Raindrops fell one by one, the wet strands of hair stuck to her forehead, water flowed from cheek to chin, then dripped down…
And fell onto the girl with gray-white hair held in her arms.
So light.
Like a fallen leaf lightly resting on his shoulder, like holding a cloud that could be scattered by the wind at any moment.
Su Li checked the girl’s breath.
Still alive.
Thank goodness.
Thank goodness.
Thank goodness.
He hadn’t lost her.
Just a moment ago, when she fell into his arms, his injuries were so severe, he was in so much pain he could barely stand.
Why could she still show him such a peaceful smile?
Su Li couldn’t understand.
There were too many things he couldn’t figure out.
Ever since it happened, the world had suddenly become strange.
In that distant village, so far away that it could only be seen in memories, they had lived together and grown up together.
They were family who cared for each other, childhood sweethearts who had been together since they were young.
Green mountains, streams, rice fields, pear orchards, earthen houses, cooking smoke, sunset…
Day after day, they grew up surrounded by these sights.
For them, there wasn’t much unfamiliar about this world.
In spring, after the spring rain fell, they would walk along the southbound dirt path, keep walking, go around bend after bend, and then they would see a bamboo grove.
Bamboo shoots would grow at this time, and they would go to pick them every year.
Sometimes the whole spring tasted of bamboo shoots.
In summer, the village became very hot.
They would walk down the mountain.
There was a small stream in the valley.
They would go catch crabs together.
Su Li was very skilled.
Once he could fill a bucket, while You Xue was always afraid of getting pinched, so most of the time she just watched from the side, cheering him on.
In autumn, it was the season when fruits ripened.
In front of the yard of their earthen house grew a wild pomelo tree.
At this time, its fruit would ripen.
The fruit grew quite large, but the flesh inside was very small and didn’t taste good—astringent and bitter.
But they ate them every year.
Although the taste wasn’t great, it was still better than going hungry.
In winter, it snowed in the village.
Flakes of snow drifted with the wind.
The next day, when they looked outside, they would see a soft white world.
When that time came, the weather would become very cold.
It was the kind of weather that made you shiver, but they would run in the snow, leaving footprint after footprint in the snow.
They would build snowmen, one on each side of the door, because You Xue said that if there was only one, the snowman might feel lonely.
Memories surfaced in his mind one after another, all beautiful, nostalgic images.
But in fact, many bad things had happened in the past—faint from hunger, seriously ill, covered in injuries from falls…
These things also happened often, frequently, always.
Why did he miss it so much?
Su Li knew very well.
It was because in the memories of the past, there was always a girl with gray-white hair by his side.
Day and night cycled, and she was always there.
Until…
The village was destroyed, and everything from the past was gone.
Su Li arrived in this city and suddenly discovered that the world had become vast and unfamiliar.
There were too many dangerous things in the world.
To protect himself and the people he cared about, he had to become strong.
Fortunately, he possessed a Supernatural Ability.
This was his innate talent and also his only capital to stand firm in this city.
Afterwards, he separated from You Xue and went to the Preparatory Academy.
Then he used the government subsidy to find a place for her to live.
The money wasn’t much, so it could only be in the slums.
He worked hard to give them a better life, but didn’t realize that their distance was gradually growing.
Su Li didn’t know what happened, but that’s how they parted.
And step by step, they drifted further apart.
Even now, he was still puzzled.
What was that golden eye?
Where did that powerful force come from?
Why did she appear here at this time?
Why did her emotions seem so unstable?
All kinds of questions swirled in Su Li’s mind.
He couldn’t find answers for now, but he didn’t dwell on them.
Although there was confusion, anxiety, resentment, and hatred, there was also one emotion that was undeniable, impossible to change—that was—
He wanted You Xue to live, to live well.
He had to hurry back to the base and find a doctor.
Holding the girl in his arms, he turned around and saw Alice, whose expression was anxious.
Seeing this scene, she was clearly startled.
“She… wasn’t she attacking you just now?”
The ice ridge that had not yet melted was evidence.
Alice had seen the scene clearly.
Su Li knew she was just concerned, so she had launched an attack at that moment.
He was actually a little angry, but what use was there in talking about it now?
This was not the time for explanations.
“She’s the childhood sweetheart I mentioned before.”
Alice stood there, her green eyes churning with shock, regret, and an indescribable emotion.
“It was me… it was my fault.”
Alice bit her lip, her voice very low.
“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know.”
Su Li was extremely pained, but his voice remained at the minimum level of calm.
“I don’t blame you. It was just a misunderstanding. I need to take her back to the base and find a doctor.”
After saying that, he ignored Alice and hurried toward the base.
Alice caught up from behind.
“I know you’re not feeling well. This is my mistake. I’m sorry. I’ll find a way to make up for it.”
At that moment, Su Li felt a strong wind rush in.
The curtain of rain was blown apart, and no more raindrops fell on the road ahead.
“This should make her feel better,” Alice said sincerely.
“Your leg is injured. Let me carry her. At least I can still run.”
Su Li looked at her guilty eyes.
He knew she meant no harm.
Then he felt his leg wound—it still hurt, and every step tore at the wound.
He couldn’t walk fast.
“Okay,” Su Li said.
There were too many things he wanted to know, too many questions that needed answers.
This time, he wouldn’t let her go so easily.
He had to ask clearly.
Even if she wanted to escape, he would firmly grasp her hand.