8 ：Bewildermet
thedaysfollogtheirescapewereabroftravendsecrecysukieandhanfenglgovedfrotowntotown，aygioolong，alwayswaryofbegdisveredthenightswerespenthuddledtotherforwarth，shargwhisperedversationsandstolefaffeeachpassgday，sukie，sfeelgsforhanfenglgdeepened，andsheuldsensehisfeelgsirroredherown
theyfallysettledaietvilledtheountas，farfrothereachoftheirehevilicturesehaven，withshgreeneryandcrystal－clearstreasthesiplelifeofferedastarktrasttotheopulenddaheyhadleftbehdforthefirsttiwhatfeltlikeay，theyfoundasebnceofpeace
oneeveng，asthesundippedbelowthehorizon，castgagoldenglowoverthevil，sukiesatbythedowoftheirsalltta，herthoughtsawhirldhanfenglgwautside，choppgwoodforthefireshewatchedhithroughthedow，hisstrong，gracefuloventscaptivatihesightofhibroughtawarthtoherheartthatsheuldn，tignoreanylonr
ashefishedandcaside，sukiegreetedhiwithaftsile＂youworktoohard，＂sheteasedntly
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＂weogatherourownallies，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，andthaasalltheyneededaslongastheystoodtother，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，sukiestoodattheterofacirclearkedwithasybolshanfenglgstoodbesideher，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”
sukiesiled，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，standgattheedofthevilwithalookofdisbeliefandjoyonhisface，shefeltawaveofeotionwashoverher
“fenglg！”shecried，runngtohi
hecaughtherhisars，holdiightly“sukie，youcaback”
“iproisediwould，”shesaid，tearsstreagdownherface“andialwayskeepyproises”
theystoodthere，edeachother’sebrace，theweightoftheirjourneyliftgfrotheirshouldersthelovetheysharedhadbroughtthebacktother，andnow，theyuldfallybegthelifetheyhadalwaysdreadof