you.”

I only nodded and smiled without answering.

“I know you’ve always felt guilty toward me.” He paused, and I didn’t know if he had already discovered my condition. “You’ve always had Master in your heart.”

I stared at him steadily, even more uncertain how to answer. But he never wanted to make things difficult for me and immediately continued: “Weiwei, I don’t mind that you have him in your heart. He is our benefactor—to me, he’s also like a reborn parent. So I won’t force you to forget him. You never need to forget him.”

His saying this made me feel even more ashamed: “Chenzhi, I…” cannot be as magnanimous as you. I also cannot forgive myself.

“It’s just that since we’re already husband and wife, I only hope you’ll leave a place for me in your heart, let me take care of you in the future, accompany…”

Before he could continue, I covered his mouth: “Whether we’re husband and wife or not, you’re my closest person.”

He smiled gently, grasped my hand, and kissed the back of it with complete respect: “Then I’m satisfied.”

We stayed at Fahua Cherry Field until dusk. As evening approached, we decided to leave and rest. Passing through Pagoda Star Sea, there were several times more visitors than usual. Remembering how I had come here with Yinze as a child, when I was still his disciple, and his attitude toward me was truly forbidding, like summer.

At that time, there was also an immortal called Peach Blossom Buddha who read fortunes for our romantic fate. However, this time we stayed several days, and no matter where in the star sea we went, whether day or night, we never again encountered that disreputable old Peach Blossom Buddha.

In the vast sea of clouds, only wine-drinking poetry immortals sang wildly, occasionally chanting a poem that had become widely circulated in recent years, “Pagoda Sea”:

All beings of the pagoda, people of the pagoda, Pagoda souls upon the pagoda sea. Peach Blossom Buddha passes through clouds, smiling to ask passersby about romantic fate. The Vermillion Bird rises ninety thousand li, Divine Turtle visits White Tiger City in autumn. Who knows where Azure Dragon returns? Only seeing a vast sea filled with red dust. How can flying mirrors know Luoshui’s resentment? The new moon heartlessly leaks half a wheel. White Emperor’s grass deep, old friends gone, Star Sea once smiled at another spring.

These days, I heard various legends about Divine Lord Yinze’s disappearance, but because they were too absurd, I didn’t want to believe any of them. However, there was one line in this poem, “Who knows where Azure Dragon returns, only seeing vast sea fill red dust,” that made me momentarily absent-minded.

This was one of the rumors, saying Divine Lord Yinze had long since scattered both in body and spirit, going to the vast heaven and earth, transforming into rivers and vast seas. Last year’s month-long torrential rain was iron proof.

Of course, I didn’t believe a single word. These people didn’t understand Yinze—he wasn’t that kind of savior who cared for all living beings. On the contrary, everything he did started from selfish motives. Including taking Chenzhi and me as disciples back then was only for the woman he loved. So I was certain he had simply returned to the divine realm to live sweetly with Shangyan.

This time returning to Azure Dragon Heaven, I finally knew that Tianshi City without Yinze held no sense of belonging for me. After revisiting old places once, I rarely returned. Afterward, I busied myself helping Second Sister establish diplomatic relations, using connections to build prestige for Suzhao. Among them were Hongxue Country, established by disciples of the Snow God, Bofu Country, which ate yellow millet, and the “Desert Pearl” Kingdom of Liuhuang Feng.

Therefore, we gained another festival called “Snow Festival Day”—every year on the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, we invited disciples of the Snow God to Suzhao to pray for snow, seeking auspicious snow for a good harvest year. This custom continued for over two hundred years without stopping.

Thus, under Second Sister’s rule, Suzhao completed another prosperous era. History records our era as the “Luoshen Golden Age.” Though Second Sister was the Suzhao Emperor, I had merit in protecting Suzhao, and our mother river was Luoshui, so the Suzhao people and allied nations all respectfully called me “Luoshen.”

Of course, in terms of married life, I was also on smooth sailing.

Two hundred twenty-seven years later, at three hundred twenty-eight years old, I was already an old lady with dust on my face and frosted temples, walking with a cane and needing support. Such an old lady—if it were someone else—would probably be a lonely widow’s fate. Yet beside me was still a young immortal lord who loved me as before. I was fortunate, but it truly made things difficult for Chenzhi.

Aging is a frightening thing. I had long harbored a fear of it, afraid to face the separation that too great an appearance difference would bring. But Chenzhi told me that the person he loved was Luowei—so as long as the person Luowei still existed, no matter what she became, he would never leave. At the time, I took this as sweet talk to lighten the mood and didn’t take it to heart, never thinking he would truly achieve it.

Thinking now, if the aging person were me, I think I could also do as he did.

Flowers bloomed and fell, years went and came. In a flash, another spring arrived. It had been a hundred years since Sister’s death. Now I was nominally the Suzhao Emperor, but her son held real power. I had long retired from court, daily just planting flowers, walking birds, and chatting with Chenzhi and Xuanyue.

This evening, with the lone moon hanging high and me leaning alone against an embroidered screen, Chenzhi had happened to return to the immortal realm, but I encountered an old acquaintance at my bedroom door.

“Luowei, it’s truly been a long time.” Lingyin God smiled frivolously at me, still not serious. “I didn’t expect you’d still be so magnificent even in old age—truly makes one yearn infinitely.”

I, who had long been respected in Suzhao, hadn’t had anyone dare speak to me like this in ages. But to him, no matter how aged I was, I was still just a brat. I supported myself on my cane with both hands and smiled slowly: “Heh. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. For Lord God to personally visit Suzhao, what important business do you have?”

“I truly have no urgent matters—just observing celestial phenomena tonight, I perceived you won’t live much longer either. After over two hundred years, some questions still need to be clarified.”

“What questions?”

“These past two hundred years, have you kept the Divine Lord in your heart?”

My heart tightened as I squinted: “There’s more than one Divine Lord in the upper realm—how would I know which one you mean?”

Lingyin God sighed lightly: “Really can’t tell—at such an advanced age, your personality hasn’t changed a bit. Still putting thin gruel in the bowl, pretending confusion so well. You know who I mean—the Divine Lord, Divine Lord Yinze.”

I walked out of the moon steps with my cane, aged and decrepit, looking up at the huge round moon in the sky: “Our Suzhao’s other name is Moon City—this moonlight truly lives up to its reputation, don’t you think?”

“Indeed so. However, that’s not the answer to my question.”

“Bright moon over vast sea is the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.” I gazed at the bright moon and smiled gently. “It’s just that no matter how bright the moonlight, no matter how hard it strives to illuminate the vast sea, it cannot explore the sea’s depths. Moon and sea originally have no intersection—the best outcome is nothing more than gazing at each other and staying together.”

Lingyin God was silent for a long time before saying: “…You still often think of him, don’t you?”

This topic was meaningless. I only quietly watched the moon without answering.

Lingyin God sighed deeply: “If so, his sacrifice was also worthwhile.”

“Sacrifice? What does he have to sacrifice?” Old matters raised again inevitably made my heart feel depressed. I laughed coldly: “The person who spent a lifetime with me wasn’t him.”

“But without his sacrifice, you would have long since vanished into smoke—how could you speak of spending a lifetime with anyone?”

I was stunned, turned around, and looked at him in confusion: “What do you mean?”

“He said not to mention this matter to you, to let you live well in your later years. However, I see your time is numbered—do you want to hear this story?”

A terrible premonition struck like lightning. I gripped the head of my cane tightly, my fingers trembling slightly: “You… you mean…”

I wasn’t too foolish to be unable to perceive the various signs in all this—I just didn’t want to know from when I began being foolish, and didn’t dare believe he would place me in an important position. So I’d rather be confused for a lifetime.

Half an hour later, Lingyin God transformed into clouds and departed.

I finally knew I was truly old and close to death. This decayed and exhausted body could no longer bear such a great blow. I walked back to the moon steps on foot, wanting to find a place to lean against, but couldn’t walk anymore and could only press against the cane head, trying hard not to let myself fall.

But whenever I thought of Yinze’s matter, I couldn’t calm my emotions.

My cane legs kept trembling, leaving marks on the ground. I closed my eyes, my chest rising and falling violently several times, swallowing back a mouthful of blood that had surged up. Then I waved my sleeves and performed the Flowing Water Shadow Transformation technique.

In an instant, heaven and earth shook, stones rolled and sand flew throughout the city, flowers and leaves fell, and the huge moon grew farther and farther from us.

Finally, Suzhao passed through thousands of smoke and clouds and sank into the great sea.

Throughout my life, I had given much to Suzhao, but in my final years, I failed to maintain integrity, doing one extremely selfish thing. The bright moon was now distant, but the sound of the sea was near. I collapsed on the moon steps and lost consciousness.

When I awoke again, it was still the same night. I was already lying in my bedroom, but no longer had strength to sit up. Sensing slight movement here, Chenzhi rushed over, sat beside the bed, his eyes very red and swollen as if he had just been crying: “Weiwei, are you alright?”

“Mm,” I answered weakly. “Weren’t you supposed to return in seven days? How did you come back early…”

“The Celestial Lord had urgent business, so your brother returned early.”

Hearing that “your brother,” I looked at him more closely—sure enough, there was a light red thread at his waist where my little deer ice carving used to hang. It seemed he had discovered the ice carving had melted and immediately rushed back. Having hidden it from him for over two hundred years, I thought it was time to tell him this secret. I smiled faintly: “Chenzhi, have you noticed? Every time you lie, you like to call yourself ‘your brother.'”

He was slightly stunned and smiled helplessly: “You’re truly remarkable—you kept this from me for so many years.”

Outside the window, the moon had become extremely small, no different from moonlight elsewhere in the human world. On this warm spring night, heaven and earth were full of bright innocence. I heard waves beating shores, wind coming to misty cities. If I could step outside tonight, I probably could see the nostalgic, magnificent scene of a bright moon over a vast sea. Only, I feared I couldn’t hold on until then.

How I wanted to tell Chenzhi: please scatter my ashes in the sea. But Chenzhi cherished me for a lifetime—I absolutely couldn’t be so selfish. I only continued talking with him with difficulty, discussing our moving reunion as youths, childhood embarrassments.

Finally, I became somewhat tired and said: “Chenzhi, I’m a bit hungry and want to eat lotus cakes.”

“Alright.” He bit his teeth, his eyes redder than before. “I’ll have someone make them for you right away.” After so many years together, we understood each other well. He could have ordered others to do it, but he still went personally. He should know I wanted to leave the final time for myself. He kissed my forehead once, then got up and walked out.

“Chenzhi.” Seeing him stop, I smiled at his back: “Thank you.”

He stood quietly for a moment without turning around, just opened the door, and strode out.

After the door closed again, I took out something warmed by my body from my chest. By moonlight, I squinted to see its appearance clearly: this was a jade ring, but compared to two hundred sixty-eight years ago when I first wore it, its appearance had changed greatly. I remembered that year, this ring originally had fine, carved flowers, but now they had been worn smooth and round, becoming an ordinary ring.

“Aowu…” At the window lattice, Xuanyue’s head poked in.

“Xuanyue… good boy, let me be quiet by myself…” I said weakly.

Xuanyue probably also sensed the approaching farewell, its eyes full of sadness, flapping its wings and flying away reluctantly.

People often say time is the greatest thing in the human world because it can easily wash away all love and hatred, fade all pain. Looking throughout the nine heavens and four seas, six paths of reincarnation, nothing with life can match it. Even the strongest emotions will vanish without a trace under its tempering.

This was also my favorite advice for young people: “Don’t think what you experience is forever. When time passes, you’ll know that the person who grows old with you is the right person.”

I had fulfilled that person’s blessing, truly reaching white-haired old age with Chenzhi, making what we both considered the most correct choice.

Growing old together, drawing eyebrows, and sharing meals. There are always many perfect phrases in this world that speak of the most ordinary things, yet can make me feel heartbroken and endlessly sad.

I had also read this verse in books: Holding your hand, growing old together.

These were probably the eight most sorrowful characters in the world.

From age forty-two to three hundred twenty-eight, from first secretly liking him until now, two hundred eighty-six years had passed. In such a long time, the time we truly spent together was less than one year.

After leaving him, in these two hundred eighty-six years, how carefree I had been—family reunions, surrounded by children and grandchildren, even able to completely avoid mentioning him, as if he had never entered my life.

But who would know that in these full two hundred eighty-six years, there wasn’t a single day I wasn’t loving this person?

Speaking of love now seemed too ridiculous. Because I had long been too old to love, loving to the point of self-deception without even realizing it myself. Because I knew he was a heartless person, uncovering the decorated peace would only hurt me more deeply. Like a shell, always hiding the most fragile real parts where others cannot see.

Hearing Lingyin God tell me the cause and effect, I was sincerely grateful he hadn’t told me earlier. Because if I had known earlier, I probably truly wouldn’t have had courage to live until today.

Who would want to bear such heavy emotions?

Yinze, this time you truly can’t blame me. After all, between you and me, I was always the loser. Only thinking you were heartless, I had already become like this. Now knowing the truth, you should know I would hate you. Hate that you didn’t give me a chance to go with you together back then.

All rivers return to the sea—this was originally nature’s law. You are the god of the vast sea, able to contain heaven and earth’s rivers—why couldn’t you tolerate my small, clear stream returning to your embrace?

The most beautiful thing in life was knowing you also loved as deeply as I did.

The most painful thing in life was knowing how deeply you loved.

Truly successful because of you, I failed.

Pink, peach, and plum were thick window frames, wrapping the window into a circle. Outside this window, a round moon hung high in the blue sky. There were the seven constellations of the east, Azure Dragon Heaven, brilliant stars surrounding the moon, reminding me of two hundred years ago when I first strolled in Pagoda Star Sea, that girlish heartache. Such heartache hadn’t occurred for very, very many years.

How I wish this emotion could be as light as willow catkins of those years.

If so, I could only treat you as a simple and regretful remnant dream from my youth, a beautiful dream carelessly missed.

Those years, I was truly so young. The “Master” I foolishly called was still standing within my reach.

I still remember that spring when you once showed a contemptuous smile at me with my head full of peach blossoms like a flower fairy.

I still remember that night when I glimpsed your backward glance in Pagoda Star Sea—from then on, for my entire life, I never looked back.

At this moment, my eyes weary, I knew my spiritual power was about to dissipate completely. The hand holding the jade ring gradually loosened. With a “ding” sound, the ring dropped to the ground. Quietly crisp, like the sound of flower petals first blooming. Then all these light sounds were covered by the sound of ocean waves.

Finally, after two hundred eighty-six years, I truly heard your voice for the first time.

And you, can you hear the sounds from here?

The moment my eyes closed, illusion flower rain flew past, leaving fleeting light and shadows in my final thoughts. The surrounding scenery seemed like Pagoda Star Sea, like Fahua Cherry Field, yet more like my hometown, Suzhao. I didn’t know exactly where I was, only seeing high azure sky, falling flowers everywhere, and my reflection in flowing water had become the appearance from over two hundred years ago: twin ponytails, snow skin and blue-black hair, eyes innocent and lively, blooming with a smile so naive it was foolish.

Just as I was feeling surprised by my appearance, I heard someone call from behind: “Wei’er.”

Turning around, I saw the pagoda star sea carrying all beings, and in that misty clouds stood a young man with clear, distant features. His indigo long robes swayed in the wind, his smile cold as ice, sparse and beautiful. Yet willow catkins feel like snow, writing endless thoughts accumulated over hundreds of years. I waved at him, calling out joyfully: “Master! Master!” Then, lifting my skirts, I ran toward him without regard for anything.

Dream soul laughs at the bright moon for a hundred years, Human face and peach blossoms bid farewell to Suzhao.

Yinze, listen—the flowers in Moon City have bloomed.

[The End]