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As Lu Ying read the words in her mother's letter, a quiet certainty formed in her heart—this woman was truly her grandmother.
But that certainty came at a price. The moment she let it settle, her grandmother's voice broke her thoughts.
> "My child, we don't have much time. We need to go and stabilize your ice body. If you want to say something to him, say it now."
Lu Ying's eyes turned instinctively to Su Yang.
He lay still. Silent. Pale. His chest moved ever so slightly, a soft rise and fall—but he remained unconscious. She wanted him to wake up, to hear her voice one more time before she left. But he didn't stir.
> "Grandmother… when will he come to his senses?" she asked, her voice small.
> "I don't know," Lu Wei replied softly, her tone regretful. "This boy… he's exhausted all his energy. His body needs time to recover—maybe a few hours. But we don't have that kind of time. You must come with me now."
A storm of emotions raged within her. If she left like this, would Su Yang think she'd used him and thrown him away?
He had risked his life for her. He had never once turned away, never once asked for anything in return. She had come to treasure his voice, his warmth, his strange, gentle stubbornness.
> "I care about you…" she thought, eyes trembling as she gazed at his peaceful face.
"Please don't hate me…"
Her heart throbbed painfully, as if to tear itself apart. Her vision blurred slightly. She tried to wipe her eyes discreetly.
Then, a strange warmth surged within her as she gazed at him. Her pupils slightly dilated, forming heart shapes—the first visible spark of possessive love. She didn't just care about Su Yang anymore—she needed him. Anyone who tried to come between them would surely regret it.
Lu Wei, watching from the side, understood more than she let on. After a pause, she spoke gently:
> "I know you want to speak to him. But time is short. If you can't say it aloud, then write. Tell him everything in a letter. He'll understand."
---
Without hesitation, Lu Ying knelt beside Su Yang and began writing. Her hand trembled, but she poured her feelings into each stroke of ink—explaining why she had to go, why she couldn't wait, how much he meant to her.
While she wrote, Lu Wei turned to Li Yong. Wordlessly, she took his hand and led him to a quieter part of the cave. Then, with sudden intensity, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
> "I'm going to take our grandchild back to our continent… to that place. Please promise me, Li Yong, that you'll come see our daughter."
Li Yong felt the warmth of her embrace, the tremor in her voice. He gently wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes.
> "I promise. I'll find her. And I'll explain everything. Even if she resents me now… I'll make her understand."
They stood in silence, holding each other like two souls who had been separated for decades and finally met again—only to part once more.
After a long pause, Li Yong whispered:
> "Alright… that child's finished writing. You should take her now. Her body's nearing the limit."
Lu Wei slowly pulled away, her eyes misty, and smiled faintly. Then, surprising even herself, she leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
> "Thank you," she whispered, and turned away, her face tinged with pink as she hurried back toward Lu Ying.
Li Yong stood frozen for a moment, his hand gently touching where she'd kissed him. Then he chuckled softly and shook his head.
> "She's still the same…"
---
Lu Ying had just finished her letter when she noticed her grandmother return.
> "Grandfather," she said, walking over to Li Yong with a folded letter in her hand. Her tone was gentle, and her eyes bright with trust. "Can you give this to him? Please… tell him I'll come back someday."
Li Yong grinned at her expression. "Haha, of course I will. But you must promise me something too."
She tilted her head, confused.
> "When you meet your mother… tell her I didn't run from responsibility. Tell her I never stopped thinking about her. I'll come to her soon. Will you tell her that?"
Lu Ying nodded solemnly. "I will."
> "Good girl," he said, taking the letter with care, as if it were the most precious object in the world.
Then, slowly, Lu Ying returned to Su Yang's side. She knelt beside him again and gently lifted his head into her lap. Her fingers stroked his hair softly, and her lips trembled.
> "Please be safe…" she whispered, placing a kiss on his forehead and holding him close for a brief, silent moment.
After a long pause, she gently laid him back down on the ground, tucking the letter under his hand.
She stood, took one last look at him, and turned to her grandmother.
Lu Wei took her hand. Li Yong joined them for a moment, nodding silently.
With a soft incantation, Lu Wei activated the teleportation charm. A glow enveloped both her and Lu Ying, swirling like frost and light.
> "Take care of him," Li Yong said, giving his final blessing.
Lu Wei nodded, and then—in a blink of light and wind—they were gone.
---
Li Yong stood alone in the cave now. He turned to Su Yang, still unconscious, and whispered:
> "You've made quite an impression on our family, boy. Rest well. You'll need your strength for the days ahead."
He knelt beside Su Yang, gently adjusting the letter in his hand. Then he stood, looking around the cave with thoughtful eyes.
> "So many years apart… and still fate finds a way to pull us all back together."
He closed his eyes.
And waited.
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