Xiao Hong wiped away her tears herself, pretending to be strong. "Big brother, Xiao Hong forgives you 'for now'. When will you come back?"
Ming Zhi Tian might not come back, or perhaps he would. He still lied, "Xiao Hong is very good and has grown a bit. When Xiao Hong truly grows up, big brother will return."
Xiao Hong smiled happily, her cute and lively round big eyes widening. "Really?"
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "Really."
Ming Zhi Tian thought that by giving Xiao Hong a false hope, time would dilute everything. When she truly grew into an adult, she would understand Ming Zhi Tian's difficult reasons for having to lie.
Xiao Hong extended her pinky finger and hooked it. "Come, big brother, pinky promise, swear to God, no backsies for a hundred years!"
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "Okay... pinky promise, swear to God, no backsies for a hundred years."
"Seal it!"
...
After bidding farewell to the two, Fan Miao Miao informed him that Lina was with Master Gui Ling Yu, and gave Ming Zhi Tian the address.
Fan Miao Miao leaned her delicate body against the half-open window, secretly watching Ming Zhi Tian leave. Her attire today was all for Ming Zhi Tian. Every day after work, she would dress like this, just for Ming Zhi Tian to see.
"Will you come back? I've always... been waiting for you."
On the peak of the mountain, fireflies filled one Chongshan tree after another, like night lamps, illuminating the mountain path.
Ming Zhi Tian walked straight up and soon arrived at Master Gui Ling Yu's place of meditation.
He saw Lina first. The woman with golden hair and blue eyes, perfect facial features, snow-white flawless skin, and a slender, delicate figure. She was known as the Norse goddess, Lina.
He could refuse Wang Qian Xi, and he could refuse Fan Miao Miao, but only Lina... this woman who had willingly confined herself for fifteen years for him.
Though his heart was in turmoil, Ming Zhi Tian’s reason calmed him to face reality.
"Lina, are you well?"
Lina, dressed in white, turned around, her beauty breathtaking.
"Ming Zhu Tian?"
Ming Zhi Tian almost forgot that she didn't speak Chinese very well. In Swan Country, everyone communicated in foreign languages, and Ming Zhi Tian was proficient in them.
Perhaps Master Gui Ling Yu had taught her Chinese? Maybe.
Foreigners were truly more open than those in China. She immediately gave Ming Zhi Tian a big hug, complete with a cheek kiss.
Lina, without blushing, said, "Ming Zhu Tian, why you bu lai zhao wo?"
Ming Zhi Tian found it amusing. "Lina, please speak to me in your own language."
Lina put her hands on her hips, feigning annoyance. "What? Isn't my Chinese pretty good?"
Ming Zhi Tian scratched his head. "It's okay... Heh, it's okay."
Lina wanted to say something but looked at Ming Zhi Tian as if she had something to say. "You speak first."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "I've come to say goodbye."
This sentence struck like lightning! Lina's body trembled. "Are you going home? It's okay, I can go with you."
Ming Zhi Tian shook his head. "It's a high-accident zone up ahead. I can't risk taking you with me. It's very chaotic there."
Lina shook her head. "Chaotic? Is it more chaotic than my heart?"
"What?" Ming Zhi Tian didn't understand.
Lina said, "Wo zhu dao, my heart is filled with very, very sad women. Wo is one of them. But wo bu jie yi, bring wo, Ming Zhu Tian."
Just as Ming Zhi Tian was in a difficult position, Master Gui Ling Yu, who had been watching for a long time, walked out and helped Ming Zhi Tian smooth things over.
"Mr. Ming."
The two turned. Lina bowed respectfully. "Master."
Ming Zhi Tian was a little surprised. "Oh? Master, you... you've taken Lina as a disciple?"
Master Gui Ling Yu nodded. "Yes. Lina, I need to speak with Mr. Ming about something. You should go practice your medicine first. I'll be testing you later."
Lina lowered her head, her expression serious. "Yes, Master."
Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at Ming Zhi Tian. Ming Zhi Tian didn't look at her, not wanting to sow more romantic feelings for Lina.