('
theoonhunghighthesky,castgasilverglowovertheopulentgardenofthehanfailyansionnternsswayedntlythebreeze,castgflickergshadownthegroundtheairwasfilledwiththefragrantstofbloogjase,glgwiththedistantstrafapipabegpyedbyaskilledithegrandbahostedbythehanfailywasfullsg,andtheurtyardwasfilledwiththechatterandughteroftheeliteofthecity
sukie,dressedanexisitesilkgownthatshiredtheoonlight,stoodbyacherryblostreeherhearasastorofeotionsshewatchedasguestsilledabout,hereyeasionallydriftgtoherbrother,hanfenglialkgtoagroupofn,hisexpressioncalandposed,buteveryoften,hiseyeswouldseekherout,filledwithanunspokeion
astheevengworeon,sukiefoundherselfcreasglyawareofhanfenglg,spresencesheuldfeelhisgazeonher,evenwhenshewasn,tlookgdirectlyathitheiriions,subtleahang,hadnotgoneunnoticedbytheuestsurursandwhispersfollowedthewherevertheywent,butsukiepaidthenodherhearastoofull,tooflicted
"isshan,youlookexisitetonight,"afailiar,icyvoiterruptedherthoughtssukieturofdherselfface-to-facewithxietiahepowerfundalevolentbosftheregionhiseyesweredarkandtense,apredatorysilepygonhislips
sukieforcedapolitesile"thankyou,lordxieyourpresencegraceurhubleba"
xietiaeppedcloser,hisgazeneverleavghers"i,vebeenwatgyoualleveng,isshanyouaretrulytheostbeautifulflowerthisgardeniouldbeashaifsuchaflowerweretowitherawaytheeoneunworthy"
sukie,sheartpoundedherchestsheuldsehedanrrkgbehdhiswords"iaftteredbyyourattention,lordxie,butiassureyou,ybrotherandyfailytakeexcellente"
xietianxie,ssilewidened,buthiseyesreaedld"ah,yes,yourbrotherheseesiteprotectiveofyoualostpossessive,oneightsay"
beforesukieuldrespond,hanfenglgappearedatherside,hisexpressioncalbuthiseyesfshgwithanr"lordxie,ibelieveysisterhaseaedyoulonnoughifyouwouldexce"
xietianxie,sgazeshiftedtohanfenglg,hissileneverwaverg"ofurse,youngasterhaniouldnotdotooverstayywele"hebowedslightly,buthiseyeslredonsukieaontlonrbeforeheturnedandwalkedaway
hanfenglilytooksukie,sar,leadgherawayfrothecrowd"areyht?"heasked,hisvoice
', ' ')('lowandfilledwith
sukienodded,herheartstillrag"yes,i,fihankyou"
theywalkedsilenont,thenightairogasttheirskthegardenwasieternow,theundfthebafadgtothebackground
hanfenglgspedbyasallpond,thewaterreflegtheoonlightheturofacesukie,hiseyessearghers"yohouldbecarefurouianxiehe,sdanro"
sukielookeddownatthewater,herrefleripplg"iknowbutit,snotjthii,worriedabout"
hanfenglgfrowned"whatdoyouan?"
shetookadeepbreath,strugglgtofdtherighords"fenglg,i,vebeenfeelgstraelyaboutaboutyou"
hisfrowndeepened,buthedidn,tterrupther
"iknowwe,resupposedtobesiblgsthisworld,buttisifeellikethere,sthgorebeeen,"shetued,hervoicetreblg"idon,tknowifit,sjtorifyoufeelittoo,buti,tiganyore"
hanfenglg,sexpressionftened,andhereachedouttontlycupherfahishand"sukie,iifeelittoobutit,splicatedwe,relivgaworldthathasitwnrulesandexpectationsandevenifwe,renottrulyreted,othersbelieveweare"
tearswelledupsukie,seyes"buhatabouhaefeel?shouldn,tthatatter?"
hanfenglgpulledhertoatightebrace,hisvoicebreakg"itattersto,sukieitattersorethananythgbuehavetobecarefultherearepeoplewhowouldeourfeelgsagast"
shegtohi,herheartag"idon,tcareeoplethkijanttobewithyou"
heheldherforalongont,thenpulledbackslightlytolooktohereyes"iwantthattoo,sukiebuehavetobesartaboutthiswe,tletoureotionscloudnt"
beforesheuldrespond,theundoffootstepsapproagadethebothteheyturoseeaservantbogdeeply"youngasterhan,isshan,lordxiereestsyourpresence"
hanfenglg,sjawtightened,buthenodded"we,llberightthere"
astheywalkedbacktotheba,sukie,sdracedshekheirfeelgsforeachotherwerereal,buttheobstaclestheyfacedseedsurountablexietianxieowerfuleney,andtheirretionshiasboundtoattrawatention
backattheba,xietiaoodattheteroftheurtyard,hiseyesgleagwithalice"ah,thereyouare,"hesaidsoothly"iwasjttellishowfortuheyaretohavesuchabeautifundtalentedhostess"
sukieforcedasile,butherhearasheavysheuldfeelhanfenglg,sprotectivepresencebesideher,astantreihattheywerethistother
', ' ')('therestoftheevengpassedabrsukieexdpleasahtheguests,herdonlyhalfontheversationssheuldfeelxietianxie,seyenher,hispreseant,ulgreihedaheyfaced
asthebadrewtoaclose,hanfenglgguidedhertoaietererofthegardealk,"hesaidftly
shenodded,herheartpoundg"iknow"
hetookadeepbreath,hiseyesfilledwithdeteration"sukie,i,tpretendthatourfeelgsdobuehavetobecarefulxietianxieiswatg,andhe,snottheonlyoneweofdarotectourselvesandourfaily"
shelookedupathi,hereyesfilledwithtears"whatdowedo?"
hepulledhertoanotherebrace,hisvoicefir"westaystroaytotherandwefightforwhaebelieve"
astheystoodthere,holdachotheruheoonlight,sukiefeltasenseofhopeiouldn,tbeeasy,butshekheyuldfacewhateverchallenscatheirway,aslongastheyhadeachother
daysturoweeks,aensioweensukieandhanfenglgonlygrewstroheyspentoretitother,theirbonddeepengwitheachpassgdaytheypracticedtheirartiartstother,traedstrategy,andstudiedthewftheirfailybesseverystolengnce,everybrhoftheirhands,everysharedsilewasasilentproiseoftheiritnttoeachother
oneeveng,asthesuabzeeandpk,theyfoundtheselvesalohegardenonceoresukiesatonastonebench,watgthekoifishswizilythepondhanfenglgapproached,hisfootstepsftonthegravelpath
"sukie,"hesaidftly,sittgbesideher"i,vebeenthkg"
sheturohi,hereyessearghis"abouhat?"
"aboutaboutourfuture"hetookherhandhis,histouchwarandreassurg"we,tkeephidgourfeelgsit,snotfairtoeitherof"
sukienodded,herheartagwiththeweightoftheirunspokenlove"buhaedo?ifpeoplefdout"
"we,lldealwithit,"hesaidfirly"totheri,veadearrastoleavethispcewestartoverwherenew,wherenooneknows"
hereyeswidenedsurprise"youanleaveeverythgbehd?"
henodded"yesit,stheonlywaywetrulybetotherbuehavetoactfastxietianxieisbegorespicio,andit,nlyaatteroftibeforeheakeshisove"
tearsfilledsukie,seyesassherealizedtheagnitudeofwhatheroposg"idon,anttoloseyou,fenglgbutidon,antutourfailydaher"
heseezedherhand,hiseyesfilledwithdeteration"ourfailywillbesafei,veadesureofitbutyouandiwedeserveaceathappe
', ' ')('ss"
shetookadeepbreath,herheartpoundgwithaixoffearandhope"whendoweleave?"
"toorrownight,"hesaidftly"i,llhaveeverythgreadyallyouodoistrt"
sukielookedtohiseyes,seegtheloveaerationthereshekhahateverchallensyahead,theywouldfacethetother"itrtyou,"shewhispered
thedaypassedabrofpreparationandsecrecyhanfenglgadearraswithtrtedallies,ensurgthattheirdeparturewouldgounnoticedsuk
iepackedafewpreciobelonggs,herheartheavywiththekhatshewasleavgbehdthelifeshehadknown
asnightfell,theytthegarden,theirheartspoundgwithanticipationhanfenglgtookherhand,hisgripfirandreassurg"areyouready?"heaskedftly
shenodded,hereyesfilledwithdeteration"yeslet,sgo"
theyovedsilentlythroughtheshadows,slippgpastguardsandservantswhowereunawareoftheirpnsastheyreachedtheedoftheestate,asenseoffreedowashedoverthetheywereleavgbehdaworldofdanraion,steppgtotheunknownwithnothgbuttheirlovetoguidethe
butjtastheywereabouttocrossthethreshold,avoutthedarkness"gogwhere?"
sukie,sheartskippedabeatasxietiaeppedtoview,hiseyesgleagwithtriuph"didyoureallythkyouuldescape?"hesneered
hanfenglgsteppedprotectivelyfrontofsukie,hisexpressionfierce"we,releavg,xietianxieandthere,snothgyoudotos"
xietianxieughed,aenagund"oh,butthereisyoee,i,vebeenwatgyouoyourlittleloveaffairhasnotgoneunnoticedandnow,youwillpaythepriceforyourbetrayal"
beforetheyuldreact,xietianxiedrewhissword,thebdegltgtheoonlighthanfenglgphedsukiebehdhi,draghiwnon"run,sukie!"heshouted"i,llholdhioff!"
sukie,sheartracedwithfearaerationsheuldn,tleavehanfenglgtofacexietianxiealoneshehadtofight,tostandbyhissideshedrewherowndagr,herhandssteadydespitetheterrorherheart
xietiahe,hisoventsswiftanddeadlyhanfenglihihead-on,theirsashowerofsparkssukiewatchedhorrorastheonfought,theirskillsevenlyatchedsheknewshehadtodothg,butsheuldn,tseeanopeng
asthebattleradon,sukiesawhercexietianxiewasfocedonhanfenglg,hisbackturohershetookadeepbreath,suongallherdndforward,aigforhisunprotectedsi
', ' ')('de
thedagrstrucktrue,aiaoutaroarofpaiagredback,ctghisside,hiseyesfilledwithfury"youlittlebitch!"hesnarled
hanfenglgseizedtheopportunity,delivergapowerfulblowthatseianxiecrashgtothegrouoodoverthefallenan,hischestheavgwithexertion"thisisforallthepayou,vecaed,"hesaidldly,beforedrivghisswordtoxietianxie,sheart
sukiewatched,herbreathgshasps,asthelifedraedfroxietianxie,seyesshefeltaixofreliefandhorror,knogthattheyhadtakenaliferotecttheirown
hanfenglgturoher,hiseyesfilledwith"areyht?"
sheearsstreagdownherface"yesbuhatnow?"
hetookherhand,hisgripfirandreassurg"now,weleavethispcetother"
theyovedickly,leavgtheseofthebattlebehdastheyslippedtothenight,sukiefeltasenseofhopeaerationtheyhadfacedtheirgreatesteneyanderdvictorionow,theyhadacetobuildanewlifetother,freefrotheshadowfthepast
asthefirstlightofdawnbrokeonthehorizon,sukieandhanfenglgstoodonahilloverlookiytheyheldeachotherclose,theirheartsfilledwithasenseofpossibilitytheroadaheadwouldnotbeeasy,buttheykhataslongastheyhadeachother,theyuldfaychallen
and,handhand,theysteppedtothefuture,readytowritethechapteroftheirstory
thedaysfollogtheirescapewereabroftravendsecrecysukieandhanfenglgovedfrotowntotown,aygioolong,alwayswaryofbegdisveredthenightswerespenthuddledtotherforwarth,shargwhisperedversationsandstolefaffeeachpassgday,sukie,sfeelgsforhanfenglgdeepened,andsheuldsensehisfeelgsirroredherown
theyfallysettledaietvilledtheountas,farfrothereachoftheirehevilicturesehaven,withshgreeneryandcrystal-clearstreasthesiplelifeofferedastarktrasttotheopulenddaheyhadleftbehdforthefirsttiwhatfeltlikeay,theyfoundasebnceofpeace
oneeveng,asthesundippedbelowthehorizon,castgagoldenglowoverthevil,sukiesatbythedowoftheirsalltta,herthoughtsawhirldhanfenglgwautside,choppgwoodforthefireshewatchedhithroughthedow,hisstrong,gracefuloventscaptivatihesightofhibroughtawarthtoherheartthatsheuldn,tignoreanylonr
ashefishedandcaside,sukiegreetedhiwithaftsile"youworktoohard,"s
', ' ')('heteasedntly
hanfenglgchuckled,wipgthesweatfrohisbrow"it,sgoodtostaybykeepsydoffthgs"
sukie,ssilefadedasshelookeddownatherhands"fenglialk"
hesetthewooddownandjoihetable,hisexpressionserio"what,nyourd?"
takgadeepbreath,sukiethisgaze,herheartpoundg"fenglg,i,tkeeppretendgthateverythgisnoralbeeeniknowyoufeelittoothisewehaveit,sorethanjtsiblgs,orethanjtfriendship"
hanfenglg,seyesftened,andhereachedouttotakeherhandhis"iknow,sukiei,vefeltittoobuti,vebeentrygrotectyou,tokeepyoafe"
tearsfilledhereyesassheshookherhead"idon,tneedprotefroyownfeelgsioknowthae,rethistother,thae,renotalonehowwefeel"
heseezedherhand,hisvoicefir"you,renotalone,sukiei,velovedyouforalongti,lohanievenrealizedbutourworldisplicated,andoursituationisdanro"
"idon,tcareaboutthedanr,"shesaid,hervoicebreakg"icareaboutyoui,tkeeppretendgthati,notihyou"
hanfenglgpulledhertohisars,holdiightly"iloveyoutoo,sukieorethananythgbuehavetobesartaboutthiswe,tletoureotionscloudnt"
shegtohi,feelieadybeatofhisheartagastherown"iknowbuti,tkeephidghowifeeliobewithyou,trulybewithyou"
hekissedtheofherhead,hisvoiceawhisper"thenwewillbewe,llfdawaytoakethiswork,noatterwhatittakes"
theirversationwasterruptedbyaknothedoorsukiepulledback,wipiears,ashanfenglioastandgoutsidewaslizifeng,sukie,ldfriendandfidantfrotheirpreviolifehehadbeenasteadfastallythroughtheirordeal,andseeghibroughtawaveofrelief
"zifeng!"sukieexcid,rhgtoebracehi"whatareyoudoghere?"
lizifeurhehug,asileonhisface"icatoakesureyou,rebothsafenewfxietianxie,sdeathhasspread,andtherearestillthoseloyaltohiwhoightseekreven"
hanfenglgnodded,hisexpressiongri"wethoughtasuchwe,vebeencareful,bue,tletuarddown"
theyvitedzifengside,aookaseatatthetable,hisdeanorserio"i,vebeengathergrationthereareruorsthatxietianxie,salliesareregroupgtheyighteafteryouboth"
sukie,sheartsank"we,tkeeprunngforeverweofdawaytoendthisthreatondforall"
hanfenglglookedthoughtful"weogatherourow
', ' ')('nallies,peoplewetrtifwebuildastronnoughwork,weightbeabletofendoffanyattacks"
lizifengnodded"iknowpeoplewhoightbeabletohelpweooveickly,thoughtiisnotonourside"
astheydiscsedtheirpns,sukiefeltarenewedsenseofdeterationtheyhadfauchalready,andshekheyuldovereanyobstacleiftheystoodtothertheloveshefeltforhanfenglgwashergreateststrength,andshewoulddowhateverittookrotecttheirfuture
thefewdayswereafrryofactivitylizifengreachedouttohistacts,andontheyhadasallbutloyalgroupofalliessukieandhanfenglgtraeddilintly,hongtheirskillsandprepargfortheiablefrontatioethetension,theirontstotherwerefilledwithtendernessandlove
oneeveng,afteraparticurlygruelgtragsessiobythefire,exhationglgwithtehanfengldanararoundsukie,pullgherclose
"youwereaazgtoday,"hesaid,hisvoicefilledwithadiration"i,veneverseenanyonefightlikeyou"
shesiled,leangtohi"i,vehadagoodteacherandagoodreantofight"
hekissedherftly,hislipslrgonhers"iloveyou,sukieorethanwordssay"
shelookedtohiseyes,herheartswellgwitheotion"iloveyoutoo,fenglgandi,lnythiween"
astheyheldeachother,thefirecragftlybesidethe,sukiefeltasenseofpeacetheirjourneywasfarfroover,butshekhataslongastheyhadeachother,theyuldfaychallen
thefollog,theyreceivedwordthatxietianxie,sallieswereontheoveiastiuttheirpnstoasukieandhanfenglgstoodsidebyside,readytofacewhatevercatheirway
thebattlewasfierdreleheirsallgroupofalliesfoughtvaliantly,eachperngivgtheirallrotecttheirhoandlovedonessukieandhanfenglgfoughttother,theiroventsperfectlysyheirlovegivirength
asthesu,castgabllowoverthebattlefield,itbecaclearthattheyweregagtheupperhandxietianxie,sforcesweredrivenback,theiroraleshatteredbytheunwaverierationofsukieandherallies
fally,thestoftheireneiesweredefeated,andatriuphantcheerrosefrotheirrankssukieandhanfenglgstoodierofthebattlefield,theirhandscspedtightlytother,theireyesshgwithvictory
"wedidit,"sukiesaid,hervoicefilledwithaweandrelief"wereallydidit"
hanfenglgsiled,pulliohisars"yes,
', ' ')('wedidandnow,wefallybefree"
astheyebraced,surrouheirfriendsandallies,sukiefeltadeepsenseofgratitudetheyhadfaiagablechallensanderdstrohaheirlovehadbeeedandhadendured,andnowtheyuldlookforwardtoafuturefilledwithhopeandpossibility
thedaysthatfollowed,thevilcelebratedtheirhard-wonpeacesukieandhanfenglgwerehailedasheroes,theirlovestorybegalendthatspiredotherstheyspenttheirdaysrebuildgandhealg,fdgjoythesiplepleasureflife
oneeveng,astheywalkedhandhandthroughthevil,sukielookedupathanfenglg,herheartoverflogwithlove"thankyouforalwaysbelievg,"shesaidftly"fornevergivgup"
hesiled,hiseyesfilledwithwarth"iuldnevergiveuponyou,sukieyou,reyeverythg"
sheleaned,kissghitenderly"andyou,fenglg,areyforever"
astheystoodthere,bathedthegoldenlightofthesettgsun,sukiekhatnoatterwhatchallensyahead,theywouldfacethetothertheirlovewasabeaofhope,atestanttothepowerofceaerationandaslongastheyhadeachother,theyulderanythg
theboweensukieandhanfengliroheachpassgdaytheybecaseparable,theirloveastanturcethandfortthevilthriveduheirleadership,andthesenseofunityandlidarityalpable
oernoon,astheyworkedtotherthefields,sukielookedoverathanfenglg,herheartswellgwithprideandlove"fenglg,doyoueverthkaboutthefuture?aboutanttobuildhere?"
hepaed,wipgthesweatfrohisbrow,andsiledather"everydayiwanttocreateapcewherewelivepeace,whereourchildrengrowupsafeandhappy"
hereyessparkledwithtearfjoy"children?youreallythkaboutthat?"
hetookherhand,hisexpressiontender"ofurseiwanttobuildalifewithyou,sukieafailyafuturefilledwithloveandhappess"
shethrewherarsaroundhi,herughterrggoutlikeabell"iwantthattoo,fenglgorethananythg"
astheystoodthere,ebraguheclearbesky,sukiefeltasenseofpletenessshe
hadneverknownbeforetheirjourneyhadbeenlongandarduo,butithadledthetothisontofpure,unadulteratedjoytheyhadfouheworld,andtother,theywouldcreatealegacyofloveandhope
theirlovestorywasfarfroover,buttheyfacedthefuturewithunwavergfideheyhadeachother,andthaasallthe
', ' ')('yneededaslongastheystoodtother,theykhattheyuldovereanyobstadachieveanydrea
and,handhand,sukieandhanfenglgwalkedtotheirfuture,theirheartsfilledwithloveandtheirspiritsunbreakabletheirstorywaneofce,resiliendtheendurgpowerofloveandianlyjtbegng
thesereneountavilthathadbeesukieandhanfenglg’ssanctuaryceoftranilityandloveyet,despitethepeacetheyhadfound,alrgsenseofunfishedbessgsukiesheoftenfoundherselflostthought,ptiureandherroleitherdreaswerehauntedbyvisionfherforrlife,theodernworldshehadleftbehd,andtheunrelvedthreadsthatstilltugdatherheart
onecrisp,sukiesatbythestreathatranthroughthevil,thewater’sntleflowothiroubleddhanfenglgapproachedietly,hispresencealwaysaurceofforthesatbesideher,hishalybrhghers
“whattroublesyou,sukie?”heasked,hisvoiceftandfilledwith
shesighed,turngtoethisgaze“i’vebeenthkgalotaboutthelifeileftbehd,theodernworldtherearethgsileftunfished,peopleicareaboutandthere’sapartofthaondersifiuldhavedoneore,beenore”
hanfenglg’sexpressiohoughtful“doyouissit?thaorld?”
“ways,yes,”sheaditted“butit’snotjtaboutissgitifeellikeihavearesponsibilitytogoback,tofishwhatistartedandaybe,ifido,iakeabetterfuturefor”
henodded,uandgdawnghiseyes“you’retalkgaboutreturngtoyourti”
“yes,”sukiesaid,hervoicefirwithrelve“iogobadfaceypast,akethgsrightandaybe,jtaybe,ifdawaytosecureourfuture”
hanfenglg’sgriptightenedonherhand“iuandandiwillsupportyou,noatterwhatbuthowwillyoureturn?”
shelookeddownattheiriedhands,aixtureoffearaerationhereyes“i’vebeenstudyis,theohatspeakoftitravelthere’saritual,awaytoreversetheprocessaurntoyti”
hanfenglg’seyeswidehaixofaweand“itundsdanro”
“itis,”sukieaditted“butit’sariskihavetotake”
withhanfenglg’sunwavergsupport,sukiebeganreparefortheritualthevilrs,unawareofthetruenatureoftheirefforts,offeredtheirassistance,providgthenecessaryherbsandaterialsthenightoftherituarrived,theairheavywithanticipationanday
astheoonreacheditszenith,sukiestoodattheterofacirclearkedwithas
', ' ')('ybolshanfenglgstoodbesideher,hispreseeadygforcethevilrswatchedirevereheirfaithsukie’sabilitiesunshaken
sukietookadeepbreath,herheartpoundgherchestshebegantotthetation,hervoicesteadyandstrongtheairaroundthecrackledwithenergy,thesybolnthegroundglogwithanotherworldlylightthepoweroftheritualsurdthroughher,fillihasenseofpurposeandrelve
hanfenglg’shandtightenedaroundhers“reber,noatterwhereyougo,iwillwaysbewithyou”
tearswelledsukie’seyesasshelookedathi“iloveyou,fenglgiwillebackforyouiproise”
asthefalwordfthetatioherlips,abldglightenvelopedsukieshefeltherselfbegpulledaway,theworldaroundherdislvgtoabroflorsandundsthesensationwaverwhelg,butsheheldontohanfenglg’swords,hislovegroundgherasshewasthrtbatotheunknown
whenthelightfaded,sukiefoundherselfstandgthefailiarsurroundgfheroldapartnttheoderedherwithitscaphonyofundsandsightsshetookaonttosteadyherself,herdreelgfrotheabrupttransitiontherealityofhersituationhitherwithfullforce–shewasback
deterioaketheostofherreturn,sukiewastednotisheicklyirsedherselfiudies,re-enrollghighschoolwitharenewedsenseofpurposeherfriendsandteachersweresurprisedbyhersuddentransforation,theonce-ordarygirlnowdrivenbyanunyieldieration
herfirsttaskwastoacetheentranceexassukie’snightswerespentpovertextbooks,herdawhirlwiions,historicaldates,andstifictheoriesherdayswerefilledwithcsses,eachlesnasteppgstoowardshergoalthechallenswereishefacedthewitharelvefedthefirefherpastexperiences
sukie’stransforationdidnotgounnoticedherteacherswereipressedbyherdedication,herpeersspiredbyherrelentlessdriveshefordnewfriendships,bondsbuiltonutualrespedsharedaspiratio,aidstthefrryofacadeicpursuits,herthoughtftendriftedtohanfenglg,hispreseanturcethandotivation
oernoon,afteraparticurlygruelxa,sukiesattheschoolurtyard,herdragwiththoughtfthefutureshewasjoedbyilg,herloyalfriendfroherpreviolife,whohadalcrossedovertothisti
“you’ved,sukie,”ilgsaid,hervoicefilledwithadiration“there’safireyouthaasn’ttherebefore”
suki
', ' ')('esiled,hergazedistant“i’vebeenthroughalot,ilgandi’velearhatifyouwantthg,youhavetofightforiitheverythgyouhave”
ilg’seyesftehuandg“you’rethkgabouthi,aren’tyou?”
“everyday,”sukieaditted,hervoidwithlongg“iproisedhiiwouldebadiwillbutfirst,ioakesurethahenido,igivethelifewedeserve”
astheonthspassed,sukie’shardworkpaidoffshegraduatedwithhonors,segapoheostprestigiouiesherchoseersce,adisciplihthepotentialtoshapethefutureshesawitasawaytoharhepowerofteologytocreateabetterworld,onewheresheandhanfenglguldbetotherwithoutfear
heruyyearswereawhirldofdisveryandnovationsukie’sbrillianceshoneeveryprojectsheuook,herpassionaivitysettgherapartfroherpeersshedevelopedgroundbreakgteologies,earngaodesaionfrotheacadeiunity
yet,despitehersuesses,sukieneverlostsightofherultiategoalsheiedwisely,buygbitandothercryptocurrencies,herfhtandtuitionleadgtosubstantialfancialgassheedhernewfouhtosecureafortablefuture,buygahoandacar,ensurgthaheica,shewouldbereadyrovideforhanfenglg
throughoutitall,sukie’sheartreaedanchoredtotheproiseshehadadeshekepttouchwithilgandlizifeng,theirbondalifelioherpasttother,theydevisedapurntotheaworld,toreuhhanfenglgandfulfillthedestytheyhadfedtother
thedayofthefalrituarrived,andsukiefeltaixtureofexcitentandtrepidatiooodthesaspohereshehadperfordtheitialritual,thesybolnthegroundglogwithafailiarlightilgandlizifengstoodbyherside,theirpresenceafreihestrengththeyshared
assukiebegantotthetation,theairaroundthecrackledwithenergythesybolsglowedbrighter,thepoweroftheritualbuildgtoacresdosukie’svoicewassteadyandclear,herheartfilledwithhopeaeration
thelightenvelopedheronceaga,theworldaroundherdislvgtoabroflorsandundsshefeltherselfbegpulledback,thesensationbothexhiratgandoverwhelgasthelightfaded,shefoundherselfstandgthefailiarsurroundgftheountavil
thevilrsgreetedherwithjoyandrelief,theirfaithherunwavergsukie’sheartracedasshesearchedforhanfenglg,hereyessgthecrowdwhenshefallysawhi,standgattheedofthevilwithalookofdisbeliefand
', ' ')('joyonhisface,shefeltawaveofeotionwashoverher
“fenglg!”shecried,runngtohi
hecaughtherhisars,holdiightly“sukie,youcaback”
“iproisediwould,”shesaid,tearsstreagdownherface“andialwayskeepyproises”
theystoodthere,edeachother’sebrace,theweightoftheirjourneyliftgfrotheirshouldersthelovetheysharedhadbroughtthebacktother,andnow,theyuldfallybegthelifetheyhadalwaysdreadof
asthevilrscelebratedtheirreturn,sukieandhanfenglgstoodtother,theirheartsfilledwithgratitudeandhopetheyhadfaiagablechallens,buttheirlovehadendured,guidihroughthedarkestoftis
thedaysthatfollowed,theyworkedtothertobuildafuture,blendgtheknowledandexperiencefbothworldssukie’snovatihtnewopportuothevil,whilehanfenglg’sstrengthandwisdohattheirunitythrived
theirlovestorybecaalend,spirgotherstobelievethepowerofce,resiliendunwaveriionastheystoodhandhand,watgthesuovertheountas,sukiekhattheyhadtrulyfouheworld
tother,theyhadcreatedalegacyofloveandhope,atestanttotheendurgpowerofthehuanspiritandastheyfacedthefuture,theydidwiththeknowled
that,noatterwhatchallensyahead,theywouldalwayshaveeachother
sukie’sreturntotheodernworldwasithixedeotionsthejoyofreunitgwithfriendsandfailywasteperedbytherealizationofthechallehatyaheadherissionwasclear:tosecureafuturewheresheandhanfenglguldbetotherwithoutfearoruatythisreirednotonlyfancialstabilitybutaladeepuandgofthetricacieftheodernworld
asshesettledbatoherlife,sukiefoundherselfatacrossroadsshehadtochooseacareerpaththaouldprovidethereurdstabilitynecessaryforherandhanfenglg,sfutureafteruption,shedecidedursueacareerfandtrywiththepotentialfnifitfancialgasshekhaithherdeterationandtellect,sheuldexcel
sukieenrollediigiobessschool,dedigherselftoherstudieswiththesafervorshehadshownherprevioacadeicpursuitstherigorourseworkanddeandgschedulewerechallengg,butshereaedfocedoalhercssatesandprofesrswereipressedbyhertellinddrive,oftenseekghersightsdurgdiscsions
duriiatbessschool,sukiefordaclose-knitgroupoffriendswhosha
', ' ')('redherpassionforfarepreneurshipaongthewasjan,abrilliantbuttrovertedstudenhoicklybecaherfidanttheyspenttlesshoursstudygtother,discsgarkettrends,andshargtheirdreasforthefuture
oneeveng,astheysatthelibrary,theirtextbooksspreadoutbeforethe,janlookedatsukiewithcuriosity"youknow,sukie,youalkaboutyourpastwheredidyoutthisdrive,thisunwaverieration?"
sukiesiled,herthoughtsdriftgtohanfenglgandthelifetheyhadshared"i,vebeenthroughalot,janorethanostpeopleiagiit,sgivenaclearsenseofwhatiwantandwhati,willgtofightfor"
jannodded,sensihofherwords"well,whateveritis,itakesyouoheostrearkablepeopleiknowihavenodoubtyou,lchieveeverythgyoetouttodo"
hiswordsfilledherwitharenewedsenseofpurposeshekhathertitheodernworldwasnotjtaboutachievgfancialsuess,butalaboutprepargherselfforthelifeshewahhanfenglg
assukieexcellediudies,shealbegantoicryptocurrencies,havglearnedabouttheirpotentialduriitheaworldshespenthoursreseargandanalyzgarkettrends,akgcalcutedintsthatoopayoffherportfoliogreidly,andsheedherprofitstosecureassetsthaouldensureafortablefuture
despiteherbyschedule,sukieneverlostsightofherproisetohanfenglgshefreentlicatedwithilgandlizifeng,whoprovidedupdateuationtheaworldtheirsupportandewerevaable,redihatshewasnotaloneherission
oneweekend,sukiedecidedtotakeabreakfroherstudiesandvisitherparentsthedrivetotheirhoewasfilledwithoriefherchildhood,asiplertibeforeherlifehadbeeplicatedasshepulledtothedriveway,herreetedherwithawarhug,hereyesfilledwithprideandlove
"sukie,it,sgoodtoseeyou,"herothersaid,leadgherside"you,vebeenwhardi,worriedyou,reoverdogit"
sukiesiled,appreciatiher,s"i,okay,oijthavealotioaplish"
herfatherjoihethelivgroo,hisexpressionserio"we,reproudofyou,sukiebuealwanttoakesureyou,retakgcareofyourselfyoudon,thavetocarrytheweightoftheworldonyourshoulders"
thewarthandsupportofherparentswereabaltosukie’swearyulshespenttheweekendrexgahherfaily,fdgtheirloveanduandgiasareihatshewasnotaloneherjourney,andthattherewerepeoplewhoca
', ' ')('reddeeplyaboutherwell-beg
afterreturngtoschool,sukiethrewherselfbatoherstudieswithrenewedvigorherdeterationpaidoffasshegraduatedwithhonors,segavetedpositionataleadifirthefast-pacedworldoffancewasexhiratg,andsukieicklyestablishedherselfasarisgstarthedtry
hersuessdidnotgounnoticedshecaughttheattentionofjaswhitore,awealthyandiialbessanknownforhissharpstdaggressivetacticshevitedsukietojohistea,herapositionthatproisedbothwealthandfencewhiletheopportunitywasteptg,sukiewaswaryofwhitore,sreputationaentialethicalproisesthatightewithwforhi
oneeveng,asshesatherxurioapartntoverlookiy,sukiereceivedacallfroilgherfriend,svoicewasfilledwithexcitentandurncy"sukie,we,veadeabreakthroughthere,sawaytostabilizethetiportal,toakeitpera"
sukie,sheartracedwithhopeandfear"areyoure?howdoesiork?"
"we,vefothatdescribearitualvolvgrarestonesandaspecificaligofthestars,"ilxped"butit,sdanro,anditreiresprecisetiiickly"
sukiekhiswastheontshehadbeenwaitgforhertitheodernworldhadgivehereurdknowledsheneeded,butiastitoreturntohanfenglgandfulfillherproiseshetookadeepbreath,herdragwiththeiplicationftheritual
"ilg,i,lldowhateverittakesjttellwhatiodo,"sukiesaid,hervoicefilledwithdeteration
astheydiscsedthedetails,sukiefeltaixtureofexcitentandtrepidatioualreiredspecificstohaerebothrareandexpensivefortunately,herintshadprovidedherwiththefancialanstoaciretheshetactedareputabledealerandarraopurchasethenecessarystones
thefollogdays,sukieticulolypreparedfortheritualshereviewedtheaexts,cross-referehodernstifiowledtoensureeverydetailwasrrectherapartntbecaaakeshiftboratory,filledwithcharts,crystals,andaresybols
onthenightoftheritual,sukiestoodontheroofofherapartntbuildg,thecitylightsklgbelowherthestarswereperfectlyaligheircelestialdaestanttotheprecisionreiredfortheritualilgandlizifengstoodbyherside,theirpresenceafreihebondtheyshared
assukiebegantotthetation,thestonesarrandacirclearoundherbegantoglowwithaft,ethereallighttheaircrackledwithenergy,
', ' ')('aasurofpowercthroughhervestheritualwasw,butitdeandedallofherfodstrength
ilgandlizifengwatchediheportalbegantofor,ashirgvortexthatseedulsewithlifesukie’svoicegrewlouder,theawordsflogfroherlipswithacrityandpowerthatbeliedtheiratheportalstabilized,itsedslidifygtoagatewaybeeenworlds
withafalsurofenergy,sukiepletedtheritualtheportalstoodopenbeforeher,atestanttoherdeterationandsacrificesheturoilgandlizifeng,hereyesfilledwithgratitudeandrelve
"thankyouboth,foreverythg,"shesaid,hervoicesteadydespitetheeotionsswirlgwithher
ilghugdhertightly"besafe,sukieandreber,we,llwaysbehereforyou"
lizifengnodded,hisexpressionserio"goodck,sukieyou’vegotthis"
takgadeepbreath,sukiesteppedthroughtheportalthetransitionwasbothexhiratganddirientg,theworldaroundhershiftgandtransfakaleidospeoflorsaionswhenthelightfaded,shefoundherselfstandgthefailiarsurroundgftheountavil
thevilrsgreetedherwithjoyandrelief,theirfaithherunwavergsukie’sheartracedasshesearchedforhanfenglg,hereyessgthecrowdwhenshefallysawhi,standgattheedofthevilwithalookofdisbeliefandjoyonhisface,shefeltawaveofeotionwashoverher
“fenglg!”shecried,runngtohi
hecaughtherhisars,holdiightly“sukie,youcaback”
“iproisediwould,”shesaid,tearsstreagdownherface“andialwayskeepyproises”
theystoodthere,edeachother’sebrace,theweightoftheirjourneyliftgfrotheirshouldersthelovetheysharedhadbroughtthebacktother,andnow,theyuldfallybegthelifetheyhadalwaysdreadof
asthevilrscelebratedtheirreturn,sukieandhanfenglgstoodtother,theirheartsfilledwithgratitudeandhopetheyhadfaiagablechallens,buttheirlovehadendured,guidihroughthedarkestoftis
thedaysthatfollowed,theyworkedtothertobuildafuture,blendgtheknowledandexperiencefbothworldssukie’snovatihtnewopportuothevil,whilehanfenglg’sstrengthandwisdohattheirunitythrived
theirlovestorybecaalend,spirgotherstobelievethepowerofce,resiliendunwaveriionastheystoodhandhand,watgthesuovertheountas,sukiekhattheyhadtrulyfouheworld
', ' ')('tother,theyhadcreatedalegacyofloveandhope,atestanttotheendurgpowerofthehuanspiritandastheyfacedthefuture,theydidwiththekhat,noatterwhatchallensyahead,theywouldalwayshaveeachother
sukieandhanfenglg’sreuniontheountavilhadbeennothgshortofiraculotheirlove,testedbytiandtrials,haderdstronrandoreresilientthaneverwiththeportalnowstabilized,theyhadtheunieopportunitytoexplorenewhorizonstothersukie’ssuesstheodernworldprovidedthewiththefancialanstosecureafuture,andtheydecidedtoebarkonanewadventure–buildgalifenortherneurope
thedeovetonortherneuropewasdrivenbysukie’sdesiretobihebestofbothworldstheregion,sbreathtakgndscapes,advaeology,andhighalityoflifeproisedafreshstart,freefrothestratsanddaheyhadfacedbeforesukieandhanfenglnvisionedalifewheretheyuldblendtheirunieexperiendskillstocreatethiraordary
thejourneybeganwithaflighttosto,swedensukieandhanfenglgarveledattheeffidphistiodernairtravel,astarktrasttothesiplerodeftransportationtheirvilastheyarrivedsto,thecity’sblendofhistoricalcharandcuttg-ednovationcaptivatedthe
theirfirstdaysstowerespehecity’svibrantcultureandhistorytheyvisitedthevasaeu,wherehanfenglgwasfasatedbythewell-preserved17th-turywarshipsukieexpihesignificeoftheshipanditsill-fatedaidenvoya,hervoicefilledwithbothrevereent
“thisshipisatestanttotheresilienanendeavors,”sukiesaid,hereyesreflegtheship,sgrandeur“it’sareihatevenfaire,thereisbeautyandlesnstobelearned”
hanfenglgnodded,absherwords“it’scredibletoseehowuchtheworldhasevolvedthere’suchtolearnandexperience”
theirdayswerefilledwithexplorationanddisvery,butthenightsbroughtdeeperversationsandreflestheysatbythedowoftheirhotelroo,watgthecitylightsklebelow,theirheartsfilledwithaixofwonderandtrepidation
“sukie,”hanfenglgsaidonenight,hisvoidwith,“doyoueverworrythae’releavgtoouchbehd?e,thepeoplewhodependedon?”
sukietookhishaoutleandreassurg“ido,fenglgbutibelievethaecreatethvenoreangfulherewehavethereurdthekohelpotherswaysweneveruldbeforeandwe’llwherewecafro”
', ' ')('hanfenglgsiled,hisfearseasg“yhttother,weakeadifference”
astheysettledtotheirnewlife,sukieandhanfenglgfacedthechallenfadaptgtoadifferentcultureandenvirotheyfouifupartntaietneighborhood,itsoderndesignandpanoraicviewsastarktrasttothesiplicityoftheirvilsukie’sknowledofodernteologyprovedvaable,helpgthenavigatetheplexitiefurbanlivg
sukieicklyirsedherselftheworldoffandteology,leveraggherskillsandexperieoestablishasuessfulintfirherreputationasabrilliantandnovativeentrepreneurspreadickly,attragtsandiorsfroaroundtheworldhanfenglg,oherhand,foundhiscallgstaableagricultureheappliedhisknowledoftraditionalfargteiestoodernpractices,creatgaunieandhighlysuessfunicfar
theirrespectivecareersflourished,butiastheirsharedpassionforhelpgothersthattrulydefiheirnewlifetheyestablishedafoundationdedicatedtosuppeducationandstaabledevelopntprojebothnortherneuropeandtheirhovilthefoundation’sipactrofound,iprovgtheliveftlesspeopleandstrengthengtheboweentheirpasta
oneeveng,astheystoodoerraceoftheirapartnt,watgthenorthernlightsdanceacrossthesky,sukiefeltasenseoffulfillntandpeacesheturohanfenglg,herheartswellgwithloveandgratitude
“fenglg,i’tbelievehowfarwe’vee,”shesaid,hervoicefilledwitheotion“we’vebuiltalifethat’sbeyondanythgiuldhaveiaged”
hanfenglgsiled,ghisarsaroundher“it’sallbecaeofyou,sukieyourstrengthandvisionhaveadethispossibleandi’gratefuleverydaythae’reonthisjether”
theirretionshipdeepeheachpassgday,theirlovegrogstronrandoreresilienttheyfacedchallensandobstacleswithunwavergsupportforoneaheirboanttothepowerofloveandperseveraheyfoundjoythesipleonts–okgdiother,explthetryside,andshargtheirdreasandaspirations
despitethehappiheyhadfound,therewereontftensionanduatytheculturaldifferendthepressureftheirrespectivecareerstiscreatedfrioneeveng,afteraparticurlystressfuldayaork,sukiefoundherselffeelgoverwheldandfrtratedshesatontheedoftheirbed,herdragwithdoubtsandworries
hanfeheroo,sensgherdistresshesatbesideher,hishalyrestgonhershoulder“what’sw
', ' ')('rong,sukie?”
shesighed,hershouldersspg“it’sjt…everythgthepressureaork,theresponsibilityofthefoundatitobaalltisifeellikei’notdonough,likei’failg”
hanfenglg’seyesftehuandg“you’redogancrediblejob,sukiebutyoudon’thavetocarrythisburdenalonewe’rethistother,reber?”
shelookedathi,hereyesbrigwithtears“iknow,fenglgandi’gratefulforyoubuttisitfeelsliketheweightoftheworldinyshoulders”
hepulledhertohisars,holdiightly“you’renotalone,sukiewe’llfacethesechalleotherandwe’lleoutstronroherside”
theirloveandsupportforeachothersawthethroughthetoughestoftistheylearounicateopenlyandholy,addressgtheirsandfearswithpassionanduandgtheirretionshipbecaaurcethandspiration,abeaofhopeaworldfilledwithuaty
oneweekend,sukieandhanfenglgdecidedtotakeatriptothetryside,seekgnature’sebracetheyrentedazybyapristihetranilsettgaperfectescapefrothedeandftheirbylivesastheyhikedthroughtheforest,theirughtereorees,theboweenthegrogstroheachstep
theyreachedacleargbytheke,thewater’ssurfaceshirgthesunlightsukiesatonarock,hergazefixedonthehorizonhanfenglgjoedher,hispresenceafwarth
“it’sbeautifulhere,”sukiesaid,hervoicefilledwithawe“itredse”
hanfenglgnodded,hiseyesreflegthesase“itdoesitfeelslikeho”
theyspeernoonbytheke,talkgabouttheirdreasandaspirationssukiesharedhervisionforthefoundation,herpassionforakgadifferentheworldhanfenglgspokeofhisdesiretoexpandthefar,tocreateastaableodelthatuldbereplicatedotherunities
asthesuoset,castgagoldenglowoverthendscape,sukiefeltasenseofpeadtesheturohanfenglg,herheartoverflogwithlove
“fenglg,idon’tknowwhatthefutureholds,butidoknowthataslongaswe’retother,wefaythg”
hesiled,takgherhandhis“ifeelthesaway,sukiewe’veealongway,andthere’suchoretolookforwardto”
theirtiirysidestrengtheheirbond,rediheiportanceofbaheyreturostowitharenewedsenseofpurpose,readytofacethechallensandopportuhatyahead
thefollogonths,sukieandhanfenglg’slivestioflourishtheircareersthrived,theirfoundationadeasignifitipadthei
', ' ')('rlovegrewdeeperandoreresilienttheyfacedeachchallehceaeration,theirbondunbreakable
oneeveng,astheysatoerrace,watgthecitylightsklebelow,hanfenglgturosukiewithalookofdeeploveandadiration
“sukie,there’sthgi’vebeenangtoaskyou,”hesaid,hisvoicesteadyandscere
shelookedathi,herheartskippi“whatisit,fenglg?”
hetookherhand,hiseyesneverleavghers“willyouarry?”
sukie’seyesfilledwithtearfjoy,herheartswellgwithlove“yes,fenglgyes,iwill”
theirewasacelebrationoftheirjourestanttotheloveandresiliehathadbroughtthetothertheypnnedabeautifulweddg,blendgtraditionsfroboththeircultures,asyboloftheiruniearaordarylovestory
astheystoodtotherontheirweddgday,surroundedbyfriendsandfaily,sukieandhanfenglgkhattheirlovewasaforature,unbreakableandendurgtheyhadfaiagablechallens,buttheirlovehadseehrough,guidioafuturefilledwithhopeandpossibility
andastheydanceduhestars,theirheartsbeatperfectharony,theirloveabeaoflightaworldfilledwithuatytother,theywereunspable,theirboanttothepoweroflove,dresilience
theirstorywasfarfroover,butastheyfacedthefuturetother,theykhattheyuldovereanyobstadachieveaheirlovewasalegacy,abeaofhopeandspirationforallwhokhe
and,handhand,sukieandhanfenglgwalked
tothefuture,theirheartsfilledwithloveandtheirspiritsunbreakabletother,theywouldcreatealifeofpurpose,joy,andendlesspossibilities,theirlovestoryatestanttotheendurgpowerofthehuanspirit
', ' ')