Li Qiyeâs eyes never diverted from the woman. A million years seemed to be passing in a second.
What attracted him werenât her flawless features nor her intelligence, just how similar she was to the past.
She sat down in the meditative pose in front of him; her sweet fragrance wafted in the air in a mesmerizing manner.
âYou still woke me up.â Her pleasant and unforgettable voice made the chirpings of oriole and skylark grating in comparison.
âThis is still you at your best.â Li Qiye smiled and said.
âNo, Iâve changed for the better.â Kingdom-toppling wasnât enough to describe her sublime smile. Nothing could make it better; even spring returned with just one smile.
âYou havenât changed.â Li Qiye pondered for a bit before answering softly: âItâs just a different form and path. Your original heart still remains or you wouldnât have followed me back then.â
âYouâre still the same so Iâm sure youâll permit whatever I do in the future.â She spoke in a calm and profound manner. Others would get the urge to converse with her forever.
âItâs a shame that you couldnât do it, a mishap before even embarking on the journey.â Li Qiye revealed a bitter smile.
âNot all things in life go as planned. Iâm not you who plans across the ages. I just did whatever I wanted.â She smiled and had accepted this.
âRight, thatâs why youâre you, following your heart and desire without caring for the consequences.â He sentimentally said, feeling a bit disappointed and bitter.
âYouâre not happy.â She gently patted his cheek.
He grabbed her hand and could feel the heat.
âI know that you didnât agree with my choice, but you didnât force me either.â She continued.
âHow could I have changed you? You wouldnât have changed for anyone, just like me.â He smiled.
âYou could have done it, Iâm sure, but chose to connive and indulge me instead.â She said softly.
âRight, I wanted you to stay the same. Whatâs the point otherwise.â Li Qiye eventually responded.
âOh my merciless dark crow, thatâs not you at all.â She chuckled and shook her head: âOthers donât know this side of you but I do. Perhaps I was wrong.â
âIf your action is considered a mistake, then mine would have been a catastrophic blunder. I shouldnât have kidnapped you.â Li Qiye said.
âTricking a little girl is illegal too.â She joked, looking both beautiful and cute.
The past suddenly resurfaced. The girl back then seemed to be standing before him. This made Li Qiye stare in a daze.
She spread her arms and embraced his waist, snuggling her head into his chest. He embraced her and lowered his head to enjoy her sweet hair. This moment would stay with them forever.
Time seemed to be frozen; nothing wanted nor dared to disturb this tranquility.
After a while, she touched his eyebrows and said: âItâs hard to see you truly happy across the eras but I still want you to smile more.â
âIâm always smiling.â He smiled and said: âIâm still a big player, more or less, and canât be wearing a funeral face all the time.â
She placed her palms on his chest and leaned back in, whispering: âI wish that there will be someone who can be your companion for generations to come, that the two of you will be able to see the beautiful sunrise and experience the joys of life.â
He enjoyed the gentleness of her voice and remembered when they used to lean on each other and watched the sunrise.
He suddenly hugged her tighter, aware that this was all in the past now.
âHave you been there yet?â She eventually smiled and asked him.
âI donât dare to go there because he wants to kill me and I canât just stand there and watch, right? But if I fight back, itâll be a bloody fight.â He shrugged with a strange expression.
âWho can actually kill you?â She audibly chuckled.
He wouldnât mind listening to her pleasant laughter forever.
âStop the act, you can fool the rest of the world but not me. Though you have done a great job, Iâm still the closest person to you both.â She shook her head.
He smiled and didnât respond.
âIt has been tough on several people who paid too much.â He said: âThe world has no idea of their burden and even reviled them.â
âNo one has done more than you, especially the infamy.â She gently touched his face and said.
He couldnât help grabbing her wrist and stared deeply into her eyes. This became a still image for a long time.
âI know something has happened, otherwise you wouldnât be here right now. It must be dire.â She said.
He shuddered inside. He had reached the end of the world and fought in the battles above all. He competed against the eternal overlords without batting an eye. However, this split-second affected him so he tightened his embrace.
âYou donât want to tell me.â Her eyes had nothing but tenderness and compassion.
âYouâll always be the happy and optimistic girl in my mind.âLi Qiye chuckled.
She stared at him quietly before nodding: âThis will be our last meeting.â
His hands trembled after hearing this but he quickly calmed down.
âTrust me, youâll be fine.â She held his face with both hands and earnestly said.
âI know.â He took a deep breath and responded: âIâve grown numb to separation.â
âYet you still want to take it.â She said with hesitation.
âYes, thatâs my intention, is that okay?â He nodded and said softly.
âI want to refuse but I canât say no to you. As Iâve said earlier, itâs about whether youâre willing to do it or not.â She answered.
She took out a steel box that didnât look too special. However, only Li Qiye could open it, no one else.
She solemnly placed it in his hand. He clenched the moment he touched the box.
He wanted to say something but she pressed her finger against his lips: âNo need to tell me, keep it in your heart.â
He swallowed his words and nodded.
After a while, she said with sincerity: âPromise me this. Think about it carefully, millions of years have passed, just let them pass.â
âIf itâs possible, I will.â He said after a long pause.
âYou can do it.â She seemed to be the only one in this world who can change Li Qiyeâs mind.
He didnât answer this time.
âI see.â She continued: âJust remember, before you make the decision, at the very last second, think about it very carefully. Promise me.â
âI promise, Iâll truly think it over.â He eventually relented. He was a man of his words and would do so.
She nodded and trusted him since she understood him more than anyone else.